A new direction for Bury South

Last night I attended the 9th Holocaust memorial service to be held in Bury.  The theme this year was Stand up to Hatred and was held at the Elizabethan Suite at the Bury Town Hall.  Those who took part included pupils from schools across the borough, faith leaders and the Mayor of Bury.  The service was opened by Cllr Peter Ashworth the Mayor of Bury and those who spoke included The Rev John Findon, Rector of Bury, Hassanat Ahmed on behalf of the Muslim Faith and Rabbi Jonathan Guttentag.  Music was provided by the Bury Music Centre Wind Quintet and pupils from the schools read out ‘Jack’s testimony’ about a survivor from the holocaust and his life during and after this horrific time.  Holocaust memorial day is about: Remembering all the victims of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution; Raising awareness and understanding of the events of the Holocaust; Highlighting the relevance of the Holocaust and more recent atrocities in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Kosovo; Educating about the dangers of anti-semitism, racism and all forms of discriminiation and helping to promote community cohesion so that the diversity of people’s different backgrounds and circumstances are appreciated and positively valued and to establish a greater sense of citizenship.

I was very moved by the service and I spoke to many people after who were likewise.

Yesterday afternoon I attended a reception and plaque unvieling at Elms Community Centre in memory of Mavis Warner.  Mavis put all her energy into the Community Centre since her involvement in 2002 making it the heart of the community.  Mavis encouraged young and old alike to join in activities at the Centre and was truly dedicated.  She is greatly missed and the afternoon was a great tribute to her life – the Mayor and Mayoress of Bury also attended.

Today is a special date for me as it is my son Marc’s 21st birthday – I am sorry that I cannot be with him but will hopefully see him in a couple of weeks.  It only seems yesterday (well almost) that he was born!

On Wednesday night I attended the members’ reception of Conservative Friends of Israel at The House of Commons where Ron Prosser the Israeli Ambassador was amongst the distinguished speakers.  The room was packed with members from throughout the UK and many MPs also called in.  I visited London specially to attend this and was glad that I did as it also gave me the opportunity to pop in to say hello to my mother-in-law who is recovering from a recent operation and I wish her a speedy recovery.

Last Sunday I attended the pro Israel rally in Albert Square in Manchester City Centre.  There were well in excess of a thousand people all standing side by side to show their support and solidarity for Israel at this difficult time.  The speakers raised their voices to ensure all heard their message loud and clear above the chantings of the pro-Palistinian protesters who were based across the road.  Credit must go the police and CST for their hard work in making sure there were no incidents. 

Sunday evening I attended the annual dinner and dance at the Nicky Alliance Day Centre where I work and last night was the first Conservative Group Meeting of the year.

David Cameron MP spent the first two days of the first working week in 2009 in the North West.  Last night I went along to the Reebok Stadium in Bolton at the invitation of Sajjad Karim MEP to hear David talk to a packed room full of over 1,000 people.  He spoke about working with ethnic community groups and also reitered about his plans to cut taxes for savers and pensioners which he had announced earlier in the day.  Today I was invited to meet him again when he officially opened the Building Trade and Skills Centre in Eccles.  It is a most incredible place helping to train people to become qualifed plumbers at the highest level of their trade.  Every graduate from similar Centres such as this since 2005 have been placed in work.  Even in today’s economic enviornment they were confident of their success in their trainees gaining work.  It is a credit to all involved and I was delighted to have been invited and have the opportunity to be shown around the Centre.

I would like to wish everyone a very happy New Year for 2009.  I am sure there were mixed thoughts at many parties last night when everyone was listening to the first chimes of Big Ben bringing in the new year as to what it will bring for all of us.  One can never predict what is going to happen but with such bad news on the horizon at the end of 2008 we have to approach the year ahead with the glass if half full mentality.  Talking to friends at the party I attended last night I think even those in reasonably ’safe’ jobs are more concerned about the future for their children with fewer jobs out there it is a much more competitive market.  On the General Election front I think everyone has an opinion as to when this will be as far as I and many, many of my constituents who I talk to the sooner the better but then unfortunately it is not up to us!