Karen Lumley MP is pictured with Laurence O’Conner who is a former Midlands boxing champion and new business starter in Redditch along with the Mayor, Anita Clayton, to officially open the new Viking Boxing and Fitness Club.

Laurence O’Connor and his wife Alice, set-up Viking Boxing and Fitness Club, which is situated on Newmeadow Road on the Lakeside Industrial Estate, with the aim of getting locals of all ages active in an enjoyable way based on the sport he loves that at one time saw him hold the Midlands Championship. “I have been involved in boxing now for the last 22 years and it’s just a dream come true to be able to do this,” he said.

Alice added: “We looked at Redditch and realised there was a gap in the market. We want it to be part of the community and to get them involved. It’s a way of people getting fit in a totally different way in a different type of gym that isn’t just sitting on a boring exercise bike.”

There are a range of classes for men, women and children of all ages and abilities based around the kind of preparation a boxer would go through to prepare for a fight and the gym includes punch bags, workout and medicine ball areas and a boxing ring. There is also the option for people to get in between the ropes if they want to and take part in one of the charity boxing matches Laurence organises.

Karen said “I’m delighted to see another business open in Redditch. This facility provides an ideal form of exercise which will help tackle health inequalities in the borough.”  For more information call Laurence on 07576 563569.

Karen Lumley MP and council leader, Carol Gandy, took time out from their busy schedule on Monday August 9 to visit residents at Terry Spring Court in Smallwood.  They received a tour around the West Avenue based home, spoke to residents and shared lunch with them.

Madge Tillsley MBE, chairman of Smallwood Residents Association, who lives at Terry Spring Court, invited the dignitaries to visit on behalf of the management and fellow residents. She said: “There wasn’t any heavy political chat it was just nice they could come and visit us, see the place and talk to residents. It was much appreciated by everyone.”

Mrs Lumley said: “I was delighted to be invited, it was a great to have the chance to catch up with the residents there and it’s been the first opportunity I’ve had to congratulate Madge on her 80th birthday.”

The TalkTalk Digital Heroes awards (www.talktalk.co.uk/digitalheroes/), with Citizens Online and in association with The Mirror and supported by Race Online 2012, is currently looking for its 2011 Digital Heroes.

The awards and funding scheme recognises inspirational people who use technology to benefit their community. 12 projects from around the country (as voted by the public) will be awarded a £5,000 grant, with one overall winner getting £10,000.

Karen is encouraging people within Redditch to nominate others (or themselves) for the awards.

Keep up to date with the Digital Heroes activity via Twitter on @TalkTalkTips.

TWEET: The search for Britain’s #DigitalHeroes begins – Get involved nominate someone from Redditch http://bit.ly/rjQQpr

Karen popped into the “Work Club” at Winyates to chat to residents who are actively looking for a job.  There she got to meet several people for a lively and informative discussion.

“I’ve been very impressed by the programme here” said Karen after her visit and she wished everyone success.

Karen was on Salisbury plain as part of her parliamentary military committments to get a closer understanding of the army.  There she saw for herself the skill required to drive a tank and the complexities of loading weapons.  One can only wonder what target she had in mind …

Karen went along to Arrow Vale Community High School, Redditch to take a tour of the facilities and to meet the new headmaster, Guy Shears.  She is seen here with the head and students.

A damning report has catalogued a series of failures in the treatment of elderly people at the town’s Alexandra Hospital.

The Care Quality Commission found cases where patients were left for hours without anything to drink.  Other failures included staff discussing confidential information where they could be overheard, patients unable to reach call bells and food left to go cold before staff could assist.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust must now write to the commission to detail how improvements will be made.  The report concluded the hospital did not meet the essential standards of treating people with respect and meeting patients’ dietary needs.

Redditch MP Karen Lumley branded the report as scandalous.

“It is one of only three hospitals inspected in the country that’s breaking the law,” she said.  “I am writing to the Secretary of State asking him to investigate and put a robust plan in place to ensure this simply does not happen again.”

July 26: The Redditch Advertiser reports:

“Regional health chiefs from the strategic health authority have said there are now ‘no significant concerns’ at Worcestershire hospitals while a follow-up visit by the CQC on June 24 showed the trust was now fully compliant with national standards.”

Karen has a long connection with the Maldives having helped and trained volunteers in their presidential election.  They in turn have come to Redditch several times to assist in elections and to continue their training and understanding.

Karen and some of her team are shown here with the latest crew of Maldivians to arrive in Redditch to help with the local elections and the AV campaign.

Karen attended the St George’s Day celebrations at the Palace Theatre. She is pictured with Mayor Kath Banks, singer Lola Lamour and Deputy Mayor Anita Clayton who organised the event.

“It was a brilliant afternoon” said Karen. “I want to thank and congratulate Anita for organising such a great event and what a patriotic day it was.”

Campaigners in Redditch reported a really strong and encouraging response to their call for a “NO” vote in the referendum on AV on May 5th.  Karen Lumley MP, supported the campaigners during Saturday’s Action Day.

She commented afterwards, “I was really pleased to find out just how attached the people of Redditch are to our tried and tested voting system. Put simply, they just don’t see the need to change as many of them explained to me, often very robustly – and I agree with them.  The more people find out about AV, the less they like it. It’s vital people who value our democracy do a lot of explaining between now and May 5th to make sure the right decision is reached.  AV is unnecessary – most people just don’t see the need for change. AV is unloved – only three countries in the world have it, and two of them want to get rid of it. And AV is unfair – people who vote for minority and fringe parties get more votes than people who vote for mainstream parties.”