A short message to wish you a very Happy Easter. Spring has really sprung for Easter this year. The last few weeks have been glorious – golden sunshine, fluffy lambs, billowing blossom…the countryside looking its best. I felt particularly lucky that one of my recent constituency visits on a sunny Friday was to Stoneacre, a medieval Yeoman's House near Maidstone. It’s cared for by a team of dedicated National Trust staff and volunteers, who keep the gardens and meadow around the house looking perfect. They can tell you all about its history too and it’s well worth a visit. My visit coincided with English Tourism Week, which I see as a chance to support local businesses and charities which depend on tourists for income. Tourism is an important local industry. It contributes over £4.1 billion to the Kent economy and provides 76,000 jobs - of which 3 out of every 5 are in food and drink. Hospitality has struggled in recent years with the pandemic, inflation and most recently, the tax increases in the budget. So from my point of view, all the more reason to get out and about and support local pubs, restaurants, cafes and tea rooms. Many of you may be going away for Easter holidays, but if you’re staying put please seize the chance to support some of our local destinations. Leeds Castle, Belmont House, Doddington Place Gardens, Stoneacre, Kent Life, Shepherd Neame Brewery, the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale… no doubt I have missed some off this list, but these are all places I’ve visited in the last few years and have no hesitation in recommending. Whatever you plan to do this weekend, I wish you a Happy Easter. | 
