14/06/2013
A Busy Summer's Day
This column, in recent weeks, has largely been a diary of good news and happy events (www.helengrant.org/km-columns) and last Saturday was no exception. Simon and I awoke in our Marden cottage after some lively debate over a Friday night supper with good friends just round the corner.
My first constituency engagement was an invitation from Scout Leader, Terry Davies, to officially open Sissinghurst Beaver Scouts' project for 2013 (www.wealdscouts.org.uk). We were at Hartley House Care Home in Cranbrook where Terry's late mother, Freda, was a very happy resident.
This year, the Scouts, Cubs and Beavers have created a 'sensory garden', as well as some super artworks to adorn newly built courtyard facilities at this excellent home. I planted an Acer tree and was presented with a lovely hand-tied posy and a hand-made bird box for my garden (I am told the Queen also has one just like it!).
Another opening awaited me at 11 a.m., as I accepted Councillor Wilson's invitation to re-open the extensively renovated Cobtree Manor Park, just north of the M20 near the museum of Kent Life. A great place for families with children, I would highly recommend it for a day out (www.cobtreepark.co.uk).
As Honorary Vice President of Maidstone Mencap, I then had the pleasure once again to open their Summer Fayre in Mote Park. The Cobtree Scottish Country Dance Group, stalwart supporters of Mencap, presented us with a cheque for £4000, whilst Simon crept away buying home-made cakes.
My schedule for Saturday concluded by joining with the Maidstone Disabled Christian Fellowship at Allington Baptist Church. Once again I was with some familiar faces and it was good to meet others whom I had not met before, but who I have been able to assist through my constituency work. I gave a talk about my first three years as a Member of Parliament and Simon did the slide show.
Home then to the ministerial boxes, very happy and proud to be the elected member for Maidstone & The Weald.
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Helen's column is published in The Kent Messenger and on this website each Friday.
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