Young Enterprise Awards

Fiona Bruce MP congratulates students of Eaton Bank School on Young Enterprise award

At a recent Young Enterprise awards event at Bentley Motors in Crewe, students from Eaton Bank School were awarded ‘Best Presentation’ for their business project creating and developing model aeroplanes.  The event was attended by a number of schools, along with their supportive teachers, business mentors and local business people.

In a keynote speech at the event Fiona Bruce MP, herself an entrepreneur and UK Winner of ‘Women in Business Award’ for the successful founding and development of her business, spoke of the importance of inspiring a whole new generation of young people to become entrepreneurs and set up their own businesses, as she did almost 25 years ago.

Fiona Bruce said “I particularly congratulate the students From Eaton Bank because their entry involved manufacturing. The importance of developing and increasing our country’s capacity to manufacture goods and sell them worldwide cannot be overstated if we are to achieve the economic resurgence this country needs.  Creating and developing a new product, particularly in the space of one academic year, is no mean feat and for this reason Eaton Bank School’s entry quite rightly received particular commendation at the Young Enterprise awards.”

Mairi Rice, Head of ICT at Eaton Bank said “"It was an absolute pleasure watching the students present their year's worth of work in front of the Young Enterprise judges and hearing Fiona Bruce speak about the importance of encouraging young people to aspire to become entreprenuers.  It was such an achievement to win the 'Best Presentation' award as the competition from other schools was extremely tough.  I am tremendously proud of all the students and the hard work they put in; not only on the night but for the whole year.” 

Macmillan in Parliament

Local Charity volunteers congratulated in Parliament by Macmillan HQ for their fantastic fundraising

Fiona Bruce MP invited Carol and Ken Gledhill of Congleton Macmillan Cancer Support Group to Parliament recently so that they could hear of the work done with funds they raise and discuss the priorities of Macmillan with those from the Macmillan Cancer Support Headquarters.

Fiona Bruce MP said “It’s really good to get these two groups of people together.  After the immense time, energy and dedication that Carol and Ken Gledhill put into fundraising it is important for fundraisers like them to know firsthand how money is spent and to be able to contribute towards discussing the correct priorities for the charity, spending donated and collected funds.  So I was very pleased to arrange this meeting.  One of the key priorities they decided upon was how to ensure that people at the end of life have a ‘good death’,- meaning the right care, of the manner they choose, and that their families are fully supported at that most difficult of times.”

Jeremy Adams-Strump of Macmillan Cancer Support said “I’d like to thank Fiona for inviting Ken and Carol down to Westminster so we could hear about the incredible work they do in Congleton to raise money for Macmillan.  Their support helps us to reach and improve the lives of people affected by cancer both locally and nationally. Macmillan helps people in many ways, from specialist nurses and doctors, to help and advice for people who have financial worries.  None of this would be possible without the incredible efforts of fundraisers such as the Congleton Macmillan Cancer Support Group.” 

An event in support of Congleton Macmillan Cancer Group is being held at FX Leisure, Barn Road Congleton on Sunday 29^th April from 7.30pm.

Entry is free and there will be champagne and strawberries on arrival, taster cocktails, a buffet, stalls from a number of companies, taster classes in legs, bums and tums, zumba and more.  All money made at the event will go to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Carol Gledhill of Congleton Macmillan Cancer Support Group said “I want to thank FX for hosting this event and all their support and hope that many people attend. Our visit to Parliament was a day I will never forget.”

Hill House

Fiona Bruce MP visits new facilities at Hill House

Fiona Bruce MP visited Hill House, Leonard Cheshire Disability recently in order to see their new facilities.

Fiona said “I am very impressed with the transformation of the facilities at Hill House since my last visit just over two years ago. This change is a credit to all who have worked hard at Hill House.”

Hill House has a “Wish List for 2012”, some of these things, which Fiona Bruce MP went to see, have been achieved such as mobile sensory equipment and sensory gardens to stimulate and give relaxation for residents.  This wish list has further items that Hill House still hope to achieve to further enhance the lives of their residents including an adapted greenhouse to help residents grow plants such as tomatoes. The wish list states that Residents have already shown an improvement in their well being through watching and guiding staff through gardening activities.  Being able to garden themselves is a natural next step.

The Rode Hall lunch committee is holding a fundraising event, in aid of Hill House, on Monday 16^th April at 12 pm.  Helena Gerrish will give an illustrated lecture on Edwardian Country Life followed by a marquee lunch. Tickets cost £25 and can be obtained from Sarah Scott 01270 663150. All are welcome.

