Caister parish hall

I visited the Caister parish rooms today to view the plans for the new centre, which flow from the proposed Tesco expansion.

It is a credit to Caister that Tesco value the store to the degree that they wish to expand and improve it and it could be a benefit to the community via the proposed new Parish hall that forms part of the deal. It is not for me to comment on the merits of the plan, or otherwise, here.

Rather, I want to commend the Parish Council for arranging the exhibition so that local residents got a clear view of the proposals and what the changes would be. A very good exhibition with parish councillors on site themselves to talk to residents. A great example of parishes and facilitate and support a village and the community.
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Sent by Brandon Lewis via BlackBerry.

New AdiZone for Bradwell

This week will see the opening of thew new fitness area in Bradwell.

This will be a innovative outdoor sports area with machines designed to stand up to the outdoor weather and usage. It will give a huge opportunity to local residents and is a great example of the forward thinking and out of the box thinking of the Conservative Great Yarmouth Borough Council. With cabinet member Cllr Graham Plant looking forward to the opening this week, as outline din the EDP, it is always good to see how it is the Conservatives looking for new ideas, new ways to provide top class services and opportunities for residents.

I am looking forward to seeing this in action and while talking to residents in the area this weekend I found they were too.

Waste Centre in Caister

I had the rather odd experience recently of visiting the Anglian water treatment works at Caister.

I have raised with Anglian water some issue son behalf of Caister residents around flood plain developments and smell, which Anglian water have agreed to work on. They also showed me around the centre to explain the smell issues and it is an amazing experience if not one I would want to repeat daily! 

The centre processes all our water waste form the drains systems and sewage so I will let you own imagination work out what it smells and looks like as one moves around. However, very impressive is the state of the water that now eventually gets put out to our sea (several miles out) which is almost drinkable in colour.

It was also a good reminder of the damage and cost we all incur when people fly tip in the drains as that takes extra clearing and when people try to flush away non degradable goods such as nappies and ear buds, yes ear buds are a big issue 

It was also pointed out to me how the investment currently in Great Yarmouth of around £10,000,000 would not be possible if it had not been for privatisation. Something worth remembering when we are all seeing this Labour government try to take central control back of everything.

Newtown Youth Centre

I visited Carl Harding at the newtown youth centre on Friday morning to see how renovation works were going.
Following the awful fire it is impressive to see how all corners of the community have come together to help restore this venue which plays host to around 200 young people.
Whether it is the local paper (the Mercury) seeking help and giving publicity to the cause, Haven holiday camp lending a hand or a multitude of other companies and individuals doing their bit, it is wonderful to see a community in action.
They are doing a great job and hope to be back and open this week. Next is their bid for the People Millions on november 25th, where we can all do our bit to support by voting.
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Sent by Brandon Lewis via BlackBerry.

Glasgow by-election

Proof of where the government is failing, or a success?

SNP had hoped to take this seat, the ex Speaker of the House, yet did not really make any headway. Labour held on with a large majority.

This could well be confirming that thoughts of some experienced political analysts and writers. Which is that Gordon Brown appeals to hard core left wing old Labour heartlands, more than Blair ever did. As such labour could score well in areas such as Glasgow but lose in the more widespread marginal areas across the country. Something backed up by the Conservatives being the only party to win a seat in every region in the June elections.

Only time and a General Election will give us the answer.
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Sent by Brandon Lewis via BlackBerry.

New office for Blind Association in Great Yarmouth

Visiting the Norfolk and Norwich association for the blind was quite an experience. It is a superb centrethat they have now opened in Great Yarmouth; right near the town hall.

They are a voluntary organisation that receives no government funding and they are happy that way, as it gives them autonomy and independence to do their work. They do a superb job with a committed team and having met a volunteer and case worker along with John Child this week, I can see how committed they are to their work.

They have contact with around 800 people in the Great Yarmouth area but with around 3,000 visually impaired people in our Constituency there are still a large number of people for them to reach out to and help. They are able to help by way of recommending and sourcing equipment and often by simply being able to point people in the right direction for some of the other organisations and agencies out there offering help. They can be anything from a shoulder and an ear to listen to a direct help with day to day issues. If you are visually impaired or know someone who is, I would highly recommend a visit to their new office in Great Yarmouth to see all that they have to offer and what they can do to help.

Remembrance Day

Sunday is Remembrance Day, where we get a chance to remember and most importantly THANK all those who have given their lives and done so much for our Country.

They fought to keep us safe and free. Something that should sit large and prominent with all of us and especially politicians, as we benefit from living in a free democratic country where we have elections in which we can stand. If not for what those who have gone before us have given, that simple democratic right may not exist.

So, on this weekend we can and should all wear our poppies with pride and even more importantly we should take some time to just remember what so many have given for us all and ensure that we help our youth also fully understand what we have gained and kept as a result of such sacrifices.