Thoughts on today's visit by Education Minister Justine #Greening to Prudhoe High School

Today was a special day. No new school has been built in my Northumberland constituency for decades. This stat particularly applies to a High School. The visit today by Justine Greening, the comprehensively educated Yorkshirewoman, who is the Secretary of State for Education, was the culmination of over 5 years of work that began when I first became the MP in 2010. At that time I did extensive research to identify the key needs of the Hexham constituency. It was clear that successive governments, and local authorities, had not focused on Prudhoe and its schools. I set out to change that. I organised a series of one on one meetings with the then Secretary of State of education, Michael Gove. I then brought him to Northumberland to meet the previous headteacher Iain Shaw, and then repeatedly campaigned for the rebuild in parliament. Our Tynedale "back the bid" campaign enthused the local community who backed us in writing, by letters and on my online and written petitions.
That finally resulted in my plea to the Prime Minister at Prime Ministers Questions in late 2011.

When Michael Gove stopped me in 2012 in a corridor in the House of Commons to discuss the school, the impact of any future rebuild, and our wider fairer funding campaign it was clear we were getting somewhere.
The announcement was greeted by the school and on my blog in 2012 here: That finally resulted http://guyopperman.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/prudhoe-community-high-school-gets-its.html

It has been a long journey but it is clearly worth it. And it is not just the rebuild. Yes it had a leaky roof, and a very run down building, but there was also a troubled history including an intervening special measures finding by Ofsted.
Because of the best efforts of many pupils, teachers, governors, staff and the headteacher the Prudhoe Community High School has turned around. The school is brand new. The Ofsted rating is good, and the mood has changed. It is quite clear that the way in which the pupils are both taught and challenged has changed. Not all schools really push their pupils, and their teachers. Prudhoe CHS now does that uniformly. For that, Deborah Reeman, the new headteacher, must take a lot of credit.
Anyone who listened to the school council as I did this morning, with Justine, would notice and remark upon the difference. The Hexham courant came today and their report is here:
http://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/Minister-praises-rebuilt-school-6c83d63c-d1b1-49ac-8869-8d82d2ee016f-ds
Some pictures of the visit by Justine are below:

The new high school in Prudhoe is the end of 5 long years of campaigning - Prudhoe is on the up!

This is all part of the turnaround that is happening in Prudhoe, and at the high school. We are pictured on site this last winter with Deborah, the head teacher, and the site manager. Deborah tells me that the key handover is very soon, and the pupils start in September. It has been a long campaign to get the money for the new school and to turn Prudhoe High around but the children, parents and teachers are all really excited! 

Prudhoe Community Allotments yesterday - great to support this amazing Prudhoe institution and pick up some veg!

I have 2 jobs: Member of Parliament, and president of the Prudhoe Community Allotments! It was a great privilege to go along and support the Allotments yesterday. This special oasis of gardening calm in the heart of south Prudhoe is beautiful, and a real credit to the community - and fully supported by an amazing lunch when you pop in to an open day and buy some veg as I did yesterday. My hope is to take this community spirit and organisation and harness it in the Walled Garden Project that I have been supporting for some time in the old hospital site. That has stalled a bit but I am still very hopeful that it will come to fruition; if it does we will have a truly special site. But for now, let us celebrate the success that has been achieved at the Prudhoe Allotments. If you are interested to know more then I suggest you go their website and consider joining. £3 a year is a small price to pay!
https://prudhoecommunityallotment.wordpress.com

Prudhoe Market + Community Allotment today 10-1

Happy 90th Birthday to her Majesty! How are you going to celebrate the Queens birthday?

