FROM: Fiona Bruce MP for Congleton Constituency
DATE: 22nd November 2011
Congleton Constituency has more highly commended shops than any other in Parliamentary Best Small Shops Awards
Fiona Bruce MP attended Best Small Shop Awards Gala Reception in the House of Commons recently. There were 70 commended shops from across the 650 parliamentary constituencies in the country with no less than seven of those commended shops coming from the Congleton constituency! The Awards, organised by the Parliamentary Small Shops Group, seek to honour those businesses that contribute to the life of their local community and go ‘beyond the call of duty’. David Amess MP, Chair of the group congratulated Fiona Bruce saying “The Congleton Constituency has the most commended businesses of any constituency in the country! It is a real tribute to community life in the area and to the commitment of local independent retailers.”
Fiona Bruce MP said:
“This competition serves to remind shoppers of the importance and value of local shops and to ensure that we keep them in our communities. The effort shopkeepers put into running their businesses and supporting their communities is massive and our communities would be a far lesser place without them. It was heartening for me to hear at these Awards that even in challenging trading conditions there is now an upturn in people wanting to shop more locally for the personal and community benefit local shops offer. In just one of a number of local initiatives encouraging people to shop locally the Love Local Life Card presents shoppers with an incentive to shop locally by collaborating with local businesses to provide a local discount card. In areas like ours, particularly with a high proportion of older people, small shops provide quality conversations and individual attention that can’t be provided in bigger stores.”
Susan Blakeman of R J and J Moore Greengrocers in Congleton said “It is really nice to know that small businesses are recognised. We try to support the Congleton community and the local charities as much as possible such as helping soldiers from the 1st Mercian Regiment. It is important to focus of community not just business.”
David Amess MP said that “This is a night to celebrate what small shops do for their local communities and their contribution is huge.”
ENDS
Shops Commended:
Alsager – Delissimo
01270 884200
info@delissimo.biz
Congleton – R J & J Moore Greengrocer
01260 273249
Bread and Basil
01260 270511
Davenports of Congleton
01260 272218
Middlewich – Temptations of Middlewich
01606 832472
Cakes by Coulson
01606 212243
Chisholm’s Newsagents
Contact Details:
Fiona Bruce MP -01260 274044
FROM: Fiona Bruce MP for Congleton Constituency
DATE: 4th November 2011
Local Deli sees success in Parliamentary Competition
Delissimo Deli of Crewe Road, Alsager was a commended finalist for its work in the community at the Parliamentary Best Small Shop Awards recently.
Fiona Bruce MP attended the Gala Reception in Parliament and received the award on behalf of proprietors Jane and Mark Holtom.
Jane Holtom of Delissimo said “We were thrilled to find out that Delissimo had been commended in the Parliamentary Best Small shops competition. We understand that selection is partly based on what businesses do to help the community. We source much of our products for the shop from local producers and that led to us organising Alsager’s monthly Farmers’ Market to encourage locals and visitors to shop in our town.
We are really fortunate in Alsager that we have such a wide range of independent businesses supported by an active Chamber of Trade, leading initiatives such as the new Love Local Life rewards scheme, a Christmas shop window competition, shoppers’ guides and walking maps, all designed to promote our lovely, lively small town.
We would have loved to go to the Houses of Parliament to receive our certificate ourselves but we were unable. However, we were so pleased that Fiona Bruce took the time to accept it on our behalf. Hopefully, we’ll be there ourselves next time!”
Fiona congratulated Delissimo saying:
“I am thrilled to see Delissimo’s valuable community contributions being recognised. Jane and Mark Holtom of Delissimo run an attractive shop selling quality, often locally sourced produce, and at the same time work very hard in the Alsager Community participating in Alsager Chamber of Trade, Britain in Bloom and organising the monthly Alsager Farmer’s Market. They help to attract trade to Alsager and value their existing customers, buying in specific goods and looking after elderly customers. They are a fine example of a community shop and I am proud to have them in my constituency.”
