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Welcome to a bumper issue of Denton and Reddish Weekly news!
There wasn't a newsletter last week, so this week there's plenty to update you on. Over the last two weeks I've zipwired across Penrhyn Quarry for Florence, visited the always brilliant Worker Bee Market in Reddish, met some fantastic community champions and much much more.
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APPG on State Pension Inequality for Women: Call for Evidence from 1950s women's groups
The APPG on State Pension Inequality for Women has called on 1950s women’s groups interested in presenting evidence to cross-party parliamentarians to get in touch.
Co-Chairs Andrew Gwynne and Peter Aldous are planning on organising an evidence session in which 1950s women’s groups will be given the opportunity to present to the full APPG and give their perspective on the PHSO report, and any evidence they deem pertinent to the work of the APPG.
Commenting on the planned session, Andrew Gwynne said:
“The APPG is recently reformed, and Peter and I feel really strongly that 1950s-born women should be given the opportunity to give their perspective to the new group on the injustice that they have faced. Additionally, in the aftermath of the PHSO report, it’s more important than ever that we have a good understanding of where 1950s-women’s groups are at, and their thoughts on the recent finding of DWP maladministration.
We hope that by facilitating this session, we will be able to better represent 1950s-born women in Parliament and continue the fight for a fair resolution to an injustice that has gone on for far too long.”
Peter Aldous added:
“The issue of State Pension Inequality for Women is something that runs across party lines. No political party is blameless, and it’s time for the Government to step in and sort this issue once and for all.
I’m looking forward to hearing evidence from 1950s-born women and using this to better inform and drive the work of the APPG.”
To submit evidence email [email protected]. Please include a brief summary of what you wish to present on.
Evidence submissions will close on the 20th of October.
Where possible, and due to time constraints, the APPG requests that branches within larger 1950s-women umbrella organisations feedback to delegated representatives who then present to the APPG. If this is not possible, the APPG may ask for written evidence from branches which will then be distributed among APPG members accordingly.
Once submissions close, the APPG will be in touch to organise specific timings and dates. If necessary, and dependant on demand, the APPG may organise additional sessions. Evidence sessions will take place remotely.
Note: The APPG will be unable to facilitate presentations on individual cases. Presentations will need to be conducted by delegated representatives from 1950s women’s groups. This is due to the sheer volume of women affected by the changes to state pension age. Any individual testimonies - if received - will be collated, anonymised, and internally distributed amongst APPG members
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Gwynne backs 'Animal Welfare Alliance' to protect pets and buyers online
Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, has backed the launch of an unprecedented ‘Animal Welfare Alliance’ which seeks to protect pets and buyers online.
The alliance was launched by the Justice For Reggie campaign, a group formed by the Ackers family after a traumatic experience with online pet fraud. The Ackers bought 12-week old puppy Reggie from an online marketplace during lockdown. Within hours, Reggie fell ill, and died just days later. The family later found out that he was likely bred illegally on a puppy farm.
Since their ordeal, Richard Ackers and his family have been campaigning tirelessly to affect change in the law and current practises. In a short amount of time the campaign has helped form an alliance including major UK pet advertising sites, all working together to share information on suspected illegal sellers across their sites and with enforcement agencies.
Gwynne is a strong supporter of the campaign, and earlier this year signed an Early Day Motion recognising Justice for Reggie and calling on the Government to implement regulatory changes to better protect prospective pets and buyers.
The alliance members have created an easy to follow checklist which will be displayed on all alliance websites, with tips on how to safely buy pets online and links to further information and resources.
They will also display information on how to report animal welfare concerns, suspicious ads and sellers, including links to a confidential reporting form which automatically sends the information to Animal Protection Services to investigate and alert alliance members.
Richard Ackers, founder of the Justice For Reggie Campaign, said:
“We are delighted to have come this far and to be able to launch this alliance with the support of major UK pet advertising sites.
It demonstrates their commitment to promoting animal welfare by working with their competitors and putting pets before profit.”
Commenting on the campaign, Andrew Gwynne said:
“This is such an important campaign, and I’m very grateful to the Justice for Reggie campaign and the Ackers family for taking a traumatic experience and using it to make real positive change.
It’s so important that prospective pet parents are given all the information and tools to make informed decisions, not only for their own benefit, but also for the welfare of these poor animals that are raised in such abhorrent conditions.
I would urge all UK Pet marketplace sites to join this alliance, and help get Justice for Reggie."
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Gwynne and Councillors welcome Stockport's Bredbury Objection
Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, and the Denton South Councillors last week welcomed Stockport Council’s decision to strongly oppose the appeal by Quorum to try and overturn the refused planning permission for the extension of Bredbury Parkway.
