- Carnegie UK has launched a new project called ‘Talk of the Town’. This aims to support storytelling in towns and offers individuals the opportunity to tell their own story. Training will be provided every step of the way, with it culminating in an event attended by policymakers and political representatives from across the UK and Ireland. The process involves an online application and a video submission, with a deadline of the 4th October. Get involved, here: https://www.carnegieuktrust.org.uk/project/talk-of-the-town/.
- Local government in Northamptonshire is going through a period of transformation as it moves towards the creation of two new unitary authorities to replace the existing eight councils. As this process is ongoing, Northamptonshire County Council are asking local residents to take part in a survey about the services that they provide. I want to make sure that the views of Corby & East Northamptonshire are heard clearly as part of this process, so do let the County Council know your views by taking part in their survey which you can find here: https://tinyurl.com/y6mkje8c.
- The annual Countryside Alliance Awards, nicknamed the ‘Rural Oscars’, is open for public nomination and I urge local people to get nominating! Our local businessmen and women work hard to help keep Britain thriving and our local produce and rural enterprises are second to none. Who is it that you know that routinely goes the extra mile for our rural community? Nominations are open online at www.countryside-alliance.org/caawards from the 9th September until the 8th December 2019 for 7 categories. Winners to be announced in June 2020 in the House of Lords at a grand final. Let’s tell a really positive story from here in Corby & East Northamptonshire!
- I will be officially launching the new branch of the women’s networking and support group, “Make It Your Business”, in Corby & East Northamptonshire next month. “Make It Your Business” is one of the fastest growing nationwide initiatives to encourage and support women who’re keen to set-up, or are already running their own business and is an important project supporting the growth of small and medium sized enterprises. The Corby launch for women who dream of starting their own business, or who want a helping hand from like-minded women who have had that experience, will be at The Good Bean Café in Priors Hall, Corby, between 9.30am and 11.30am on Friday 25th October. Please do pop by!
- I was pleased to recently be informed that Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is holding its elections for Public Governors. This presents a fantastic opportunity for those looking to dedicate time to their local hospital. The responsibilities of Public Governors include holding the Non-Executive Directors to account and to represent the interests of the public, amongst others. If you feel you have the skills to become a Governor, please contact corporate@kgh.nhs.uk or call 01536 492169 to find out more.
- As a keen swimmer myself, I am very pleased to be supporting the ‘Love Swimming’ campaign, which has been organised by Swim England to mark their 150th anniversary, with the aim of encouraging more people to swim regularly. Swimming is such a good way to keep fit and healthy and we have some first-class swimming facilities locally that we should all be making good use of, so if you get the chance, why not go along? You can find more information here: https://www.swimming.org/justswim/love-swimming-campaign/.
- I was really pleased to hear that the Royal Mail is introducing some of its first ever ‘parcel postboxes’ in Corby, which will enable small businesses and residents to post pre-paid parcels as they would a letter. These will be located on Princewood Road, Sallow Road and Saxon Way East – great news for our community and for those who buy and sell online!
- In 2018, 3,271 people used a Disabled Person’s Railcard in Corby, compared to 2,319 in 2015. The Disabled Person’s Railcard offers 1/3 off adult rail fares for travel on the National Rail network in Great Britain for people with a disability that makes travelling by train difficult. If travelling with another adult, they will also get 1/3 off their rail fare. There are no time restrictions on the Disabled Person’s Railcard, so you can use it to get a discount on tickets at any time of the day. For more information on the Disabled Person’s Railcard, please visit: https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/.
- Small Business Saturday is back on the 7th December 2019 and applications opened on the 1st June to find 100 outstanding small businesses to celebrate in the run-up to the main event. Having had the pleasure of visiting so many, I know that Corby & East Northamptonshire is home to numerous fantastic small businesses and it would be great to see their hard work recognised, so if you or anyone you know is involved with a special small business locally, please do consider applying! To find out more and to apply, head over to: https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/small-biz-100.
- Singing can have great physical and mental health benefits, so if you’re interested in joining the Corby Male Voice Choir, do phone Steve Jackson, Choir Secretary, on 01832 734259, or email stevecorbyMVC@outlook.com. They sing every Thursday in Corby – a great opportunity!
- I have heard about a fantastic group called ‘Encouraging Reading’, which aims to promote any sort of literature, whether that be a well-known title by a well-known author, or a local author, or an up-and-coming author. If you’re interested, you can find out more, here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2254079124855667/.
- Citizens’ Advice are offering help to make a Universal Credit claim and receive the first full payment on time, through their new initiative, ‘Help to Claim’. It is available through their free phone line, web chat, and local Citizens’ Advice services. Call 0800 144 8444, go to https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/helptoclaim, or visit your local office to find out more.
If you have anything you would like to be featured next week, please email me all the details to pursglovet@parliament.uk.
Also, if you have taken any photos of constituency landscapes or landmarks, which could be featured in my ‘Community Notices’ headers, please send them in and I will try to use as many of them as possible (and credit them accordingly!), as a celebration of the fantastic place we live and work in. I know we have many budding photographers in our community and it would be great to showcase their work!