Vera the Brave - walking around Berecroft

I met a wonderful elderly Lady today. In fact I have written about her before on this blog. Her name is Vera and she lives in Berecroft - directly opposite the House burnt in the recent fire. Despite having been close to the fire, and incredibly close to danger, Vera was brave, and has taken all the difficulties on the chin. Vera had the same community spirit as many Berecroft residents.

As I knocked on Berecroft doors - with Staple Tye Cllr. Lee Dangerfield today - to hear residents' concerns, I was struck by how few complained, despite suffering enormous aggravation and inconvenience because of the fire. It was also good to see the respect in which Lee Dangerfield is held. He is a true example of a Councillor who really is there for his ward constituents -when they need him.

Most residents are anxiously awaiting the Fire Report. Some who have bought their homes, are concerned about the safety of their roofs, in the event of another fire taking place. I can only hope that the Report assuages their concerns and I look forward to attending the next residents meeting when the Report is discussed.

A number of 'Berecrofters', also showed me all the gutterage problems on the parts of the Estate. I was astonished to see raised paving stones, cracked paths, which are clearly a danger, particularly to the infirm. I even saw a raised-shed apparently caused by the drainage issue. Although there is apparently some kind of plan in the offing to deal with this, it has gone on for far too long. I will be writing to the Housing Association to find out exactly what the plans are, and when they are to be implemented. Residents should have not have had to suffer this unnecessary inconvenience for so many months.

P.S. The photos show the fire at Berecroft, Vera and I, and results caused by the gutterage problem.

Please excuse the video being lop-sided. I have a new Samsung Camcorder and haven't yet worked out how to rotate recordings. Any suggestions, welcome!

Who says romance is dead? Not on the buses it isn't!

Here is a nice Bank Holiday Story for you!

I was at a Staple Tye community party on Saturday evening, in St James Church Hall, organised by local Conservatives. I met a couple madly in love, Vera and Paul (see picture). What is so lovely about their story is that they met on the bus - literally. Paul is a Bus driver for Arriva in Harlow, and Vera is a regular passenger. The romance started with Vera chatting to Paul on the bus and moved on to cups of tea and then some true romancing. Now a day never goes by, without Paul and Vera being together.

Vera, although a senior pensioner, is as fit as a fiddle, and often goes out delivering leaflets and for long walks. I hope that when I reach their mature age, I will not only be as sprightly, but will be as romantic as well! Now where is Vanda........

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

The longest day

A day is a long time in politics and today seemed to be the longest one ever as we were campaigning hard for the Staple Tye By-Election. Many party workers started work at 0600 as last minute leaflets went out to every home and final canvas cards prepared.

I spent part of the day telephoning voters and also giving lifts to a number of people who needed assistance going to the polling station. I was also doing various other duties to help try and help our excellent Candidate Lorraine Caldarella win the seat.

In the end, despite an excellent campaign and non-stop work on the doorstep by Lorraine and many others, we were not successful. The Liberal Democrats were elected, winning just 66 votes more than us, with Labour coming third.

Whilst I congratulate the newly elected Councillor John Strachan, we should not forget that Staple Tye has been a Liberal Ward for many years and only elected Conservatives in very recent local elections.

In Politics you have to take the downs as well as the ups, and there is no denying that we Conservatives had a difficult night. I have always believed that the best test of a Leader is not when he is winning, but how he recovers from adversity. So, the same is with our Party.

We will learn from our defeat and be better and stronger for the months ahead. I know that Cllr Lee Dangerfield, working together with Lorraine as Community Case-worker, will do all they can to help local residents and make Staple Tye an even better place to live.

At least we have the Bank Holiday weekend to recuperate...

Meeting Berecroft residents

One of the best things about being a Prospective MP, is that I am able to visit community organisations across the Constituency. As you know from my earlier post, we had a VIP visit in Harlow today. Alistair Burt, a senior Conservative, who is passionate about social justice and community activity, came to visit Berecroft Residents Association, Chaired by Zulgar Cheema, in Staple Tye. Alistair was here to listen and learn and go back to Westminster to report what residents were saying.

Berecroft Residents is a remarkable group. Cheema is someone who is passionate about making Berecroft better for local residents and he, and members of the Residents group, have worked day and night to try and improve things.

Together with Cllr. Lee Dangerfield, who lives on the Estate, Berecroft has seen a number of improvements, including better street lighting and a fabulous community office, which is used for events, a youth club and computer training. Despite a recent arson attack on the community office, the BRA ensured that it was re-opened as soon as possible.

Today Alistair sat with residents to discuss local issues, including education, anti-social behaviour, youth matters and regeneration. It was a good meeting and a delicious lunch was provided. BRA is a model residents association - those who live on the Estate are lucky to be represented by a team, who will stop at nothing to make Berecroft an even better place to live.

After Berecroft, we rushed over to the Maybury Centre, which I will write about in a separate blog.....I shall also add some more photos later.

Wind, Rain and Hailstones but still there is canvassing!!!

We had an Action Day today in Staple Tye - for the by election on 30 April. When I stepped out of my front door this morning, and saw the weather, between you and me, I secretly hoped it might be cancelled!!

But no such luck! Local Conservatives are determined to win the by-election and were out in force. So Vanda and I went out to leaflet outside Lidles in Staple Tye. Vanda (my girlfriend) is from Brazil and used to 90 degrees weather, so she was freezing. We warmed up with a short break thanks to some McDonald's Cappuccinos.

We had a really good response in Staple Tye, and many people wished me luck in the General Election, even though it might be next year.

People are fed up with Gordon Brown. One lady told me how she had saved all her life and now her savings were worth nothing - thanks to the Government's mishandling of the economy.

After a hot soup lunch in Latton Bush, we were out again canvassing in Copse Hill Close. Again, a really good response - even previous Liberal voters were waivering and said they might vote Tory this time. I love the big hand in Gladwyn Court, so the photo shows Clive Souter and I standing by it, after a good afternoons efforts.

Tonight some friends have arranged a 40th birthday party for me in a Pub in Roydon which should be fun! More on that in my next post.