Bailey's Cream was invented in Harlow

We all know that Harlow is the birth-place of fibre optic communications. But not so many know that it is also the town, where the world-famous drink, Bailey's Irish Cream was made possible.

I learnt this unexpected piece of information, in a tour of the Diageo Research Unit in Bishops Stortford - I was there with neighbouring MP Mark Prisk, and some Conservative Parliamentary Candidates from the East of England. We had been invited to tour the premises and see at first hand, how Diageo does its research before it brings its products to market.

As well as being the makers of Guinness, the company also makes well known brands like Baileys and Smirnoff Vodka. What was fascinating to learn was that the Diageo premises were previously based in Harlow, at Vinters House in Riverside Way, (under the previous Guinness Brand). The Harlow Laboratory was the one which found the correct formula which ensured that Baileys would last a long time on the shelf - in essence ensuring that the whisky and cream did not 'go off' after a few days.

It was a fascinating visit, and I learnt how much scientific research goes in to producing products that people might enjoy. It was good to know that Vanda's favourite tipple was thanks to Harlow.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

An honourable Councillor joins Harlow Conservatives

One of the most talented Councillors in Harlow is Cllr. Linda Pailing. She is both genuine and hugely dedicated to her work. When I saw her speak last year at a meeting to discuss the regeneration of the town centre, I was struck both by her passion for Harlow, and her charisma. She has huge experience in many fields, having worked in high level computing and sold businesses as well as being a senior PA.

For this reason, and many others, I was absolutely delighted that Linda has decided to become a Conservative. Although an Independent since last Summer, she was previously a Liberal Democrat for many years. It was a big decision for her to move from that Party to the Conservatives.

To welcome Linda as a Conservative, Shadow Business Minister Mark Prisk MP (and neighbouring MP) came to meet Linda today and a Press Conference was held at the Park Inn to a host of media organisations.

Mark said:

"I am delighted to join Rob welcome Linda to the Conservative Party. She's the latest of many people who recognised the need for change in Harlow, but also at Westminster.
"The Conservative cause is growing stronger in Harlow, to the benefit of local people".

Linda's defection was not something she decided overnight, and from her detailed knowledge of what I have been up to, she clearly had been doing her homework!
But Linda also joined the Conservatives because she supports the policies of Cllr Andrew Johnson and his Administration. Having taken over an almost bankrupt council from Labour and the Liberals, he has had to take very tough decisions, to get the Council finances back in order.

This is what Linda said:

"The country, under the Labour Government is in an extremely precarious state, both economically and internationally. We are fast becoming a third rate country. The Government has been soft on dealing with the expenses scandal. It is time for a change of Government and the only party I can see who are offering that change is the Conservatives. For some considerable time I have thought that Robert Halfon is the right man to represent Harlow in Westminster and would have been voting for him at the next election anyway. I now look forward to supporting his campaign in a public way.
I have been impressed by the way that the Conservative budget has been monitored and adjusted during this past very difficult financial year for all of us.
The Conservatives made some very difficult decisions but they have stood by them and stuck to their guns and they have been proved right. Andrew Johnson is building a very strong team and I want to be a part of that team, working with him and his colleagues towards making Harlow a better place to live and work.".
I am very glad to have Linda on our team. Many people now feel that we need change in Harlow - a change that Harlow Conservatives and David Cameron and the Conservative party are offering.

Like Linda, many Liberal voters who have not voted Tory before, are coming over to the Conservatives because they support our plans for a stronger NHS, Harlow Housing money for Harlow people and protection of our green belt.

More and more people in Harlow understand that the only chance to get rid of Gordon Brown's high unemployment, high taxes and high borrowing is to vote Conservative at the next election.

For further details see HERE and HERE. Conservative Home, also wrote up the story HERE.

A fair deal for Harlow Bingo

I have been to Harlow Bingo Club, in Terminus Street, a few times now, including once with Shadow Business Minister Mark Prisk MP (see picture on the right). It really is a special place and incredibly popular with local residents. Would you believe, the Bingo Club has 42,000 members from Harlow and the surrounding areas? I am not suprised at all. Manager Bernie Dullaghan and the Staff provide an amazing service, and its become a real community institution, patronised by old and young alike.

We are lucky to have a bingo club, as across the country, many clubs have closed, partly because of the smoking ban, but also because Bingo clubs have to pay extra taxation to the government.

For some bizarre reason, the British bingo industry continues to be threatened by the grossly unfair system of ‘double taxation’. Current UK tax rules dictate that bingo revenues are subject to the payment of both 17.5% value added tax and 15% gross profits tax. No other form of gambling or leisure industry in the UK is subject to a comparable regime. This is despite the fact that bingo is widely regarded as the softest form of gambling.

Double taxation was a contributory factor in the closure of 37 bingo clubs in Great Britain in 2007 and many more will close if it is not reformed.

Unless the Government reforms bingo taxation, clubs like the excellent Mecca bingo here in Harlow are in danger of closure. This has a direct implication for the people who work in the club, who will be left unemployed, the thousands of customers (principally women and a large number of elderly people), who will suffer the loss of an important social amenity and hardworking British taxpayers, who will be left to foot the bill for the loss of bingo's substantial contribution to the economy.

I am supporting the campaign for a better deal for bingo here in Harlow and all over the United Kingdom and I urge you to do the same.