Cheshire East Sports Awards - Congleton Success

Team Congleton first across the line at Cheshire East Sports Awards 2012

Both Team Congleton and a local Congleton resident were honoured on Thursday at the Cheshire East Sports Awards 2012 at Cranage Hall.

Fiona Bruce MP presented Team Congleton with an award recognising their successful and committed celebration of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Fiona said “I am very proud to present this award.  Team Congleton have done a tremendous amount during 2012 to arrange Olympic events – including ensuring that Congleton was the first town in the country to hold a 2012 Olympic event - on New Year’s Day! – the Much Wenlock to Congleton run. The excellent work of Team Congleton hasa done much to strengthen community spirit across the town and will I’m sure leave a lasting legacy of increased involvement in sport for years to come.”

Fiona and Mayor of Cheshire East George Walton with Congleton award winners

Noting that Congleton was the only town to receive such an award Fiona added “this award is richly deserved.”

Congleton resident, Myrtle Larman, was also presented with a Special Recognition Award for her 35 year commitment to jujitsu in and around Congleton. This award is to reward an individual, club or project for hard work over a long period to make a difference to sport in Cheshire East.

Fiona Bruce with Myrtle Larman

Myrtle Larman said “This just goes to show that any woman can do sport no matter her age. It is open to everyone. I have been doing jujitsu since I was 15 and I have no intention of stopping. The Olympics have proved how well women can get on in sport. I also give talks on keeping fit and still teach in schools. I have people in my class from all ages for 4 and a half to in their 50s!”

Goostrey Guides

Fiona Bruce MP meets Goostrey Guide fundraising for trip to Germany

Fiona Bruce MP met with Emma Harvey, a Girl Guide from Goostrey, who is fundraising for a Guide trip to Germany with 7 other Guides from the Cheshire area.

Emma Harvey has been involved in Girlguiding in Goostrey for 9 years and now belongs to the 2^nd Jodrell Senior Section for girls aged 14 to 25 in Goostrey and Holmes Chapel. She is also a Young Leader with 2^nd Goostrey Brownies.

In order to take part in this trip of a lifetime the Guides each have to raise £1000 and are doing so through a variety of fundraising activities including selling dates from the calendar and holding a Masquerade Ball at Cranage Hall.

The aim of this trip is to share experiences and strengthen relationships between Guides from Cheshire and from other countries. The girls will stay at the German Guiding Association facility at Castle Rieneck near Frankfurt, and will also attend “Adventures in Berlin”, a large scale international venture undertaken by Girlguiding Northwest England at which the North West Guides are all lending a hand.

Emma said “I am really looking forward to this trip; it will be so interesting to help at the international event in Berlin and to meet Guides from other parts of the world.”

Fiona Bruce said “ I encourage people to generously support Emma and her fellow Guides to enable them to travel on these trips which are life changing experiences both for the Guides who travel and for those they meet and help in other countries.”

Cheshire East Sports Awards Alsager Success

Fiona Bruce MP congratulates Alsager young man honoured at Cheshire East Sports Awards 2012

Fiona Bruce MP met a young man from Alsager as he was named Young Volunteer of the Year at the Cheshire East Sports Awards at Cranage Hall recently for his commitment to community football club, AFC Alsager.

Henry Cross spends 6 hours a week helping with an after school club and the community sessions held by AFC Alsager, coaching young people from the Alsager community developing their football skills.

Mike Cross, Henry’s Father and a coach at AFC Alsager said “The family and club are very proud of Henry. He represents the club and all the young coaches associated with it. It was a tremendous evening and a hugely proud moment.”

Fiona Bruce said “I congratulate Henry on recieveing this prestigious award. Having seen the tremendous coaching at AFC Alsager of the huge number of football teams of young people of all ages, I know that Henry is part of an important community group, playing an increasingly key role in the life of Alsager.”

WaterAid

Local MP supports the 1 in 3 women world-wide with no toilet facilities

Fiona Bruce MP for the Congleton Constituency is adding her voice to a global campaign to support the one in three women around the world that have no access to a safe toilet.

International charity WaterAid is asking governments to keep the promises they have made to get adequate sanitation and safe water to the world’s poorest people.

Living without a toilet is not just an inconvenience; it impacts on all aspects of life, and it is women and girls who suffer the most. Not only does this expose them to illness, it also increases the risk of shame, fear and even violence when they are forced to go outside in search of somewhere private to go to the toilet.