In Stockport’s Statement of Case published last week the Council were very clear that the destruction of the Tame Valley can in no way be justified by the ‘very special circumstances’ Quorum claim to have.
Specifically the Statement says that “the very special circumstances necessary to justify the development do not exist. The need and Green Belt location for the development as a whole has not been robustly demonstrated, and therefore the development by definition is harmful to the Green Belt and should not be approved.”
Andrew Gwynne MP said: “This is a very important first step in the appeals process and a significant victory to ensure our beautiful greenbelt is protected. I am delighted that Stockport Council is standing with the residents living nearby who overwhelmingly oppose this greenbelt destruction. I would like to thank the Councillors and Officers in Stockport for taking this position and putting the health and wellbeing of both Stockport and Denton residents first.
Gwynne continued: “However this fight is not over yet, and won’t be until the appeal is refused by the Planning Inspectorate. The Councillors and I will fight tooth and nail until this proposal is dead and buried.”
Councillor Claire Reid added “we still have a long way to go in this process, but for Stockport Council to come out so strongly against the appeal really is the best possible start we could have had. We will let everyone know as soon as the date for the planning appeal is announced, and of continue to keep residents updated every step of the way.”
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Andrew in the Constituency
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Zipwire for Florence  🦅
What an incredible time we all had at Zip World Penrhyn Quarry.
Thank you to all who sponsored us. It was all for a great cause: Fundraising for Florence. If you’re able to chip in and donate some more click here - anything you could spare would mean the world to Florence and her family.
Zip world also provided me with a video from the day which you can watch here!
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Following my visit to Reddish Morrisons, I was invited down to Denton Morrisons to see the work of their increndible community champion Debbie Heywood. She told me all about the ‘it’s good to grow’ initiative with local schools and their food bank collections. When I visited the staff were dressed up and collecting money for Young Lives vs Cancer.
Please support this good cause if you’re in there. 
It’s always great to see these stores helping the locality they serve. I’m half anticipating an invitation from the Dukinfield Morrisons now. 
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Denton Festival Hall 
It was great head over to Denton's Festival Hall to see some major investment underway. Work has started after a sizeable £2.4m Decarbonisation grant was awarded to Tameside Council.
The work will see new windows, insulation, upgraded LED lighting, thermostat controls to all the radiators, boiler upgrades and solar panels on the roof to help this civic building become more sustainable.
It’s nice to see the work starting on this important Denton landmark and civic building.
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St Anne's Primary School Denton
It’s always nice to drop into local schools, and on Tuesday it was the turn of St Anne's Primary School, Denton.
Both Councillor Allison Gwynne and I were invited in to talk to years 5 and 6 about our respective jobs as MP and Councillor as part of “Aspiration Week”, and blimey what a good grilling they gave us both! Who knows, there could be a future MP amongst this crowd?
St Anne’s is a lovely little school. All three of our children attended here, and for a time Allison was Chair of Governors. Thanks to Headteacher, Mrs Rimmer, for also showing us some of the recent improvements to the playground. 
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Parliament is currently in recess due to the recent party conferences. It'll return on the 18th of October.📅
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📰READ: A big thank you to the Mirror for allowing me to write about my own experiences to mark Kinship Care Week. The Government must start stepping up and properly supporting kinship carers. Read my full piece here. |
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1950s-born women silent rally
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📰READ: Thanks to the Express for covering the 1950s women silent rally that I attended on Monday. I spoke alongside co-chair of the All-party parliamentary group on State Pension Inequality for Women Peter Aldous. We're both determined to stand alongside 1950s-born women in their fight for justice. Read the full article here.
You can also watch my full speech here. |
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Citizen's Award for Clem White
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📰READ: Thank you to Tameside Reporter for covering the recent Citizen’s Award presented to the brilliant Clem White.
There’s a couple more awards to be presented in the next few days so please keep an eye out!  |
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A tribute to James Brokenshire
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I am desperately sad to hear of the death of James Brokenshire after his long battle against cancer.
I shadowed him at Communities and Local Government. We were political opponents, but we were also good friends.
He was one of the kindest and nicest people I’ve known. RIP friend.
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Local author Leanne Brown has started writing a fantastic series of books to promote, help and raise awareness for mental health in children. Leanne wants to bring these books to schools, parents and organisations to help promote mental health in children.
You can find out more, including how to buy the books, on her website.
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I want to live in a country where Food Banks aren’t needed, but sadly they are, so a BIG thanks to Michelle Stokes, Community Champion at 
, Chase from Paw Patrol 
, a Batman balloon 
and an activity pack (with chocolate buttons). Oh and a Flu Nasal Spray. 
