Well Done to Elford Residents and Wigginton Village

Commenting after the visit of HRH the Countess of Wessex to Elford to officially inaugurate with Walled Garden and then to Wigginton to unveil the war memorial dedicated to Samuel Parkes VC and all parishioners who have lost the lives serving their country, Christopher Pincher, Member of Parliament for Elford, Wigginton and Tamworth said:

“The atmosphere in Elford was fantastic.  Hundreds of people crowded into the Walled Garden to see what a transformation has been achieved in less than three years.  In 2008 when I first went there as a volunteer it was a crumbling wilderness.  Now it is a beautifully restored working vegetable garden and orchard in which much of the community is involved.

Christopher Pincher announces Commons debate on HS2

Christopher Pincher, Member of Parliament for Hints, Hopwas & Tamworth, has called for a full debate in the House of Commons on plans for the High Speed (HS2) rail link.  During Business Questions with the Leader of the House of Commons, Sir George Young MP who is responsible for parliamentary business, Mr. Pincher drew attention to a petition, organised by anti-HS2 campaigners across the country, calling on parliament to debate to issue.

Mr. Pincher said:

“I welcome my right hon. Friend’s (Sir George Young MP) comments about the e-petition initiative, but can he arrange for a statement to describe how the paper-based petitions signed by more than 100,000 people that call for a debate on High Speed 2 can be qualified as an e-petition, so that the issue might be debated in this Chamber and so that the many thousands of people who perhaps do not have access to the internet do not feel disfranchised?”

Christopher Pincher Comments On Proposed Constituency Boundary Changes

Commenting on the proposed constituency boundary changes for Tamworth constituency, announced by the Boundary Commission for England today, Tamworth’s Member of Parliament, Christopher Pincher, said:

“I am very pleased the Boundary Commission has chosen not to carve up historic Tamworth across the border with Warwickshire which was a possibility.  Instead they have chosen to keep the existing constituency together, adding one more ward from Lichfield District to bring the constituency up to the required number of electors.”

“I will work with Lichfield District wards in my constituency, as I have always done, as well as wards in Tamworth borough and I am very happy to talk with anyone from Lichfield District, particularly Hammerwich ward, to address any questions they may have. And I will be talking about the proposed changes with councillors in the next few days.”

The new Tamworth constituency, assuming the Boundary Commission’s initial proposals are accepted, will comprise:

·         The Borough of Tamworth
·         Bourne Vale ward (LDC currently in Tamworth constituency)
·         Fazeley ward (LDC currently in Tamworth constituency)
·         Hammerwich ward (LDC newly added from Lichfield constituency)
·         Little Aston (LDC currently in Tamworth constituency)
·         Mease & Tame (LDC currently in Tamworth constituency)
·         Shenstone (LDC currently in Tamworth constituency)
·         Stonnall (LDC currently in Tamworth constituency)

Christopher Pincher Encourages Town to get into the Olympic Spirit

The Olympic Games are less than a year away and Tamworth’s Member of Parliament, Christopher Pincher, wants local residents to get involved in the celebrations.

He said:

“For those of you who – like me – are not quite Olympic-standard athletes do not worry as there are other ways you can get involved.

“You can still nominate an Olympic torchbearer via the Olympic Presenting Partners on the London 2012 website or go to this link

As residents know, I have already written to Lord Coe, Chairman of the Olympic Committee and Hugh Robertson MP, Olympic Minister asking them to help ensure the torch passes though Tamworth”

“I have also written to local schools informing them of the “School Games” and how they can apply for free tickets – it will be fantastic if local children win a trip to the Olympic stadium.”

“I hope our town contracts Olympic fever and cheers on Great Britain to every success next year and of course in the Paralympics too.  And to local residents that are training to play their part I wish you the best of luck.”

For further information about the Olympic Games please go to www.London2012.com

Christopher Pincher MP Calls For Assurances on Haunton Hall

 The Member of Parliament for Tamworth, Haunton and Clifton Campville, Christopher Pincher, has called for any new operators of the Haunton Hall nursing home, Haunton, to be properly equipped to meet the demands of its residents.  It was during an adjournment debate that he spoke at length on this issue.

Southern Cross, the current operators of Haunton Hall, went into liquidation after all its 752 landlords expressed their desire to leave the group last month. Southern Cross has faced significant financial difficulty since March, after announcing that rent for its care homes were unsustainable.  Around a third of the homes have transferred operators, with the others still finalizing their plans.

In his speech to the Commons, Mr Pincher stated:

Christopher Pincher Calls for a Child Court Reform

Christopher Pincher Calls for a Child Court Reform

Christopher Pincher, the Member of Parliament for Tamworth, and surrounding villages, has called for a “better dispute resolution procedure” between the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) and parents. This issue was raised by Mr Pincher in the House of Commons at the end of July before the parliamentary summer break.