Fiona went on to say on the Small Shops Competition:
“This competition serves to remind shoppers of the importance and value of local shops and to ensure that we keep them in our communities. The effort shopkeepers put into running their businesses and supporting their communities is massive and our communities would be a far lesser place without them. It was heartening for me to hear at these awards that even in challenging trading conditions there is now an upturn in people shopping more locally for the personal and community benefit local shops offer. “
Fiona continued
“In just one of a number of local initiatives encouraging people to shop locally the Love Local Life card presents shoppers with an incentive to shop locally by collaborating with businesses to provide discounts when we shop locally. In areas like ours, particularly with a high proportion of older people, small shops provide quality conversations and individual attention that can’t be provided in bigger stores.”
David Amess MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Small Shops Group of which Fiona Bruce is a member, said at the event that “This is a night to celebrate what small shops do for their local communities and their contribution is huge.”
ENDS
Contact Details:
Fiona Bruce MP -01260 274044
Delissimo – Jane and Mark Holtom
01270 884200
info@delissimo.biz
FROM: Fiona Bruce MP for Congleton Constituency
DATE: 22nd November 2011
Fiona Bruce MP attends Middlewich and District Concert Society 22nd Season
The Middlewich and District Concert Society presented a piano recital by James Willshire on 19th November in the drama studio of Middlewich High School. It was attended by Fiona Bruce MP and Middlewich Town Mayor Councillor Sonya Edwards and Consort Councillor Paul Edwards.
The concert was give by James Willshire, currently with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, who performs nationally and internationally.
The programme included pieces by Scarlatti, Schubert and Liszt and a well received, lively piece called Waltzes by modern composer, Ronald Stevenson. A rare opportunity to hear this work of which, as yet, there is no recording.
This is the 22nd season of the Middlewich and District Concert Society; their next event will be on Saturday 28th January 2012 with the Pleyel Ensemble performing Prokofiev, Bach and Mendelssohn. Tickets are available from Roger Evans, Secretary on 01606 834471 or at rogermartinevans@hotmail.com.
ENDS
Contact Details:
Fiona Bruce MP -01260 274044
Roger Evans – Secretary
01606 834471
rogermartinevans@hotmail.com
FROM: Fiona Bruce MP for Congleton Constituency
DATE: 22nd November 2011
Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre wins Small Visitor Attraction of the Year in Marketing Cheshire Awards 2011
Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre was awarded the title of Small Visitor Attraction of the Year in the Marketing Cheshire Annual Awards 2011 last Friday.
Congratulating Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre at the Awards Ceremony which was held at West Cheshire College, Ellesmere Port, Fiona Bruce MP, who recently welcomed the Duke of York to Jodrell Bank, said “If you have not visited Jodrell Bank for many years, there have been lots of changes there and the new Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre would make a great trip out for all the family.”
Dr Teresa Anderson, Director of Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre commented,
“We are absolutely thrilled to have won the ‘Small Visitor Attraction of the Year’ award. The newly refurbished Discovery Centre has only been open eight months so this is a fantastic achievement and I would like to congratulate all of our staff for their hard work.
The University of Manchester’s Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre aims to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers by directly engaging them with science at a major UK research facility. A visit to the Centre includes the opportunity to see the world-famous Lovell Telescope at close quarters and explore exhibitions on astronomy and the science carried out at Jodrell Bank Observatory. The Discovery Centre also has a vibrant events programme in which visitors can meet scientists, hear about the latest discoveries and enjoy science shows. The Centre has already pioneered several innovative ways of engaging new audiences, including the ‘Jodrell Bank Live’ Music Festival in July 2011, its newly planted ‘Galaxy Garden’ and a hugely popular Education programme.”
At the awards the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre Live Music Festival 2011 was also given a Special Commendation under the category Best Tourism Event of the Year.
ENDS
Fiona Bruce MP - 01260 274044
Jodrell Bank – Katy Dixon
01477 571766
www.jodrellbank.net
FROM: Fiona Bruce MP for Congleton Constituency
DATE: 15th November 2011
Fiona Bruce MP visits Remembrance Exhibition at Trinity Methodist Church, Wagg Street, Congleton
Fiona Bruce MP visited the Remembrance Exhibition at Trinity Methodist Church during Remembrance Weekend. The exhibition was collected over eleven years by Congleton resident, Keith Hassall, who says “I was inspired to start it to boost the Remembrance Service attendance in Congleton on Remembrance Sunday. Local people have helped me to collect photographs, uniforms, ration books, shells, shrapnel, music, household goods and items for leisure activities and I have made model planes and ships.”
