Warmer weather means Eastbourne’s Spring and Summer festivals and events are really lining up now and it is a joy to part of it all.
This week saw the start of our annual Spring Water Festival until 21st May. Organised by Plastic Free Eastbourne, I have supported this excellent initiative every year and seen it go from strength to strength.
Beer and cider enthusiasts can enjoy a pint in Eastbourne this weekend too. The three-day ‘Beer and Cider by the Sea’ festival again on the Western Lawns between 19th and 21st May 2023.
I do enjoy a pint of real ale myself but wine and gins are available too. I hope to see you there. This is another event that ensures visitors come to our wonderful town and many thanks to all who take the time to organise them all.
Up in Parliament my third organised Westminster coach tour took place on Monday with 39 visitors on board. It is such a pleasure to welcome Eastbournians to the House of Commons. I think everyone had a good time seeing our democracy in action and some of the amazing historic halls and galleries at the Mother of Parliaments. I am pleased to say the next two coaches are already full but get in touch if you would like to go later this year.
The Victims Bill was debated in the Commons this week. It was a manifesto commitment to implement a Victims Code into law and establish an Independent Public Advocate to assist victims when major incidents take place and inquests are convened. I do support this new legislation. It is important victims have support and their voices are heard.
The Education Select Committee I sit on looked at persistent pupil absence this week. The persistent absence rate is 22.5% - that’s the percentage of pupils who miss 10% or more of sessions. This is a complex issue as some of this is driven by illness but the numbers are a huge worry.
But there was some very good education news too. England’s schools were ranked best in the western world in the international rankings for reading tests, the highest score ever following a decade of improvement.
That’s something to raise a glass to!
