I was thrilled to host my latest MP Business Breakfast at the Highlands Inn, Uckfield. Chris Lawson of Lawson Commercial kindly sponsored and started us off talking about the changes in the high street and what we need to know in terms of industrial and office premises, and of course we discussed the topic of Gatwick. We also heard from Buxted based, Crusader Vehicles, and on childhood bereavement from Jigsaw Southeast. A huge thanks to Highlands Inn for looking after us so marvellously and to the brilliant local businesses, charities, and groups that joined me.
It was a delight to join Shovelstrode Stables, East Grinstead for National Racehorse Week alongside Cllr John Belsey, Cllr Margaret Belsey and East Grinstead Mayor, Cllr Steve Ody. Cllr Belsey’s been coming for over 20years and commended them on how they really do make you feel like one of the family. It was lovely to see so many people supporting the stables and is a testament to their hard work 365 days a year and bringing the community together. Thank you to the team at Shovelstrode for a really amazing insight into a vital part of our rural community and our countryside.
We recently had #BackBritishFarming Day, food security’s vital to our national security, and I’ll always back British farmers. I again tribute the hard work and dedication of our local farmers who work 24/7 365days a year keeping food on our tables and looking after our precious environment. I'm very proud to come from a family with a farming background and welcomed the Conservative government's package of measures to support farmers. Labour’s manifesto farming section sadly contained just 87words and hasn’t committed to safeguarding the agricultural budget or to rule out repealing agricultural property relief.
This week I met with St Peter and James Hospice, and recently St Catherine’s at their new building in Pease Pottage, on the support needed in the Hospice sector. We need to fund this sector better, on top of cost of living challenges the success of their key events and fundraising, like the forthcoming Shine Bright, gets even greater.
