Back from Brighton

I am back home after spending a few days at Brighton attending the Liberal Democrat Autumn conference.  The weather was dreadful with wind and rain hurling at us as we dodged between the conference centre and the fringe meetings at the nearby hotels. 

I was on the panel for a fringe meeting hosted by the Health Hotel on Living with Long Term Conditions, which was also attended by Norman Lamb, our new health minister, alongside The Stroke Association and Action for Hearing Loss.  You can check out the photos here. 

This event was chaired by Denis Campbell, health correspondent from the Guardian and was well attended by a wide selection of people.  There were a lot of interesting questions put to us on how local authorities, government and the voluntary sector are working together in the interests of patients who are trying to cope after diagnosis or a spell in hospital.  Helping people to stay at home means also having the support from occupational therapists, carers and the professionals. We must raise the profile and importance of how early intervention can prevent future problems.

There were some good speeches including Nick Clegg's final speech on Wednesday, but Danny Alexander and Vince Cable were also well received by the audience in the auditorium.  I felt this conference was very upbeat, but  the storm raging outside the conference venue reminded us all of the economic challenges we face over the next few years.

Preparing for Winter!

We are told that winter weather is on the way, so it was timely that today I paid a visit to Drayton Highways Depot to see the preparations that are made to keep the roads clear and repaired for this part of Oxfordshire.  Above on the left, you can see a photo of one of the large mounds of rock salt, which comes from the largest UK salt mine at Winsford in Cheshire and operated by Salt Union Ltd. There are other stockpiles of maritime salt from Ghana and also recycled salt. The photo on the right shows me in front of some of the gritting lorries and snow ploughs, which are deployed in the county.

It was also useful to discuss emergency planning with county officers who were able to say how they can help parishes to put together their own plans for emergencies in the future.  The flooding in Grove in July 2007 caused disruption and distress for many residents whose homes were flooded and it is something which is always in the back of my mind every time there is a severe flash storm.

Useful information about winter maintenance is available at the County Council's website here.

Reminder - Denchworth Road Closure

Further to a previous blog, just a reminder that the road between Grove and Denchworth will close for around 5 days from today Monday 10th September. 

Blenheim International Horse Trials

We are very fortunate to have Blenheim Palace on our doorstep in Oxfordshire. Aside from the beautiful historic house and famous landscaped grounds, it provides a wonderful venue for all sorts of events. For example, over the last four days the annual International Horse Trials have been held there. Of course, after the Olympics, this year is even more special with several members of TeamGB competing including Zara Philips, William Fox-Pitt, Nicola Wilson and Tina Cook. Olympians from other countries are also competing, such as Mark Todd from New Zealand who won bronze in London (to add to his four other medals from previous Olympics!).

The weather was beautiful for the cross country on Saturday and it was a lovely walk around the course which consisted of 27 well-constructed fences, including the one shown above left.  It was a particular challenge for horse and rider to negotiate the river complex (above right).  

Wantage and Grove Community Volunteers

Tonight, I was invited to the Old Mill Hall in Grove for the official launch of the Wantage and Grove Community Volunteers.  This is a small local group who are committed to helping the local community in any way possible, either financially or physically.  They raise money through fundraising events like jumble sales and tombola stalls and use these funds to help those who are in need.  This could range from gardening jobs for the elderly or helping to decorate a room for someone on their own. More information about the group can be found here.  I wish them every success with their new venture and look forward to hearing more.

The Big Feastival

Oxfordshire is now blessed with a number of summer music festivals including the Cropredy, Cornbury, Wilderness and Truck Festival events.

With summer drawing to an end (did it even start?), this weekend saw The Big Feastival hosted at the farm of Alex James in Kingham. 

I went along yesterday and had the pleasure of watching several cooking demonstrations  including Alex James himself (left) and Jamie Oliver (right).  There was also live music on offer including the Noisettes and Paloma Faith.  It was good to taste some of the wholesome selection of foods on display including some of the cheeses produced by Alex himself.  I bought some Little Wallop goats cheese which was particularly tasty!

Also, most importantly, the weather held out!