We broke for a short recess from Westminster on 27th May and I took a few days away before the Platinum Jubilee weekend. And what a weekend!
I started by receiving an invite, on Wednesday 1st June, to call and see Bill Cooksey. Bill, as you may remember, is a 100-year-old veteran who last year walked 100 miles for the NHS. Well, he is at it again, this year he is cycling 1000 miles for the NHS. If you can, please sponsor him, and if you see him, please give him your encouragement.
After meeting Bill, we travelled down to London to enjoy the immense privilege of attending the Trooping of the Colour on Thursday 2nd June. We had seats in Horse Guard’s Parade in Whitehall on what was a lovely day both for weather and occasion. After the parade concluded, we were treated to the flypast concluding with the astonishing ‘70’ formed by the Typhoons and the red, white and blue of the Red Arrows.
After this I jumped on a train north enabling me to go and join the people of Fishburn for the Lighting of the Beacon at 9.45pm. Before that we had the delights of a string quartet, a fire dancer, readings and a piper. A well-attended event enjoyed by all.
We called into Woodham Community Centre on Friday then we received a very kind invite to a street party in Harebell Meadows. It was a pleasure to meet the local residents, it really felt that the pandemic is finally over and people felt able to enjoy themselves.
The weekend saw events across the constituency really gather pace. I started Saturday in Newton Aycliffe Town Centre at the Junction 7 food festival before heading to St. Elizabeth’s Church in Woodham for tea and cake. After this to Brafferton, where I saw the beginnings of their afternoon festivities and judged a ‘best front door’ competition. Next on my agenda was Heighington where I had been asked to unveil a plaque and to declare their event open. My afternoon continued with a trip to Durham Cathedral for a Platinum Jubilee Service, another event it was a privilege to attend.
On my way south I then called into the recreation park at Dean Bank, Ferryhill to catch the end of their event before home for a quick change and out to Sedgefield for Sedgefield in Bloom’s Platinum Jubilee music night.
Sunday was another amazing day starting at St. Aidan’s in Chilton for the church service. I then headed to West Cornforth Community Centre where they had a picnic happening and I narrowly avoided a ride on the bucking bronco! Thankfully too many children in the queue. From there it was onto the Trimdon Grange Community Centre where I saw the brass band and some children’s entertainment, the bigger bands were due later. It was then onto Wingate to the Holy Trinity Church. Here we had a Jubilee event that was a picnic in the church grounds combined with some games and the opportunity for tea and snacks before an outstanding hog roast arrived. It was lovely to meet so many members of the community.
We called back in at the Chilton Street party on the way to Hurworth for my final visit of the weekend. Hurworth had been partying most of the day and I only arrived in time to see some of the later music when, unfortunately, it was also starting to rain. They were all well prepared though with gazebos etc and plenty of food and drink.
All these events had so many people who were enjoying themselves after a very difficult couple of years. It was brilliant to see them all and I only wish I could have got to the very many more that were happening around the Sedgefield constituency.
Monday is back on the train to Westminster and the delights of a tube strike! The business this week will include the National Security Bill and the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill but also on Wednesday I have drawn a question in Prime Ministers Questions, so will again shout up for our amazing place and ask for progress on moving us forward.
On Monday morning we heard that one of my tasks for this week was to take part in the vote of confidence in the Prime Minister. I started the day as a supporter of the Prime Minister, and after extensive consultations with both colleagues and constituents, my support remained unchanged. The Prime Minister survived the confidence vote and he can now focus fully on policy delivery. I will continue to be Sedgefield’s voice in Westminster, not Westminster’s voice in Sedgefield and will encourage the Prime Minister to deliver the levelling-up we need in the Sedgefield constituency.
If you would like to get in touch with me, as always, you can reach me at paul.howell.mp@parliament.uk
Paul Howell MP
Member of Parliament for Sedgefield