Christopher Pincher Launches New Website

Christopher Pincher MP has this week launched his new Website, www.christopherpincher.com.

The website is intended to be an interactive platform, stocked full of information, for constituents to quickly learn about our MP’s work both in Parliament and in Tamworth and its surrounding villages.

Developed at absolutely no cost to the taxpayer, the Website offers resources for constituents including a news page where visitors can search by a topic tag, a comprehensive FAQ, local councillor information and details about visiting Parliament and much more.

Visitors are greeted on the home page with a slide show that highlights some of Christopher’s recent activities linked to pages with more information.  This is followed by a brief welcome message, a news feed of latest news and articles posted internally on the site and finally a feed powered by www.theyworkforyou.com, which lists Mr Pincher’s latest speeches in the Chamber of the House of Commons.

Mr. Pincher said, “There is a ton of information packed into the site which will better inform residents on how I am representing them in Parliament and what I can do for them in the constituency.

“The FAQ page is quite useful for answering questions many people have about MPs.  The site is especially useful to keep residents informed of campaigns I am conducting on their behalf, including my speeches on home affairs, the economy and my campaigning on HS2 and local wind farm issues.

“The Website is designed for content to be added and updated regularly so it will be constantly changing depending on what I am doing in Parliament.”

One of the more novel elements to the Website are Mr. Pincher’s policy statements on his areas of emphasis, including Defence, Education, Energy, Economy and Immigration.  Following each of these policy statements are recent news items related to the topic linking what Christopher says he believes in with what he is doing, strengthening accountability.

Social media is heavily incorporated into the Website and a link to Christopher’s Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages is seen on the toolbar of every page.

“Twitter is my real-time diary of events and commentary about Parliament.  If residents do have the application, it is a great way to stay quickly informed and provide immediate feedback,” he added.

MP Celebrates Academy Application Acceptance

Yesterday during the Business of the House debate in the House of Commons Tamworth’s MP, Christopher Pincher, celebrated the news that Belgrave High School’s application to become an academy has been accepted.

Mr Pincher said. “Earlier this week, Belgrave high school in Tamworth received the welcome news that its application to become an academy has been given the go-ahead by the Department for Education, affording its students, who suffer some challenging backgrounds, a real opportunity to succeed.

“I echo warmly the call of my hon. Friend Gavin Barwell for a debate on the opportunities afforded by academies, focusing particularly on the benefit of vertical integration between primary and secondary academies.”

George Young (Leader of the House of Commons) replied, “My hon. Friend raises an interesting angle in the academy debate by drawing the House’s attention to the links between primary and secondary education. As I said earlier, GCSE records indicate faster improvement among schools that have become academies than in the rest of the school population.

“I hope that other schools in his constituency will follow the example of the one to which he has referred and go for academy status, with the benefits and freedoms that go with it.”

Local County Councillor Praises Staffordshire Based Manufacturer

Cllr Ben Adams

Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Enterprise, Ben Adams (Perrycrofts Division), has said record profits announced by Staffordshire-based firm JCB have added to the county’s reputation as a global manufacturing leader.

Ben said, “The news from JCB is great news for the UK and another success story for Staffordshire.  It further enhances our global reputation as a prime location for engineering.

“JCB is a leader in construction equipment manufacturing.  It is well known as a Staffordshire firm with a proud history and strong future ahead.

“It is also a key employer in Staffordshire, with its world headquarters in Rocester and a plant at Rugeley.  This is in addition to the JCB academy, where tomorrow’s engineers are learning their career skills.

“In the south of the county, we are preparing the i54 South Staffordshire site for Jaguar Land Rover to move onto in the summer.  Our commitment to attracting world leading manufacturers to Staffordshire demonstrates our priority to increase prosperity.  This is clearly an exciting time for UK manufacturing and it is being led right here in Staffordshire.”

JCB’s turnover in 2011 increased by 37 per cent compared with the previous year to £2.75bn.  It sold 69,100 machines last year, compared to 51,600 in 2010.

Christopher Pincher Backs British Legion Beanie Knitters

Christopher Pincher, has been putting his knitting skills to the test whilst launching beanie hat knitting campaign for our soldiers in Afghanistan.

