AS ever, I work to draw attention to Taunton Deane and to attract funding that may benefit the area.

It is therefore pleasing to see some of the hard work (much achieved through joint working with the previous Conservative administration) coming to fruition such as the Taunton Rail Upgrade; the tidying up of Firepool; getting into the second phase of the Highstreets Forward Fund; and at the weekend the opening of the rail line between Taunton and the West Somerset Heritage Railway at Bishops Lydeard.

I was thrilled to wave off the first train and to meet the first passengers who came from far and wide to travel on the service people have called for since I was an HTV reporter.

It is a joint initiative between GWR, WSR and the All Party Parliamentary Heritage Rail Group and is part of a trial which, if successful, could be extended.

Another great project in the pipeline is the plan to develop a Care Farm at Hestercombe reaching out to the vulnerable in our society; it’s part of a wider project which I am pleased to see uniquely links: landscape, heritage, arts and culture, health, wellbeing and the environment.

It certainly impressed the former Sports and Civic Society Minister, Mimms Davies MP on our recent visit as did the ‘take part’ programme at the Brewhouse Theatre, with everything from ballet, to flamenco, art and storytelling available to all ages and with plans afoot to expand the arts and theatre centre, to provide even more services to the community, potentially incorporating the library.

Multiple community spin offs have already resulted from attracting top class cricket to the County Ground, including some World Cup Matches and the Women’s Ashes and I was pleased to sample The English Cricket Boards ‘All Star Cricket’ programme which is getting children aged between five and eight into cricket giving them a first experience of the sport.

A mix of projects like these, both arts and sports, will all lead to a healthier and happier society – all things I support as your local MP.

REBECCA POW
MP for Taunton Deane