Heather Wheeler's Blog

Toyota 'Gives', Rosliston Forestry Centre 'Gains'

Heather — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:35:26 +0000

Last Friday I headed to Rosliston Forestry Centre to join a team of twelve volunteers from the Toyota’s Burnaston vehicle manufacturing and Deeside engine plants in supporting the local community. The team completed general gardening and forestry duties including reviving the early years nature discovery area, maintaining a large willow structure and creating an additional one.

I recommended the project to Toyota as part of Give and Gain Day project, which is the Business In the Community’s annual day of volunteering where responsible businesses show they are really committed to their local communities. Impact and change will be felt by communities throughout the UK whilst the day also allows employees to make a difference in the local community and experience the personal satisfaction of volunteering.

This is the latest community volunteering project supported by Toyota. Earlier this year volunteering projects were also completed at Alfreton Park Community School and St Giles Special School.

Heritage Lottery Fund

Heather — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:14:00 +0000

On Wednesday 15^th May, Heritage Lottery Fund launched the new small grants programme First World War: then and now and are making at least £1million available per year for six years until 2019. It will provide grants between £3,000 to £10,000 enabling groups right across the UK to explore, conserve and share their First World War heritage and deepen their understanding of the impact of the conflict.

I urge any of my constituents to think about how they would like to mark the Centenary. Successful projects will include:

researching, identifying and recording local heritage;
creating a community archive or collection;
developing new interpretation of heritage through exhibitions, trails, smartphone apps etc;
researching, writing and performing creative material based on heritage sources;

The new programme can also provide funding for the conservation of war memorials.

I am delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund is making this money available to local communities. Like many areas across the UK, the impact of the First World War on the people of South Derbyshire was extensive. For those who want to find out more about its legacy or who wish to mark the Centenary, I would urge them to get in touch with HLF.

The HLF has already invested £12million in projects – large and small – that will mark the Centenary of First World War. If a group have a project idea to mark the Centenary of the First World War, an online application pack is available http://www.hlf.org.uk/ThenAndNow. If a group needs a grant of more than £10,000 for a First World War project, it can apply to HLF through its open programmes.

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution Day

Heather — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:56:17 +0000

Last Friday was Food Revolution Day which was hosted by Jamie Oliver, founded by his charity the Better Food Foundation.

The Better Food Foundation was established to promote good food, cooking skills and food education here in the UK and across the globe.

The Foundation’s activities work directly to improve lives by increasing people’s food knowledge and developing their cooking skills, as well as helping them to understand where food comes from and how it affects their bodies. Whether it's training for jobs to increase opportunities; campaigning for proper food in schools; teaching children how to grow and cook food <http://www.jamieoliver.com/kitchen-garden-project/>; or coaching adults <http://www.jamieoliver.com/jamies-ministry-of-food/> who have missed out on those skills on how to cook a decent meal from scratch – we want to show that making simple choices can make a massive difference.

The day was intended for everyone to come together within their homes, schools, workplaces and communities to cook, share their kitchen skills, food knowledge and resources, and it was open to everyone, worldwide. The goal is to continue to raise awareness globally about the need for better food education for everyone.

The first Food Revolution Day took place on 19 May 2012 with more than 1,000 events in 664 cities across 62 countries, which was incredible, and that’s what they set out to beat.

Many local activities will be organised by our voluntary Food Revolution Ambassadors – there’s information about your nearest Ambassador on the website: http://foodrevolutionday.com/comms , along with a host of activity ideas to inspire you.

Look on the interactive activities map<http://foodrevolutionday.com/index> on the website to help identify local opportunities, or get in touch with the support team.

Big Lottery Funds Community Projects

Heather — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:48:23 +0000

I was delighted to hear that the Big Lottery Fund and ITV are giving the public a chance to vote for the community projects they want to receive good cause funding. The funding will be up to £50,000 and will be awarded to 76 projects across every region of the UK. They will go to charitable projects which inspire, involve and improve local communities.

Each night for a week in November, those who make the best applications will battle it out on prime time ITV regional news for the public vote. Whether or not they succeed, the competition represents a great opportunity to mobilise support and publicity behind a local cause.

The deadline for applications is 13 May 2013, time is running out to apply!

