Welcome ...
Welcome to this my 72nd electronic news bulletin.
This week has seen some tumultuous scenes in London with Parliament passing changes to university fees. The coalition government is facing up to this difficult decision for the long term interests of our country. The old system was financially unsustainable. The new system will make university tuition fairer than any alternative system such as a graduate tax, with no-one paying anything back until they earn £21,000 and significant benefits to part-time students, which accounts for over 40% of all courses . The new funding structure will enable universities to fund themselves by costing the richest more and the poorest least.
Please remember, you can always contact me directly if you have any questions for me.
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Best wishes,
Edward Timpson
Member of Parliament for Crewe & Nantwich
I have recently ...
- Met with the Chief Executive of the Letterbox Club, a national organisation supporting learning for vulnerable young people and care leavers
- Met with pupil ambassadors from Crewe & Nantwich, to discuss the Student School Sports Partnership about how we can make the system more sustainable and less bureaucratic. We were fortunate also to meet with Olympic gold medalist and heptathlete Denise Lewis
- Met with representatives from the National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy, to discuss increasing awareness and support in our communities
- Met with local representative of the Magistrate Courts system, to discuss the challenges to young offenders and children in custody
- Been elected as Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Looked After Children & Care Leavers, where we can work to raise awareness and support for vulnerable young people across the UK
Photos & Video ...
You can view all my photos and video at edwardtimpsonmp.com
Hundreds attend balloon release in memory of Crewe toddler Leo Messam who tragically died in house fire
Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle
Hundreds attend balloon release in memory of Crewe toddler Leo Messam who tragically died in house fire
THE sky over Crewe was a mass of colour on Saturday as hundreds of balloons were released in memory of Leo Messam.
People of all ages turned out on a cold, damp morning to celebrate the life of the toddler who was tragically killed in a house fire on Myrtle Street two weeks ago.
The balloon release came just days after the little boy would have celebrated his second birthday.
It was attended by Leo’s parents, Charlotte Banks and Taurean Messam, and his brothers, Tyrese, three, and three-month-old Dannon.
A clearly emotional Taurean was overwhelmed with the support from local people.
“I want to say thanks to everyone who has turned up here today,” he told the Chronicle, as he held his baby son. “And thank you to everyone who has helped us.”
The event was organised by Taurean’s cousin, Carmen Messam.
She too was delighted at the turnout.
“Without all these people giving up their time and turning out, it would never have happened,” said Carmen.
“I can’t thank people enough for their support. They have been fabulous.”
Her comments were echoed by Taurean’s mum Nerica Steele.
“Again, I want to say a big thank you to everybody that’s turned up,” said Leo’s grandmother.
“People are suffering with colds and they’re ill and for them to come out in weather like this it’s unbelievable.”
As midday approached, the crowd gathered around the town’s war memorial fell silent.
When the clock struck 12, hundreds of balloons were released, brightening up the grey, overcast sky.
Then the assembled crowds clapped and cheers went up from the toddler’s family.
One balloon seemed to hover for longer than the rest – the balloon in the shape of the figure 2 was extra poignant as little Leo died just days before his second birthday.
Among the crowd of family, friends and well-wishers were a number of Crewe councillors, a former Crewe & Nantwich Mayor Steve Roberts and local MP Edward Timpson.
Mr Timpson said afterwards: “This morning’s celebration of Leo’s life and the huge support from the local community brings home how widespread the sense of loss is felt. My thoughts are with the family.”
© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd
Crewe has second worst postal service in mainland Britain, official report says
Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle
SOUTH Cheshire residents and businesses are getting the second worst postal service in mainland Britain – and that’s official.
Latest figures released in Royal Mail’s performance report shows only 88.9% of first class post was delivered on time in the third quarter of the year.
This puts the CW postcode area at 120th in a table of 121 main postcode areas in England, Scotland and Wales. Only Wigan has a worse record.
The figures correspond to a time when the Weston Road sorting office closed and work was transferred from Crewe to Warrington.
The move involved about 600 workers transferring amid protests and warnings the service would suffer.
