Monday, June 21st, 2010
Last month thieves stole the lead from the roof and porch of St Paul’s Church in Coleshill Street, Fazeley. This parish church is a grade 2 listed building, associated with the Peel family. As the building is listed by Government under the Planning Acts as being of ‘architectural or historic interest’, the church congregation was obliged to replace the stolen lead with new lead, traditionally fitted, which was done. However, within weeks, the shiny new lead again attracted thieves, and went again.
Then on around June 5th, thieves again visited the church, this time attracted not by lead (or by the services!), but by the copper of the lightning conductor. The copper strip lightning conductor from the ground to the highest part of the building was partly ripped away and stolen.
Church Warden (and civil engineer) Michael Crick said that for the sake of a few pounds worth of copper, the church now had to employ a specialist contractor costing perhaps £2000 to re-install a lightning conductor, to safeguard both the building itself and members of the public in or near the building. The building is used for a wide range of activities, including Fazeley Pre-School, and it is hoped to open a new hall in a few months. There was a thunderstorm the very night of the theft, and a lightning strike then would have had dire consequences.
New local MP Christopher Pincher visited the scene of the crime on Sunday, and said:
“I am very sad that thieves have stooped to targeting a church. The theft of the lead was bad enough but stealing the copper in the lightning conductor threatens the entire building. Only today we have had thunder storms. If lightning strikes now the church could burn down.”
“And though the cost of replacing the copper and lead is minimal the labour costs and the replacement of slates means the actual cost to the church will run into thousands. Crimes like this must be taken seriously.”
As the current high price of all types of scrap metal is encouraging theft, the public are asked to report any suspicious activity near churches and similar buildings.
Monday, June 21st, 2010
Tamworth MP Christopher Pincher attended an event organised by Volunteering England to say thank you to all the volunteers in Tamworth.
50 MPs from around the country gathered in London to say ‘Thank You’ to the thousands of volunteers in their constituencies as part of the national Volunteers’ Week celebrations.
Mr Pincher said:
“I’d like to say thank you to everyone who gives their time for the benefit of our community. I had a tremendous time meeting volunteers in the Castle Grounds last week. Volunteers’ Week is an ideal time to recognise the amazing contribution volunteers make and I’d like to encourage more people to get involved where they can. With volunteering there’s something for everyone – whether it’s mentoring young people, supporting the elderly or campaigning on local issues. It’s a great way to meet people and make a real difference to other peoples’ lives.”
The event was organised by Volunteering England, the volunteer development charity, to mark the end of national Volunteers’ Week, which runs from the 1 to 7 June each year. Volunteers from a number of organisations were on hand to share their stories with MPs, including the Cadets, the National Trust, Timebank, Youthnet and BTCV.
Justin Davis Smith, Chief Executive of Volunteering England, said:
“I am pleased to see that so many MPs recognise the importance of volunteering and have taken the time to come here and thank the volunteers in their local communities. The country faces many challenges in the current economic climate and volunteering will have a central role to play in ensuring that we emerge stronger and more resilient”.
Volunteers’ Week has also received ministerial support from the Minister for Civil Society, Nick Hurd MP.
Volunteering England co-ordinates Volunteers Week in England; the Week celebrates the millions of volunteers who regularly contribute to society, whilst inspiring others to get involved too. More information about the Week can be found at www.volunteersweek.org.uk.
Tuesday, June 15th, 2010
Tamworth and Fazeley’s new Member of Parliament, Christopher Pincher, dropped in on “Heart Felt Holistics”, a charity established by six friends, Stella & Alan Barnett, Heather Lowe, Angie Winyard, Pat Moore and Angie Lawton on March 5th this year, with the aim of providing free complementary therapies to the local community.
The ladies particularly wanted to help carers, special needs and vulnerable adults, low income and single parent families and the elderly. They felt they could help ease some of the stress of life and provide methods for coping and relaxing.
Lucy Broad the Community Development Officer for Lichfield Council and Homezone Living has allowed the group to use The Mill Lane Link Community Centre, Fazeley, and is supporting the charity with funding.
Mr. Pincher said:
“This new charity offers a free service to local people. Anyone can drop in for a cup of tea and a chat. They can also enjoy reflexology or a massage. Whilst I was there at least two elderly neighbours called in. The service looks to be very popular.”
The charity is open on Fridays 1-6pm and Sunday 12-3pm. They operate an open door policy as well as appointments. All are welcome.
The therapies offered cover Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Swedish Body Massage, Hopi Ear Candles, Holistic Facials, Reiki Healing and Hydrotherm water bed massage. The ladies also provide tea and biscuits and invite people to come and just sit and relax if that is all they want to do.
To find out more about Heart Felt Holistics call Heather on 01827 289 659 or email heatherlowe1@o2.co.uk.
Monday, June 14th, 2010
New Member of Parliament for Tamworth and Clifton Campville, Christopher Pincher, joined over a thousand local people from across the Mease Valley to support Clifton Campville’s annual village fete at the village’s Millennium Field last Saturday. Mr. Pincher joined David Lodge, Chairman of the Parish Council, and members of the Village Hall committee to meet stallholders and watch a variety of village events including terrier races, hay bale tossing and a new innovation – “splat the rat”. The rats were, of course, toy ones.
