As we reach Christmas, I’m thinking about what I love about the towns and villages we call home. It goes without saying that we’re lucky to live in a beautiful part of the world. Be it the Wolds and the spectacular views over the Humber and fields beyond, or Beverley’s winding streets, dominated by the Minster.
While at the Parkrun at the Westwood the other day, I was struck by how people in the Middle Ages must have seen the Minster and been wowed, as I am today.
And then there’s the coastline and wide-open landscapes in Holderness under that huge sky.
But it’s really the people who make Beverley and Holderness the wonderful places they are. I’m struck by how honest, kind and friendly everyone is. It’s certainly a world away from London, where I go every week to represent you in Parliament.
East Yorkshire folk just roll their sleeves up and get on with it.
Through my visits to schools, businesses, charities and much more besides, I’ve seen plenty of that this year. And through the Community Champions awards I started this year, I’ve been able to celebrate some of their work.
People like Jo Ramsay who runs the Cherry Tree Centre, which has done so much for our community, from running a foodbank to a youth club. Jo is a wonder, and a pillar of Beverley.
Paul Coe is an unassuming sort of person, and alongside Beverley Wombles he literally keeps our town clean. I had a great day out with the Wombles and can’t recommend it enough.
Ali Tekce, Beverley’s prolific restauranteur, organised the town’s response to the earthquake in Turkey earlier this year. He did such a great job with his toy drive he was visited by the Ambassador.
Leon Myers runs Swinemoor Primary School like a precision machine. It was my pleasure to meet some of their RE Ambassadors earlier this year and see just how special the school is.
Or Sue Crowther, who I worked with on the railway crossing at England Springs. A champion for her community, and as nice a person as you could hope to meet.
But it’s not just in and around Beverley that people do wonderful things for their communities.
The likes of Jayne Nendick, who runs the SHoRes Centre in Withernsea which is literally a lifeline for the town. I can’t imagine Withernsea without her.
I was lucky enough to join Darren England’s Butty Brew and Banter at the Withernsea Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club earlier this year. It’s a place where veterans can always feel at home, with a warming cup of tea. Darren and his wife Marie are stalwarts of Withernsea and I take my hat off to them.
Or the Rev’d Diane Berry who, as a volunteer deacon in the Church of England, kept Withernsea’s Anglicans from spiritual abandonment.
John Whitehead of Sigglesthorne has run the Young Farmers in the East Riding for 55 years (he joined at thirteen, for those who think he’s far too young for that), encouraging our young people to stay in East Yorkshire and farm thanks to its wonderful programme of social development and the vibrant social life. What John doesn’t know about farming or the life around it isn’t worth knowing.
Then in Hornsea, we’ve had the likes of Martyn Eden and Jacky Stringer who have made the town one of the best presented in Yorkshire, and Joan Gale who has been a staunch supporter of the Lions and Floral Hall for years.
And in Hedon, I was delighted to present a cheque to the Methodist Church on behalf of the CADEY (Community Access Defibrillators for East Yorkshire) Committee for £1,000 to get them a defibrillator. This was following over £1,300 raised by community groups. I’m proud that CADEY has part or full-funded twelve defibrillators in communities across Beverley and Holderness.
On more contentious matters, readers will be aware that in Hedon, telegraph poles are causing great disquiet in the community. I’m staggered by the effectiveness of the campaigners, who I welcomed to Parliament in November. Their tenacity has resulted in the Government looking at the legislation again, and I hope we’ll see a good result there.
But before that, it’s time to take a day or two to enjoy Christmas. I hope that you all have a very happy Christmas. And a special shout-out to those in the public sector and the Armed Forces who will be working over Christmas to keep us safe: thank you for your service.
