Good Evening john,

My newsletter includes reporting on my visit to Ponteland High School, supporting rural businesses in Slaley and Acomb, and a new government grant for Allendale Youth Club. 

As ever, if you have an issue you would like to raise with me as your local Member of Parliament, please email me at: [email protected].

🏫 Meeting future MPs at Ponteland High School.



Last week I attended Ponteland High School for a Q&A with pupils about life as an MP, as well as the local issues that matter to them. 

As part of the visit, it was fantastic to catch up with James Hickie and Rosie Bell who are the elected Youth Parliament representatives for the area. I also met with Isabella Samples, a candidate for Youth Parliament this year, whom I very much expect to be on the green benches in the House of Commons in the near future. 

My thanks as ever to headteacher Stefan McElwee and the hardworking staff at the school. All students were a real credit to the high school, and I wish them luck in their future. 

🏆 Visiting Local Nominees for the Rural Oscars



The Countryside Alliance is celebrating rural businesses who go the extra mile to serve their local community in their ‘Rural Oscars’ awards. 

The Awards are public-nomination-led, meaning businesses are nominated by their loyal customers who value their remarkable contribution to the local area. 

I was delighted to see that North Acomb Farm Shop and Slaley Village Farm Shop have each been nominated for an award. 

I visited the teams at Acomb and Slaley over the weekend to congratulate them in person, and to thank them for everything they do locally to provide high-quality food and drink to our tight-knit rural communities. 
Both are worthy winners, so I am not taking a side in the coveted Rural Oscars competition, but please do vote for your favourite local rural shop here: https://www.countryside-alliance.org/campaigns/countryside-alliance-awards/voting-open-2024 

I have also launched my own Rural Business of the Year Competition. If you know a local rural shop that serves the community well, please nominate them below 👇

https://letstalk.conservatives.com/BE1A65FD-CDDF-EE11-A3B7-00505693FFD8

🥳 Government grant breathes new life into Allendale Youth Ambition

 

Allendale Youth Club has received £55,144.00 as part of the UK Government's Youth Investment Fund to rebuild or refurbish youth and community centres across the country. 

The Youth Club offers a range of activities to young people from the local rural area, running engaging programmes designed to equip them with the skills they need for later life. 

The grant will go towards dealing with the damp inside parts of the building, provide a brand-new kitchen, new floor throughout, food preparation, and a new toilet facility. When the works are completed, a brand-new cookery programme for young people will be set up. It is expected that the grant will attract an additional 40 youth club members. 

Coming from a rural background myself, I know how important it is to have access to local facilities, particularly at a young age. It was a pleasure to visit the Youth Club to see first-hand the difference this funding will make to life chances for children in and around Allendale. 

I want to thank Julie Humes and the team at the Youth Club who work so hard to provide to ensure this warm and welcoming space serves as the heart of the local community.

Guy Opperman MP

Member of Parliament for Tynedale and Ponteland