Bill Minnitt of West Heath, Congleton, a member of the Royal British Legion and of the Retired Men’s Club of Trinity Methodist Church, who helped put the exhibition together said at the event “It is fantastic, it brings back memories for me as a child growing up in the war and also of my father who was in Burma in the forgotten army – I remember everyone was celebrating VE day and I thought ‘my Dad’s still there.’”
The exhibition also brought back memories for Frank Worrall, 86 and his wife Irene, 83, who met when Irene was an evacuee from Stretton, Nr Warrington, to Mow Cop. Frank, who fought on D-Day, said “From Congleton there were 247 killed in the First World War and 107 in the Second World War so it is very important that we remember them in ways like this Remembrance Exhibition.”
Rebecca Finlay of Congleton High School said at the exhibition “It is really interesting to see how times have changed and how much more opportunity we have now in terms of things to do in our spare time – also we have a lot more variety in food. I would not have liked to have had to hoover with a Ewbank or iron with a not flat iron!”
Alison Munro, a teacher at Offley Primary School, to which Keith took the exhibition, said “The children love this exhibition because it brings the world wars to life for them – for example, they like putting on the uniforms and the helmets.”
Congleton Councillor, Glen Williams, said “This is a very interesting exhibition which highlights the impact on Congleton during the war and demonstrates how the town has changed during that time and the huge acknowledgment of the sacrifices the service men and women made at the time and it is important we keep remembering that.”
Keith Hassall is willing to take the exhibition to other schools in the area to help pupils gain a picture of local life in Congleton during wartime.
Contact Details:
Fiona Bruce MP -01260 274044
Keith Hassall
Trinity Methodist Church
01260 270899
FROM: Fiona Bruce MP for Congleton Constituency
DATE: 15th November 2011
Fiona Bruce MP supports soldiers at Alsager Military Exhibition
Fiona Bruce MP attended this year’s Alsager Military Exhibition, which for a third year was held at Alsager Library. It contained a display of military items including uniforms, weapons and items used by soldiers during many different wars and in different places around the world.
During her visit Fiona met with former servicemen, Ken Graham, who has collected the military memorabilia over many years, Bob Simpson, Graham Naylor and Alec McNee. The four soldiers between them have given a total of 48 years service in the Falklands, Germany, Cyprus, Austria, Italy and Yugoslavia.
Fiona said “One of the aims of the exhibition is for further understanding of military service amongst young people and this has been very well achieved.”
Ken Graham said:
“We have had a successful exhibition; over 200 children have visited the exhibition in the course of the week including from local schools Cranberry, Excalibur, Highfields and Pikemere. At 11 am on 11th November they were lined up all around the library and every one of them joined in the two minutes silence and I was very impressed by how sincerely they did so and joined to say ‘We will remember them’.”
At the exhibition Fiona Bruce presented Ken Graham with a 1907 military sword which had been in her family for many years saying “I’m glad it’s found a good home at last!”