Fiona Bruce said: “It’s easy for us to take for granted having clean toilets at home and safe drinking water at the turn of the tap, but millions of people across the world aren’t so lucky. In fact, 783 million people have no clean water to drink, while 2.5 billion do not have a toilet.

“Water and sanitation transform lives and I believe everyone should have access to these vital services. I am proud that the UK Government recently committed to double the number of people they plan to reach with water, sanitation and hygiene by 2015. I’m adding my voice in support of those without a safe toilet and invite others in our constituency to join me.”

A recent survey commissioned by WaterAid of women living across five slums in Lagos, Nigeria, highlighted this problem. One in five women had first or second hand experience of verbal harassment and intimidation, or had been threatened or physically assaulted in the past year when going to the toilet. These experiences of fear, indignity and violence are commonplace wherever women lack access to safe and adequate sanitation.

Barbara Frost, Chief Executive of WaterAid, said:

“When women don’t have a safe, secure and private place to go to the toilet they are exposed and put in a vulnerable position and when they relieve themselves in the open they risk harassment. Women are reluctant to talk about it or complain, but the world cannot continue to ignore this.

“Adequate sanitation, coupled with access to clean, safe water to drink, transforms lives, improving health, safety and productivity. Governments are urged to take action and invest in access to sanitation and water.”

Other studies from Uganda, Kenya, India and the Solomon Islands show that such experiences of fear, indignity and violence are common place wherever women lack access to safe and adequate sanitation.

Katherine Mulemba, 60, lives in an unplanned settlement in Lusaka, Zambia:

“I don’t have a latrine; I use my neighbours’. Sometimes they refuse so I go to a bar. If they see me, they don’t let me in. I feel embarrassed, but what can I do? At night, I go in a tin. I stay indoors as it’s dangerous to go out alone at night; people can rape you.”

Everyone can help support those women living without safe toilets by signing WaterAid’s pledge calling for global access to water and sanitation at www.wateraid.org/1in3.

Fiona Bruce supports the Presumption of Death Bill

Fiona Bruce MP supports Presumption of Death Bill

Fiona Bruce MP has worked on the Public Bill committee to help bring into law the Presumption of Death Bill.

Fiona said “This bill seeks to address a serious problem for a number of families each year. When a relative goes missing and cannot be found, a death certificate cannot be obtained, and this can cause many problems for years afterwards. For example, standing orders or direct debits cannot be stopped from the missing persons bank account in a timely way so money often flows out and is irrecoverable.”

This Bill would allow courts to issue a “Presumption of Death Certificate” which would act in a similar way to a death certificate, creating a single legal process for dealing with a missing person’s affairs. Relatives of a missing person would be able to apply to the High Court for this ‘Presumption of Death Certificate’ establishing that the person is thought to have died.  At present there is a requirement to wait at least seven years.

Fiona says “The current seven year period is far too long, not only for many practical reasons but also because, for some families, this is an important step towards gaining closure of what is a very distressing time for them.”

If, in a rare case the missing person was subsequently found the certificate could be revoked.

John Glen MP, the sponsor of the Bill, said:

“This legislation has a chance to make a practical difference to the lives of those families with loved ones who have gone missing.”

Fiona added:

“I was very pleased to be able to support the Presumption of Death Bill committee stage and will continue to support this Bill. It will make matters less drawn out for families and loved ones who cannot sort out the affairs of a missing person until after the seven year period and allow them to rebuild their lives.”

Fuel Duty

Fiona Bruce MP: Fuel duty cancelled for Congleton Constituency as new car registrations rise

 

The cancellation of Labour’s fuel duty rise has been put into effect. This follows George Osborne’s announcement last week that the Government would cancel the rise that was planned for January 2013. This keeps fuel over 10p per litre cheaper than it would have been under Labour.

New car registrations released the day after the Autumn Statement showed that there are 11 per cent more motorists who will benefit from this cancellation compared to November last year. 

Fiona Bruce is one of the campaigning group of MPs in Parliament who have energetically fought to keep fuel prices down. She has spoken in Parliament against fuel duty rises and said, this week; “Our last meeting as a group was a few days before the Autumn Statement when we met with the Treasury Minister to urge him not to increase petrol prices and I am very pleased that the Treasury have genuinely listened.”

Fiona Bruce also commented:

“I’m sure people who live and work in my constituency will be pleased that the Chancellor has cancelled Labour’s rise in fuel duty.

“There are 3.6 million motorists in the North West who will benefit – and the cancellation is well timed, with more and more people buying cars in the UK.

“Coupled with the income tax cut, this is a helpful boost for households working hard to make ends meet as well as the many businesses in my constituency for whom fuel is such a major outlay.”