Clean for the Queen is a great idea. I have already done sessions in Prudhoe tidying up, and have a series of further events planned for the summer. The courant did a great preview last week of the many events in Tynedale across the spring and summer in celebration of the Queens birthday

I am getting behind this campaign and have plans to do further litter picks in various places with schools and local voluntary organisations over the summer. It is a great idea and I urge you to get involved; if you need more information you can get more details here:http://www.cleanforthequeen.co.uk/home/2365

Good visit to thriving Prudhoe business Tyne Valley Plastics - and meet 2 former Hexham QEHS students doing apprenticeships

I went to Prudhoe 2 weeks ago to get to know the local business Tyne Valley Plastics, and meet their employees. The business is based in low Prudhoe and is a bespoke plastics business that provides a specialist local service and great local employment. I also got a better understanding of how the December floods had affected low Prudhoe, and was able to update as to how we are trying to ensure that this does not happen again.
Given that it is National Apprenticeship Week this last week it was also good to hear the stories behind how James Whitmore and Sam Stoves became Apprentices in the business. Both went to school at Hexham QEHS and are clearly relishing their new role. Great credit is due to the team at Tyne Valley Plastics for giving these two young men their opportunity, which they are clearly relishing. Apprenticeships have changed: you can earn, and learn now on a long term basis emerging with real skills, and real opportunities. Both James and Sam were clearly enjoying their first jobs, first proper pay packets and all the responsibility that employment brings. 

Great visit to Highfield Middle School in Prudhoe last week - good Q+A with Year 8

The Head of Citizenship at Highfield Middle School, Prudhoe, Carly Nichol invited me in to talk to the year 8's about parliament, how it works and what it is like to be an MP.

I was delayed by a flood meeting that overran, but had a great time explaining the job and taking questions from the students. 

The questions and general discussion ranged from: 

- what got you first involved with politics

- why did you become an MP

- what did you do before

- how do you spend your time as an MP

- what are your priorities

- do you enjoy the job
- and various substantive questions on Europe, schools and policy issues

These are all fairly standard, albeit perfectly legitimate questions, but my favourite question was from a libertarian who asked are you in favour of more laws or are fewer laws better? And the children really enjoyed the tales of going to Buckingham Palace, nearly getting into trouble for taking pictures there and tales of how amazing, but really quite short, the Queen is. My thanks to the school and all the children. 

Womens Institute 100 years is a top reason to celebrate 2015 - great to meet the Prudhoe WI recently in Prudhoe

If you have not got involved with this amazing organisation I urge you to do so. They are a force for good. More details of some of their amazing achievements this last 100 years can be found here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/11612597/Womens-Institute-100-years-of-ballsy-women-who-quietly-changed-UK.html

Packed weekend ahead but Remembrance Sunday I shall be in Prudhoe - make sure you pay your respects wherever you are

This Sunday I shall be in Prudhoe, paying my respects to our fallen servicemen and women both in church and outside. I rotate my attendance so that I go to a different major town every few years. I will be returning for the civic lunch organised in Hexham after the church service and 11am commemoration. Wherever you are I urge you to go to church or your local war memorial to say thank you, and that we will never forget. Today I am helping to choose our police and crime commissioner candidate for the May 2016 election and then conducting an action day meeting local voters.
The photo to the right I took this week where the RBL volunteers are assembling the poppy garden outside Westminster Abbey. There are special designated areas for our local regiments, notably the RA and RHA who presently occupy Albemarle Barracks.

Congratulations to SCA-Prudhoe business named 1 of most ethical business of the year

SCA are a brilliant local company providing secure employment to many hundreds of locals in and around Prudhoe. I have been there several times. They are also very community focused and always willing to help out great local causes. For example they kindly supported my sponsored walk of Hadrians Wall - see the pic of me in dodgy hiking gear, and then in 2014 sponsored the Tynedale cricket match in aid of Tynedale Hospice at Home. See here: http://guyopperman.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/tynedale-cricket-match.html
One lucky person went home with a lot of the famous Double Velvet that day - there is no better toilet paper!!
Local people will be genuinely proud of this bit of good news. The full story is here:
http://www.thejournal.co.uk/business/business-news/toilet-roll-makers-sca-named-9563071

Hustings dates - further debates between all 5 candidates at the General Election

Saturday 18^th April Hexham QE High School – 2.30pm. Run by Northumbrians for Peace & sponsored by Hexham Quakers. I have been asked to correct the original posting. I was originally told that this was to be a joint event with the Hexham Abbey, but I am now told this is not the case. It is chaired by George Hepburn. Open to all. If you want to ask a question come along at 2 and a committee will assess the suitability of the question you wish to ask.

