I hope you find this newsletter a useful summary of local support, initiatives, COVID-19 updates and my work on your behalf.


** HUW MERRIMAN MP NEWSLETTER
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Dear Resident,

I hope this email finds you well.

It has been a busy month both locally and in Parliament, with the local elections, English Tourism Week, the State Opening of Parliament and the Queen’s Speech.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting out and about in the constituency, meeting many of you while celebrating our fantastic local businesses and tourism attractions. You can find a report on my visits during English Tourism Week below my newsletter updates in red.

May was Local and Community History Month and my team and I discovered some fascinating facts about our area, which I shared on Facebook. Below the section on English Tourism Week, you can find all the facts I shared about our area in pink.

I hope you find this newsletter a useful summary of my work on your behalf.

Stay well,

Huw

Local Vaccine Update

As of 10 June, a total of 1,872,186 vaccinations have been administered across Sussex. The latest data shows that 96.1% of all those over 50 have now received their first dose, and 87.4 have received their second.

This week 25 to 29 year olds have become eligible for their vaccination.

People in this age group are starting to receive a text message to invite them to their vaccination, and the National Booking Service is now open for anyone in this age group to arrange their appointment.

GP led local vaccination services are also contacting patients who are now eligible to invite them for their vaccination.

It is the first step into the final age group to become eligible for their vaccination – those aged 18-29 – with the rest of the group expected to become eligible in the coming days.

The JCVI set out guidance that people under the age of 40 should be offered the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. This is now in action locally.

Find out more about Sussex’s vaccination programme here ([link removed] ) .

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The Queen's Speech

Last month saw the State Opening of Parliament and the Queen’s Speech. Her Majesty outlined the Government’s legislative agenda for the coming session, including welcome plans on social care, planning, and connectivity.

Watch me discuss the Queen's Speech ([link removed] ) here ([link removed] ) .

Watch me speak in the Queen's Speech Debate here ([link removed]) .

Supporting Access to Abortion in Northern Ireland

I was selected to sit on the Delegated Legislation Committee to scrutinise the legislation to enable women and girls in Northern Ireland to have access to abortion closer to home.

The Supreme Court was clear that our laws were out of kilter with our human rights obligations, and we must set this right if we are to encourage other countries to do keep with their international commitments. This is a deeply complex and emotive issue but having visited Northern Ireland and met the women unable to access this crucial service, I am in no doubt that enacting this legislation is the correct thing to do.

You can watch my speech at the Committee
here ([link removed] ) .

Campaign to Support Public Transport

Last month, I helped the Campaign for Better Transport launch their campaign to get people back on board public transport.

This campaign calls on the Government to support public transport by actively encouraging people to use buses, trains, coaches and trams as restrictions ease, and introducing an incentive scheme to help boost passenger numbers as part of a national plan to place public transport at the heart of a green recovery.

Brain Tumour Awareness

Did you know that brain tumours kill more children and adults under 40 than any type of cancer and one in three people need to visit a medical professional more than five times before a brain tumour diagnosis?

This means it is vital that everyone knows the signs and symptoms of brain tumours, especially in younger people.

Please do have a look at HeadSmart’s fantastic resources on the signs and symptoms of brain tumours
here ([link removed]) .

Music for Dementia

I’ve recently taken up the challenge to become a Music for Dementia Champion and make sure everyone living with dementia has the right to access and enjoy music.

I know from my visits to local care homes which specialise in caring for residents with dementia, just how important music is. Music brings back good memories, creates a sense of connection with those around you and gives people a feeling of happiness and well-being.

People with dementia and their carers were particularly hard hit as a result of Covid-19 and were more likely to feel lonely, depressed and/or isolated, yet music has the power to reconnect people with dementia with their loved ones. I’d urge everyone to add their voice to this campaign and find out more about the benefits of music.

Find out more about the campaign here ([link removed]) .

Autism APPG

I have recently been elected as the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Autism following the sad passing of my colleague Dame Cheryl Gillan who previously led the group. She was a formidable and long standing staunch advocate for autistic people and their families and I know members of the APPG will work hard together to continue Dame Cheryl’s remarkable legacy – which has left very big boots to fill indeed.

It is a great shame that Dame Cheryl will not be with us to review the Government’s upcoming Autism Strategy which we expect in the next few months.

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Importance of Working Together

I thoroughly enjoyed campaigning at the recent local elections, and a key aspect of this was working together. At election time, we all do our best to get our own candidates elected. After the election, those who get into office should put down their party politics and join forces to bring about improvements for the residents we are elected to represent. That’s what makes this part of the country so special.

For the new County Councillors coming in, it’s essential that those who get in to office set a bold strategy for the officials in County Hall. There’s a lot of a Government money coming for new projects which will improve local infrastructure and services.

