National Citizen Service Programme

 

I was delighted to attend The NCS graduation ceremony for the first Kirklees cohort. Over 30 groups of young people spent three weeks of their summer holiday with the University if the First Age, firstly training, then working out a project and then finally delivering it. The groups gave a brief presentation of their projects and received their certificates and rapturous applause.

Some groups spent time in care homes offering support and entertainment to older people, others held events and sold food they had made, to raise money for charity, some very successfully. I bumped into one group at the Pink Picnic’s little picnic. They had made elaborately decorated iced buns which they were selling with cups of tea. I bought half a dozen and my grandson enjoyed  them.

The NCS programme gave young people the opportunity to get to know other young people from different parts of Kirklees. It was a chance to have fun whilst also learning life skills, transferable skills needed for employment. It was an opportunity for transforming learning which will make them well rounded individuals, bring benefits which will serve them well in the future and also a chance to contribute to society.

Health Matters

I attended a health awareness raising event at Batley East Children’s Centre today, which focused on health issues that are significant for communities in our area.

The wonderful Expert Patient Programme was represented, as was Locala, weight management advice, KNH sow n grow programme to encourage residents to grow their own vegetables, in their own gardens and on community allotments. There was advice on eye health from an optician and Ravensthorpe Community Centre Learning were there to publicise the learning they offer at their own centre and at other locations. The young children were entertained and healthy snacks and fruit were available. Staff and volunteers gave information on local health issues, prevention and identification by health checks.

The event was very well attended and much credit is due to Khatija, the Children Centre manager for that. The best way to raise health awareness is to take it out into the community so I welcome this approach.

Tree Planting in honour of Sir Robert Edwards 22nd September 2012



Jenny Joy and I, in front of the tree planted in her father's honour 



Batley History Group today, honoured one of Batley’s brightest sons, Sir Robert Edwards, by planting a tree in celebration of his outstanding achievements.

Sir Robert was born in Batley and spent his early years living in what is now Wilton Estate. It was only fairly recently that the history group found out that Sir Robert, one of the pioneering scientists along with Patrick Steptoe, who developed in-vitro fertilisation, had a Batley connection.

It was lovely to see one of Sir Robert’s daughters, Jenny Joy, representing her father and speaking about her father’s life as an academic in Cambridge and of his memories of Batley.

I was particularly pleased to be at the tree planting, along with the Mayor and our MP yet again. Sir Robert lived in what is now Wilton Estate, whose residents are my constituents; as a member of Friends of Wilton Park, I am very pleased that the tree is being planted in the park, near the museum, in the centenary year. Finally, I have a grandson who is a miracle baby conceived by IVF so I really appreciate the achievements of the great man.

The tree is a column copper beech, ideally situated, and though the Mayor joked that it would in years to come, take the tiles off the museum roof, we need not worry. The tree was chosen by our Parks and Open Spaces experts to ensure it was suited to its location and will not damage any part of the museum. Sir Robert’s daughter Jenny agreed, it was a fitting tribute to the great man.  

Opening of Whitechapel C E Primary School

I attended the official opening of Whitechapel CE Primary School this afternoon and met up again with the Mayor and our MP, who had both attended the same event as me this morning. The school came into being following the re-organisation of the Whitcliffe Mount pyramid from a 3-tier to a 2-tier system and replaces both St Luke’s and Moorend First Schools.

A lot of effort has gone into refurbishing and extending the old Middle School, to make it suitable as a primary school and the result is a light and airy, magnificent school. The outdoor space is extensive and comfortably meets all the needs of a primary school.

There was a celebration assembly which included readings and singing from the children, who conducted themselves impeccably. They were a credit to the staff and of course to their parents.

There were inspiring speeches from the Chair of Governors, Bishop Steven Platten, the Head teacher, the Vicar of Cleckheaton and also from John Edwards, our Assistant Director for Learning. We were reminded that the decision to discontinue the middle schools, had been made almost exactly four years ago and we were now seeing the outcome. The new school is a great learning environment, it will serve the school community well and I am sure they will respect it, enjoy it and look after it well.

The children showed their appreciation of the new school by reading out what they liked about it and in their enthusiastic singing of their hymns, with hand gestures to add depth to the meaning. Their songs were welcoming, enthusiastic and joyful, I felt privileged to be able to share the occasion with them. The oldest child and the youngest child in the school were chosen to unveil the Opening Plaque, an inspired idea from the Head. The final part of the celebration was for the children to release hundreds of green balloons, each with a message attached.

Whitechapel Primary has a very apt school motto, Learning, Caring, Succeeding and this was clearly visible today. I would like to thank the Head teacher Mrs Bouabida, her staff and all the children, for inviting me to their celebration and wish them all, every success in the future.

Ravensthorpe Heritage Project 21st September 2012

Ravensthorpe History Project

It was my pleasure and privilege to attend the celebration event of the Ravensthorpe Heritage Project this morning, at the Greenwood Community Centre.

Earlier in the year, youngsters from Old Bank, Castle Hall, Ravensthorpe Junior, Ravenshall,  Westborough and St Paulinus Schools took part in a project to learn about local history. They engaged with some older local community members to uncover the splendid heritage of Ravensthorpe. They took part in an  archaeological dig, local history workshops investigating the life of a local mill owner, made clay models and created portfolios of their work, which I found interesting.

The project was a great opportunity to get out of the classroom, meet different people and learn in a different way, in a new environment which brings learning to life. The archaeological dig was fascinating despite the terrible weather this summer. Also it allows young people the opportunity to contribute to the permanent historical record of West Yorkshire.

It is important to get a grasp of history. It allows us to understand that the space that we live in, was once occupied by others in different ways and when we pass on, other people will be here and put this place to other uses. This is a historical pattern which has been in place for thousands of years.

This is a really valuable project. It’s really important to understand the past so that we are better equipped to shape our future.

Well done to all who made this project a success. Thanks to the organisers, West Yorkshire Joint Services, The Greenwood Centre, the staff of the schools, who continually do wonderful work and most of all to the young people for their enthusiasm and commitment to this project.

International Day of Peace 21st September 2012

Today is a day to celebrate peace and harmony, even though conflict, hatred and turmoil is evident around us.

An offensive, Islamaphobic film, made by a handful of right-wing Christian fundamentalists, supposedly “to show the destructive ideology of Islam”, seemed intent on provoking an explosive reaction from Muslims. The vast majority of protests have been peaceful but attacks on US Embassies were orchestrated by extremists such as the Egyptian Salafist party, whose strategy is to seize on opportunities to fan radical anger and demonize ideological opponents.

Most Western and Muslim leaders condemned both the film vilifying Islam and the violent response. Mainstream Muslims organisations have called for calm and attacked those using violence. Unfortunately, all too often we non-Muslims do not hear the Muslim voice condemning violence, instead we hear only the extremists who preach violence.

At home also, there is brutality which fills us with revulsion, including the horrific murder of two female police officers in Greater Manchester. Whilst the media’s attention is focused on violence, most people just want to live in peace and get on well with each other.

It is our responsibility to ensure our communities are free of hatred and bigotry. Let’s allow people no matter what race or ethnicity, background or faith, to have a sense of belonging in our society. Let’s continue the Olympic spirit and give everyone respect, in our community of tolerance and shared values.