Monthly Archives: May 2009

May 26 2009

Bank Holiday At Turton Tower Fair

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On bank holiday Monday I spent the day with my family and friends at The Turton Tower Fair.   Turton tower is a beautiful old Tower in North Turton, Bolton which needs to raise funds towards it upkeep. So not only were we supporting a local historic building but we all had a great family day out.

My 9 year old daughter Scarlett took our dog Harriet in the veteran class of the dog show.     Scarlett and Harriet got through to the final but finished unplaced. Both were thrilled!

I am pictured here with my partner, Mark  having a glass of wine, I’ve no idea why I had two glasses – I can assure you all I wasn’t drinking two at the same time……………………………..

May 19 2009

Royal Bolton Hospital

Last week along with Stephen O’Brien MP, Shadow Health Minister I visited the Royal Bolton Hospital where we met with the Hospitals Chief Executive,  David Fillingham.

We toured the stroke unit, something that is very close to my heart, and where I have a real personal interest after my Father had a severe stroke.

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We then went on to visit the childrens ward where this picture was taken of myself, Stephen and young Bailey who was due to go home the following day.

May 13 2009

Out and About

Me, pictured with my campaign team at Morrisons

Me, pictured with my campaign team at Morrisons

Over the last few days I have been out and about at various locations across Bolton North East meeting with all sections of our multicultural society.

pictured outside the Mosque on Blackburn Road

pictured outside the Mosque on Blackburn Road

Many will argue that at the moment politics and politicians of all parties are in the news for all the wrong reasons, I can’t disagree, however I am delighted with the swift and decisive action that David Cameron has taken to ensure members of the Conservative group in Parliament behave in a responsible and equitable fashion.

I can assure people that I am not standing for Parliament to stick my nose in the trough, I am standing simply because I care about the community I live and work in.

May 8 2009

8th May 1945 – 8th May 2009

NSAP1866_LARGEToday sees the 64th anniversary of VE day celebrations in 1945.

Although Germany surrended on 7th May the people of Britain and indeed across Europe and the World celebrated the ending of hostilities this day in 1945.

Whilst we remember the joy that people must have felt, omn thast day,  perhaps we should take a moment to remember all those brave soldiers, sailors and airmen who lost their lives in this conflict.

May 7 2009

Leighs Paints, Bolton

Left to right Gordon Bell, myself, John Capstick and Denis Garner

Yesterday I visited Leigh Paints in Kestor Street to meet with the Chairman Brian Leigh-Bramwell, Managing Director, Dick Frost and Technical Director, Gordon Bell.      Leigh Paints is a family run concern and really looks after its employeees, in fact adopting the Conservative ethos of ‘Bottom Up’ rather than ‘Top Down’ management.

The company employs 260 staff and is a paint manufacturer.  As well as normal coatings it specialises in fire retardent coatings holding 60/70% of the UK market.   One of the most well known structures covered with Leigh Paints would be the Forth Bridge in Scotland.

One of the  many issues we discussed was the apparent disparity in rules and regulations across the EU which disadvantages british companies from competing in the European Union.   Leigh Paints is also a leader in its field when it comes to research and development, however like many companies it needs help with some form of tax relief to allow this research to continue.   Instead of help all it seems to get is more regulation!

I have pledged that if elected I will do all I can to help their business, as well as many other businesses in Bolton.

May 4 2009

Sure Start – The Facts

Will ‘New Labour’ ever learn?   Clearly not, in desperation Gordon Brown’s candidate here in Bolton North East appears determined to smear the conservatives by portraying us as a threat to the Sure Start programme causing unecessary worry to many families.    In fact he couldn’t be further from the truth.

The Conservative Party is totally committed to Sure Start.    It is a fact that we want to employ an extra 4,200 trained health visitors into the service to support families who need the service.

Figures from a recent report,  published by the Department for Children, Schools and Families,  show that one in three families need more support, particularly with developmental checks, nutrition and vaccination advice.     The report makes it clear that families living in the most disadvantaged areas are still not getting the level of early year’s support they desperately need, that is why the Conservatives will introduce a universal health visitor service to provide  exactly the support families say they are not getting.

It really is time for change……………………..