Plain Packaging

Fiona Bruce backs plain cigarette packs to protect health

Fiona Bruce, MP for Congleton, called on the UK Government to follow the lead of their Australian counterparts and introduce plain, standardised cigarette packaging in the UK.

Fiona has been a consistent campaigner for plain packaging since entering Parliament. She says: “I fully support the campaign for the introduction of plain packaging of tobacco products. It is vitally important that this is achieved to help prevent our young people taking up smoking - the key to preventing health damage through smoking is never to start. I am delighted that many people in my constituency have already taken action to support this. Attractive cigarette packs are an important marketing tool used by the tobacco industry and the plain packaging of tobacco products would give children one less reason to find smoking appealing.”

The UK Government has recently conducted a public consultation on the issue and is considering whether to bring forward legislation on standardising the packaging of tobacco products for the whole of the UK.

Over a thousand parents and residents in East Cheshire have supported a campaign to introduce plain, standardised tobacco packs.  In total 1,145 local residents signed up to the Plain Packs Protect campaign to demand the end of glitzy cigarette packaging aimed at young people.

The responses have been sent to Government to inform the consultation on plain, standardised tobacco packaging, which ended in August.  The consultation results are expected early next year (2013).  

From the 1 December cigarettes in Australia must be sold in dark olive brown packets which are mostly covered in health warnings. Health charities in the UK, including the British Heart Foundation, want the UK Government here to introduce similar legislation.

Currently, tobacco companies can use distinctive colours, brand designs and logos on their packaging. Research has shown that plain packaging would reduce tobacco’s attractiveness, increase the effectiveness of health warnings and stop misleading claims about the harms of smoking. (1)

Tracey Paul, Advocacy Manager at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Smoking kills over 100,000 people every year and smokers are twice as likely to have a fatal heart attack as someone who’s never smoked. (2)

“Scientific evidence shows that removing the glitzy designs from cigarettes packs makes them less attractive. We should introduce legislation on plain, standardised packaging and stop this lethal product being marketed to young people.”

Autumn Statement

MP welcomes positive Autum Statement for local businesses and residents

Speaking from Parliament following the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, Fiona Bruce MP said:

‘This is an excellent Autumn Statement to help support business in the Congleton Constituency – with the huge increase in capital allowances from £25,000 to £250,000 per annum, the extension of the small business rate relief for another year, the proposed reduction in Corporation Tax to 21% from April 2014 (from 28% at the start of this Parliament) and the introduction of a rates holiday for newly completed commercial premises until occupied, guaranteed for 18 months from 1^st October 2013.

Additional important benefits for everyone include the cancellation of the 3p fuel duty increase planned by the previous Government for January 2013. I am particularly pleased at this since I have been a member of a group of backbenchers who have lobbied the Government consistently to keep fuel prices down – our most recent meeting on was with a Treasury Minister last week – knowing the pressure on businesses and families alike, in a constituency like Congleton, of petrol costs. The decision today to cancel this increase means there have been no petrol duty increases under this Government – for 2 ½ years – whereas under a Labour government planned increases for the same period would have seen petrol 13p per litre higher.

I am pleased too that the Government is to continue, for the third year running, its financial support for local authorities in England which freeze Council Tax as I know this is a really substantial part of household expenditure – particularly for families and pensioners.

At the same time, pensioners will see the Basic State Pension rise by 2.5% next year – higher than either earnings or inflation. This will take the level of the full Basic State Pension to £110.15 per week.

I am also pleased that for our young workers, for whom it is so important to secure jobs in the constituency and give them a real stake in its future, the amount they can earn before they pay any income tax at all has been increased to £9,440. When this Government came to power this stood at just £6,475. This announcement today also benefits everyone in work – not just the low paid, as it is a direct ‘in the pocket help’ the income of everyone working hard to provide for themselves and their families. It also underlines the Government’s continuing commitment to make work pay.

For savers, the increase in the annual ISA tax-free investment limit goes up to £11,520 -  a really substantial increase to encourage saving.

A really important factor for our local economy in Cheshire is the boost the Chancellor is going to give to infrastructure projects using money saved by making Whitehall bureaucracy work more efficiently. This means that supporters of road and rail projects – such as the proposed Congleton Link Road and the Middlewich Railway Link Campaign – will have the opportunity to make their case for a share of billions of pounds of extra money which the Government is committing to support infrastructure projects across the country. I shall be doing all I can to make our the case for projects in the Congleton Constituency directly to the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Transport, following on from the £3.4 million which the constituency is already receiving to improve Junction 17 of the M6 motorway at Sandbach.

