Although I have to be
at Westminster for most of the working week, I spend the rest
of the time available in the constituency.
This page shows just a few of the events and activities I've
been involved with here in Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley.
Picture courtesy
of the Pontefract and Castleford Express
Old Quarry Adventure Playground
It was
great to visit the newly opened Old Quarry adventure playground
in Knottingley to meet with parents and children who were joining
in one of the supervised afternoon play sessions.
There are some great play schemes going on this
summer and I think it’s important that children and parents
know what activities are going on in their area so they can make
the most of the holidays.
The new lottery investment that means this summer there are more
play opportunities for children right across the district.
Yvette
with Jake Blakeman, Stevie Lee Blackburn, Bethany Martin,
Lauren Ryecroft, Ariann Gleed, Samantha Farley (click photo for enlargement)
The Council have
used the new money to help fund supervised play at the Old Quarry
and the new play rangers who over the summer will be moving around
public spaces with different play equipment from dressing up to
go-cart building.
But I also think we need to find more for teenagers
to do in the area – especially in the evenings. That’s
why I want the Old Quarry to be opened for longer so that older
teenagers can have an evening youth club to give them something
to do and I am pressing for new Government money for youth facilities
round here.
Police Survey
I joined Castleford Neighbourhood Policing Team to conduct
a survey in the Castleford area. The Police were asking resident’s
views on issues affecting their neighbourhood.
It's really important the Police know what people
are worried about in each area. Many of the resident’s
I talked to were really pleased the Police were doing detailed
work and had a lot of points they wanted to make.
Yvette with Inspector Williams and resident Donald Turnpenny (click photo for enlargement)
Opening of Cobblers Lane Primary
School
Yvette
with children from Cobblers Lane, Secretary of State for Children,
Schools and Families, Ed Balls and Head Teacher Judith Murphy (click photo for enlargement)
It was
great to officially open the Cobblers Lane Primary with the Secretary
of State for Children Schools and Families, Ed Balls. The new school
was created by the merging of the old infant and junior schools.
The new building is brilliant, really open and
bright. I think our children deserve the best possible facilities
to help them learn and grow.
But as the children we talked to made clear, it’s not just
about the building. The energy and commitment of all the teachers,
parents and pupils has also made the school a success.
Burying Time Capsule at
Glasshoughton
It was fantastic to bury the time capsule at the site for
Teva’s new premises in Glasshoughton along with local
school children and representatives from the Glasshoughton
heritage group who were involved in deciding on what went
in the capsule.
Yvette with local school children and Teva’s representative (click photo for enlargement)
Opening of the new Castleford
Bridge
Yvette
with local campaigner Wendy Raynor (click photo for enlargement)
It
was fantastic to be at the opening of the new bridge in Castleford.
When we first talked about a new bridge at regeneration meetings
in Castleford four years ago who would have thought we’d get
to see such a fantastic bridge opening now.
With funding from the Council and Government I think it will help
bring new investment right along the river.
Veteran’s Day Tea
Dance
For Veterans Day 2008 I held a tea dance at CISWO for Veterans
and their families. It was a really lovely afternoon, CISWO
put on a great spread, and there was some fantastic dancing!
We managed to raise over £100 that will
go to the British Legion Poppy Appeal. I want to thank the
British Legion and CISWO for their help to make the afternoon
a real success.
Local Veteran’s showing their amazing dancing skills (click photo for enlargement)
I am also hoping
to hold another event in the autumn to honour the Land Army Girls
from our area who did so much during the First and Second World
Wars. The Land Girls badges are now being issued and I have already
had a number of Land Girls contact my office but if there is anyone
else you know who is eligible please contact my office on 01977
553388 who can help with the application.
Remploy “Champions Group”
Yvette with Remploy “Champions”
Neil Hewitt, Helen Wordsworth, Helen Thompson, David Liddle,
Diane Nichols, Gill Galdins, Adrian Spawforth, and John Rudge
(click photo for enlargement)
I was
really pleased to chair the first meeting of Remploy Pontefract’s
first “Champions Group” which is leading the search
to expand business at Remploy and keep the Pontefract factory open
Remploy could do all kinds of great work but
it needs to get more business to stay open. That’s why I’m
calling on businesses across the district to look at what work they
could get done at Remploy. We need to support the factory to make
sure it stays open.
Responsible Alcohol Sales
I recently met with owners of local off licences in Airedale
who are working with police on stamping out underage sales.
