Although the rather unseasonal weather since the start of the year has continued through the last few weeks, I do hope that you all had a very enjoyable Easter. Over the last few weeks I have been out and about across my Aldridge-Brownhills constituency and it has once again been a pleasure to see so many of you at your events.

Just before Easter I was delighted to officially open the new Oaklands Lounge at Pelsall Community Centre. The Community Centre remains a valuable asset to Pelsall and the wider community and my congratulations go to the Committee for their hard work.

The first meeting of the Rushall, Shelfield, Pelsall and Brownhills Neighbourhood Watch was held in mid-April and I was pleased to be able to attend. I was also grateful to the Chairman for inviting me to update the meeting about my opposition to the closure of Aldridge Police Station and other community safety issues as well as the consolation on Unauthorised Encampments.

The Aldridge Spring Event organized by the Aldridge Village Partnership was another great success. There was once again a great array of community stalls, as well as homemade produce and crafts available. As so often is the case I was not able to resist another jar of homemade jam and marmalade.

But a particular highlight for me during Easter Recess was Desert Island Discs – ‘Streetly style’ at All Saints Parish Church. In true Radio 4 style I picked my eight soundtracks, a book and a luxury item for my time as a ‘castaway’ and in interview with Streetly’s very own version of Kirsty Young in the form of Mike Garrett. I was put through my paces for 45-minutes as we strolled through my music and literary choices while discussing my career and role as your Member of Parliament.

My thanks go to Rev’d Mandy Walker and All Saints Parish Church for inviting me to be their first castaway on their very own version of Desert Island Discs to mark the launch of the ‘Friends of All Saints Parish Church’.

Rounding off April it was a great honour to officially reopen the George. E. Fullelove Memorial Shelter in Brownhills alongside the Fullelove Family and the community.

The memorial shelter is a very important part of the local heritage of Brownhills and it is dedicated to commemorate George E. Fullelove’s lifetime of service to the local community particularly throughout the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s. It was also an opportunity to congratulate and thank volunteers from the Brownhills Local Committee for all their hard work with Clean and Green to make this happen.