ENDS
Contact Details:
Fiona Bruce MP -01260 274044
Ken Graham
01270 884001
FROM: Fiona Bruce MP for Congleton Constituency DATE: 1st November 2011 Fiona Bruce MP calls on the UK to lead fight against water poverty Fiona Bruce MP for Congleton met with Stephen O’Brien MP for Eddisbury, and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development, in the run up to World Toilet Day on the 19th November to call on the Government to increase its international aid commitment to help improve the provision of clean water in developing countries. Fiona Bruce pressed Stephen O’Brien to ensure that the UK Government sends a Minister to the Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) international meeting in April 2012 in Washington DC. SWA brings together representatives from countries around the world which provide and receive water aid. Fiona Bruce said: “The UK would be the first country providing water aid to send a Minister to an SWA meeting. I’m calling on our Government to send a Minister to show real international leadership on this critical issue and so help improve the co-ordination and targeting of resources for water, sanitation and hygiene improvements around the globe. Better co-ordination of existing resources could result in exponentially accelerated benefits in terms of lives saved and disease reduced.” Fiona continued: “4000 children die every day from preventable diseases related to poor water, sanitation and hygiene and the international community could do much more acting together to help prevent this.” Stephen O’Brien fully accepted the importance of the issue and the positive impact water, sanitation and hygiene can have on fighting disease. Stephen O’Brien said: “The Government is fully committed to investment in the area of water and sanitation to help improve health and education of millions around the globe; this is essential to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.” For more information from the Office of Fiona Bruce:Fiona Bruce MP / 020 7219 7042 / fiona.bruce.mp@parliament.uk FROM: Fiona Bruce MP for Congleton ConstituencyDATE: 18th October 2011Fiona Bruce MP urges constituents to check proposed changes to local polling stations There is to be a consultation on proposed changes to polling stations in the constituency. A table of the potential changes and information about the consultation can be found at http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/local_democracy/electoral_services/review_of_polling_stations.aspx. The changes largely intend to move people closer to their polling station and or make them more convenient for usage such as moving away from using schools which then have to close during polling day.Fiona Bruce MP is urging all residents to view these proposals and if concerned to comment by the deadline of 4th November. All comments should be made in writing to Electoral Services, Westfields, Middlewich Road, Sandbach, Cheshire, CW11 1HZ or they can be e-mailed to pollingstationreview@cheshireeast.gov.ukThe following key changes will apply: Alsager – Movement of 880 electors (in Sandbach Road South area) from Pikemere Primary School to Alsager Civic Centre Congleton – Stone Cottages and Brookhouse Lane properties to vote at Mossley Village Hall not Buglawton School.Bath Vale Farm and Bath Vale Cottages to vote at The Auction Rooms not Buglawton School.Add COS1 to part of COS4 moving polling station from Mossely Village Hall to Wellspring Methodist Church.Giantswood Lane to become part of CWN3 polling district and vote at Eaton Bank School not St Mary’s RC Pre-SchoolMerge part of CNW1 polling district currently voting at St Mary’s RC Pre-School to COC1 voting at Trinity Methodist Church. Holmes Chapel – move 100 electors from Polling district HCE3 to HCE2 from voting at Hermitage Primary to Holmes Chapel Comprehensive. Middlewich – part of MIAA polling district to move from Middlewich High School to Middlewich Football Club. Part of MIAD polling district moving to St Marys Parish Hall.The MIAE polling district changing from Cledford Primary to Middlewich Methodist Church. Sandbach- following problems with distance travelled after Blackfirs School was moved out of the ward electors in AST 3 may be moved to vote at Davenport Chapel.Voters in AST6 voting at Smallwood Primary to be moved to Smallwood Village Hall with ample parking and disabled access. Voters in Mow Cop will now vote at Mow Cop Community Church Full details can be found at http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/local_democracy/electoral_services/review_of_polling_stations.aspx Contact: Fiona Bruce MP -01260 274044Fiona.bruce.mp@parliament.uk FROM: Fiona Bruce MP for Congleton ConstituencyDATE: 1st November 2011Fiona Bruce MP supports North West Women’s Enterprise DayAn Enterprise Day for over 200 women was held at Cranage Hall on October 28th with the main sponsor Cheshire East Council.Fiona Bruce MP, who attended the event, said, “I congratulate Cheshire East Council for promoting this successful event. The wide range of support on offer – such as help developing PR and presentation skills, using social media and financial advice together with the practical workshops meant there was something of real value for every businesswoman attending – whatever stage their business is at.”Fiona continued:“One of the crucial factors for women in business – particularly in the early stages – is developing confidence. The