All licensees are being offered special training and are keen
to see a drop in underage sales.
Underage binge drinking is a nightmare for the
local community and causes serious problems for young people's
health. Selling booze to kids is against the law, and it was
great to see Airedale off licences leading the way by working
with the police to clamp down on underage sales.
Yvette with local businesses taking part in responsible
alcohol sales training (click photo for enlargement)
National Year of Reading
Yvette and Secretary
of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls reading
to children at
Normanton Library’s story time (click photo for enlargement)
As part
of the National Year of Reading I went along to read at story time
at Normanton Library. The very hungry caterpillar has always been
a real favourite in our house, and it was great to see the children
enjoying it.
Like lots of mums I think it’s really
important to get kids reading. There are so many other things children
want to do, with computers, television and electronic games, but
you still can't beat a good book.
Free Swimming for over
60’s
I am working with the Council to make sure the district benefits
from the free swimming programme funded by Government from
next April. The scheme will mean over 60s will be able to
swim for free as many times as they like.
Swimming is great for your health, and I’ve
been contacted by loads of pensioners in this area who love
to swim each week, but the cost can make a difference when
you're on a tight budget. That's why I think it’s so
vital that the Government and Council are working together
so that older people can swim for free.
Yvette with constituents who have contacted her about
the cost of swimming (click photo for enlargement)
Aim Higher Students visit
Parliament
It was great to meet Aim Higher students and staff from Knottingley
High School and give them a tour of Parliament.
We had a great discussion about sentencing for
criminals and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill,
and I was really interested to hear their views and take questions.
I’m always happy to arrange tours of Parliament
or Big Ben for anyone interested. Please get in touch with
my office or email me for more details.
Yvette with Aim Higher students and staff from Knottingley
High School - click photo to enlarge
Celebrating 102 Years!
Yvette
with Lily Moon at the Grove nursing home, Knottingley
I was delighted
to be invited to Lillian Moon’s 102 Birthday party at
Grove Nursing home.
Lily’s family and the staff at the Grove organised
a great afternoon and it was wonderful to chat to Lily and
join in the celebrations.
New Status for Cas High
I was pleased to be invited to celebrate Cas High’s
new status as a specialist college in Sports and Technology.
Yvette with the Head Teacher of Cas High, Roy Vaughan,
and the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families,
Ed Balls. Click photo to enlarge
Latest Veterans Ceremony
Yvette
with Local Veteran’s and Rev Bob Cooper at St Giles
Church, Pontefract Click photo for enlargement...
It was an
honour to organise a third Veteran’s ceremony at St
Giles Church, Pontefract and present over 15 more badges to
local Veteran’s. It was a real honour to be able to
thank the Veterans in person and in front of friends and family
for all they have done for their country.
The Veteran’s Badge has recently been extended and is
available to all those who have served in the HM Armed Forces.
Hundreds more local people could now be eligible to apply
for the Veteran’s Badge in honour of their past service.
For more information Click here (Link to Vets badge Info Page)
I plan to hold another ceremony later in the year for those
who couldn’t make the ceremony last week, and for Veterans
who have recently applied for their Veteran’s Badge.
Pontefract Transport Summit
Hundreds of people came to the Summit, and it got quite congested
at the beginning – a bit like driving through Pontefract.
But it just shows how strongly people feel.
There was a clear message that transport engineers
need to look again at Town End junction, as well as strong
support for new station facilities and road links around the
town and I will keep campaigning with local groups and councillors
to get some progress.
Yvette and Councillor Trevor Izon at Town End lights, Pontefract
Young Firefighters in action at
Cas Fire Station
Yvette
with Young Firefighters from Featherstone College Click photo for enlargement...
It was great
to meet young Firefighters at Cas Fire Station. They’re
getting real training and hands on experience. For lots of
young people getting practical experience and training in
the workplace gives them the boost they need to excel and
is a great start for a successful career.
West Yorkshire pioneered the Young Firefighters scheme which
gives 14-19 year olds a BTEC in basic fire fighting. The two
year course involves practical and academic lessons from breathing
apparatus and casualty extrication to community safety and
each pupil has their own uniform.
Youth Parliament Results
Yvette
speaking at the Youth Parliament election results
I
was really pleased to be invited to speak at the results of
the Youth Parliament Elections in Wakefield.
The elections had a great turnout and Ossett High school student
Emma Fletcher, aged 12, and Sacred Heart Catholic Primary
pupil Chandler Burns, aged 11, were the successful candidates.
