13 January, 2005

Like everyone else, I was horrified to see on television on Boxing Day the devastation and disaster of staggering proportions reeked by the Asian earthquake and tsunami. As we were enjoying a real Christmas holiday we saw families ripped apart and communities annihilated. The generosity of people here may make us feel better but we cannot imagine in our safe and comfortable environment the heartbreak, pain and hardship that people on the other side of the world are suffering. At the same time we have to remember the privations in Iraq and parts of Africa due to starvation or HIV/Aids. At long last Governments around the world are talking seriously about cancelling debt for disadvantaged parts of the world and to support this is the least we can do to follow up the spontaneous generosity at the time of the disaster.

Coming back to London we had the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill and although the official Opposition put in a motion to oppose the Second Reading, I could not support that as I thought the bulk of the Bill was really what we all wanted, to help local authorities provide more effective control over litter, fly tipping, nuisance vehicles, noise and other local menaces that people have complained to me about so often. Then there was the Second Reading of the Road Safety Bill which has excellent points but by lessening the penalties for exceeding the 30 mph speed limit by a small amount gives the message that this is less dangerous than exceeding higher speed limits by greater amounts. Even small increases of speed over 30 mph in built up areas increase the likelihood of serious injury and even death for cyclists and pedestrians. However, I support the Second Reading of the Bill and if suitable amendments are not accepted for the Third Reading, I will then have a chance of opposing the Bill if necessary.

Locally, I was delighted to open the new Stourport office for the Citizens Advice Bureau as this will increase accessibility to this vital service. 

I was thrilled to watch the Harriers first victory for a little while and especially the first half corner superbly taken and so definitely despatched into the goal. 

Again this year, I was privileged to be one of the adjudicators at the Soroptimists Public Speaking Contest. As last year, the standard of contributions on difficult topics from young people of 15 and 16 was incredible. 
The winner was Rob Clark from King Charles I High School in Kidderminster and as this was the second year running that a student from this school won I had to make sure the other adjudicators had not been swayed by me. All of the contributions were real tributes to the students at schools here and in Birmingham, Kenilworth, Stratford, Stourbridge and Worcester and of course to their tutors.

© Independent Kidderminster Hospital & Health Concern 1995-2005
(webdesign@chaddesley-corbett.co.uk)