Antoinette Sandbach Newsletter

Since the last Newsletter, Antoinette has...

* Attended Westminster Dog of the Year, a competition that raises awareness of policy issues impacting dogs
* Spoke in the second reading of the Digital Economy Bill and raised the issue of broadband and mobile connectivity in Eddisbury
* Hosted Super Surgery Week; a constituency wide event held over the course of a week, at a multiple of different locations around Eddisbury
* Returned to Westminster after recess and attended meetings, round tables and debates with parliamentary colleagues
* Welcomed the recent record-breaking employment figures that show that Eddisbury has a strong and resilient economy
* Attended a 'Back British Farming' event hosted by the NFU and discussed Government policy with Andrea Leadsom, Secretary of State at DEFRA
* Encouraged local school breakfast clubs to enter the Kellogg's Breakfast Club Awards
* Spoke in the Opposition Day Debate on the NHS's sustainability and transformation plans
* Paid tribute to former Prime Minister David Cameron following his announcement that he is to step down as the MP for Witney
* Supported Eddisbury constituents who represented Team GB at The Rio 2016 Olympics
* Visited Siemens Manchester to discuss the Aldersgate Group's report on Northern England's low carbon economy; 'Setting the Pace'
* Met with former Eddisbury MP, Stephen O'Brien as he visited Westminster to provide an update on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria
* Supported Chester RUFC at the launch of their Willington Hall kit launch
* Visited Shocklach School as they celebrated the work of Roald Dahl by dressing up as some of his beloved characters

If you know of any other charities that you think should be represented above, please email devitoga@parliament.uk with your suggestions.
Return to Westminster

I have returned to Westminster and the Houses of Parliament after serving my constituents from Eddisbury during the summer parliamentary recess. It has been wonderful to catch up with parliamentary colleagues and engage in thought provoking debate on the green benches of the House of Commons.
Westminster Dog of the Year
My working Cocker Spaniel Inca and I attended Westminster Dog of the Year, an annual competition to find the most impressive parliamentary pooch. Almost 20 MPs entered dogs in the competition that was attended by representatives from the national media. The theme of this year's event focused on the need for education to ensure that children understand how to interact safely with dogs. As well as this, the competition encouraged an open dialogue on important dog welfare issues. Inca put in a very good performance, but the competition was ultimately won by Kennedy and Clinton, both Labrador/Poodle crosses owned by Jonathan Reynolds, MP for Stalybridge and Hyde.

Super Surgery Week
Between Monday 15th of August and Friday 19th I held 14 surgeries across Eddisbury. I met a great many constituents and was able to discuss an array of issues that people were having. Surgeries were held in Malpas, Barrow, Sandiway and Audlem to name just a few. I would like to thank all of those who came for welcoming me into their communities and for sharing their problems and concerns with me.

Shocklach School
I was welcomed to Shocklach School by pupils and staff celebrating the centenary of Roald Dahl's birth. Dahl, who would be 100 were he alive today, has inspired generations of children with his wonderful novels such as Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I was very glad to see how his characters have stood the test of time and are still being enjoyed by young people today.

Chester RUFC Kit Launch
During recess I attended the launch of Chester RUFC's new kit for the start of the 2016-17 rugby season at Willington Hall. Chester, who play in the National League 2 North, will be trying to improve on their 11th place finish last season, and I will be following their progress closely over the coming months.

Kellogg's Breakfast Club Awards
I was delighted to see the Kellogg's Breakfast Awards returning this year. It helps highlight the fantastic work by schools, charities and individuals from right across the country to ensure children can start the day focused and ready to learn. I must encourage all the schools with breakfast clubs in Eddisbury to apply so they have the chance to win £1,500 to help run their club and keep up their brilliant work. Entries will be judged by an expert panel, with children and teachers from each of the winning clubs invited to the awards ceremony at Parliament in November. The awards application process will be open until 7th October and schools can apply through the awards website: www.BreakfastClubAwards.co.uk

Speaking on Broadband and the NHS
Since I have been back in Westminster I have spoken in the second reading of the Digital Economy Bill where I raised the issue of the continued poor levels of broadband connectivity in Eddisbury and the misselling of 3G and 4G mobile phone contracts in areas that have poor data provision. I also spoke in the opposition day debate on the new sustainability and transformation plans, which will begin to be implemented over the coming months.

Back British Farming Day
I met Andrea Leadsom, former Conservative Party leadership contender and current Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs at the NFU's Back British Farming day which was being hosted in the Palace of Westminster. The day was a huge success and parliamentarians learnt a lot about the issues British farmers are currently facing.

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