Monday 20^th April
19.00 - Prudhoe Hustings - St Mary Magdalene’s Church, Prudhoe. Run by the local  church, and hosted by Rev Charles Hope. Open to all

Friday 24^th April 19.30 - Ponteland Hustings, United Reform Church, Broadway, Darras Hall. Also run by the local Church. Open to all
In addition, there are multiple other debates including 2 school debates:

20/4/15:
9am to 10am - QEHS School Hustings 2015 [pupils, and BBC Radio Newcastle only]

13.30 – Prudhoe CHS School Hustings [pupils only] at the Fuse Media Studies Centre

I am doing a large number of other events, debates and hustings both in the constituency, and in the wider North East, including a BBC TV Debate, and on other media outlets.

Prudhoe Walled Garden Consultation Meetings tomorrow / Friday

The Prudhoe Walled Garden at the old hospital site is a genuine gem. I have been helping the group who are trying to ensure that as the Hospital site is developed this lovely walled garden is preserved for the future, possibly with a community use. As always this requires huge effort by a dedicated band of volunteers and the team behind the Walled Garden are doing a great job. We owe them a great deal and I will help in whatever way I can.

There is a online survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/prudhoewalledgarden
And you can email your thoughts on prudhoewalledgarden@hotmail.com

or visit the website www.prudhoewalledgarden.yolasite.com
or go on facebook “Prudhoe hospital has a future”

The Consultation Meetings are this week:
Thursday 14th August 2014
- 9.30am - 11.30am: St Mary Magdalene Church
- 3.30pm - 5.30pm: Prudhoe Library, Spetchells

Friday 15th August 2014
- 2.30pm – 4.30pm: Prudhoe Library, Spetchells
I am going to try and pop in Thursday morning but do go and lend your support. This is a great project for Prudhoe.

Tynedale diary and plans this weekend

Today I am visiting the Ponteland Medical Group, followed by meetings at the Hexham Fire Station, both to meet the local fire fighters and to discuss the possible move of the Fire Station to the Hospital with Alex Bennett, the Chief Fire Officer. I then have a meeting with Northumberland Credit Union, followed by a working dinner at the Excelsior Academy in Newcastle, in aid of Everest Expedition the school are coordinating.

Friday I am visiting the Tynedale Business Network to discuss the March Budget and what Local Businesses want the chancellor to do more to help us continue to grown  the Northumberland economy.
Then I have meetings with the Asian Business Connections and the MEP Martin Callanan, followed by lunch at the Beacon with Excelsior, Newcastle College and Newcastle University Students. In the Evening I have a meeting with the CCF locally in Stocksfield.

Saturday I am in Prudhoe for several meetings, and then will be knocking on doors, before further surgeries and meetings later in the afternoon.

Thursday and Friday Diary - Haltwhistle and Prudhoe dominate

Today I am heading north first thing for surgeries + meetings in Northumberland and going to Dame Allan School in Newcastle to meet teachers and talk to the School Law Club. In the evening I will be having further meetings in Ponteland, and then am speaking at a dinner at the Golf Club.
On Friday 25th I am all day in Haltwhistle spending time at Haltwhistle Medical Centre to get a better understanding of modern Primary Care. I have spent more time in hospitals as a jockey and ill politician, but am looking forward to my second visit to the HMC.
At lunchtime I will be in the Pillar Box cafe in Haltwhistle's Main Street if anyone has an issue that they wish to raise, between 1-1.30
In the afternoon I will be dropping in on the Whistle Art project to meet Alison and the team, discuss their progress, and see the latest exhibition. Later that afternoon I am taking up a long overdue invitation to go round the Halty Sainsburys: looking forward to meeting the staff there.
That evening I am driving back to Prudhoe and will be knocking upon doors in Prudhoe before going to the West Wylam Residents’ Association at The Manors. I have been several times before but hope to see lots of locals there, whether they have general questions or specific surgery issues.
My apologies to those who would have liked me to be in Westminster at the debates there, but my Thursday / Friday diaries are pre booked long before we are told of the Backbench debates, and I simply cannot be in two places at once. Some time ago I decided to be in Northumberland for the Thursday / Friday slot as I will not be able to be there at all for Thursday and Fridays in November as the House is sitting 3 out of 4 Fridays. Both debates in the House today on APD and the Bully Banks are important but all constituents who have contacted me know my stand on both issues.

