Last weekend was phenomenally busy, with a trip to Grateley to open the new play area, Romsey’s Beggars Fair, the Mela in Southampton and also Wallops Wheels and Wings. It was an absolutely fantastic event at the Museum of Army Flying and will have supported much of the work the museum will do for the coming year.
I had some really interesting conversations with companies working in the aviation sector about what they are doing to support STEM careers, including the opportunity to talk to apprentices and graduate trainees.
This week in Parliament I have met Hampshire Fire and Rescue representatives to talk about the challenges they face. There have been numerous challenges for the Service over recent years, and the funding situation they now face is making it difficult for them to recruit adequate numbers of firefighters to keep us all safe. I will, of course, be making representations to the Minister as requested.
Last Sunday I popped up to Barton Stacey to visit “Young Drivers” and see the work they do getting young people ready to learn to drive on the road. The site at Barton Stacey is a wonderful simulation of real road driving, although it was quite surprising to see how young some of the drivers were, from 9 years old! But the evidence speaks for itself, those who have completed the training from Young Drivers go on to make safer drivers long term, which is good for all road users.
I am headed to Broughton this weekend to see the opening of the new Clubhouse. When I was there for the fete a few weeks ago I could see it was very nearly complete and I know it will be a great new facility for the village. On a related subject, huge congratulations to Over Wallop cricket club who have reached their fundraising target and will be installing new cricket nets. They too had a new pavilion recently, and it is great to see village cricket is still thriving.