I was very glad to quit sweltering London for home on Thursday evening. Nightmare journey – resolved to take the train as usual next week.
Busy constituency day starting with a meeting at County Hall to discuss alcohol rehabilitation. The public health people have identified a need in West Wiltshire – you can see it on the streets – and the county has secured a grant from the government which is good. However, word has got around that Elizabeth Lodge in Trowbridge has been eyed up as a possible location and naturally enough residents are unhappy. Lots about it in my mailbag. But from the meeting it’s clear that option has now been knocked on the head which I’m pleased about. The attendees made lots of helpful suggestions for how the council might approach the issue afresh and agreed to meet again in a month.
Then to Tesco in Trowbridge to take part in its food bank collection and to learn about its further plans for giving away food just past its peak of perfection but still good. As it happens, a constituent wrote in recently to complain about supermarkets throwing food away.
Good to visit the Independent Living Centre in Semington again on its open day where I bumped into my new MP neighbour Michelle Donelan and some old friends like the Bobby Van Trust. After that back to Trowbridge and a catch-up with Sarah Cardy of the Citizens Advice Bureau (see photo). Now back at the constituency office to deal with the in-tray before a meeting to discuss development in Warminster. Over the weekend I’ve got the Codford badge cleaning and the Fovant Badges annual service.
Hope the weather stays fine!
On Thursday I took part in the defence debate. You can read what I said at; http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/chan27.pdf