I am always delighted to be able to say South Derbyshire is my home and has been for more than 35 years. The well-being of all its residents and businesses is my overriding concern as its Member of Parliament, as it was during my time, previously, as a local Councillor here for 16 years.
South Derbyshire is a thriving, vibrant and friendly place, and it is a real privilege to serve as the local Member of Parliament. We are incredibly lucky to have such a prosperous area to call home, with a growing manufacturing sector where we produce a whole range of products from coffee at Nestle to JCB engines and everything else in between. We are also the home to successful supply chains in the motor industry with Toyota, Futaba and Gibson Technology as well as the rail and aviation industry with Dellner Couplings and Dellner Woodville. We also have lots of smaller companies many of which are incredibly innovative, with new ones opening almost weekly. It is these hardworking companies who have grown and expanded creating jobs and providing a stable and valuable environment for our apprentices and school leavers.
We have the most amazing countryside on our doorstep, with the entrance to the national forest at Rosliston and plentiful fields on the farms at Dalbury Lees, Melbourne and Lullington amongst many others. Our annual tourism revenue is stellar and we attract huge numbers of visitors to stay and experience our numerous attractions, from local farmers markets to countryside walks. I know that it may be hard to believe but the income from tourism in South Derbyshire is actually greater than the Peak District’s.
Always keen to retain our heritage the development of Sharpe’s Pottery as a cultural venue has been exciting to watch and the number of events being held there is increasing all the time. It was a pleasure to attend the International Women’s Day Event there where I was in the company of schoolgirls and inspiring local ladies including our own Olympic torch bearer.
There have been a number of firsts since I was elected in 2010; a South Derbyshire College, a choice for our youngsters after school and a brand-new cinema. We also have a wide choice of supermarkets to choose from throughout the constituency and a new sports centre in Melbourne.
We must be one of very few places where there are no charges for car parking which is why Swadlincote High Street and Melbourne do not have boarded-up shops and our regular markets, including the Farmer’s market, which sells a wonderful range of local produce, do so well.
South Derbyshire has real community spirit both in its villages and the different areas around Swadlincote which is demonstrated so well by all the events I attend, which are supported so enthusiastically, and also by the places I have been able to visit.
As always, I have enjoyed travelling around our constituency these past years. I have visited many of our fantastic schools; Findern Primary School, The Mease Spencer Academy, Overseal Primary School, Springfield Junior School, St Edward’s Catholic Academy, and Shardlow Primary School to name but a few. I have been consistently struck by not only the fantastic quality of our local teachers but also by their wholehearted dedication to their pupils. When our schools are thriving such as they are it leaves me full of confidence that our local community is in good stead both now and for many years to come. I am greatly looking forward to the new schools being built, Mercia Academy and Clover Leys.
I have also had the pleasure of recently being able to visit several of our fantastic care homes, local businesses and charities in South Derbyshire. From mee&dee in Melbourne to Gresley House Care Home in Church Gresley, to Acres Engineering and Daisy Brook Boarding Kennels, I have greatly enjoyed being able to experience all that South Derbyshire has to offer and I never cease to be amazed by the wealth and quality of our various institutions and businesses. I look forward to continuing my visits around the constituency and I hope to see all that we have to offer.
As I have said, South Derbyshire is my home and has been for more than 35 years. Its wellbeing is my principal concern as its Member of Parliament, as it was when during my time as local Councillor. I look forward to continuing to serve this area, which I love so much, for many more years to come.