Local pubs are so often the beating hearts of our towns and villages. Not only are they vital for our local economy, they do so much great work in their communities and help generate the famous rural community spirit that our beautiful part of the world is renowned for.
That’s why, throughout my time as the local MP, I have actively promoted and visited dozens of our rural pubs – the Beeston Ploughshare, The White Swan at Gressenhall, Darby’s in Swanton Morley, The Crown at Great Ellingham, The Railway Tavern at Dereham and The Lodge at North Tuddenham to name just a few. We are blessed that Mid Norfolk is home to some of our county’s finest establishments!
However, as a former Business Minister and small business owner myself, I know how tough it can be for those running our local pubs. Like so many businesses in recent times, our rural pubs have faced the perfect storm of increased energy prices and the cost of living crisis, which have meant far higher operating costs and much more limited disposable income for the customers that frequent them. Compounded by the impacts of the pandemic beforehand, the pub sector is going through a very hard time.
That’s why, whenever I can, I seek to promote this wonderful sector – and why I frequently speak out in support of our town and village pubs in Westminster.
Rural communities depend on active community services to stay thriving and vibrant. Pubs are a vital part of that.
To learn more of my work supporting this crucial sector over the years, please see the webstories below and my Facebook page here.
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of a Net Zero reset, please see my statement below setting out my thoughts.
Rural schools, much like our rural pubs, shops and churches, play a crucial role in our local communities and rural way of life.
That’s why, having grown up in East Anglia and always been a firm champion of that rural way of life, I’ve been a vocal supporter of keeping our smaller rural schools open wherever possible. It’s also the reason I very much understand why there is so much anger and concern at the news that the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT) is now consulting on proposals to cease maintaining the Weasenham Primary Academy site and instead merge the school with Brisley Primary Academy from 1st January 2024 – citing school size, declining pupil forecasts and associated financial viability as the reasons for doing so.
(The consultation is also looking at changing the catchment area of the parish of Weasenham so that Massingham School becomes the catchment school from 1st January 2024).
Full consultation details can be found here:
Over recent days, I’ve been in contact with the WeasenhamParish Chair, local county councillor Mark Kiddle-Morris and a number of people from the local community with concerns.
While, in my role as a local MP, I am limited in the direct influence that I have in such matters and must respect the proper due processes in place, as ever, I always strive to do what I can to help ensure my Mid Norfolk constituents’ voices are being at the highest levels.
That’s why I am highlighting the consultation process here.
If YOU have views on the proposals, PLEASE do take the time to have YOUR say – by:
• Emailing info@dneat.org (quoting Weasenham as the ‘Subject’ of your response)
• Writing to Weasenham Church of England Primary Academy Consultation, DNEAT, Orchard House, Hall Lane, East Tuddenham, Norfolk, NR20 3LR
Before 5pm on Friday 6th October 2023.
The stronger the local voice, the better chance there is that DNEAT will take note.
IF, however, the consultation feedback alongside the population demographics for the Weasenham area proves insufficient in justifying the village having its own school in future, I believe the Alternative Plan must work for parents and pupils. There needs to be an outcome that suits the community best. We want to avoid young children having to be bussed or driven by parents over long distances.
In that event, I remain committed to working with all local parties, but especially the local community, to help get the best possible outcome for local people. At this stage though, I am determined to help local constituents engage in the consultation process and have their say.
Please do take the time to have YOUR say.
To see more on my work supporting our local rural schools, please visit my website here
Cranswick Country Foods are one of the largest employers in Norfolk, contributing considerably to our local area through jobs, wages and the company’s associated supply chains. Their Watton plant also plays a major role in Norfolk and the UK’s vital pork industry, providing valuable food products to our national food supply chain which in turn help avoid even higher price rises for consumers.
That’s why, throughout my time as local MP, I have always paid close attention to progress at the Watton plant, liaising with their team on a variety of matters such as labour provision, environmental practices and innovations that drive forward efficiency and boost sustainability and welfare within the sector. It’s also why I listen carefully to the local community when they raise concerns about the site. It’s vital that the views of local residents and businesses are taken seriously when large companies like Cranswick are based nearby.
