General Election Day Eighteen: Celebrating St George's Day

Many of you will know that I have been campaigning hard for a Bank Holiday on St George's Day and today we were out in force handing out posters and petition cards. We had a magnificent response from the Public and were joined for a time, by Conservative Business Spokesman, Mark Prisk.

At the crack of dawn, I had been at a breakfast meeting with the Essex Federation of Small Businesses. It was a useful discussion, looking at measures to help stimulate small business. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and it is good Conservatives plan to lower business taxes, implement automatic relief for small business rates and ensure that with new local regeneration schemes, business rates raised in the locality are kept in the locality. With all the regeneration planned in Harlow, this should help our town considerably.

The best part of the day came when a whole group of Harlow College students stood around one of my boards and wanted their picture taken! I was really glad to win their support, particularly after my hustings in the college on Wednesday.

After some more leafleting and canvassing with our team, it was a visit to the White Horse Pub in Old Harlow, and to Mr Stuart Crook, a strong supporter. He has a huge Tory sign outside his house. Finally it was to Harlow Conservative Ladies St George's Night quiz which was great fun. I must admit, I am glad to finally put my feet up.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Parking Angels helped us get to Jerusalem

Yet another St George's Festivity today - and definitely the last - at least for this year. Vanda and I were invited to the Royal Albert Hall, for a St George's Day Gala concert. All the concert pieces - played by the Royal Philarmonic Orchestra, were English favourites such as Jerusalem and 'We'll meet again'. The Royal Albert Hall is a beautiful venue and was absolutely packed for the occasion. Everyone was waving St George's Day flags and singing heartily, including Andrew Rosindell, Romford MP, who we were sitting with. Andrew is well known for his love of all things English and is a campaigner for all proud Englishmen and women in the House of Commons. I showed Andrew, our St George's Day Cards, which we have sent to every house in Harlow and he was mightily impressed.

By amazing coincidence, I bumped into a lady from Potter Street, Mrs Betty Smith (see the picture above), on one floor and then, Don and Hilda Gillespie, from Copse Hill on another. Extraordinary. Clearly Harlow residents were out in force to watch the concert - in fact, Mrs Smith told me that she had come with a whole coach full of locals!

We had a nightmare journey to London as the roads were blocked because of the London Marathon (which, being a noodle head, I had completely forgotten about). Yet, with a fair wind, we still got to the Royal Albert Hall, just in time. Thanks to a kind hearted Parking Angel, we managed to put the car exactly outside the entrance we needed to go in.

Anyway, it was a special way to spend our Sunday, and I can say that I could not have had a better St George's week. Starting last Saturday, giving out cards, in Broadwalk, to the Rainbow and Dove on Friday, watching the Essex Yeomanry yesterday, and today at the Royal Albert Hall, it feels good to be an Englishman, born and bred.

Goodnight for now.

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

Proud of England, Pride in Harlow

Saturday was a unique day in Harlow. As part of the celebrations of St George's Day earlier in the week, the Essex Yeomanry were given freedom to enter the town. It was a very proud occasion. In front of an assorted array of dignitaries, including the Lord Lieutenant, the High Sheriff and Council Chairman Cllr. Tony Hall, the Essex Yeomanry, received the Freedom Charter, and marched through Broadwalk, College Square and the Water Gardens. I felt privileged to be there, and it was great that so many members of the public came to watch. We all felt proud and very happy to be celebrating our heritage in this way. What was good too, was that the Yeomanry were joined by Harlow war veterans, the British Legion and the various cadet forces. I had a long talk after with the RAF Cadets and St Johns Ambulance and it is a tribute to their members, that these organisations are so strong in our community.

P.S. I hope you like the pictures. As you can see one shows, Cllrs. Andrew Johnson, Shona, and daughter Alexi, who were all keen to wave the flag of St George!

P.P.S. You can read the distinguished history of the Essex Yeomanry here.

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

No more Eels for Vanda

We were out celebrating St George's festival tonight at the wonderful Rainbow and Dove in Hastingwood - one of my favourite Pubs. In a tribute to St George, the whole menu was the best of English food and it was absolutely delicious. Vanda and I were with our friends, Lee and Sarah Dangerfield. Don't tell anyone, but Sarah particularly enjoyed the desserts!! Vanda, being from Brazil, and somewhat brave, decided to try, the most English of dishes, Jellied Eels. I somehow get the feeling that this was the first and last time, she will be enjoying such a delicacy. I of course, being adventurous, had a first rate steak and chips, with sponge and custard for dessert. Rumours that I had to be carried home, are of course exaggerated.

All in all a great evening. The Rainbow and Dove, did England proud, as we all put on the pounds!

P.S. Looking forward to further celebrations tomorrow, when the Essex Yeomanry march through Harlow, in what is an historic occasion.

From St George to Bingo and Whizzkidz

As you know, from a previous posting, I am a great fan of Harlow Bingo Club. So I was delighted to be invited today to help the Club launch their new venture with Whizzkidz. From what I can see, Whizzkidz, is a pretty remarkable charity that helps young disabled people. Harlow Bingo Club has come up with a great idea which involves raising funds for Whizzkidz to get wheelchairs for youngsters. The Club is inviting members to donate unused and old mobile phones, which the club will sell for cash, with all proceeds going to the charity.

I have a strong belief that the Bingo Club is a real community institution in Harlow, and their latest effort is a tribute to the club, its manager, Bernie Dullaghan and Deputy Manager, Steve. Incidentally, it was lovely to go into the Club today and see staff decked out in St George's Day outfits and special St George's celebrations going on indoors. Having gone to the Club, straight after handing out thousands of St George's Day Cards in Broadwalk, I felt immediately at home!

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

Happy St George's Day!

We are in Broadwalk this morning, near Boots, handing out St George's day Cards. As I mentioned in my Sunday posting, I am campaigning for St George's Day to be a Public Holiday. After all, we celebrate everything else! Hope to see you - we will be there until 1230.

P.S. Don't forget to sign the petition on the top-right of this blog!

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

Celebrating St George's day

Most Saturdays, I go around Harlow campaigning and yesterday was no exception. A team of us, were out and about in Broadwalk, in advance of St George's Day on Thursday 23 April. We were handing out special St George's day cards and posters, which were so popular, thousands were given out over a few hours.

I passionately believe that St George's Day, should be a public holiday, and to this end, I am also delivering a St George's Day Card to every home in Harlow and the surrounding villages of Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon and Sheering. The Card has a tear-off slip/petition form, which invites people to sign a petition and send it back to me. If, as expected, we get a good response, we plan to present the Petition in Westminster.

What was great about our efforts on Saturday, was not just the popularity of the St George's Day materials, but that they were taken, with great enthusiasm, by young and old alike. It is wonderful that there is a renewed sense of English Indentity, that everyone is so proud to be English, and not ashamed to celebrate it. After all, as one local resident said to me in Broadwalk "everyone else celebrates their special days, why shouldn't the English be allowed to as well". I heartily agree.

If I don't see you before, Very happy St George's Day for 23 April.

P.S. Have a look at this site for some great downloads.

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