Read more here ([link removed]) .

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Transport Committee

A recent Transport Committee session focused on the appraisal and delivery of major transport infrastructure projects. I asked Nick Smallwood, the CEO of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority for his views on whether the lower level of transport spend in the South East compared to the North West is desirable given the higher rates of increase in new housing in our region.

Watch here ([link removed]) .

Visit to Battle Abbey

I spent a wonderful afternoon at Battle Abbey. It's great that both inside and outside are now open to everyone to enjoy, and a big thank you to Natasha for showing me around.

Make sure you book your space in advance so you don't miss out here ([link removed]) .

Find out more about my visit here ([link removed]) .

Visit to Battle Brewery

It was great to visit Battle Brewery to mark English Tourism Week and celebrate a wonderful local business.

A big thank you to Joanna for talking me through all their beers - a few of which I've already sampled and I can tell you they are superb!

If you live near Battle, make sure to pop in and try some for yourself, or you can order them online here ([link removed]) .

Find out more about my visit here ([link removed]) .

Visit to Kent and East Sussex Railway

The Kent & East Sussex Railway has been serving us locally since 1974 and continues to be a fantastic day out for the family, and a great opportunity to see our beautiful area's countryside! Well worth a visit!

Visit Kent and East Sussex Railway's website here ([link removed]) .

Find out more about my visit here ([link removed]) .

Visit to Sarah's Cellar

Wine lovers, make sure you visit Sarah's Cellar on Battle Highstreet for a wonderful variety of locally produced wines!

From Oxney Organic Estate , the largest organic vineyard in the country to Mountfield's Hoffmann & Rathbone, make sure you support local businesses and enjoy delicious wines!

Find out more about Sarah's Cellar and shop online here ([link removed]) .

Find out more about my visit here ([link removed]) .

Visit to Trattoria Deli

Thank you to Piero from Trattoria Italiana for showing me around his fantastic deli in Bexhill.

Whilst it has only been open for a few months, the selection at Trattoria is phenomenal! Whether you are looking for hot food or Italian delicacies, make sure to check Trattoria out!

View their website here ([link removed]) .

Find out more about my visit here ([link removed]) .

Visit to Sobremesa

A huge thank you to Mal from Sobremesa for giving me a master class in South American cooking, right from Bexhill!

Sounds good to you? You can book one for yourself on Sobremesa’s website here ([link removed]) .

Find out more about my visit here ([link removed]) .

South east of Battle, Blackhorse Quarry is a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest that has yielded many fossils including turtles, crocodiles, pterosaurs and dinosaurs (Megalosaurus, Cetiosaurus, Iguanodon Hylaeosaurus).

It is considered to have excellent potential for further finds.

Whilst it is a private site with no public access, you can find out more about the wealth of fossils that have been found there
here ([link removed]) .

Burwash War Memorial stands at the east end of the High Street, just outside the Church of St Bartholomew.

The memorial lists the name, rank, regiment or ship, date of death and the age of some 100 village soldiers, sailors and air men who died in the World Wars.

On the evening of the anniversary of the death of each of those who never came home, a light is turned on at the top of the memorial.

The memorial was opened after the First World War by Rudyard Kipling and it tragically bears the name of his son John, who was killed at the Battle of Loos in August 1916, just six weeks after his 18th birthday.

The original lantern shone from the memorial tower beside the church and was introduced at a time when there was no street lighting, but an electric light has now replaced it.

You can find out more about the memorial and the names it bears
here ([link removed].) .

Lord Shawcross, Britain’s Chief prosecutor at the Nuremberg war crimes trial lived in Cowbeech in the later part of his life.

His most famous line was “There comes a point when a man must refuse to answer to his leader if he is also to answer to his own conscience”.

Lord Shawcross also served as Britain’s principle delegate to the UN immediately after World War 2 and later as Attorney General for England and Wales.

He died in July 2003 at home in Cowbeech at the age of 101 and is buried in Jevington.

You can read more about his fascinating life
here ([link removed]) .

It is believed that the illustration on the Bayeux Tapestry of Saxon homes being destroyed was based on the destructions of Salehurst by the Normans documented in the Domesday Book.

Salehurst was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as having been destroyed by the Normans just before the Battle of Hastings. Historians hold that the illustration on the Bayeux Tapestry of Saxon homes being destroyed was based on events surrounding Salehurst.

Restarting International Travel

Last month, the Transport Secretary announced which countries will fall into which traffic light category ahead of the resumption of international travel.