North West Women’s Enterprise Day helped do just that. As Allie Pottinger, who runs a business in Congleton creating gifts from her original artwork told me “You’ve just got to take the challenge to move up to the next level in business and today has helped me do that. It’s inspired me to hold a solo exhibition and do watercolour workshops.”Fiona Bruce, herself a UK winner of the Small Business Bureau’s Businesswoman of the Year Award continued, “The advice on offer at the Enterprise Day was excellent and will continue to be of lasting benefit for the businesswomen who attended through their wide range of contacts made on the day. I only wish the same support had been available to me when I started up in business over 20 years ago!”Fiona Bruce MP -01260 274044Fiona.bruce.mp@parliament.uk Cheshire East CouncilCarol Young – Enterprise and Skills Manager01270 685910Carol.young@cheshireeast.gov.uk Alison Pottinger07903 655777Alison@alliepottinger.com FROM: Fiona Bruce MP for Congleton Constituency DATE: 14th October 2011 MP signals opposition to High Speed 2 on behalf of constituents In a speech in the House of Commons, yesterday, during a debate on High Speed 2, Fiona Bruce MP assured constituents of her vigorous opposition to any proposals to route the North West extension of line through her constituency. NB - (Details of the North West extension are due to be published by the Department for Transport in December).Fiona has already received a significant number of letters from constituents opposed to the new high speed line connecting London and Manchester, via Birmingham, which as proposed, will cost £32 billion.The speech can be found below.5.16 pmFiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con): As a north-west MP, I wish to represent the concerns that my constituents have expressed to me both in correspondence and at 13 Oct 2011 : Column 584 meetings. The area of Cheshire that my constituency covers lies some 25 miles south of Manchester. Over recent years, journey times to London by rail have improved and the area is now well served, with a journey time of less than two hours from Euston. On the basis that stops reduce journey times, a new HS2 track is likely to run through or near my constituency but with no HS2 stops or links. An area that is currently well served might find not only that HS2 bypasses it, but that existing services become fewer and slower. Services from Crewe and Stoke-on-Trent, both of which serve my constituency, could suffer considerable disadvantage. Passengers from London using a new HS2 line could have to travel north to Manchester, then make a connection and return south on a local line. It is difficult to see how there would be much, if any, time saving on a journey from London.Let me turn now to the economic regeneration argument. The north-west is a wide area, and although HS2 might benefit the area immediately around Manchester—assuming that is the key north-west HS2 stop—it is questionable whether such benefits would radiate across the north-west region so as to benefit constituencies, such as my own, that are further afield. There is the additional concern that the flow of economic regeneration could be towards London and away from the north-west, so a project designed to bridge the north-south divide could have the opposite effect.The cost, some £32 billion, is perceived by many of my constituents as an inordinate amount of money at a time of severe economic pressure for the questionable benefits they will gain, particularly the many who do not use train travel at all. Several transport pressure points in my constituency are of far greater concern to them, and attention to those would immediately bring clear economic benefits to the area and the region, including freeing up not just local traffic but the M6 traffic flow from Birmingham up to the north-west.Notably, those would include opening up to passengers the Middlewich rail link, which is currently used only for freight, improvements to junction 17 of the M6 at Sandbach, and action to protect the Holmes Chapel community from the excessive speed and volume of vehicles that they constantly endure. All those issues could be resolved at a fraction of the £51 million that I understand would be the cost of HS2 to my constituency.When it comes to international travel, it is unlikely that an HS2 line north of Birmingham to Manchester would make much material difference to residents in my constituency, living as they do half an hour from Manchester and only a little further form Liverpool airport.Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) (Con): May I clarify something? On the one hand, my hon. Friend is saying that living near Manchester airport is a good thing for her constituents—but is she also saying that living near the Manchester hub for high-speed rail would not be a good thing for them? I do not see how the two ideas run together.Fiona Bruce: I am saying that to travel from London to the north-west by HS2 would not benefit my constituents materially. Nor would it benefit them to travel by HS2 down to the continent, because it is quicker, and certainly more economical with the current fares, to go from Manchester or Liverpool airport.13 Oct 2011 : Column 585 I agree that there is a strong case for enhancing the capacity of our inter-city rail network, including the west coast main line, but there are a number of solutions that could be achieved