This week Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson said: “We don’t need an official report to tell us how bad the service has become for Crewe and Nantwich. This has been the most common complaint that I have received in recent months.
“This is hitting everyone hard, from businesses to residents and the visually impaired who, upsettingly, are not receiving their talking newspaper tapes.
“I always told Royal Mail that the postal service would suffer when they decided to take so many jobs away from Crewe, but they didn’t listen. I have requested a meeting with senior management as soon as possible to discuss the issue.”
A Royal Mail spokesman said the quality of service report referred to July to September, when the mail centre in Warrington was experiencing temporary teething problems which have been addressed.
“More recently, we have made essential changes to our delivery operation in Crewe and we apologise to any customers who have experienced mail delays while these changes bed in,” he said.
“We continue to work hard with our staff in delivery and processing to ensure all our customers receive the quality of service they rightly expect.”
© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd
Brine Leas High School pupils in Nantwich present poverty petition to MP Edward Timpson
Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle
STUDENTS from Brine Leas High School met their MP last week to present a hand-print petition campaigning against world poverty.
Edward Timpson received the petition, which encouraged the Government to remain committed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals set in 2000.
Year 7 pupils Olivia Clark, Malin Audermaher, Daniel Skellon and Fin Preston heard about the campaign when St Mary’s Church rector Peter Chantry came into school to take assembly.
The Rev Chantry said: “Around the world so many people live without the basic necessities that we take for granted, like access to clean water, medication and education.
“The Millennium Development Goals were set to help the poorest people out of their poverty.
“I’ve been encouraging students at Brine Leas and members of St Mary’s Church to join the campaign and to draw around their hand to add their weight to the appeal.”
Mr Timpson received the petition at his Crewe office and told the pupils about the Government’s programme of Overseas Aid, stating that the Government remained committed to achieving the goals set.
© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd
MP Edward Timpson visits Sainsbury's store in Nantwich
Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle
CREWE and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson made a special visit to Sainsbury’s in Nantwich to find out about the store’s charity activities.
Mr Timpson chatted to staff at the Middlewich Road store and learned how they support the community and charities through fundraising.
He was particularly interested in the success of the Active Kids programme, which has helped to donate sports, cooking and gardening equipment to schools in Nantwich.
Active Kids has helped to donate £100m worth of equipment to schools and community groups across the UK since the initiative began in 2005.
The Nantwich store’s school programme was of great interest to Mr Timpson especially the promotion of Fairtrade products, healthy eating, waste reduction and protecting of the environment
Store manager Pete Jones said: “Sainsbury’s prides itself on being a great place to work and we are delighted to have shown Edward how active we are in the local community”.
© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd
Haslington bakery celebrates 10th anniversary
Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle
CREWE and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson was special guest at an afternoon tea to celebrate the 10th anniversary of a Haslington bakery.
Mr Timpson cut the celebration cake before chatting to customers and suppliers at Food for Thought Bakery as he enjoyed a glass of champagne and food laid on by bakery owners Judy McNeill and Lee Allen.
Lee said: “The bakery was set up 10 years ago and provides food that has no chemical additives.
“It has gone from strength to strength producing not only craft-made bread and cakes but also supplying best quality home- cooked meats, local cheeses and bakery prepared salads, grills and pies, etc.”
Food for Thought is a regular attender at Nantwich Farmers’ Market and various craft fairs.
Its take-out business has grown and includes business and leisure buffets as well as celebration cakes and other food.
The owners thanked their customers and suppliers.
“Here’s to the next 10 years,” said Judy. “With many thanks to our loyal customers and suppliers for the last 10.”
© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd
Big plans unveiled for Holly Holy Day in Nantwich
Nantwichnews
Organisers of the annual Holly Holy Day celebrations in Nantwich hope next month’s event will be bigger and better than ever before.
The event, which commemorates the 1644 Siege and Battle of Nantwich, was expanded last year to provide a broader appeal and a bigger sense of occasion in the town.
