Eric Pickles MP visits Penn ambulance station

Last week Eric Pickles (Member of Parliament for Brentwood & Ongar and Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government) visited the ambulance station on the corner of Penn road and Marston road. We had a chance to speak with Steve Perry and Mark Mclauchlan who described the difficulties that many crews now face in terms of dealing with members of the public who are often obstructive, even when they’re trying to provide aid to friends and family. We were joined by councillors Barry Findlay and Paddy Bradley.

Paul

Return Visit by Damian Green

Following on from the Westminster visit by Wolverhampton community leaders last April, Damian Green the MP for Ashford and Shadow Minister for Immigration visited Wolverhampton today as promised last year.

 We met with community leaders and then had a quick chance to speak with businessmen and legal specialists. Damian stated, ”Today’s return meeting was promised when I met with Wolverhampton Community leaders in Westminster last April. We discussed the Government’s proposals on Immigration which will not address the real problems that all communities now face because Labour have allowed immigration to get out of control for the last ten years”.

 

Paul

 

The politics of the past

Sir John Rose, the Chief Executive of Rolls Royce Aero Engines, has once again drawn attention to the future of engineering employment in Britain. Many graduates are inadequately trained, and there are fewer firms now offering the opportunity to gain experience. The result is that Rolls Royce is forced to develop manufacturing capacity in Germany and the Far East.

There is an exception to this gloom. The mighty American aircraft firm, Boeing is so proud of Wolverhampton, that it is advertising  
“Boeing and the Wisdom of Wolverhampton” in the  international press worldwide. They have found a great partner in Smiths Aerospace, now a division of GE Aviation. The two firms have co-operated to produce trailing edge flaps which reduce the drag on the new 787 aircraft producing greater fuel economy: less by way of emissions, and of course employment for Wolverhampton.

More such firms are needed. If our nation is to maintain its standard of living  then we need industries actually making things. Again and again employers tell of the frustration caused by a plethora of regulation, complex taxation, and lethargic planning procedures. We must offer greater freedoms to business which in turn will enhance employment prospects. The rest of the world knows that and is welcoming enterprise with open arms. Only in the UK do we have a Government hankering back to the beer and sandwich socialism of yesteryear.

Paul

David Cameron in the Black Country

Just over a week ago I posted about the excellent work that Wolves are performing in the community in respect of the Dusk, Twilight and Midnight leagues. As a follow up David Cameron visited the Castle High School and visual arts college to see this excellent initiative in action.

David sat in on a workshop which focused on how alcohol has affected sporting personalities and specifically the strain it puts on family life. Wolves devised & developed the Dusk, Twilight & Midnight Leagues for youngsters at risk in areas of deprivation. The leagues have been operating within the Wolverhampton Area for over 6 years and just to briefly remind you of it’s aims :

To educate children and young people by developing their physical, mental, social and moral capabilities through participation in organised recreational activities.

To promote good citizenship and assist them in growing maturely as individuals and members of society.

To provide and assist in the provisions of facilities for football and project related workshops.

To provide and assist young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to gain a NVQ qualification in football.

 

Last time I met with Jeremy Hunt but this time I outlined the project to Hugh Robertson (shadow sport and Olympics spokesman).  The Project itself is a social inclusion project designed to provide free safe fun and friendly environment for boys and girls.

Target groups: Dusk league 9-11 yrs.  Twilight league 12-15 yrs. Midnight league 16+.

Workshops run by the project include diet, crime reduction, team building games, injury prevention and treatment, healthy lifestyles, self hygiene, drugs awareness, alcohol and smoking, sexual health and crime reduction.

David was presented with a Wolves number 10 shirt at the end of the day.  As a season ticket holder and with my oldest child being named Cameron, I wasn’t exactly going to pass on this photographic opportunity.

 

Paul