at a fraction of the cost of HS2 to my constituents. Many of those solutions have already been mentioned, such as improving provision for freight transportation or signalling. Others include improving the integrated regional network to take communities out of their cars in the north-west, increasing the number of platforms at Manchester Piccadilly to improve the commuter trains that are available, and increasing track numbers between Crewe and Manchester. I accept that the route of the extension from Birmingham to Manchester has not yet been specified, but I want to assure my constituents that if it runs through any part of my constituency, with the attendant environmental and other damage to farmland, residential areas and communities, they can be assured of my vigorous opposition to any such plan on their behalf. FROM: Fiona Bruce MP for Congleton Constituency DATE: 21st October 2011 Fiona Bruce MP Speaks at AGM of Cheshire Association of Local Councils The 2011 AGM of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils (ChALC) was held in Middlewich this week. Approximately 200 Councillors and Officers from Town and Parish Councils across Cheshire packed Middlewich Civic Hall. Delegates’ discussions focused on the fairness of Unitary Authorities adequately recompensing Councils who take responsibility for Local Street cleansing, as well as the importance of protecting greenbelt and green gap areas across Cheshire in light of the changes proposed by the National Planning Policy Framework currently before Parliament. Fiona Bruce MP addressed the meeting and informed delegates that she has made representations to Greg Clark Minister of State for Communities and Local Government, on behalf of Cheshire Councils for transitional arrangements to be put in place to ensure ongoing protection for greenbelt and green spaces in Cheshire prior to the new local development frameworks being put in place, which on present time scales will be completed after the NPPF comes into force. Speaking after the meeting Fiona Bruce MP said “I’ve written to the Minister since because Cheshire East, in which my constituency of Congleton stands is a relatively new Unitary Council, it has not had time to put in place a local development framework, whilst pre-existing local plans for certain towns within the Unitary Council area will shortly expire – leaving a potential void in the designation of green spaces to be retained as un-built areas which, without appropriate transitional area to protect them – developers may seize upon. It is essential that we protect these precious green areas – Cheshire should not be put in a detrimental position as a result of re-organisation required by the last Government and the resulting potentially conflicting timetables of two sets of plans the LDF and the NPPF. Developers are already targeting green spaces in Sandbach and Middlewich – I am acutely aware of how real the concerns of residents are within my constituency to ensure that these areas remain open and un-built upon for people to enjoy.” Chairman, Stuart Hulse said: "The Cheshire Association of local Councils was delighted that Fiona Bruce MP was able to take time from her busy schedule to attend our AGM. I think Fiona was impressed by the turn out showing that the first tier of local Government is alive and well in the County of Cheshire. Fiona impressed delegates with her understanding of the concerns of delegates that changes to the planning regime may put the green belt under pressure." Contact Details: Fiona Bruce MP -01260 274044 Fiona.bruce.mp@parliament.uk Cheshire Association of Local Councils (ChALC) Chairman – Stuart Hulse 01948 871314 Chief Officer – Jackie Weaver jackieweaver@chalc.org.uk FROM: Fiona Bruce MP for Congleton ConstituencyDATE: 1st November 2011Alsager One World Event 2011The Alsager One World event was held this year at Alsager School and organised for a second successful year by Alsager Ladies Circle.During the day musical performances were given by Alsager Youth Theatre and pupils from St Gabriel’s, Rode Heath, Highfields, Cranberry, Pikemere and Excalibur Schools as well as the Can’t Sing Choir.Craft and performance workshops took place throughout the morning in classrooms and art and cooking displays by Alsager residents with connections to countries around the world filled the hall. As a new addition this year sports workshops were held in Volleyball and Squash and the morning ended with School Olympics. Fiona Bruce MP -01260 274044Fiona.bruce.mp@parliament.uk Bernice Halsonbryan@bbhalson.wanadoo.co.uk DATE: 18th October 2011FROM: Fiona Bruce MP for Congleton Constituency DATE: 18th October 2011 Fiona Bruce MP urges constituents to check proposed changes to local polling stations There is to be a consultation on proposed changes to polling stations in the constituency. A table of the potential changes and information about the consultation can be found at