North West Women's Enterprise Day 2012

Fiona Bruce MP attends North West Women’s Enterprise Day 2012 in Cranage

This year’s North West Women’s Enterprise Day, supported by Cheshire East Council, was held at Cranage Hall near Holmes Chapel. This event, held for its third year is proving highly successful; to date hundreds of women have attended.

Fiona and local Businesswoman Alejandra Salvini

Apart from networking opportunities help was on hand to help women to manage finance better, draw business plans and budgets and promote their products.

Fiona said of the event “The North West Women’s Enterprise Days are a wonderful opportunity to network and pick up more information about how to do business better locally, regionally, and nationally.  I am delighted that they are held each year in my Constituency; speaking to women at the event, they were drawn from all over the North West, and it is heartening to see Cheshire leading the way in encouraging women in their business aspirations – in really practical ways. As a business owner, I see the benefits of events like this and wish there had been one to attend when I was starting out! I would also like to praise the Cheshire East A-Team apprentices who were an invaluable resource, making sure the day ran smoothly.”

Fiona with the A-Team

Fiona Bruce MP campaigns for local BBC coverage for Cheshire

Fiona Bruce MP campaigns for more local BBC coverage for Cheshire

Fiona Bruce MP met with BBC representatives in Parliament recently in order to discuss the Corporation’s coverage of Cheshire and raise the possibility of a BBC Radio Cheshire.

Following what Fiona has called an ‘extremely constructive meeting’ with David Houldsworth, Controller of BBC English Regions and Mary Picker, Head of Communications for BBC English Regions, Mr Houldsworth said he would take active steps to progress the creation of a BBC Cheshire News Index on the BBC News website which could be live by as early as the end of this year.

Fiona Bruce MP said “A dedicated Cheshire page on the BBC News Index would ensure all the news and the wide range of events across Cheshire will be gathered into one easy to view place –at present there is no such forum on the BBC website, whereas other North West areas such as Lancashire and Merseyside, Cumbria and Greater Manchester all have their own dedicated pages.

This is something which would help Cheshire punch at its weight economically and in terms of communications and marketing – across the North West and well beyond.”

Helen Boaden, Director of BBC News has confirmed that the BBC “is actively looking at the idea of an online Cheshire index and is hoping that any regulatory issues can be resolved as soon as possible. If that is the case it should be possible to launch an index within six months.”

Fiona Bruce previews National Amateur Premiere by Holmes Chapel Singers

Fiona Bruce MP amateur premiere of ‘The Peacemakers’ with Holmes Chapel Singers

Fiona Bruce MP joined Holmes Chapel Singers for a preview of their production of The Peacemakers on 24^th November at Holmes Chapel Leisure Centre.

Holmes Chapel Singers will be giving the national ‘amateur premiere’, as the first amateur group in the country to perform the production which was premiered in May at the Bridgewater Hall by professionals.

During the course of the concert there will be a solo piece by local girl from Barthomley, Emmie Brookes, aged 14, who was one of four national finalists in the BBC2 Young Vocalist of the Year competition, singing ‘Blessed are the  Peacemakers’ with lyrics by Terry Waite.

Tickets for this premiere can be obtained from the ticket secretary on 01477 534928

Fiona Bruce MP Visits Cheshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Fiona Bruce MP praises the work of Cheshire East Citizens Advice Bureau

Fiona Bruce MP recently visited Cheshire East Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) to discuss, with staff and volunteers, their important work and hear of the latest challenges that people are turning to the CAB for help over.

The CAB is a privately funded charity and not, as many people believe, a public body and so rely on donations to keep providing their service. A service which has been largely taken for granted recently due to its 73 year history.

Jill Hamilton-Smith, Contract Services Manager, who has worked for the Citizens Advice Bureau for 13 years, said “The CAB has the skills to provide help for local people, but financial back up is needed.”

The CAB recently secured funding for the remainder of this year but need to ensure financial security for the future. Anyone can help by going to their website http://www.cecab.org.uk/ and donating, or donating via text, or good old fashioned post to any of their offices.

Paul Bates, a CAB Board Trustee, outlined some of the key issues that service users are facing when they come to the Bureau such as young people, under 18, struggling with mobile phone contracts they are too young to have, debt caused by use of store and credit cards and crucially the issue of payday loans which often lend easily but charge very high interest rates, catching people out.