On Friday, I met with the Cranswick team, alongside Cllr Claire Bowes, Cllr Tina Kiddell, the Watton Town Council Clerk and representatives from both the Environment Agency (EA) and also Breckland Council’s Environmental team, to discuss local concerns regarding recent reports from local residents and businesses about strong odours emanating from the Watton site.
Traditionally, Cranswick were able to use their waste water to help fertilise local fields, creating a positive cycle of helping to support our local farmers. However, they were more recently forced to install a new multi-million pound effluent treatment plant that unfortunately encountered difficulties – causing the odours reported, while requiring farmers to buy in more carbon intensive fertilisers and the use of more carbon heavy chemicals for treating the waste water.
Having been in correspondence with us all in recent weeks, Cranswick again acknowledged local frustrations and strongly reiterated their commitment to doing everything they can to tackle the odours, explaining the causes and setting out in depth the ‘Action Plan’ they are already in the process of implementing with EA support – and which should see improvements take effect over the next 4-6 months.
Cranswick also expressed a strong desire to strengthen communication and dialogue with the local community on an ongoing basis – with it agreed that a regular Community Liaison Group should be convened at which the Cranswick team can engage with the Town Council, local councillors and other key public figures/community representatives on such matters like the current odour problems. I have agreed to chair the first such meeting and will be following progress updates closely.
Friday’s meeting was both positive and productive, with Cranswick again demonstrating their desire to work effectively and alongside the local community.
I remain committed to working with local councillors, the community and Cranswick in the weeks and months ahead – and am optimistic that the current odour issues should soon dissipate as Cranswick push on with their ‘Action Plan’ measures.
For more details, please watch my short video above.
The A47 Necton/Dunham junction has long been a source of major concern for those that have cause to use it.
That’s why I was delighted to help secure a commitment from National Highways for improvement works at this dangerous location (having long campaigned with local district, county and parish councillors to that end), and why I am thrilled to now have confirmation that the works will finally get underway next Monday (25th September 2023).
Another pledge successfully delivered!
The £2.5 million improvement project is forecast to take place over five months, with most of the work taking place on weeknights between 8pm-6am – when traffic flows are typically lighter. Both sides of the main A47 Necton/Dunham junction (at Tuns Road and Dunham Road) are set to be widened, with improved drainage and road markings also being put in place. As a result, it should be much safer to access and depart each side of the junction – with visibility significantly improved too.
Having pushed hard for safety improvements at this key junction, these works are a significant step forward. There is still more to do however as I work with the community to push for a permanent speed limit reduction from 50mph to 40mph and support further conversations about additional safety improvements that can be made at this location.
It was a pleasure to hold another site visit with Cllr Nigel Wilkin recently, at which we filmed a short video to update local constituents on the works that are about to commence. Please see below.
Rest assured, I will continue to work hard for further A47 safety improvements (including the also horrendous Draytonhall Lane Junction at Scarning), as well as towards the longer term aim of full A47 dualling.
To see more about my campaign to improve the A47 Necton/Dunham junction, please click here
To find about my wider campaign to improve Norfolk’s roads, please click here.
Are you a positive, enthusiastic, people person who is passionate about politics and public service and interested in working in a busy constituency office in the lead up to the next General Election?
I am currently seeking such an individual to join my Mid Norfolk team in Wymondham as a Constituency Assistant on an initial 6-12 month basis (but with the potential for the role to be extended or made permanent).
Full details of the job role can be seen in the advert below.
If you are interested in making an application, please send a CV and a one page Covering Letter via email to george.freeman.mp@parliament.uk by 12noon on Friday 22nd September – with the subject heading ‘Constituency Assistant Application – George Freeman MP'
Having established the Mid Norfolk Flood Partnership back in 2020 (following the heavy rainfall over the 2020 Festival period and in the first few months of 2021), I have actively worked with councillors and local community groups to drive forward work to strengthen Norfolk’s flood resilience and ensure those affected can access the support they need.
Indeed, most of the 14 recommendations made by the MNFP when it was first begun were adopted by the wider Norfolk Strategic Flood Alliance that was established by Lord Dannatt on behalf of Norfolk County Council – including the creation of the county Flood Helpline that is now in operation as highlighted above.