http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk. The changes largely intend to move people closer to their polling station and or make them more convenient for usage such as moving away from using schools which then have to close during polling day. Fiona Bruce MP is urging all residents to view these proposals and if concerned to comment by the deadline of 4th November. All comments should be made in writing to Electoral Services, Westfields, Middlewich Road, Sandbach, Cheshire, CW11 1HZ or they can be e-mailed to pollingstationreview@cheshireeast.gov.uk The following key changes will apply: Alsager – Movement of 880 electors (in Sandbach Road South area) from Pikemere Primary School to Alsager Civic Centre Congleton – Stone Cottages and Brookhouse Lane properties to vote at Mossley Village Hall not Buglawton School.Bath Vale Farm and Bath Vale Cottages to vote at The Auction Rooms not Buglawton School. Add COS1 to part of COS4 moving polling station from Mossely Village Hall to Wellspring Methodist Church. Giantswood Lane to become part of CWN3 polling district and vote at Eaton Bank School not St Mary’s RC Pre-School Merge part of CNW1 polling district currently voting at St Mary’s RC Pre-School to COC1 voting at Trinity Methodist Church. Holmes Chapel – move 100 electors from Polling district HCE3 to HCE2 from voting at Hermitage Primary to Holmes Chapel Comprehensive. Middlewich – part of MIAA polling district to move from Middlewich High School to Middlewich Football Club. Part of MIAD polling district moving to St Marys Parish Hall. The MIAE polling district changing from Cledford Primary to Middlewich Methodist Church. Sandbach- following problems with distance travelled after Blackfirs School was moved out of the ward electors in AST 3 may be moved to vote at Davenport Chapel. Voters in AST6 voting at Smallwood Primary to be moved to Smallwood Village Hall with ample parking and disabled access. Voters in Mow Cop will now vote at Mow Cop Community Church Full details can be found at http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/local_democracy/electoral_services/review_of_polling_stations.aspx Contact: Fiona Bruce MP -01260 274044
Fiona.bruce.mp@parliament.uk FROM: Fiona Bruce MP for Congleton ConstituencyFiona Bruce MP opens 1000th Plus Dane affordable homeCongleton MP Fiona Bruce has officially opened the one thousandth affordable home built by Dane Housing in the area of the former Congleton Borough.
Speaking at the new home of Jane Davenport - one of eight new family homes built on the site of the former Elworth Court flats in Congleton, Fiona said:
“It is excellent to hear how pleased Jane is to have such a spacious and quality built home for her family and to hear from Jane about how helpful to her all the staff at Plus Dane have been.
It is a real benefit having such a caring and responsive Housing Association playing such a major role in the provision of modern, quality homes in this area – of many different types, from the award-winning Care Home in Heath View, Congleton to much needed two and three bedroomed family homes like these.”
The site of Elworth Court on which the new homes have been developed by Plus Dane and built by Seddons previously consisted of 34 bedsits for elderly people which had become outdated.Mike Doran, Managing Director of Plus Dane said:
“As a neighbourhood investor, Plus Dane Group has been working for many years to meet a wide range of housing needs across Cheshire.
These new homes at the former Elworth Court site are just eight of over 1000 new homes that we have developed since 1998 to provide high quality, affordable homes.
We are delighted to be able to officially launch this scheme, which supports our promise to increase the supply and choice of homes across the neighbourhoods we serve.”Fiona Bruce MP -01260 274044Fiona.bruce.mp@parliament.ukSarah Moston – Plus Dane
0151 522 1349 or 07966 972920 FROM: Fiona Bruce MP for Congleton Constituency DATE: 18th October 2011 Fiona Bruce MP goes ‘Speed Networking’ via video message Speaking via video message at a recent Speed Networking event held at Crewe Alex Football Club and hosted by Community and Voluntary Services Cheshire East and Cheshire East Council to help strengthen and support voluntary work in the area, Fiona Bruce MP said: “I am really pleased to see this event taking place. It provides a great opportunity for local voluntary and community groups to network with Cheshire East Council. The Government is working to make it easier to run a charity, social enterprise or voluntary organisation; to make more resources available for much valued, Voluntary, Community and Faith organisations and to make it easier for these organisations to work with Councils and other public bodies. In order to achieve this it is important for the Local Authority to have strong, effective links with local Voluntary and Community groups. In this way, together, we can all get the best outcomes for local communities and individuals. Everyone involved in providing community services works hard to support vulnerable people. Local services in this area are already very good; everyone involved is, I know, keen to look at even better ways of providing the help local people need and in the way they want it. The good attendance at today’s event from Cheshire East Councillors and Staff shows just how important the Council considers the work that Voluntary, Faith and Community groups do and how much the Council wants to strengthen and support their work. Communication is key to good joint working. What better way than an interactive networking event where people can make contacts for a better working future? Today’s event will, I’m sure, prove beneficial for everyone involved, most of all those who need help right across Cheshire East.” Fiona Bruce MP -01260 274044 Fiona.bruce.mp@parliament.uk Cheshire East Council – Kirstie Hercules
Kirstie.Hercules@cheshireeast.gov.uk