To fill out an application form go to www.peoplesmillions.org.uk or contact the Big Advice Line on 0845 010 11 12.

This could be a fantastic opportunity for a local group in the constituency to win some much needed funding and gain wonderful publicity.

I wish the very best of luck to all those who apply! Let me know if your community project has applied so I can put an update on my website to mobilise support behind the local cause.

Local Elections May 2nd 2013

Heather — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:47:55 +0000

It is that time of year again. The local elections for Derbyshire County Council are on May the 2nd.

I urge you all to go out and vote, people fought so hard to give us a democracy, we need to honour their fight by participating and going to the ballot box.

For more information on the candidates please visit: South Derbyshire District Council

Meals on Wheels at the Bus Park Cafe

Heather — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:47:38 +0000

I was lucky enough to be able to try the meals on wheels service provided at the Bus Park Cafe, at the Collingwood Centre, off West Street, Swadlincote. This new service will be available to anyone who is not able to leave their home easily.

The meal was wonderful and great value at only £4.50, I tried their shepherd's pie with country vegetables and gravy. This would then be followed by either a choice of treacle sponge or rhubarb custard.

Meals on Wheels are currently looking for volunteers and I urge anyone who has a couple of hours to spare to help this excellent work.

If you would like to volunteer please call 01283 480603 for more information.

Thank you to Burton Mail for the photograph.

CAMRA Parliamentary Reception

Heather — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:47:09 +0000

After all the campaigning I was thrilled to attend the CAMRA Parliamentary Reception with the Burton Bridge Brewery to help celebrate the penny off a pint.

I do hope that my constituents will take advantage of the milder weather that we've been having and relax with a pint over the Mayday bank holiday!

Thanks to Harmit Kambo for taking the photograph.

Test Driving the New Toyota Tourer

Heather — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:01:09 +0000

I was lucky enough to be invited by Toyota to take their new Tourer around the test track at the Burnaston Plant and now know for certain that Formula 1 driver will not be my next career move!

Whilst I was there I was shown the new Avensis which will have the label “Made in Britain” as it is to be completely manufactured here. Each time I visit Toyota I am always impressed with the level of workmanship but especially by the staff and their attention to detail.

British engineering and manufacturing is thriving in our constituency and it was wonderful to see a small part of that on my visit around Toyota.

Dairy Crest and Dairy Crest Initiative Launch the New Milk Price Formula

Heather — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:49:47 +0000

Dairy Crest and Dairy Crest Direct (DCD) were joined this week by David Heath, Farming Minster at an event in the House of Commons to launch the new milk price formula to parliamentarians. Mark Allen, Dairy Crest’s Chief Executive went along with David Herdman, the Chairman of DCD and Stephen Bradley, the consultant who was jointly commissioned by Dairy Crest and DCD to construct the formula, to explain how the ground-breaking formula works and answer any questions from MPs and peers.

As the number one British dairy company, Dairy Crest, in Foston, is committed to supporting and working closely with their 300 dairy farmers. That means paying a fair, market-related price for milk which recognises the tough conditions our farmers continue to face. I was delighted to support the announcement of an increase of 1.5p per litre to our farmers on a standard liquid milk contract – a record high.

Last year Diary Crest was the first processor to sign up 100% to the voluntary code and in April, jointly with Dairy Crest Direct, they were the first to offer our farmers on a standard liquid milk contract the opportunity to move to a milk price formula. They will continue to work with their farmers and the Government for the future of the British dairy sector.

This is a great step forward for our Campaign but I will keep the pressure on for the other Processors.

Chris Grayling Visits Keystone Lintels in Swadlincote

Heather — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:47:28 +0000

Last Thursday I had the pleasure of hosting the Justice Minister, Chris Grayling MP in the constituency. The Minister was in Swadlincote to open officially the new renovation works at the Keystone Lintels site.

At a ceremony attended by directors, staff, suppliers and merchants Mr Grayling presented a plaque commemorating the opening of the new building.
We were then given a tour around the warehouse and got the wonderful opportunity to speak to the staff and learn more about what they do. It was a great opportunity to see Keystone Lintels in action and the whole of the supply chain that they are a part of.

