Busy

Central Devon is a vast constituency covering 550 square miles — it includes Beaworthy in the west, Chawleigh in the north, Bradninch in the east and Buckfastleigh in the south. People often ask me how I cover the ground. So here's a summary of a recent fortnight's activity.

I was guided around art exhibitions in Buckfastleigh and Ashburton, spent time with the MED Theatre in Moretonhampstead, met with the town clerk and mayor of Credition to discuss the town's need for better broadband coverage, toured the Blue Cross animal adoption centre near Bickleigh, spent an evening with the Crediton Fire Service, sat in on benefits assessments and jobseeker interviews at the Newton Abbot Job Centre, met with the Environment Agency in Exminster to catch up on issues of potential environmental concern, went on evening patrol with the Mid Devon police, had a meeting with business representatives in Chudleigh, attended the unveiling of a memorial at Folly Gate, commemorating the RAF airfield that used to be there, visited Chawleigh Stores to see how I might assist in ensuring the prompt re-instatement of the post office service, canvassed local opinions on the riots door-to-door in Bow and Crediton, held four constituency surgeries and attended three fetes (in Manaton, Coldridge and South Tawton). I would also have attended the Okehampton Show as guest of my good friend and hill farmer John Hodge but for the fact that I returned to Westminster for a day that Thursday due to the recall of Parliament following the riots. Apologies also to the residents of Oaklands Park who were due a visit from me that day (now rescheduled) and to the stallholders at Buckfastleigh Farmers' Market who I would have visited had I not been recalled to Westminster. That's it — see you next week!