The end of the travel ban, and the ability to travel to some countries without a return in quarantine, is a welcome step towards restarting international travel. As expected, the approach is cautious. Once this first step delivers the confidence to the Government and the country that travel is safe, the list of green countries should be expanded so more of us can once again enjoy the benefits of travel this summer.

Last month, I asked the Prime Minister to consider widening the countries on the green list as we continue with our vaccination programme, which you can watch here ([link removed]) .

I’ve also pressed the Transport Secretary to make COVID testing for arrivals in the UK cheaper, potentially by asking those arriving from green list countries to take a lateral flow test and only a PCR test if their initial lateral flow shows a positive result. You can watch this exchange
here ([link removed]) .

Following Portugal being added to amber list without being placed on the green watch list, this week I urged the Health Secretary to end the travel uncertainty that consumers and the industry are currently facing. I asked for clarity on what would be an appropriate milestone to unlock international travel. Watch ([link removed]) here ([link removed]) .

This week, I also spoke in the Commons about the need to reunite loved ones living in different countries, to support the aviation industry and again called for the Government to set forward a milestone as to when international travel can resume. Watch ([link removed]) here ([link removed]) .

Yesterday, in my capacity as Chair of the Transport Select Committee I wrote to the Prime Minister seeking urgent clarifications on the traffic light system and requesting a milestone commitment to unlock our skies. Read ([link removed]) here ([link removed]) .

Yesterday, I also wrote to the Home Secretary asking that she ensures the right border force resources are allocated to keep passengers safe and restore confidence in travel. Read ([link removed]) here ([link removed]) .
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Improving Local Planning

I have been working with my colleague, the MP for Hastings and Rye, on our concerns for the future of housing development in our area. We are calling for planning laws be changed in order for it to be made easier to build on land set aside for development and for rules to be tightened to make it harder to develop on land outside of these designated zones.

For so many young people, getting on the housing ladder is not something they aspire to; they think that generations before them had that opportunity and it will not be there for them. To me, that is a tragedy. But with the housing must come the infrastructure, so that not just those moving to the area but those already in it have all the schools, the medical facilities and the roads that they require.

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Belarus' Aviation Piracy

Following Belarus' shocking act of aviation piracy, I asked the Government to call on the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) to re-assess whether Belarus was fit for membership of such an esteemed international organisation.

The Foreign Secretary committed to working with international partners to use the mechanisms and levers within ICAO to ensure a robust response to Belarus' actions. Watch here ([link removed]) .

On Tuesday, the Transport Committee will be holding a one-off session examining the diversion of Ryanair Flight 4978 to Belarus. Will wil be hearing from the Chief Executive of Ryanair, Michael O'Leary alongside academic experts in international law.

Our Committee had requested the presence of Belarus' ambassador to the UK, but our invitation has not, so far, been accepted.

Mental Health Awareness Week

Last month's Mental Health Awareness Week was especially pertinent as I know the pandemic has taken a significant toll on many resident’s mental wellbeing.

Throughout the week, I posted NHS advice and links on how to get support with your mental health on my Facebook page, which I hope residents found useful.

I’d also like to signpost you to a fantastic resource from the NHS which provides top tips on small steps you can take to improve your mental health.

Useful mental health tips from the NHS here ([link removed] ) .

A Decade Since the Winterbourne View Hospital Scandal

This week, I spoke in a Westminster Hall Debate to mark ten years since the Winterbourne View Hospital Scandal.

A decade on, it is clear there is much work to be done. As Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Autism, I look forward to the forthcoming Autism Strategy, and hope it will help deliver many of these much needed changes.

Watch here ([link removed]) .

Dyson Report on the BBC

Following the concerning Dyson Report into the conduct of BBC journalist Martin Bashir, I highlighted the importance of supporting the BBC’s reform in the House of Commons.

I also pressed the Government for further details of their review process into the BBC, which the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has announced will begin imminently.

Watch here ([link removed]) .

Bexhill Observer Article

In my most recent observer article, I discussed the fantastic local places that I had visited during English Tourism Week - places that I think make our area the perfect location for a staycation! Read all about what I got up to during English Tourism Week in the red boxes below.

READ: here ([link removed]) .

Visit to the Bull Inn

A big thank you to Gavin from the Bull Inn for talking me through this fantastic restaurant's ethos and service.

The Bull Inn is located on Battle Highstreet, so do go and fill your boots with locally sourced produce and support our area's businesses!

Book your table and view their menu here ([link removed]) .

Find out more about my visit here ([link removed]) .

Visit to Soar Tour

EXCITING NEW ATTRACTION COMING TO BEXHILL COLONNADE

A big thank you to Alex from Soar Tour for talking me through his new Sussex East Coast virtual reality tour experience, which will be opening in the next 2-3 weeks.