The volunteers feel that there needs to be better financial education in schools, something that Fiona Bruce agrees with having spoken on this in Parliament a number of times and been a member of  the Parliamentary inquiry into Financial Education in schools, producing a report that was presented to the Prime Minister on this very issue.

Fiona Bruce said of her visit, “I am hugely impressed by the professionalism and care demonstrated by everyone at the Citizens Advice Bureau, which is an invaluable source of help for people who often feel they have nowhere else to turn.  I commend this organisation for their sterling and dedicated work and enjoyed my visit with the friendly yet professional atmosphere there.”

Holmes Chapel RNLI Christmas Fair

Fiona Bruce MP attends RNLI Christmas Fair in Holmes Chapel

The South Cheshire Branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) held a Christmas Fair at St Luke’s Church in Holmes Chapel recently at which Fiona Bruce MP was in attendance.

They plan to hold their next fair in Sandbach at St Peter’s Church Hall, Elworth on this Saturday 10^th November from 9.30am to 12 noon. Admission is £1 and includes a cup of tea or coffee.

Fiona Bruce MP Visits Adullam Homes

Fiona Bruce MP visits Beech House in Congleton to see Adullam Homes’ new meeting facilities

Fiona Bruce MP recently visited Adullam Homes Housing Association Ltd in Congleton at Beech House to tour the facilities and see their new meeting facilities which are to be made available for use by the local community.

In 2011-12 Adullam Homes helped 72 local people move forward in their lives by moving them out of supported accommodation into independent living or accommodation - either private rented accommodation, back with family or a partner or a registered social landlord. Adullam Homes Single Homeless service at Beech House, Congleton provides support for a whole spectrum of vulnerable people aged 16-65. 

Adullam Homes now want to offer their meeting room facilities at Beech House to local community groups at modest cost. The modern and newly refurbished meeting room facilities are equipped for many different requirements and include flexible seating arrangements, Wi-Fi internet access, and a smart board and soon hope to offer in house catering. It is intended that the meeting rooms be available for hire during the 9 to 5 working day as well as evenings.

Gillian Herdman, Social Business Manager at Beech House said: “So far, the meeting room hire facility is fully operational offering competitive hire rates and discounts for local community groups. The next phase is getting the on-site catering enterprise into action to cater for meetings and events.   We are also discussing and planning other enterprise initiatives in conjunction with Congleton Partnership and with businesses, charities and community groups in the area.”

Fiona Bruce MP said following her visit “I am so impressed by Beech House; it has such a pleasant and inviting atmosphere and is finished to the highest standard.  The new meeting rooms will be an ideal way to serve the wider business and voluntary community and offer first rate facilities. Adullam is such an important organisation and provides much needed and valued support to its residents and to the Congleton Community.”

Local Businessman praised by Fiona Bruce over work in Rwanda

Fiona Bruce MP praises work of local businessman in Rwanda

Fiona Bruce MP recently met with local businessman Adrian Veale who spent the summer in Rwanda helping the Rwandan people to start and develop their own businesses as part of Project Umubano, set up by Fiona Bruce MP three years ago.  Fiona Bruce, who originally launched and developed the business scheme in Rwanda and whose son, Samuel, was over in Rwanda this summer, is thrilled with the way the scheme has taken off since the initial summer where 14 businesses were helped.

Fiona said “I am thoroughly enjoying working with businesses in Rwanda in such a rewarding manner and am so pleased that the project is growing year on year, from just a handful of businesses the first year – the scheme now has two components, the business element and the financial literacy element and both together helped over 300 businesses! Adrian did a fantastic job as part of the financial literacy team and the work done is vital to helping develop key skills needed for building a business.”

Adrian Veale shows Fiona Bruce MP photographs from Project Umubano

Adrian said, “In September 2011, I was introduced to Project Umubano by Fiona Bruce MP, a voluntary project that runs in July each year in Rwanda and Sierra Leone, across education, medical, parliamentary, community, sport and business sectors.

I joined the financial literacy team whose main aim was to help teach financial literacy to existing business owners and potential new business owners, with the intention of helping them to access  finance to help grow their business or to start in business. In two weeks in July 2012 we taught over 200 business and potential business owners about financial statements, forecasts, and how to put a business plan together. We worked closely with the Rwandan Junior Chamber of Commerce, and the Rwandan Ministry of Commerce who provided both local business consultants who spoke the local Kinyawanda language, and introduced some of their members as course participants. At the end of the two weeks, many participants had business plans that they were able to present to local bank managers with a view to accessing finance and creating new jobs.