The new building is the beginning of an expansion programme which will see two additional new warehouses being built, creating more growth and more jobs in South Derbyshire

Derbyshire Day in Parliament

Heather — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:36:23 +0000

Derbyshire Day which was held on the 16th April was a huge success, with a wide range of local producers coming together to produce a wonderful day.

In attendance were ice cream-maker Bluebell Dairy, Chatsworth Farm Shop, butchers J W Mettrick and Son, S&A Foods, Scropton Cider, Sealwood Cottage Vineyard, Thorntons Chocolates, Jaquest Fine Foods, Birds the Confectioners, Hartington Creamery, Fresh Basil Deli and Eaterie, and four members of the Derbyshire Brewers Collective – Derventio, Brampton, Peak Ales and Thornbridge.

We all know what fabulous fare our County produces but it was lovely to be able to introduce so many new people to the delights of Derbyshire.

When the Speaker, the DEFRA Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister join you at an event, you know it has had a real impact.

Paying Tribute to Baroness Thatcher

Heather — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 14:27:13 +0000

Yesterday, April 10th 2013, I joined fellow Parliamentarians in the House of Commons to pay tribute to former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher.

There was a moving speech from Prime Minister David Cameron and both he and the Leader of the Opposition, Ed Miliband, respectively honoured her personal achievements.

Parliamentarians talked about their personal relationships with Margaret Thatcher, her contribution to our Country and what she did for their respective constituencies.

In my speech I reminded Parliament that I represent an old mining district, and despite the struggles that might have occurred I am reminded that the unemployment rate in South Derbyshire today is 2.8%. The old mines are gone but the people remember the difficulties between the Union of Democratic Mine Workers who didn’t strike and the NUM that did strike; people now have jobs, people now have re-invented themselves. Some of my constituents who have contacted me have been very passionate about the future that Mrs. Thatcher gave to our Country—the inspiration she gave our Country.

East Midlands Today Covers Scam Mail

Heather — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:34:54 +0000

As you know, I have been working extremely hard trying to abolish Scam Mail within South Derbyshire and throughout the UK as a whole.

Last Friday, April 5th, I was interviewed by Radio Leicester on the progress being made in the campaign against scam mail. I talked about how we are making steps forward, and in fact, Jo Swinson, Minister for Employment Relations and Consumer Affairs, has agreed to set up a meeting to discuss how the royal mail could be more involved.

I encourage you to watch this video published by BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-22046941

If you know someone that has been affected by scam mail, please contact me.

Rest in Peace Baroness Thatcher

Heather — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:34:56 +0000

As I was driving through South Derbyshire on Monday, April 8th I was saddened when the announcement was made on BBC Derby that Former Prime Minister Baroness Margaret Thatcher passed away after suffering from a stroke.

You may or may not have supported Baroness Thatcher’s Legacy, but I think the mark of somebody who is great is that you end up not with just admirers but with people who not just vilify you but dislike your policies. We know really well in South Derbyshire the two sides of those that supported her and those that did not as she supported the miners that wanted to work but was blamed by the strikers for killing off the industry. It is important to understand that when she took over our country it was called ‘the sick man’ of Europe. She pulled our country out of the mire and put the Great back into Great Britain.

I will be heading back to Parliament today to recognise the life and achievement of Margaret Thatcher, and I hope that you can hold a special place in your heart for all the good she did.

May she rest in peace.

Visit to Foremark Hall School

Heather — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:28:17 +0000

Just last week on Friday, March 22 I visited Foremarke Hall School in Milton, Derby where I spoke to year 7 pupils about how I became involved in politics.

The pupils are learning about the role of Parliament in their PSHE lessons at the moment; and not only did I provide the students with a deep insight into what I as an MP for South Derbyshire do on a daily basis, but briefly explained Parliamentary proceedings as well.

Amongst the 30 students who I talked to, there were few that were curious as to how I balance my time. I explained to them that as an MP not only do I focus on South Derbyshire, but have to complete parliamentary duties, and look after overseas work that comes with being an MP. The students seemed to be shocked by the fact that MPs have to stay voting in Parliament until midnight some days. There were some that were also quite interested in how many times I have met with the Prime Minister.

It really was pleasant visiting and talking with youth who have interest in government, and I can only urge schools all across the region to promote government studies.