Keep your eyes peeled on my Facebook page for more information on when you can book your place on this fantastic experience!

Find out more about my visit here ([link removed]) .

Visit to Oastbrook Vineyard

Thank you to America from Oastbrook Estate for showing me around the amazing vineyard she runs with her husband Nick, and for talking me through how they make their delicious wines!

TOP TIP: the vineyard is also open for you to visit and learn how their wines are produced and, of course, taste them too!

Book your visit here ([link removed]) .

Find out more about my visit here ([link removed]) .

Visit to Buenos Aires B&B

With beautiful beaches, the rich history of 1066 country and so many fabulous local shops and restaurants, I hope people from across the country will make Bexhill their staycation location of choice.

Why not stay at the lovely Buenos Aires Guest House, Bexhill on Sea where Andy and Rachel are raring to welcome you?

Call 01424 212269 for the best prices and reservations or find out more here ([link removed]) .

Find out more about my visit here ([link removed]) .

Visit to the De La Warr Pavilion

It was wonderful to see The De La Warr Pavilion open to the public again both inside and outside! The team there, headed up by Stewart Drew, have an exciting summer planned with gorgeous exhibitions and socially distanced gigs open to all.

Make sure to keep an eye on their website for the latest updates and to book your slot here ([link removed]) .

Find out more about my visit here ([link removed]) .

Barbara Leigh-Smith Bodichon was a leader in the movement for educational and political rights for women in the 1800s.

In 1858 she set up the English Women’s journal to discuss direct employment and equality issues for women, focusing on manual and intellectual industrial employment, expansion of employment opportunities and reform of women’s rights.

In 1866 she spearheaded a scheme to extend university education to women and eventually co-founded Girton Ladies College in Cambridge.

She had Scalands Gate, now Scalands House, built on the family estate in Brightling, where she entertained friends such as George Elliott. She is buried in the churchyard at Brightling, and her grave was restored in 2007 to mark her dedication to women’s rights.

Following the Black Death’s arrival in Sussex in 1346, the shortage of labour, agricultural depression and feudal dues weighed heavily on the population, and the Weald became an area of unrest and lawlessness with its dense woodland offering shelter to criminals and rebels.

Violence sporadically erupted, and there was a notable incident in 1450 which Shakespeare wrote of in the second part of Henry VI (Scene 10 Act 4), but wrongly placed the scene in Kent.

In September 1066, William the Conqueror landed a French force at Pevensey Bay after an overnight crossing from St Valéry sur Somme. Historians hold that it may well have not been his first choice of landing place, but the troops did so due to the weather.

When William returned to Normandy in March 1067 for the first time since the invasion, he did so symbolically also from Pevensey.

Etchingham’s 14th century parish church dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Mary and St Nicholas has what is believed to be England’s oldest brass weathervane on its spire. It also has the second largest series of misericords in the country.

In January 1863 a Mountfield Farmer, William Butcher, was ploughing his field in the village when he found a number of yellow metal items placed in a pre-prepared pit. He thought it was brass and sold it on to a local ironmonger for scrap, but it was in fact gold!

Most of the objects in the Mountfield Hoard were, therefore, melted down after discovery, but a fragment of a ribbed bracelet and plain bracelet are now kept by the British Museum, who believe they originate from the Middle Bronze Age.

The total weight of the hoard has been estimated at 12 to 13lbs.

The British Museum holds the Mountfield Hoard, what remains of around 12lbs of Middle Bronze Age gold found by a local farmer in 1863.

Find out more about the Mountfield Hoard here ([link removed] January 1863 a Mountfield Farmer, William Butcher, was ploughing his field in the village when he found a number of yellow metal items placed in a pre-prepared pit. He thought it was brass and sold it on to a local ironmonger for scrap, but it was in fact gold! Most of the objects in the Mountfield Hoard were, therefore, melted down after discovery, but a fragment of a ribbed bracelet and plain bracelet are now kept by the British Museum, who believe they originate from the Middle Bronze Age. The total weight of the hoard has been estimated at 12 to 13lbs. The British Museum holds the Mountfield Hoard, what remains of around 12lbs of Middle Bronze Age gold found by a local farmer in 1863. Find out more about the Mountfield Hoard) .

Hooe’s nearness to the sea and remoteness once made it the perfect area for smuggling. Indeed, the Landlord of the Red Lion pub, Jams Blackman, was a member of the Groombridge Gang established in 1733. Much of their goods landed at Pevensey and were secreted in the Ashdown Forest to avoid discovery before being transported to London.

At Boreham Street, you can still see the shaft that smugglers used to lower goods down into a cellar, and in the Smugglers Wheel’s garden, there are remains of a tunnel leading away from the cellar believed to be used by the smugglers.
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