The participants gave us undeserved, overwhelming appreciation and even presented us with certificates of appreciation, and I will treasure mine forever. The feedback was so good, that the Rwandan Minister of Finance came on the last day to talk to all participants and brought the Rwandan TV news cameras with him.

Away from 2 intense working weeks, on the middle Saturday we visited a village school at the top of one of the Rwandan mountains that was being built by the local villagers. We spent the morning helping them lay the foundations for a new classroom and then talked and had photos taken with the children. After a singing and dancing display put on by the children for us, all the children chased the coach as we left, running down the hill waving continuously. Amazing!

This has been such a rewarding experience, and I have so many memories that will stay with me forever. After all the past troubles the Rwandans have endured, I hope we've done our little bit to help the wonderful people and their country continue their recovery, and hopefully I can return next year.”

Sandbach Town Team Partner Success

Fiona Bruce MP thrilled for Sandbach as they receive £10,000 for the market developments

Sandbach Town Council has today been named a ‘Town Team Partner’ by Government Minister Mark Prisk MP and has been awarded £10,000 by central Government to help develop Sandbach market. The Town Team Partner scheme follows the Government’s Portas Pilot scheme and Mary Portas’ review of the High Street. 

Fiona Bruce MP said today:

“It is brilliant news for Sandbach that it has been recognised by the Government as a Town Team Partner and granted £10,000 Government funding following their initial Mary Portas application. It was an honour to nominate Sandbach for this funding to help make the town’s historic market an even more attractive place for shoppers, businesses and visitors to the town. I am confident that Sandbach’s energetic and effective Town Council and Partnership will put the money to really good use.”

Alsager Town Team Partner Success

Fiona Bruce MP thrilled for Alsager as they receive £10,000 for the town centre

Alsager Partnership has today been named a ‘Town Team Partner’ by Government Minister Mark Prisk MP and has been awarded £10,000 by central Government to help promote the town centre and encourage new business development there. The Town Team Partner scheme follows the Government’s Portas Pilot scheme and Mary Portas’ review of the High Street.  .

Fiona Bruce MP,

“It is absolutely fantastic news for Alsager that it has been recognised by the Government as a Town Team Partner and granted £10,000 Government funding following their initial Mary Portas application. It was an honour to nominate Alsager for this funding to help make Alsager Town Centre an even more attractive place for shoppers and for local businesses.  I am confident that the go-ahead Alsager Partnership will put this money to excellent use.”

Middlewich Business Expo

Fiona Bruce MP praises Middlewich Business Expo

Fiona Bruce MP attended the Middlewich Business Expo recently and was impressed by the number of businesses present and the organisation of the event, she said:

“I congratulate East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce and Middlewich Town Council for organising a highly successful event; Middlewich and the surrounding area is an excellent place and with the recently announced Government proposals to improve access to and from Junction 17 of the M6, it will be an even more attractive place to do business as time goes on.”

David Watson, Chief Executive of the East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce said of the event “The Middlewich Expo went extremely well and was a fantastic example of the success of partnership working between the Chamber and Cheshire East Council. I would like to thank Jacqueline Wilson who was invaluable in organising the event and hope many businesses gained from the event and that another business expo can be arranged in the future.”

Jonathan Williams, Middlewich Town Clerk, said “This was the first business exhibition held in Middlewich and Middlewich Vision was very pleased to host it; receiving excellent support from Cheshire East and Cheshire West & Chester Councils, Cheshire East Chamber of Commerce and Pochin Plc.

It is important for Middlewich, being located at the junction of the two local authorities , to be able to interface with the towns of Winsford and Northwich, so it was good to see several high profile companies from these towns taking a full part in the day, linking in to the Weaver Valley Partnership, who were also very welcome attended

The attendance was excellent and we were very impressed with the quality of the presentations and exhibitions. There was a lot of networking, and many good ideas were exchanged about future use of the Civic Hall as a venue to business.

We are grateful, as ever, to our MP Fiona Bruce, for supporting the event, and for opening proceedings in such a positive and encouraging manner, setting the tone for a highly productive and enjoyable day of business in Middlewich.”

Excalibur Play and Learn Pre-School Visit

Fiona Bruce MP visits Excalibur Pre-School as it celebrates 15 years by opening its doors for longer hours

Fiona Bruce MP visited Excalibur Play and Learn Pre-School in Alsager recently to hear of their plans to open for longer hours to give working parents the extra facility that so many now need to cover the working day.

Starting this week the pre-school will open from 8am until 6pm and offers many activities for children such as French lessons, swimming lessons and even meeting birds of prey!

