Karen visited the celebrations at Woodrow on Friday celebrating the 40th anniversary of the library and met lots of local residents having a fun time.
“I had a great time today meeting and chatting to local residents, the police, employees of the council and councillors who have all worked so hard to put on a fantastic event today. It is always great to see communities working together and I congratulate all those involved in making today the huge success it was – well done” said Karen.
Karen met Howard Bentham, Hereford and Worcester breakfast presenter as he came through Redditch on his charity bike ride raising money for the Noah’s Ark charity.
Beginning in Worcester, Howard is spending the week cycling around Worcestershire.
“It was a pleasure to meet Howard as he travelled through Redditch today” said Karen “They were very wet when they arrived but in very good spirits and I am pleased I was able to be on hand to welcome them and donate to such a great cause.”
The Morton Stanley Festival is a two-day performing arts festival run by Redditch Borough Council.
Not only are there some 45 artists providing entertainment – but local councillors show up to hold outdoor surgeries!
Karen popped along and caught up with Cllrs Jane Potter and Gay Hopkins at their surgery. Karen said it was an amazing event and pays tribute to the local council for holding it.
The BBC dinosaur, Big Al, has been in Redditch throughout the month of August at the Forge Mill Museum and Karen went along to look at him.
There she met Jo-Ann Gloger and her staff and learned all about our prehistoric past. Braver folk can experience what it is like to be chased by a dinosaur …
Karen met David Cameron, the Prime Minister, this week and briefed him on several aspects of the Reddi Centre prior to his interview on the Ed Doolan show.
He was on the radio answering a wide range of questions from listeners. Karen learned what little time there is in a busy PM’s schedule.
End of Term
Three months have flown by since I was elected in May. I still can’t quite believe how lucky I am to be your Member of Parliament andI am really enjoying my new job.
I arrived at the House of Commons on the Monday after the election and it was a bit like coming back to school after the holidays as I saw so many of my friends who had won seats. After trying for ten years to become MP for Redditch I have got to know many different people and the first few days were amazing.
Getting an office was the next big challenge and after five weeks of working on my laptop in the coffee shop I was successful. It is a lovely office in the Old Scotland Yard, quite a way from the chamber but large and airy. When the division bell goes you can see lots of us running for the lifts as we are on the 5th floor!
My other big challenge this term was making my maiden speech. As there are so many new MPs there was quite a queue to speak in every debate. I decided to wait a while and finally spoke in the Defence Review debate. I sat for nearly six hours waiting for the Speaker to call me and finally got to stand at 8.30pm. It was an amazing feeling and great to be able to talk about Redditch and how nice it is to live here.
I have also visited so many different people over these first three months and hopefully have been able to help some people too. I intend to spend some time with my family over the summer and lots of time in Redditch too.
All in all I have had a great first term and looking forward to returning in September.
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