Celebrating Harlow's 65th Anniversary: Aspiration, Achievement, Community, Opportunity

On the right side of my blog, if you scroll down, there are a couple of great videos showing the history of Harlow - one with particularly moving music.

They show Harlow to be a very special place - a New Town with a difference. This year's 65th anniversary cements Harlow as a place of aspiration, achievement, community and opportunity.

People came to Harlow for better lives, many from the East End. The achievements here have been spectacular too: the birthplace of fibre-optic communications, the home of GSK, Raytheon and Pitney Bowes, architecture, housing and planning that was groundbreaking at its time.

Opportunity abounds too. Harlow College is the best in England and only this week, it was announced that we have the highest business growth in the whole of the United Kingdom. In the past year alone, the number of funded Apprentices has shot up by 78%. Harlow is now an Enterprise Zone, which will bring even more businesses into the area.

But what makes Harlow, truly unique is the Town's sense of community. A busy urban place it may be, but in many ways Harlow is like a large village. We may not be the most prosperous in terms of economic capital (though that is improving), but in terms of social capital, we are second to none. Community groups, faith communities, charities and residents associations abound. I know because I visit many - almost every week - and have worked as a volunteer in some of them. The Community spirit keeps Harlow strong even in difficult times.

So, what does the future hold? Well, we must to do all we can to alleviate the blight of unemployment and particularly help young people without jobs. The huge investment in apprentices and the new Youth Contract will help. If we win our bid for a new University Technical School, (which will be a pre-apprenticeship school focused on technical skills), we will be able to ensure that a new generation of Harlow youngsters are on the conveyor belt to employment - especially as the UTC will be accompanied by improving schools across Harlow.

We also need regeneration of parts of our Town Centre - and of some Housing estates. Some of this is already happening, some has happened already. But hopefully, if the economy moves out of recession, regeneration will get a much needed boost.

P.S. It was good to see Livewire in action in the Civic Centre on Friday evening and celebrate in the Town Park this morning watching Harlow residents. Great to meet once again, Harlow Paralympian Noel Thatcher - who was assisting with the races, alongside Council Chairman, Mike Garnett.

P.P.S. You can read more HERE.