The Pre-School has been owned and managed in its current position by Sue Heeley for 15 years and has a long-standing presence in the town and strong links with Excalibur Primary School.  Deputy Manager, Michele Snewin, began as a parent volunteer and has stayed with the Pre-School ever since, her son is now 21!

Excalibur Play and Learn is also supporting local young people by employing an apprentice, Demi Lockett, who is studying for her NVQ3.  They work closely with all professional agencies within the childcare sector and are working with the 2yr old sector to help disadvantaged families who need special help and support.

Sue Heeley said "We are a small pre-school where children and staff are on a journey of learning together. We are part of the local community and it is so important that we remain part of the community to serve all who need us. We feed in to Excalibur County Primary School which is a school of excellence in its own right"

Fiona Bruce MP said “Excalibur Play and Learn is a lovely, friendly Pre-School.  I enjoyed reading to the children during my visit and they were clearly happy and enjoying their day.  I understand some don’t want to leave at hometime! I congratulate Sue and her team on creating such a pleasant environment for children to learn and grow in and for providing such a caring service to the local community.”

Sandbach Talking Newspaper

Fiona Bruce MP interviewed for 25^th anniversary of Sandbach Talking Newspaper

Fiona Bruce MP visited Sandbach and District Talking Newspaper Association recently to discuss their work with them and to record a special interview for the listeners in celebration of 25 years of the charity.

In a discussion ranging from a day in the life of an MP to how a suffragette spent the night in a cupboard underneath Westminster Hall, the interview between Fiona Bruce and the volunteers of the Talking Newspaper was recorded to be added to the recordings of all listeners.

The Talking Newspaper has been running since 1987 and is staffed entirely by volunteers.  The Association has recently made the change from old-style tapes and tape decks to new USB memory stick recorders and ‘boom boxes’.  The service is totally free of charge to listeners and the USB memory sticks containing weekly news and views are posted out in specially labelled envelopes which can then be returned with the memory sticks, once listened to, for next week’s recording.

Fiona Bruce MP said “Sandbach Talking newspaper is a wonderful organisation, manned by experienced and dedicated volunteers; I enjoyed my interview which was very professionally produced in the recording studio.  The Talking Newspaper provides an invaluable service to many people who would otherwise not have access to up-to-date local news and views.

Every week an hour and a half of news is read by teams of volunteers in the professional recording studios at Wheelock from publications including The Chronicle and Cheshire Life.

Sandbach Talking Newspaper is a charity staffed by volunteers and funded entirely by donations from members of the public – naturally such a reliable and high quality service, involving the latest modern technology, recording and production equipment is a substantial amount to run each year and donations to its work, in any amount, are always welcome – these can be made becoming a Friend of the Talking Newspaper for just £10 a years or in other ways – more information of how to support is on the Talking Newspaper website.”

Middlewich World War Two Weekend

Fiona Bruce MP attends Middlewich World War Two weekend

Fiona Bruce MP said “The Middlewich World War Two weekend this year, was nothing less than terrific with so many people in and around the town joining in dressed in ‘40s’ outfits – such as the staff in Davies Tropical Pet Store who bought outfits especially for the day. The enthusiasm with which people from a wide range of organisations supported the event added greatly to the atmosphere such as the Fire Cadets with their old fashioned fire engine which led the Sunday morning Civic Parade, the Air Training Corps, Help the Heroes, soldiers from the Mercian Regiment and the Royal British Legion.

The concerts by Fiona Harrison got everyone joining in the wartime community spirit with songs such as Run Rabbit Run and the Dad’s Army theme tune.

What particularly thrilled me was that the event was enjoyed not only by so many Middlewich residents, of all ages, but also, as I asked folk where they had come from, it was clear that the event attracted many visitors from all over Cheshire and even further afield.

The Sunday morning Middlewich Civic Service was particularly well attended with civic support from every other town in my Constituency – Congleton, Sandbach, and Alsager – and several other Cheshire towns.

Middlewich Town Council is to be congratulated on a splendid success.”

Junction 17 - M6

MP delighted for entire constituency following M6 J17 funding decision

The Government announced today that it will provide £3.4million to improve Junction 17 by converting the existing frequently congested junction to a roundabout on the Northbound side and a signalised junction for the Southbound side.

Fiona Bruce MP said:

“I am delighted that with this announcement over two year’s hard work has paid off.

When I was first elected MP, local people told me that congestion at Junction 17 was one of their chief concerns, so I contacted the Highways Agency and arranged a meeting, including with a representative from Cheshire East Council. At first the Highways Agency said they could not undertake any improvement works as J17 did not fall within their priorities for action.