As well as the parade and battle re-enactment on Mill Island, there will be town centre entertainment and attractions throughout the day.
These include stage performances by X Academy and Nantwich Players, and a Living History exhibition and mounted troopers parading through the town.
Further plans include a hog roast, Punch and Judy Show, children’s entertainer, and 17th Century entertainments, including live music and a musketry demonstration.
Holly Holy Day Society’s Shaun Cafferty said: “The general consensus was the atmosphere and sense of occasion in the town was fantastic.
“Morning activities added to the traditional parade and battle and offered alternative amusement for those who didn’t necessarily want to stand in a cold muddy field for their fun!
“People really embraced the event. Businesses did well, reporting 25-30% increases in trade on the day.”
Four times as many people attended last January’s event than in previous years.
Crewe & Nantwich MP Edward Timpson has been patron of the event for several years.
He said: “It really puts Nantwich on the map and provides a much-needed boost for local businesses who may be experiencing a post Christmas slump.”
Mr Cafferty added: “We are hoping even more shops enter into the spirit by doing something special, or wearing period costumes.
“As well as celebrating Nantwich’s rich history, it’s all about bring some fun and colour into the town at an otherwise dull time of year!”
It takes place on Saturday January 22 from 9.30am in the town centre, with the battle re-enactment on Mill Island from 2pm.
For more information visit www.hollyholyday.org.uk
© 2010 Nantwichnews
South Cheshire postal service one of worst in Britain according to new figures
The Sentinel
RESIDENTS and businesses in South Cheshire are suffering the second-worst postal service in mainland Britain.
Latest Royal Mail performance figures show posties in the CW area delivered 88.9 per cent of first-class mail on time between June 7 to September 5.
It means only residents in Wigan have a worse postal service across the 121 main postcodes in England, Scotland, and Wales.
Nationally an average of 93.7 per cent of first-class mail arrived on time, ahead of Royal Mail's 93 per cent target.
In Stoke-on-Trent 92.2 per cent of first-class post was delivered on time.
Politicians and business leaders today blamed the poor CW performance on the closure of Crewe's Royal Mail sorting office on August 16.
Work from the Weston Road depot was transferred to Warrington, along with 600 jobs, after an 18-month fight to keep the Crewe centre open failed.
John Dunning, chief executive of South Cheshire Chamber of Trade, which campaigned against the closure with Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson, said: "The service to businesses in the Crewe area since the closure of the sorting office has been absolutely appalling.
"Both Edward Timpson and I have written to Royal Mail to complain and lots of businesses have called us to say they have suffered delays.
"Royal Mail has assured us that it is getting things back on track and we wait to see evidence of that."
Mr Timpson, below, who wants to meet Royal Mail, added: "We don't need an official report to tell us how bad the service has become for Crewe and Nantwich.
"I always said the postal service would suffer when Royal Mail decided to take so many jobs away from Crewe, but they didn't listen."
Ollie Slinn, Communication Workers' Union delivery representative for Crewe, said that workers are determined to get the service right following the closure of the Crewe sorting office. He said: "Royal Mail is going through a difficult period of modernisation.
"I'm still a postie, but our way of working has totally changed.
"The mail now comes pre-sorted sequentially from Warrington and we are working in twos rather than on our own.
"It's been a more difficult transition than any of us expected and we're asking the public to be patient."
A Royal Mail spokesman said: "The latest quality of service report covers June to September when our new mail centre in Warrington was experiencing some temporary teething problems which have now been addressed.
"We have made essential changes to our delivery operation in Crewe and apologise to any customers who have experienced mail delays."
The Sentinel reported in September how 94.1 per cent of first-class mail was delivered on time in the ST area between March 22 and June 6. In the CW area, 92.1 per cent of post was delivered on time.
© 2010 The Sentinel
5 ways to contact Edward Timpson
- By email: timpsone@parliament.uk
- On the web: edwardtimpsonmp.com
- By phone: 01270 501 725
- By post: 30 Victoria Street, Crewe CW1 2JE
- In person: Click here to see surgery times
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