The knitting pattern, supplied by the Royal British Legion, is available to anyone who wants to help knit the hats, which are worn beneath soldiers’ Kevlar helmets.  The helmets can be uncomfortable in either extreme cold or heat so the hats provided by local people are a real help.

Mr. Pincher joined members of his local Conservative Association who are knitting “Hats for Heroes.”

Mr Pincher said, “Our troops in Afghanistan can feel reassured by all the hard work being undertaken by the knitting circle.  I hope it helps them to know that we are thinking of them back at home.

”It gets very cold in the desert at night, and these hats help make the night warmer.  It is important that our serving troops know they are being supported back home.  While they are putting their lives on the line we need to support them 100 per cent.”

Councillor Mary Oates, who is helping to knit beanies, said, “I will be encouraging my craft club to get involved too – it is a wonderful idea allowing all of us to play a small part in supporting British troops abroad.”

Fazeley Town Councillor, Jean Dann, added, “I hope my local “knit and natter” club will also be able to help out.  I have my needles at the ready but the more of us who take them up, the better!”

There are many across the country knitting for the troops.  Anyone who would like the knitting pattern to be sent to them free of charge as well as details of how to send the woollen inserts to British troops, should telephone Mr Pincher’s office on 01827 312 778 or e-mail christopher.pincher.mp@parliament.uk.

Christopher Pincher Visits New Semi-Professional Boxing Club

Christopher Pincher, Member of Parliament for Tamworth, has welcomed the launch of a new semi-pro boxing opportunity in Glascote that offers the chance of focus and discipline to young people in and around the town.

MFA, run by Tamworth man Simon Pearson, operates on a shoestring out of a small makeshift gym in the Bancroft Centre.  However, it is already working with 15 club members providing them with a safe and disciplined environment when they are perhaps unable to get into other amateur clubs.  MFA trains and promotes semi pro boxing matches and hopes to find the next Ricky Hatton somewhere in Tamworth.

All of MFA boxers are advised to have a full medical carried out by their GP, and to take out personal sports insurance that MFA also can organise.  All fights are weight categorized to Pro standards and take into account age and fight experience.

MFA also provide a fully qualified gym instructor (Registered with R.E.Ps) who has a background in boxing.

MFA already has one star sportsman, Luke Cookson, who agrees that the discipline and training semi pro boxing has given him is helping him turn his life around.

Mr Pincher said after visiting the Bancroft Centre, “Some of these lads have had a difficult start in life.  Properly equipped and regulated groups or companies can give them discipline and a sense of purpose where the amateur route is not for them.  Together they can develop a positive camaraderie that is good for them and the community in which they live.  ”

For more information on the semi pro boxing industry got to www.mfa-management.co.uk.

What Has the Conservative Party Done in Tamworth?

Tamworth’s Conservatives are working hard to attract shoppers, visitors and investors to Tamworth.  We believe in our great town.

The things we have done already include:

• Frozen your council tax for 2 years running
• NO cuts in front line services
• £1m investment in Tamworth Castle
• Returned weekly food waste collections and ended Labour’s “Blue Box” scheme
• Launched “Tamworth in Bloom”, returning the colour to Tamworth
• Rebuilt play areas across Tamworth
• Free town centre car parking every Christmas since 2005
• Supported local groups with much-needed funding
• Reopened a bigger better tourist office (TIC)
• Returned our outdoor events to the Castle Grounds and the town centre
• Installed “Free to Use” gym equipment in the Castle Grounds, Wigginton Park and Dosthill Park
• New BMX track for local kids

Some of the FREE outdoor events we are holding in 2012:

•  St George’s Day Event – Saturday April 21
• Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend – Saturday June 2 to Tuesday June 5
• Olympic Event – Saturday June 30
• Gate Gallop – Sunday July 1
• Children’s Festival – Wednesday July 25 to Sunday August 5
• Bandstand Concerts – Every weekend from July to September
• Tamworth Royal Pageant to select our Royal Family for 2012 – August 4th
• Heritage Weekend Event, incorporating the Saxon Festival which was such a hit last year – Saturday September 1 and Sunday September 2
• Stars & Stripes – Saturday September 15
• Fireworks – Saturday November 3
• Christmas Lights Switch-On – Saturday November 17

Election 2012 – Tamworth Borough Council

The 2012 election for Tamworth Borough Council is now officially underway after nominations closed at noon today, Wednesday 4th April, and the Conservative Party has candidates standing in all ten wards.

