It feels like October has passed in a flash, the clocks have gone back, the dark evenings are upon us and Halloween decorations are in place to spook any visiting trick-or-treaters.

So, my mind is now turning to thoughts of Christmas and all the planning that needs to be done. Top of my ‘to do’ list is my annual Parliamentary Volunteers Reception. Regular readers will know that I arrange this as my way of saying thank you to some of our fantastic local volunteers for their tireless efforts in our community groups and charities.

Taking place in December, it’s an opportunity to raise a glass to some of the individuals and organisations who make Gosport, Lee-on-the-Solent, Stubbington and Hill Head special places to live. Nominations close on Sunday at 18:00, so if there’s a particular group which makes a difference to the lives of you or your family members - maybe a kids sports team, a health support club or a group who tend our local beaches and green spaces - please email me at [email protected].

Talking of fantastic local groups, this month I caught-up with the Lee ICANGO team in Lee-on-the-Solent with the Community Transport Association to mark Community Transport Week. It was a great way of thanking the team of dedicated volunteers who help get local residents out and about. Lee ICANGO makes around 40 journeys each month with 12 trained drivers supporting the elderly, isolated or those with mobility issues. You can find out more about the group here.

It was a pleasure to visit Info Fest arranged by another great community group, the Gosport Older Persons Forum. This annual event offers free advice on the numerous activities, info and support available for local residents aged over 55. Find out more here.

I paid tribute to another awesome group of volunteers - our Independent Lifeboat crew at GAFIRS in Stokes Bay, in a Parliamentary debate. One of the busiest coastal search and rescue teams in the country, GAFIRS are on hand to save lives 24/7 and 365 days a year. Yet, like many others they face the challenge of raising funds to maintain highly expensive stations and assets at the same time as allocating time and resources to recruit and train volunteers with the necessary skills. You can listen to what I said in the debate here.

More inspiration came this month in the form of Becks’ Slimming World group in Bridgemary. In a truly heartwarming and uplifting visit I heard so many incredible stories of weight loss leading to improved health, wellbeing and confidence. To see what’s on offer and how you can join, check here.

I celebrated British Beauty Week with the team at Katie Preston Beauty Salon in Stoke Road. The beauty industry is worth £5 billion to our economy, and these small businesses are the cornerstone of our high streets. And yet, so many of them are facing growing challenges due to the Government’s changes to taxes like business rates and Employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs). They will be listening to November’s Budget with great interest.

Parliament marked the 75th anniversary of the reopening of the House of Commons Chamber after the destruction brought by the Second World War. 

You can hear what Winston Churchill said about this at the time here.

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We received great news this month that up to £20 million has been earmarked for Pride in Place investment in Rowner. This sum of money has the potential to turbo-charge the regeneration of community facilities in the area, as long as local people are given the lead in determining the priorities. I do have concerns that Gosport Borough Council have been put in charge of this process, which could see funds being diverted to vanity projects such as the Criterion Theatre. I shared this thought in Parliament with the Housing, Communities and Local Government Minister, Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, for reassurance on the process of funding distribution and its protections. You can watch our exchange here.

More great news! Motiv8 South has been awarded £750,000 from Arts Council England and the National Lottery Creative People and Places programme. This money will be used to deliver a brand-new cultural initiative – Gosport Routes. The programme will span over 3 years, focusing initially on Rowner and the Town Centre, then Forton and Bridgemary. Most importantly, this cultural offer will be shaped by local people who will have a say in leading the projects that matter most to them. I worked really hard to get Gosport onto the Arts Council list of Priority Places a couple of years ago and I am so proud to hear about this success.

There is also good news for the residents of Priddy’s Hard with £12,232 allocated for the renovation of Sovereign Avenue play area. After months of communication with Gosport Borough Council, I have now heard that this funding will be used to replace the roundabout and the safety surface. The state of the play area has been a topic of frequent discussion with constituents, so I am delighted about this outcome.

Regular readers will be aware of my Royal Clarence Yard Working Group. It met again this month with representatives from Gosport Borough Council, Victoria Quay, the Oil and Pipelines Agency, Berkeley Homes and others, to monitor the progress on projects supported via the Levelling Up Fund. I am glad to say that Rum Store re-development is underway, and Gosport Borough Council are working to secure the waterfront path from Royal Clarence Yard to the ferry gardens.

You might also have noticed my obsession with finding positive future uses for some of the numerous disused military sites in our region. I passionately believe that sites like Fort Blockhouse can have a bright future which boosts opportunity, prosperity and economic growth. I was happy to speak about this at a Defence Summit, hosted by MurrayTwohig and Plexal at the Explosion Museum in Priddy’s Hard.

The Home Office held a public event at Thorngate Halls to share details of development progress of the Haslar Immigration Removal Centre. We learned that the initial phase of the site will now most likely not open until early 2027. We also had a first look at plans for the next stage of the development, which at three stories high in places, is taller than we had initially been led to believe. While I was grateful to the Home Office team for arranging the event there are still a number of questions that remain unanswered and there is now a dedicated contact address [email protected] for local people to share their thoughts and queries. Amid unhelpful rumours that the site was already operational, I sought clarity from the Home Office confirming this is not the case - you can read it here.

I caught up with global aerospace company Eaton at the Daedalus Enterprise Zone to see the firm’s plans for an impressive new manufacturing facility at the site. Construction is already underway, and the company will relocate from their current Segensworth premises to the Daedalus business hub.

And finally - I joined a very special 102nd Birthday party for Bob Jepson at Canford Manor Nursing Home in Lee-on-the-Solent. 

Many of you will remember Bob who ran the butchers shop on Pier Street in Lee nearly 40 years ago. 

It was lovely to join the celebrations for such a remarkable milestone.

© 2024 Caroline Dinenage