CAFCASS and the Child Support Agency (CSA) has recently been criticised for the handling of specific cases. Poor service and ignored called have also been the lot of Tamworth constituents battling to gain access to or arrange visits for their children.

In his speech to the Commons, Mr Pincher stated:

Christopher Pincher Condemns Looting Across Britain

Christopher Pincher, the Member of Parliament for Tamworth, is returning from his holiday to Westminster for the recall of Parliament on Thursday following mass disorder and looting in London, Birmingham and other cities around Britain.  At the top of his agenda is action to give the police the “rules and the tools” to deal with this new and frightening phenomenon.  He says he is appalled by the chaotic scenes in the capital and other cities of the United Kingdom.

Commenting he said:
“The actions of these mindless thugs and thieves are despicable.  This is not a protest.  It is wild and wanton riot, arson and looting for no purpose at all.  I support the police in London and Birmingham in their endeavours against these criminals, and I praise all blue-light services in their efforts to protect innocent members of the public and their properties.   I am encouraged by the Government’s response to increase police numbers in our capital city, but more needs to be done so these violent vandals feel the full force of the law.  We police by consent in this country.  But I feel there will be widespread public consent for the toughest measures to deal with this sort of crime.  Some modern form of the old Riot Act should be considered to act quickly to restore order.  Once it is invoked the people should know that unless they disperse, the police can use all measures – CS gas, rubber bullets or water cannon – to break up the mob.  Tools such as these will allow smaller numbers of officers to deal with looters and rioters who were roaming the streets like wolves.”

Christopher Pincher Condemns Looting Across Britain

Christopher Pincher, the Member of Parliament for Tamworth, is returning from his holiday to Westminster for the recall of Parliament on Thursday following mass disorder in looting in London, Birmingham and other cities around Britain.  At the top of his agenda is action to give the police the “rules and the tools” to deal with this new and frightening phenomenon.  He says he is appalled by the chaotic scenes in the capital and other cities of the United Kingdom. 

 Commenting he said:

“The actions of these mindless thugs and thieves are despicable.  This is not a protest.  It is wild and wanton riot, arson and looting for no purpose at all.  I support the police in London and Birmingham in their endeavours against these criminals, and I praise all blue-light services in their efforts to protect innocent members of the public and their properties.   I am encouraged by the Government’s response to increase police numbers in our capital city, but more needs to be done so these violent vandals feel the full force of the law.  We police by consent in this country.  But I feel there will be widespread public consent for the toughest measures to deal with this sort of crime.  Some modern form of the old Riot Act should be considered to act quickly to restore order.  Once it is invoked the people should know that unless they disperse, the police can use all measures – CS gas, rubber bullets or water cannon – to break up the mob.  Tools such as these will allow smaller numbers of officers to deal with looters and rioters who were roaming the streets like wolves.” 

 He we on:

Christopher Pincher Congratulates Champion Boxer

Local Member of Parliament, Christopher Pincher, this week visited Tamworth’s award winning Boxing Academy in Amington to congratulate its latest champion boxer, Ryan Hatton (15) who won the under 75kg junior boxing crown in Cardiff earlier this month.  Ryan was pictured in the Herald last week after winning his bout.

Mr. Pincher visited the Academy, which provides boxing and training facilities as well as educational facilities for youngsters, to meet Ryan and the Academy team to say well done.

He said:
“Our local Boxing Academy is a tremendous local service.  It teaches young people, especially those who are in danger of going wayward, the importance of discipline, hard work, respect for others and self respect.”

“Ryan is a great example of how the Boxing Academy helps young people to build their character as well as their stamina.  He is a credit to the Club.  And with the name “R Hatton”, he certainly has the right credentials to carry him a long way!”

Mr. Pincher also met Academy coach, Nathan Malkin, who showed the Member of Parliament around the Academy and described their hopes to expand out of their small facility in the Amington Industrial Estate to bigger premises.  Already the Academy has had to turn down youngsters, several from disadvantaged families, on Health & Safety grounds.  The Academy hopes that bigger premises will enable them to welcome more users.

Christopher Pincher Encourages Townsfolk to Check Their Pulse

The Member of Parliament for Tamworth, Christopher Pincher, this week gave his support to an event in Parliament, as part of World Heart Rhythm Week, to help raise awareness of the importance of pulse checks.

The campaign, spearheaded by the charities, Arrhythmia Alliance (the Heart Rhythm Charity) and Atrial Fibrillation Association (AFA), aims to raise awareness of Atrial Fibrillation (AF), the most common heart rhythm disorder in the UK. Figures published by the Department of Health in 2007 suggested that AF affected in excess of 800,000 people in the UK. However, this is now considered to be an underestimate and that a more accurate figure may now be in excess of one million, with 200,000 patients being newly diagnosed each year. It is also responsible for 18%-20% of all strokes in the UK.