One third of the council is up for election, with voting taking place in all ten wards on Thursday 3rd May and the polls will open at 7am and close at 10pm.

Amington – Cllr Evelyn Rowe

Belgrave – Mrs Joy Luderman

Bolehall – Warren Clegg

Castle – Cllr Alan Lees BEM

Glascote – Martyn Price

Mercian – Richard Kingstone JP

Spital – Cllr Robert Pritchard

Stonydelph – Mrs Moira Greatorex

Trinity – Cllr Daniel Cook

Wilnecote – Cllr Mary Oates

Countdown to Tamworth’s St George’s Day Extravaganza

Tamworth’s spectacular St George’s Day celebrations – the start of the Tamworth 2012 Year of Events programme – are now less than three weeks away.

A spectacular medieval joust is again at the centre of the festive extravaganza taking place in Tamworth Castle and the Castle Grounds on Saturday April 21.

Falconry, archery and living history are just some of the events taking place during the day to celebrate the festival of England’s patron saint.

The free St George’s Day celebrations run from 10am to 5pm in the Castle Grounds and bring together a host of activities for all the family.

The hugely popular Medieval Joust returns again this year, when the Black Knight and Sir Robert Marmion will once again do battle for the honour of Tamworth.

The St George’sDay fun is completely free and will feature displays and activities including:

• Children’s medieval workshops
• Medieval toys and games
• Medieval pottery-making workshop
• ‘Have a go’ archery
• Falconer
• George the Dragon puppet show
• Medieval music wagon
• Medieval encampment displays
• How to dress a knight: discuss amour and period clothing
• The Grand Medieval Joust – see a tournament by knights with squires and retinue
• Walkabout characters, including St George and a medieval maiden on stilts
• Street magic
• Face painting

Activities taking place in the Castle will include:

• Meet and greet with Castle ‘characters’ including guards and doorkeepers
• Talks about weapons
• Mock combat and demonstration of fighting techniques
• Surgery and medieval medicine
• Children’s spear drill, including a chance to get dressed up and have a go with a spear
• Food and herbs
• Talks about the Castle and its history

Last year’s St George’s Day celebrations attracted more than 9,000 visitors and it is hoped that this year’s extravaganza will be even bigger and better.

Organisers are hoping to see thousands of people, from Tamworth and further afield, filling the Castle Grounds and joining in the St George’s Day fun, which promises to be a fantastic day for everyone.

For more information, see www.tamworthassemblyrooms.co.uk  or find the Castle Grounds on Facebook.

Christopher Pincher Backs Business Leaders on Apprenticeships

Member of Parliament for Tamworth, Christopher Pincher, has congratulated a bevy of business leaders for speaking up for the Government’s Apprenticeship programme in a letter to a national newspaper.

John Hayes MP, Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning, is championing efforts to develop high quality Apprenticeships that can provide strivers of any age with a first class route to jobs and promotion.

The letter to the Daily Telegraph, signed by over 50 of the country’s biggest apprenticeship providers, welcomes “the Government’s focus on Apprenticeships and its efforts to guarantee the quality of Apprenticeships.”  The full text of the letter is reproduced below.

Commenting Mr. Pincher said, “Here in Tamworth we can benefit from this renewed focus on high quality on-the-job training.  Since the crash four years ago, we have seen tragically high levels of youth unemployment.

“Yet long term unemployment has fallen as the government focuses on re-balancing the economy and getting people back to work.  The Apprenticeship programme is an important component in that strategy of developing quality skills for a modern economy.

“We want to back local strivers and I am pleased Britain’s business leaders want to do the same.  I hope all local business people, and job seekers, will look carefully and this programme and give it their support.”

Tamworth’s Bid For Portas Pilot Funding