The money raised by this may go towards fulfilling more wishes of the residents of Hill House in 2012.   

Sounds of the Sudan

Sandbach Churches Together hold fundraising tea for relief work in South Sudan.

Sandbach resident Joe Jones, who has previously lived in Africa for 28 years with his wife Maureen, is currently in South Sudan working to support the JumJum tribe. A tribe that is designated as one of the World’s unreached people and whose language has never been written down.

A fundraising tea was held at the Wesley Centre in Sandbach to raise funds for resources to stock schools and buy medicine and inoculations for the people of the JumJum tribe who Joe is working with.

Maureen Jones gave a talk to those present about the work of her husband.

Donations of support can be given at Sandbach Baptist Church.

Inland Waterways Association Parliamentarian of the Year

Fiona Bruce MP wins Parliamentary Award

Fiona Bruce MP was presented with the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) Parliamentarian of the Year Award on Tuesday this week in the House of Commons.

Fiona said “I was delighted, but even more, utterly surprised, to win this award.”

As Treasurer of the Parliamentary Waterways Group, Fiona Bruce MP challenged in Parliament the funding provision and potential pension liabilities which the new Canals and Rivers Trust would inherit, when it takes over running and maintaining our canals from British Waterways in a few months time. In addition to raising questions with Ministers and challenging them to improve future funding provision, she also cross examined the British Waterways and Canal and River Trustees at some length at a Parliamentary hearing of the Waterways Group on the proposed plans.

This week Fiona said “I am very pleased that as a result of the hard work of many people in Parliament and outside, including members of the IWA, the Government has substantially increased future funding for our waterways. This is a particularly important subject for me as so many boaters and walkers enjoy their leisure time on and around the canals in my constituency and our local waterways are a key part of what makes it so attractive – it’s important to keep them that way.”

The funding the Government proposed originally was £390 million over ten years and will now be the considerably improved sum of around £800 million over fifteen years.

Fiona Bruce became a member of the IWA as part of her campaigning on this issue and is Vice President of the Macclesfield Canal Society.

Women's World Day of Prayer

Women’s World Day of Prayer Event in Congleton

This year’s Women’s World Day of Prayer Event took place at St Mary’s Church Congleton.

Jean Cook, Chairperson of the Congleton WWDP said

“The first Friday in March   is a very special day for Christians world wide. All round the world, during the 24 hours that the sun takes to encircle the earth, groups of Christians assemble to worship God, and every service has exactly the same format.The words of the well  known hymn “The day Thou gavest” are re-enacted.  “As o’er each continent and island the dawn leads on another day, the voice of prayer is never silent, nor dies the strain of praise away. The sun that bids us rest is waking our friends beneath the western sky, and hour by hour fresh lips are making Thy wondreous doings heard on high.”

This ‘Mexican Wave’ of identical praise  encircles the whole world, and includes over 170 countries.  In the British Isles alone there will be over 6,000 services

This amazing event is organised by the Women’s World Day of Prayer. It is organised by women but is for  all Christians.

Here in Congleton, a group of women from all denominations organise the service  which takes place in a different Church each year. This year (2012) the venue was the St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church and the service ,which had been written by the women of Indonesia was entitled “Let Justice Prevail.””

Music Classes for Babies

Fiona Bruce MP supports free music and movement classes for babies

Fiona Bruce MP is calling on Congleton constituents to utilise the 6 free music and movement lessons for babies under 6 months currently being offered by Jo Jingles East Cheshire.

Run by local resident Alison Wright, Jo Jingles East Cheshire operates across the Congleton constituency, providing music, singing and movement classes for babies and pre-school children to aid their early development.

Fiona Bruce said:

"It is widely recognised by healthcare and educational experts that exposing a baby to music is one of the most effective ways to aid their early development and I encourage parents and carers across the constituency to experience the tangible benefits of music, singing and movement for babies."

Alison Wright said:

"Most of us instinctively understand that our children react positively to songs, but what we may not fully appreciate is how those endless repetitions of "Twinkle Twinkle" are a fundamental part of our babies mental, physical and social development helping our children to "wire up" their brains, develop their speech and improve their coordination."

Alison continued:

"Parents and carers can benefit too - it is believed that musicians are less likely to suffer from senile dementia!".

Jo Jingles baby classes usually last 30 minutes and aim to develop a love of music in babies whilst having interactive fun.

For more information visit www.jojingles.com/eastchesire or contact Alison on 01477 535124.