Parliament did not sit last week as it was recess and as Chair of the British Group Inter-Parliamentary Union, on Monday and Tuesday, I was honoured to represent the UK Parliament at the United Nations in New York.
Back home in the Moorlands, I was pleased to drop into an event at Trentham Gardens to show my support for local artist Robin Wight and his Fantasywire sculptures. Robin has been working with Trentham for ten years now and to celebrate the success of the fairy trail, they have installed a new sculpture and re-launched the fairy trail. I have visited Robin at his studio in Oakamoor and seen how he makes the beautiful Fantasywire sculptures as well as being present for the unveiling of the fantastic sculpture he made last year that is dedicated to the NHS and is to raise awareness for organ donation.
It was then off to Biddulph to Our Lady of Grace Catholic Primary School. The school has recently, through many fundraising events, raised money to purchase a vending machine with the idea of turning it into a ‘Reading Book Vending Machine’ and I was delighted to be asked to come and launch it. It is a really lovely idea and the children were so excited, particularly being able to show me how the machine worked.
Over the years, I have visited many local schools and also welcomed groups to Parliament usually through the Parliamentary Education Centre who organise workshops and tours followed by a session with me. I am also amazed at the fantastic artwork that schools have provided for my office window. The display at the moment is from St Anne’s C.E. Primary school in Brown Edge and the theme is Valentine’s Day. Well done to all the children involved.
