News From Westminster by Michelle Donelan MP

Issues that matter locally

NOW that the Christmas festivities are over, I am busy getting out and about the constituency to speak to as many of you as possible.

Last Saturday I held a surgery in Semington with the local Wiltshire councillor, Jonathan Seed. It was fantastic to sit down with so many local residents and speak about the issues that matter locally. I picked up a lot of casework and discussed ideas to improve our community.

In a rural constituency like ours I know that it can be a challenge to get to my office in Chippenham for some. This is why I hold regular surgeries across the constituency. Look out on my Facebook page to see when I am next in your area, or alternatively telephone my office on 01249 704465.

Next Saturday I will be attending the grand opening of Berryfield Village Hall. This is a fantastic facility which has been delivered by Melksham Without Parish Council for the benefit of local people.

The building has been decorated with a canal-shaped mural created by a British artist, who visited a local primary school for inspiration for the project. The result is a fascinating and beautiful piece which depicts animals and symbols which are symbolic and significant to Melksham and its surrounding area. A wonderful addition to this is that the parish council have provided colouring sheets so that children can come along and do a brass rubbing of some of the symbols.

I would like to take this as an opportunity to extend my thanks to Melksham Without Parish Council for the brilliant job they have done in delivering the new hall. Once open, I would highly recommend a visit! My first democracy workshop of the year was held at Forest and Sandridge School, where I met and answered questions from the Year five pupils. I was blown away with the range of questions and issues raised by the students.

Some of the issues related to maintenance of the Melksham East estate, and I have written directly to the chief executive of the management company responsible to put these issues to her, ensuring that our children’s voices are heard. It has been great to work my way around the local primary and secondary schools in recent months. I think that it is so important for MPs to talk to our young people about what we do in parliament and government. I always finish my democracy workshops with a big smile and a sense of optimism, seeing time and time again how engaged and compassionate our young people are.

I know that I have just spoken to some future local councillors, MPs, and who knows, maybe even a future prime minister! As the new year marches on, I find myself looking forward to Melksham’s programme of events in 2023. The King’s coronation, Melksham carnival, Party in the Park, and Melksham Food and River festival are personal highlights for me, and as usual you will be able to find me at these events if you want to have a chat or are in need of any support.

Melksham is host to a great number of community events, and I am always so impressed by the small armies of volunteers who selflessly donate their time to organise and run community events throughout the town. To these people we owe a huge debt of gratitude, and I would like to add my voice to the numerous votes of thanks in this paper to these amazing people.

As ever, if you have something which you would like to speak to me about, or if you have a problem, I might be able to help with, I hold regular surgeries across the constituency.

To book an appointment, or if I can help in any other way, you can send me an email: michelle.donelan.mp@parliament.uk, or give my office a call: 01249 704465.