General Election Day Four: Visiting Harlow Gymnastics Club

A hard-working day campaigning all over Harlow (see the happy customer above), was capped by two important events during the evening. The first was a visit to Harlow Gymnastics Club at their new home in Sumners Leisure Centre. I was accompanied by Paralympian Ann Strike and Andrew Mitchell MP (Conservative Spokesman for International Development in the Shadow Cabinet). I had asked Andrew to see the Club and also meet with Ann, to talk about her overseas aid work in Africa.

The Club youngsters put on a gymtastic display that had musical accompaniment, superb somersaults and much more besides. Quite amazing.

After, I went to the leaving party of Patsy Dye, whom, after many years has left the Harlow Homeless Centre. She has done a remarkable job in looking after the homeless and has taught me much. So many people were there to wish her well - the Hare Street Pub was packed to the rafters.

Finally, it was then a meeting with some of the team - a good time to catch up. I am really lucky to have such strong colleagues. Alongside the hard work, there is always plenty of wit and banter. Those present were of course eating Cameron crisps!

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Hello everyone, welcome to my blog!

Well despite the snow, its been a busy week, although I did stay at home on Monday. When I woke up, I thought I was in Narnia and my girlfriend Vanda, (who has never seen snow before, as she is from Brazil), was quick to make a big fat snowman outside our house.

Nevertheless, being at home had its advantages. I caught up on my emails at last.
I got a remarkable one from a lady in Harlow who has started a web company called Scents-Ability which sells all sorts of scented goodies. This lady is all the more remarkable because she has suffered some illnesses, yet is determined to be a success. I know she will be.

Tomorrow night, I have been invited to open the White Horse Pub in Old Harlow ,which should be fun. It is a lovely Pub and I am sure it will be a great success. Afterwards, I have to rush off to a Roydon Parish Council. Villagers are quite worried about Government plans to build hundreds of thousands of houses over the Essex countryside and also determined to resist Government plans for extra gypsy sites.

On Friday, I am looking forward to visiting Rotary Watches. This Swiss watch company is over a 100 years old and is still run by the same Dreyfuss family that started it all those years ago. Amazingly, the company has a big factory in Essex, in Westcliff on Sea. I love watches and clocks, so it will be fascinating to see.

Finally, in this cold but beautiful snow, although many of us have fun, we should remember the homeless who have it harder than ever this time of year. I pay tribute to Patsy Dye of the Harlow Streets to Homes Centre who organised a night shelter recently. I am proud to be patron of this amazing charity.

Until next time.






Rob Halfon ~ Working hard for Harlow, Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon & Sheering.