29th June 2009
This week Parliament will debate the Finance Bill, which implements this year’s Budget. More time is spent debating the Budget measures each year than almost any other legislation, and as Budgets have got more and more detailed and extensive so has the size and complexity of the associated legislation increased beyond all expectations.
This Friday, I will start the day with a visit to Stanchester secondary school, in Stoke sub Hamdon.
I will be meeting up with Glyn Ottery, the head teacher at Stanchester, to talk about recent developments in education policy and the progress at the school.
However, this will not be a “routine” visit to the school, because I am also going to be wishing Glyn the best for his retirement at the end of this term, after a very long period of service at the school.
Glyn is one of the most experienced head teachers in our area, not just as head at Stanchester, but as a former Chairman of the Somerset Secondary Schools Association. Glyn has made a big contribution to the development of education in our area, and at Stanchester School he has made a real impact for the better on a generation of young people from South Somerset. He deserves a very relaxing retirement!
On Friday afternoon I am due to visit the Fleet Air Arm Museum at RNAS Yeovilton, for the opening of a new Exhibition by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. The exhibition is on the theme of “A Celebration of Naval Flying”, and I am sure that it will be up to the high standards that have made this museum one of the biggest visitor attractions in Somerset.
Before I attend this meeting, I am due to meet up with Royal Marine aircrewmen from RNAS Yeovilton, who are planning to run the Bristol Half Marathon on 6th September. The team of 10 aircrew are from 845, 846 and 848 Naval Air Squadrons, and are being led by C/Sgt Jim Coulter, and they are hoping to raise over £13,000 in aid of the “Help for Heroes” charity. This cause is particularly close to the hearts of the team, as the brother of one of the runners was sadly killed serving in Afghanistan in January of this year.
Running a half-marathon may already seem quite a big challenge, but I have so far left out one rather important “detail” of the challenge – that the 13 miles will be run while carrying a 31 foot long 300lb Sea King main rotor blade!
The team has already had some local publicity, and now they need to secure a lot of support in sponsorship. Westlands and BAE Systems have generously made pledges, but the team also need personal sponsorship if they are to meet their target. The best way to donate is via www.justgiving.com/jimcoulter, but another site is also being created to publicise the event – www.rmbladerunner.com.
This is a great cause and a huge challenge, so if you can help sponsor the team, please do!
Later on Friday, I will be attending a briefing about the project to help secure additional investment in Chard, and in the evening I will be calling in at the AGM of the Seavington Community Shop project, at the Millennium Hall in the village.
On Saturday, I will be holding one of my regular Advice Centres in Yeovil, and in the afternoon I will be calling in to the Open Day at Christopher House in Yeovil.
I am particularly looking forward to this Saturday afternoon, when there will be a Testimonial Match for Yeovil Town Manager Terry Skiverton, at Huish Park.
Terry has been at the club for a decade now, and he has made a huge contribution to the Glovers’ most successful ever decade of football – as player, captain and now as manager.
Terry’s passion, determination and commitment have long made him one of the fan’s big favourites at Huish Park, and it will also be good to see some other big name players, from Yeovil’s past and from outside the club, at the game.
Very best wishes to Terry for Saturday’s celebration.
Ever,
David.