This week I intervened in the Commons Chamber on planning for homes. It is not nimbyism to fight to protect the Goring Gap. I resisted the suggestion that developers could grab any field they wanted.
Worthing’s hospital opened in Lyndhurst Road in 1884 and new churches were consecrated. Freddie Feest has written in the Worthing History series about the months that year between the interruption of a February Salvation army gathering and the notorious Skeleton army riot in September.
In May, as we recognised Mental Health Awareness Week, I was pleased to meet with supporters and campaigners at a fundraising event in Rustington for West Sussex Mind.
Congratulations to Hunters for their 25 years of successful recruitment in Shoreham and now in Worthing’s Marine Parade. The Mayor and MPs admired their commissioned art. We know employment has many benefits for the individual and their household, as well to our wider community.
In 2012 Minister Shapps appeared on a Channel 4 programme on leasehold housing and assured that only a "tiny tiny tiny" number of landlords cause problems first predicted to be at least two and a half million, not what many would consider a 'tiny number'.
Constituency activity on Friday reminded me of William Temple’s discussion on building solidarity in his 1942 book Christianity and Social Order. He wanted the state to safeguard the liberty that fosters communities.
There are strong Jewish, Muslim and Hindu communities in West Sussex. We give each and all our respect, understanding and compassion. In turn, they add to our vibrant and varied community that we cherish and prosper from.
Virginia and I enjoyed the Coronation Eve Dinner at Simon Margaroli’s Ardington hotel on the Steyne. Town Crier Robert Smytherman declaimed the Proclamation and Tim Loughton delivered a fascinating history of past Coronations.
Do enjoy these days approaching Saturday’s Coronation. On Tuesday I stood with Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, the Leader of the official opposition, and Harriet Harman, mother of the house, in the Great Westminster Hall with the Speaker’s golden coach behind.
