Karen Lumley recently took time out to meet with local entrepreneur, Emma Sutor to officially open her new business.

The new Vintage Shop on Unicorn Hill, above the Rasoi restaurant, will be open seven days a week and specialises in vintage clothing for men and women including wide range of affordable and stylish accessories.

Karen said, “I have known Emma for many years and she is an example of what the Government wants to see, somebody making their own way in life. Emma has bought up two young girls on her own and managed to earn a living without depending on the state and she is an example to young mothers in Redditch as to what you can achieve with hard work, focus and determination.”

Ms Sutor said: “I am delighted to have been able to open a new business in my hometown and hope it will get the backing of residents as it is something new for the town. I’d like to say a big thank you to Karen Lumley for taking time out of her busy schedule to open the shop and for her continued support.”

Karen visited St Basils, a charity specialising in preventing youth homelessness.

She is pictured with St Basil’s Coordinator Hayley Turner and Service Manager for North Worcestershire Emma Poole.

To learn more visit www.stbasils.org.uk

Karen took time out recently to see the progress of a new housing development in Church Hill.

The Marlfield Site is a new development currently being built to include a varied range of some 79 new Norwegian timber frame homes.

Karen is pictured with Redditch Co-operative Homes Director Carl Taylor discussing the site and layout.

Karen met the team at Nightstop recently to talk about the difficult work they do in the community helping those aged 16-25yrs.

Karen said, “After helping out at the Christmas Shelter Nightstop at the end of last year, it was nice to meet with the team again to learn more about the work they do throughout the year – especially with the 16-25yrs in the area. The organisation is run by a great team and I look forward to lending them my support in the future with their forthcoming fundraising activities.

Karen is pictured with Susan Pemberton, Assistant Manager of Nightstop.  For information on how you can help visit www.redditchnightstop.co.uk

Karen took part in a Boot Camp at Morton Stanley Park.

It’s a scheme run in conjunction with the Army Benevolent Fund to help people get active.  No signing-up required!

All the time and expertise is given free of charge and a small donation is requested at the end of the session.

See www.morton-stanley-bootcamp.inandoutfitness.co.uk

Karen went along to the Open Day & Family Fun Day at NEW College to see what courses were on offer.

The college enjoyed the benefits of the lovely weather and the event was a huge success enjoyed by hundreds of people who went along to both the Redditch and Bromsgrove campuses.

While there Karen tried her hand at forensic science and pointing!

Karen went along to Cedars Nursing Home to open their newly designed and refurbished residential wing. She was able to meet several residents and see their improved facilities.

Karen pictured with Robert Delaney, Carol Gandy and Anita Clayton.

Karen recently had the pleasure of celebrating the West Midlands horticultural achievements at an event hosted by the NFU in Westminster and in conjunction with the official launch of Asparagus Season.

Interestingly there are 30,000 hectares of horticultural crops grown throughout the region with a farm gate value of £350 million and a Gross Value Added contribution to the region in excess of £600 million. The sector employs over 13,000 full time workers and a further 7,000 part time workers. These are figures to celebrate and be proud of.

Access to fresh fruit and vegetables is a significant issue for local people and the wider population. With nearly 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 10 children aged 2-10 obese; this crisis places a major burden on the NHS at a cost of approximately £4.2 billion per annum. Growers in the West Midlands are extremely well placed to assist with the national 5 A DAY campaign.

Many might be surprised to learn that growers from the region produce 20% of the total UK soft fruit production and a staggering 65% of the UK asparagus crop plus also growing significant volumes of field vegetables, salad and protected crops. Yet more reasons to celebrate!

Of course the sector is not without its challenges and to identify these, the NFU working with an organisation called the European Food and Farming Partnership (EFFP) together with Wychavon District Council have undertaken a region wide survey to highlight issues raised. Karen has also taken the opportunity to meet with local farmers in the area recently to listen to and discuss their industries’ concerns.

Karen is pictured with Asparagus Man and also with fellow local MP’s Harriet Baldwin and Peter Luff.

As a member of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, Karen recently attended a Welcome Home Celebration in Westminster for troops who recently returned from Libya.

Karen said “It was a privilege and a pleasure to meet many of our brave service men and women and to thank them personally for their commitment and continuous efforts to protect us.”

Karen is pictured on the Terrace of the House of Commons with service men and women from the Royal Navy.