A busy time in Harlow: From Lloyds Bank to Moat Housing to Firework Night

I have mentioned in other postings, that the life of a Parliamentary Candidate can be a very varied one and the last few days have been no exception. Its been quite a busy few days! I thought you might be interested to see what I have been up to:



Lloyds Bank

Last Friday, I met with staff at Lloyds Bank in Broadwalk, who gave me a tour of the branch and also set out to me how the bank and customers were faring, given the recession.

Lloyds is a community based bank, and It was noticeable that its staff are actively involved in the regeneration of Harlow Town Centre, working closely with groups like Harlow Renaissance, Although Lloyds Bank - (a few hundred yards away in Eastgate) is closing (the old TSB Branch), I was pleased that the main Lloyd is expanding onto two floors, so that customers will continue to have a proper service. They also told me that Lloyds in Bush Fair (Tye Green Branch), is one of its strongest branches in the area, and had a good future - there were no plans to close this branch whatsoever.

I left feeling quite impressed with Lloyds in Harlow. Although City Bankers are getting a rough ride at present, it is important to make a distinction between what goes on in the City, and what happens in a local Community such as Harlow. Most of the staff I met in Lloyds were not only dedicated and enthusiastic about their roles, but very much Harlow focused - and local residents.

Moat Housing

After I went to Moat Housing Trust, and was taken on a tour of Moat Housing across Harlow by their representative Claire Lomax. Cllr. Lee Dangerfield also accompanied me to places as far afield as the Briars and NewHall. Although some Housing Trusts get a lot of stick, my overall impression is that Moat does a good job and has taken great care. Claire is born and bred in Harlow and knows everything there is to know about local housing issues, so it was quite a good education for me. The Moat Houses at New Hall are simply stunning - we were taken to an open courtyard with apartments around that has won a gold standard award. The place had a care for beautiful design and attention to detail. A real example of the very best that housing can offer.

Education, Education, Education

Later in the afternoon, I had a campaign meeting and then I had to attend a local dinner in Epping, in which Michael Gove MP was the guest speaker. He highlighted Conservative plans to let parents and charities set up their own schools, so that parents and children could have more choice. He also said there would be more rigour in the national curriculum, with real emphasis on Maths and English.

To Soham

On Saturday, I had to attend a conference of Eastern Region Conservatives alongside members from across the East of England. It was a good day, although driving through Soham, I could not help think of that terrible tragedy that befell those poor children a few years ago. It is sad that a town will always be known more for this episode, than for its many other attributes.

But, it was important to be amongst fellow Conservatives and discuss plans for the forthcoming election - there is much work to be done over the coming weeks and months. I was pleased to get back on Saturday night and watch the X Factor - something which you will know from my tweets and blog postings that I am a great fan of!

Its fireworks

Sunday was such a lovely day. Although the morning was spent answering constituency correspondence and email, I was really pleased to go the Firework Show. It was a brilliant evening and the fireworks were the best ever. The music was great too. I have to say it was very cold, and I was glad to be warmed up with some hot donuts from the food vans - even if I did have to break my diet. It seemed that there were thousands of people who came to enjoy themselves.

It was impressive to see Harlow Council Chairman Cllr. Edna Stephens, out in the cold, collecting money for her Chairman's Charity, Harlow Carers, working with some other Council volunteers. Even more heartwarming was the presence of Harlow St John's Ambulance, who are always there at every event to offer a helping hand to anyone who falls sick.

It is not often remembered that the St John's Ambulance rely on its volunteers and it is quite amazing, that so many are willing to give up their time in this way - in a voluntary capacity, to help those most in need. I was glad to attend a recent St John's Ambulance event in an Old Harlow in which they held a special ceremony in honour of two new ambulance vehicles that they had raised funds for. All in all a wonderful way to spend a Sunday evening.

By Rob Halfon ~ Working hard for Harlow, Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon & Sheering. http//roberthalfon.blogspot.com