- to highlight the importance of local identity to our rural communities, promote local excellence - be it community project, business, or local produce and give some publicity to the little and local things that often get overlooked (the organic pork I bought at Ash Farm Organics was spectacular - we cooked it for guests on Sunday lunch!)
- to gather signatures for a petition against the Government's Stealth Cuts to the rural Post Office network
- to promote the EDP's excellent Shop Here! Campaign and visiting participating stores along the route
- to introduce and explain the new constituency boundary so people know which constituency they are in
- to promote and gather ideas for my campaign THE NORFOLK WAY promoting a radically different approach to sustainable economic development in Norfolk
- to meet and listen to local people - outside of an election atmosphere- and find out what they think and want to see
Nearly everyone I spoke to made the two same points:
1. Why do we have to develop Norfolk to a Whitehall blueprint of superstores, mass commuting, house dumping in large estates with our heritage trampled on ?
2. Refreshing to see politician out and about between elections on a bike !
I think the highlight for me was the visit to Barnham Broom school to inspect the fire damage after the recent arson attack. The way the school and local community has rallied following the chaos and destruction of one act of spiteful vandalism is truly inspiring. The local hotel offering the staff free spa membership. The local builders getting the repair work super fast to reduce the disruption on the youngsters. The show of support from community and Governors and Emergency Services on the re-opening / first day of term. There was a real sense of all that is best in Norfolk - local community and a sense of real belonging and commitment to decent values - in an act of defiance of thuggery. And a sense of defiance of the 'Health and Safety' obstacles to getting the job done. The community just got the job done because it mattered. We can do it!
During the day I visited:
- Barnham Broom School
- 5 Post Offices
- Mattishall Enterprise Centre and Affordable Housing Scheme
- Bawdeswell Butchers and Garden Centre
- Ash Farm Organics - prize winning local organic pork and beef
- Guist traffic black spot where community and councillor pressure is about to deliver a new 30mph limit.
....which highlighted all the main issues my campaign the Norfolk Way is about: the rural economy, rural services, sustainable housing and planning, the need for better road and rail links, the potential of local enterprises to help sustain traditional villages, the role of local food and organics in restoring a more prosperous rural economy.....