(Full details can be found on my ‘Flooding and the Mid Norfolk Flood Partnership’ campaign page here)
With a number of weather warnings out across the county still, this latest rainfall further highlights the need to take our Flood Resilience seriously. It is partly for this reason that I was so vocal in my support for the Norfolk Urban Search and Rescue team based at Dereham, working alongside NCC, Norfolk Fire Service and fellow Norfolk MPs to ensue the service is extended for another year (see more here and here). I will continue to do all I can to advocate for USAR.
There remains much work to be done – and I am committed to working with the NSFA, local councillors and local community groups to progress the collective campaign.
Having grown up on my step-father’s farm, having had my first job at the NFU, and being the local MP for a largely rural constituency, I have always had a strong connection to our agricultural industries and am deeply proud to support our farming community – especially today on Back British Farming Day.
That’s why it was a pleasure to return to JE Spratt Farm at Necton this past Friday to meet with the team, as well as representatives of both British Sugar and the NFU, and discuss the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill and the huge opportunities it can, and will, afford British farming – with much of the ground-breaking science being pioneered right here in Norfolk by the world leading Norwich Research Park.
Having also been the first Minister for Life Science (launching the UK’s first Agri-Tech strategy) and now being Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, this field of expertise is of great interest to me and one I am excited to see our great Norfolk farmers seeking to harness. By embracing some of our post-Brexit freedoms and opening up innovative, safe precision gene editing (not the Monsanto GM style), we can make the most of crop biological control systems to enable farmers to grow drought and disease-resistant crops, which in turn will boost yields, reduce our reliance on chemicals and in turn enhance farming sustainability and environmental biodiversity.
The importance of this issue was highlighted just three years ago when I visited the same farm to see how the Virus Yellows disease had been ravaging sugar beet crops across our region, reducing yields by up to 80%, driving up costs and putting the sugar industry in the UK under unprecedented pressure (see more here). Working with parliamentary colleagues, representatives across the sector and local farmers, we were successful then in securing the temporary derogation on the Cruiser SB seed treatment required to support the industry. However, by embracing precision gene editing as described above, such derogations could be consigned to the past – with far less, if any, chemicals needed to protect crops in future, greater yields and sustainability reducing the amount of resources (including water and land) needed to farm such crops, and improved natural biodiversity as well.
By pioneering in this field, we can lead the world in improving farming quality and standards, while also exporting that expertise to others around the globe too. We can also create thousands of new jobs and opportunities right here in the UK, spreading prosperity and enabling British farming to thrive.
To do this, we need to take the science being pioneered right here in our area and allow our farmers, who know their land best, to apply it with a common sense approach that delivers the food production we need and boosts the natural environment – rather than by allowing people with clipboards who don’t understand farming to weigh them down with bureaucracy.
I am deeply passionate about harnessing the benefits of the new bill and our post-Brexit freedoms to strengthen British farming standards and productivity – and look forward to working with the sector on this issue in the weeks and months ahead.
To learn more about my work on ‘Food, Farming and the Environment’, please visit my campaign page here.
Farming is a backbone of our rural Mid Norfolk communities. Indeed, having grown up on my step-father’s farm and with my first job being with the NFU, it is a way of life particularly close to my heart.
That’s why I’m proud to Back British Farming today and everyday - including when I launched the UK’s Agri tech strategy.
Our local farmers, as the core of our vital UK food supply chain, are at the forefront of both our Innovation Economy, Sustainability, and Food Security.
This Back British Farming Day, take a moment to support our local farmers - follow this link to see more on my work supporting farmers.
The transition to sustainable domestic heating methods is an important step on the UK’s path to Net Zero. That being said, it is equally important that we use a common sense approach and manage this transition, to ensure that all residents receive a positive outcome. This is especially the case when vulnerable people are involved – how we treat them is a measure of us as a society.
That is why I was pleased to meet residents of Lamberts Close in Weasenham on Friday for the third time, alongside the Managing Director of Flagship Housing/Victory Homes, to discuss the ongoing challenges that the residents have experienced as a result of their heat pump installation and the ongoing remedial works taking place to fix them.
I was particularly pleased to see the active approach that Adrian Barber, the Managing Director, took to finding practical resolutions – including visiting individual residentshomes to investigate issues including to explore whether there was adequate insulation in place.
I will be continuing to visit Lamberts Close to check progress on how these issues are being resolved, as well as monitoring how the transition to sustainable energy affects rural Mid Norfolk communities.