A new direction for Bury South

I have just returned from the Salute to Israel event in Heaton Park.  Unfortunately it started off very wet with a very heavy downpour but turned to a dry sunny afternoon just as the floats and parade arrived at the park.  I was delighted to have been able to help as a steward on the day and congratulations must go to all the organisers and participants who made is such a successfuly day.  It was encouraging to see the turnout from not just the Jewish community but the wider community as well coming to support Israel in the park.  Off to fill in my postal ballot paper now for the mayoral referendum!

Yesterday the NHS celebrated its 60th birthday and to commemorate the 60th anniversary of its founding, at Trafford General Hospital by Nye Bevin in 1948, the Conservative Party as launched a website which is in the form of a birthday card and allows you to leave a comment so please go on this link and join us in celebrating the 60th bithday of the NHS.

Yesterday morning I went along to the Lowry Arts Centre after being invited to appear on the GMR Andy Crane Sunday morning chat show.  The show took place in the foyer of the entrance to the theatre and as there were two children’s plays on that afternoon it was a very lively and noisy venue!  One of the children even managed to accidently unplug our link to the main studio but fortunately we were not mid conversation at the time and live on air!  It was a good morning and we chatted from serious issues such as the cost of fuel having an impact on police budgets to where I went on a Saturday night in my teenage years! 

Michael Gove MP Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families was guest speaker last Thursday at a reception hosted by Conservative Friends of Israel at Tier 1 Asset Management in Whitefield. Nearly 50 people turned up to hear Michael speak about this career, his views on education and on Bury. I must thank not only Michael Gove for taking the time to come along but also Stephanie Leven of CFI for co-ordinating the whole evening and Jonny Basso and Jonathan Rose of Tier 1 for allowing us the use of their offices.

Val Eustice, Head Teacher of Higher Lane Primary School, is retiring after 12 years in the post first as Head of the Infant School and then taking over the helm when the two schools merged to take it from a failing school to one of the most successful and popular primary schools in Bury.  Last night was the last Governors’ meeting during her time as Head Teacher and I wish her much luck in her retirement.  It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have known and worked with her.

The polling cards are out for the mayoral referendum to be held on the 3 July and people throughout Bury South are asking me what this is all about and my views on the matter.  I am against an elected Mayor who will only add to already high costs of running Bury Council – at least £1m in the first year which is equivalent to 1.5% on your Council Tax.  An elected Mayor will not have the power to stop the implementation of the congestion charge and Bury have already voted NO against this.   

Today as we approach the longest day of the year was the Prestwich Carnival through the streets of Prestwich ending up at St Mary’s Park.  The event as always was hugely supported and a credit to all the organisers and participants.  Later in the day I went to an open day at the home of Yvonne and David Moore in Whitefield who have opened up their garden for the past 4 years to raise funds for local cancer charities.  Thanks must go to all the volunteers who helped Yvonne today and to all those who donated goods, baked cakes and made tea. 

Yesterday right next door to where I work on Middleton Road in Crumpsall someone was fatally stabbed in broad daylight at ten o’clock in the morning.  I am unsure as to the exact details of who the victim was or what exactly happened but neverthless that is almost irrelevant as this type of crime is escalating day by day.  Tonight at the first LAP meeting of the municipal year the incidents of knife crime was discussed.  Dr Peter Elton raised the issue that I had heard of only a few days ago of banning the sale or kitchen knives with sharp ends – this would be one way to make these knives less dangerous but our whole culture needs to change also – tougher meaures need to be taken and the police need to be given more powers to deal with offenders.