Congratulations Harlow Homeless Centre

On Saturday, it was so good to be in the sunshine watching the Rotary Club Abseiling event. This is where a number of very brave people, abseil off the Water Tower in Church Langley, for charity, an event which happens every year.

The event at the Water Tower is organised with military like efficiency, as volunteer stewards ensure that the event runs smoothly. Many local charities and voluntary groups take part, including Harlow Stroke Association, St Clare's Hospice, and Streets 2 Homes (of which I am proud to be Patron). There is also a lovely marquee in which wives and partners of Rotary Club members, sell tea, coffee, delicious sandwiches and cakes.

I was pleased to be able to support Harlow Homeless Centre and Ron Hetem, once homeless, now a volunteer for Streets 2 Homes. Ron works incredibly hard for the Homeless Centre, and does all he can to raise funds, including organising an annual golf day. You can read his story HERE. Ron was going to abseil but had a bad knee, so his place was taken by Geoff.

I am told that the Rotary raises around £500,000 for local charities from the abseiling event which is quite astonishing, particularly in these times of the credit crunch. Those volunteers who abseil, are very courageous. I watched pensioners aged 84 and 94 abseil off the Tower. I got giddy just looking at the people at the top!

Looking forward to next year.

P.S. You can see the video of Geoff's abseil HERE

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

Pubs and Watches

Its been a busy but enjoyable few days and I have had loads to do.

On Thursday night, I was invited to open the new White Horse Pub in Old Harlow. The new landlord, Graham Northcott and a number of committed partners, has taken over the pub, and in the space of three weeks - has entirely rebuilt the whole Pub. It really looks amazing and I am sure it will be a great success.

Graham said to me that it had always been his dream to open a Pub, so it was good to see a dream coming reality. Many Pubs in Harlow are having a tough time given the Recession and the Government's handling of the economy and a number have closed in recent weeks. I am sure that the White Horse will buck the trend.

I had to rush off to Roydon for a Parish Council meeting as I am a local Councillor and I arrived 30 mins late (although I had told the Chairman beforehand). As I sat down I dropped my Blackberry on the floor and it then started ringing, so my late entrance was slightly embarrassing!! At the meeting we discussed giving money to the local Citizens Advice Bureau and I am glad that a grant was given. CAB does a great job and should be supported.

On Friday I was invited to visit Rotary Watches in Westcliff-on-Sea. This is an amazing place. It is where they make and service all their watches. We should be proud that this company, which started in 1895 in Switzerland, uses the best of English craftsmanship and is based in Essex (see picture).

Then it was back to Harlow, in time to attend the Council Chairman's charity night at Harlow F.C. in aid of child Victims of Crime. The cold weather meant that attendance was low, but it was good to chat to the Simon Morgan, Harlow F.C. Chairman whilst I was there.

Saturday morning meant catching up with constituency correspondence and making telephone calls.

The afternoon and evening were pure treats. I was invited to watch Chelsea and met my childhood hero, Kerry Dixon. Even though we were rubbish against Hull, meeting Kerry helped to soothe the pain!

After I went to see the new film Benjamin Button with my girlfriend Vanda. She was really keen to watch it, before she goes back to Brazil on Thursday.

It is really weird and stars Brad Pitt who is born old and grows younger every day - and falls in love with Cate Blanchett! I suppose the moral of the film is that you can never take time for granted. I certainly didn't as the film was over 3 hours long! But we enjoyed it anyway.

Anyway, I hope to have a peaceful Sunday, as I have a big work week ahead. I hope you enjoy yours.

Welcome to my Blog

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.