A new direction for Bury South

Last night I attended the AGM of the Bury Federation.  Alex Williams who is No. 4 on our list of candidates for the European Elections to be held on the 4 June came along to talk and update us.  Alex stood in Bury South at the last General Election in 2005.  Today I met with Susan Jordan, Chief Executive of Six Town Housing for an update before she leaves to move to Doncaster next Friday.  I wish her luck and wish to thank her for all her hard work since joining.

Last night I attended the fundraising dinner for Magen David Adam the Israeli Ambulance Services which is entirely funded on voluntary donations.  Ruby Wax was the Guest Speaker and entertained over 300 guests.  She spoke of her childhood in America and her career path and her latest venture on Comic Relief does the Apprentice with Sir Alan Sugar.  Unfortunately I arrived at the dinner too late to meet her personally as I had been to a Board Meeting of Six Town Housing.

This morning I went along to Bury College with David Nuttall the PPC for Bury North to meet with the Principal, Lauran Chatburn, and to be shown around the campus.  It certainly is very impressive with a roll of 4,000 students studying a mix of vocational and non-vocational subjects.  1,200 students are sitting A’levels with the remainder a whole range of subjects including drama in the very state of the art drama building and theatre, mechanical engineering and beauty and hairdressing. 

From there I went on to the 60th anniversary lunch of The Naomi Coleman WIZO group.  A packed room of women were wined, dined and then after some very informative speeches were entertained by The Sparklers singing group.

Off to the Whitefield and Unsworth LAP meeting tonight – which has a full agenda not only because there are a lot of important issues to discuss but it is the last meeting of this municipal year.

Tomorrow’s diary looks no less busy …………

The Rt Hon George Osborne MP, Shadow Chancellor, visited Bury Market yesterday on his way to make the opening speech at the North West Conservative Conference at The Reebok.  Arriving on the tram from Manchester City Centre he spent nearly an hour touring the market and talking with traders and sampling traditional Bury food such as black pudding and black peas!  He also spent time talking to visitors to the market who had travelled from far and wide.

This afternoon we all celebrated Nita Bowman’s 101st birthday at the Nicky Alliance Day Centre.  The Mayor and Mayoress of Salford came along to join in the fun.  Nita is an amazing woman and an example to us all – she still enjoys dancing and goes swimming once a week.  Tonight I am off to the League of Jewish Women AGM.

Saturday night I was invited to Andy Taylor’s 60th birthday party where the Besses Brass Band provided the early part of the evening’s entertaintment.  Andy’s son plays in the band and they were absolutely magnificant.  Thanks to Andy for inviting me.

Yesterday morning I attended the AGM of the Friendship Clubs run by the League of Jewish Women.  They do an excellent job throughout Greater Manchester and it was encouraging to hear of all the good work they do and the increase in membership at the different clubs.

Ken Clarke MP Shadow Business Secretary visited Bury today to congratulate Bury Council on achieving a 4* status.  This is the highest award that can be given to a Council.  Ken spent time talking to the press, walking briefly around the new development in the Town Centre and afterwards went to a reception at the home of Jackie and Leslie Harris where he spent time meeting local residents and members of the local business community.  I was pleased to be able to have a brief chat with him during his whistle stop tour of Bury.  He did promise to return again soon!

I attended the Mayor’s Ball last night at The Elizabethan Suite which was to raise funds for Hurdles Charity. It was a packed event and hopefully very successful.  This is the first time I have attended the Ball and thoroughly enjoyed the evening.  Today has been spent out leafletting with members of Conservative Future and local activists – thanks to all for your continued help.