Shows, Street Parties, Regatta & Garden Parties galore in Northumberland this weekend

Saturday sees both the Charlotte Straker Hospice Fete and the Humshaugh Fete - where I am relieved of the wonderful but difficult task of judging the winner of the best cake competition: last year I tried over 12 cakes - and people wonder why I am not jockey weight anymore. The new judges will discover that the Humshaugh villagers are magnificent cooks! Both fetes are well organised and great fun and in aid of great causes. I know that you will find no finer place to find jam or marmalade than at the Humshaugh Stall - I always stock up there.
They start at 1.30 in Humshaugh and 2 in Corbridge - I will try and go if I can.
If you have not realised how special the Charlotte Straker Trust is and the work they do as respite and other carers then please come along or check out their website: http://www.charlottestraker.org.uk/
There is also the Hexham Regatta most of the day on the river in Hexham - you will see quality rowing.
On Sunday there is another Prudhoe street party from 12-4; this event last year was a blast and I am assured by locals it will be brilliant again. You can pop in to my favourite Prudhoe cafe Il Piccollo on West Street 50 yards short of the police station for a cup of tea, cake of fancy coffee!
Alternatively and also on Sunday at 3pm the local Ponteland Conservatives are laying on a wonderful Afternoon Tea at Eland Green Farm, Ponteland. All our welcome. I will be there - they are easy to find - on North Road just on the outskirts of Ponteland on the right as you leave.

Prudhoe Church Hustings

The Reverend Charles Hope had gone to great effort to organise a Prudhoe hustings in his church in the centre of Prudhoe, and it was a credit to him that it went so well. Dr Shaw brought many of his students from the school. We were grilled for nearly 2 hours on all subjects from Deficit reduction, Hung parliaments, climate change, jobs for young people, global poverty, public / private sector work in the North East, gay rights, the loss of Tynedale, the role of faith and the Big Society / localism.

Best line of the night was when Margaret Thatcher was mentioned negatively [this time having caused global warming] I was forced to point out that "I know she is not revered round here but even she did not cause global warming". Also a nice man called Phil - who "lamented" the lack of Conservatives in the North East - did not take my £5 bet that the Conservatives would win Sunderland Central on may 6th. Had spent the day canvassing in South Prudhoe - bumping into Bill Garrett - and then in Stocksfield, and spent an hour in the Manors meeting residents.

Prudhoe Canvassing

Prudhoe is not natural Conservative territory but I was astonished at the response we got on the doorstep tonight. Clearly we are doing well in the polls and the government is unpopular but this was a marked endorsement of what we are doing - roughly 4 out of 5 houses were supportive. We knocked on doors for 2 hours and found very few willing to express an endorsement for the government and only a few minority party supporters. The town is clearly changing - as everyone makes clear - and there are big efforts being made to improve the town, on a number of levels, by a large number of people from all walks of life.

Prudhoe Days

Spent the day in Prudhoe - while Peter Atkinsn the MP is doing all matters Westminster I am getting stuck in to the areas where we have not been as strong in the past. In the pipeline there is lots of planned regeneration but the delivery will be the key. Spent time getting a real understanding of the two key new developments - both the new housing and supermarket projects have their fans and opponents .. spent a lot of time listening and learning as much as I could from locals