Mr. Pincher said:
“Clifton Campville has an excellent village fete. The number of visitors and stall holders grows every year. I am very pleased to support it as it shows what great community spirit exists in the village. I also had a go at the tombola but, as usual, I did not win. Thankfully, I did manage to win the election!”
“I intend to make sure I spend more time visiting our rural villages and listening to local concerns. I think villages have been overlooked in recent years. We need to give rural communities more attention.”
The tombola tent at the Fete raised nearly £300 for the community.
Sunday, June 13th, 2010
Tamworth’s MP, Christopher Pincher, joined Conservative, Lib Dem and Scots Nationalist MPs in a cross party clash with the House of Lords in the annual Macmillan Cancer Fund tug of war at Westminster this week.
The Commons versus the Lords is the highpoint of a tug of war evening featuring teams from the Armed Forces, Fire Service and plenty of sports clubs. The event, attended by a dozen teams and over 400 spectators raised tens of thousands for Macmillan.
To win each team needed to win the best of three tugs. But after just two, the House of Commons were declared victors over the House of Lords.
Christopher Pincher said after the victory:
“It was a tough game but in the battle of the peers versus the people, the people won hands down! I will ache all over in the morning but on the night I am really happy to have helped raise so much money for a really deserving charity.”
The winners were presented with the Parliamentary Challenge Cup by Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow.
Monday, June 7th, 2010
Tamworth’s MP, Christopher Pincher, joined hundreds of other local people in supporting Volunteers’ Day held on Friday 4th June in the Castle Grounds. Nearly 20 local and national volunteer organisations, from the Scouts to Making Space to the League of Friends of Tamworth Hospital, were there to showcase what they do and recruit new helpers. Tamworth’s Fire Service and supporters of the West Midlands Air Ambulance were also on hand.
Mr. Pincher said:
“I was really pleased to show my support for our local volunteers’ day which is part of the national volunteering week.”
“If we are going to create a stronger society we really do need to encourage individuals and groups to get more involved in their local community. Volunteer groups and charities like the Children’s Society, the Guides and Making Space help glue communities together. I met some really committed people and I hope their recruitment drive is successful.”
Mr. Pincher will also be supporting the national Volunteers’ Week meeting at Westminster on 7th June.
For more information on volunteering in Tamworth go to:
Volunteer Centre Tamworth
Sunday, June 6th, 2010
Tamworth’s MP, Christopher Pincher, dropped in on Tamworth police station’s open day on Saturday to show his support for the local Force. The station open day is held annually with last year’s opening attracting over 800 curious visitors.
This year’s event, held on a sunny first Saturday in June, looked set to beat 2009 numbers. Families and children queued in the yard then crowded around the station to find out more about the work of the modern Police Force. Tamworth’s Special Constabulary was also on hand looking to recruit new part time volunteer bobbies although the most popular attractions seemed to be a look around the cells and the line up of police cars. Young children were especially keen on the siren buttons!
Mr. Pincher said:
“Our police do a difficult job so it was very good to see so many local people at the police station to show their support and to find out more about their work.”
“I was especially pleased to meet some of Tamworth’s Special Constables led by Inspector Graham Smout. We have over 40 Specials in Tamworth who do vital work supporting our full time police officers. Specials give at least 16 hours of their time each month to the Police Force. It is an excellent way for people who already have jobs to give something back in public service. Our local Specials are currently on a recruitment drive so I hope interested people contact our police station to find out more.”
Currently Tamworth’s neighbourhood policing team consists of approximately 18 police officers and 22 PCSOs. Additionally there are also specialist full time police units based at Tamworth police station.
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
At 8.44pm on Wednesday 2nd June, Tamworths MP Christopher Pincher made his maiden speech in the House of Commons.
You can watch the speech in full by following this link –
http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=6328&st=20:44:05
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
Last night at 8.44pm I made my Maiden Speech in the House of Commons during the Education debate on the Queen’s Speech. I had to cut it down a little as the Speaker ruled speeches needed to be no more than 8 minutes rather than the usual 10 minutes due to the numbers wanting to speak. It was tremendously exciting but also very daunting – even though everyone by tradition is very nice about Maiden speakers and no tries to interrupt or heckle. That changes from now on!
I am very glad to get it over and done though – especially as I had to wait in the Chamber for six hours before being called. It means I can now ask questions, make interventions and play a full part in the House of Commons as Tamworth’s Member of Parliament.
Watch the speech in full by following this link – http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspxmeetingId=6328&st=20:44:05
Thursday, May 20th, 2010
Tamworth’s new MP Christopher Pincher will be conducting his first surgery meetings to help constituents with any issues or problems on the following dates:
Friday 28th May, 5pm – 7pm
Friday 11th June, 5pm – 7pm
These surgeries will be held in Fazeley (venue tba) with more to be held around the constituency at later dates to be announced soon – watch this website for further information and updates.
Please note that slots will be allocated by appointment only and can be arranged by contacting Christopher either:
by mail:
23 Albert Road
Tamworth
B79 7JS
by telephone: 01827 57156
or email: christopher.pincher.mp@parliament.uk
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