I stressed to them that the junction is not only frequently congested but also potentially highly dangerous, and these risks will only increase over time. I asked them to think again. I also raised these concerns with the Transport Minister several times, including in the Chamber of the House of Commons at Transport Question Time and have continually pressed for action on Junction 17 for two years.

I am delighted therefore that the Government has reviewed the criteria to which the Highways Agency can work when funds are allocated for major highways works like J17 and that £3.4million is being provided directly by Government to improve the junction, the work to be completed by March 2015.

These improvement works will make a huge difference to the daily lives of literally thousands of my constituents, as well as further supporting business growth throughout my constituency. This is tremendous news for everyone living and working in the whole area.

I pay tribute to everybody who has worked towards this, particularly the hard working Sandbach area Councillors Barry Moran, Gill Merry and Rhoda Bailey, to Cheshire East Council – both elected Members and traffic officers, staff at the Highways Agency and at the Ministry of Transport – this shows what can be done when people work effectively together in the best interests of the local community.”

Alsager Friends of Cystic Fibrosis Ball

 

Ball goes with a bang!

Cystic Fibrosis Ball 2012

 

Alsager Friends of CF would like to say a HUGE thank you to all who came to our fabulous summer ball on  7^th July 2012  to raise vital funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. We were delighted that the Chief Executive of the CF Trust, Ed Owen was there, as was Congleton MP Fiona Bruce.  

After a tantalising drinks reception, ball-goers were treated to a delicious 3 course meal followed by some inspiring and illuminating speeches from our special guests. A notable mention must go to Jonathan Whittaker (18) who himself has CF and who spoke movingly and passionately about living with the disease.

After the grand prize draw which raised over £1500, and our Silent Auction, guests danced the night away to ‘Blowzone’ – one of the North West’s premier dance bands - who provided marvellous entertainment throughout the evening. ‘The evening was a wonderful celebration of the lives of those who have CF, and helped to generate significant interest in further support for the CF Trust as they develop a cure for the disease. We know that many people left feeling inspired to continue to do something themselves to support the trust and help others with Cystic Fibrosis, as well as having had a wonderful evening!’ said Wendy Whittaker-Large, chair of the organising committee.  We are also delighted to announce that we hit our target of £6500! (This figure includes additional donations raised apart from the ball).  

 

Fiona Bruce, MP, said of the event ‘“Congratulations to Alsager Friends of Cystic Fibrosis and to Wendy Whitaker – Large in particular and her family, not only for raising such a substantial sum for the CF Trust but also for informing and educating many of us towards a much better understanding of Cystic Fibrosis. The 65 Roses Ball was a hugely enjoyable evening, the highlight of which was the speech given by Wendy’s son, Jonathan, of his personal experience of living with CF; the whole room was moved by his talk.”

 

All money raised will go to the CF Trust to help improve the lives of the 7,500 babies and young people who have Cystic Fibrosis, the UK’s most common inherited life threatening disease.

Sandbach Pub Watch Radios

Fiona Bruce promotes Pub Watch radio scheme

The Sandbach Pub Watch scheme, spearheaded by Secretary of Pub Watch, Kevin McAvan of Market Tavern, is trying to secure a system of radio contact between pubs and the police in Sandbach. Pub Watch already operates in the town to promote awareness between traders regarding potential problems they may face and hopefully ‘nipping them in the bud’.

Adding the radio facility to the scheme would improve communication by connecting all Sandbach landlords to each other and to the police CCTV control room in Macclesfield who could alert the local police should the need arise.  This has support from all members of Pub Watch, who would contribute to the cost of radios, and the local PCSO as well as Sandbach MP, Fiona Bruce.

The scheme has however reached a potential stumbling block in terms of funding for the connection to the CCTV control room and Fiona Bruce MP has, at the request of the Secretary of Pub Watch, contacted the Chief Constable of Cheshire Constabulary to see what can be done to ensure the extra facility for this project goes ahead.

Kevin McAvan, Secretary of Pub Watch said “This can be used in the daytime by retailers; it’s not just pubs that will benefit; places like Aldi and Waitrose are already on board with the scheme”

Fiona Bruce MP said of the scheme “The scheme already has strong local support, and Sandbach is a town which is a pleasure to shop and spend leisure time in.  This addition to the scheme offers the potential to improve eve more the security and well being for residents, visitors and traders in Sandbach. I hope it can be successfully established and commend Kevin McAvan and all other Sandbach landlords and business people committed to the scheme.”