My Staffordshire Update

Yesterday we celebrated Staffordshire Day, a holiday that I launched back in 2015 to pay tribute to the outstanding achievements of our county. I invented Staffordshire Day to honour the unique history of our region, which has inspired a flurry of literary giants, including Samuel Johnson and J.R.R Tolkein.

Staffordshire Day is an opportunity to appreciate the people who tend to our heritage sites, putting Staffordshire on the map and championing our rich and significant history. Recently, I’ve been lucky to meet with the teams at the Ingestre Orangery and the Shugborough Estate, where I marvelled at the work they do to keep these historical buildings in top shape and prepared to welcome thousands of visitors each year. Both these sites host an array of activities for the community, from outdoor film showings at Shugborough to historic tours at the Ingestre Orangery. Having toured both, it does not surprise me that they attract visitors from far and wide; I’d encourage everyone to go and have a look.

I’d also like to pay tribute to those who go above and beyond in their communities, as this is truly what makes me proud to represent Staffordshire. We are so lucky to have many who care so deeply about this place, and I’d like to spotlight a few people I’ve met recently that deserve some recognition.

I was grateful to join the Essington Wombles a few weeks ago, a group of volunteers from the village that meet regularly to litter-pick and keep the streets clean. It was lovely to meet such a friendly and considerate group and their work is a testament to the strength of Essington’s community spirit. I also met with the founder of Northwood Pharmacy Group, Harvey Northwood, whose new pharmacy hub ‘The Bank of Wellbeing’ hopes to support those who are in need of blood tests, vaccinations, and more. This will undoubtedly be a great additional service for people in Penkridge and the surrounding area.

As always, my office and I are always hard at work helping constituents, so please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any issues where I can be of assistance - I can be reached by email at gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk, or you can phone my office on 01902 846 616.

Very best wishes,

Gavin

Visiting the Ingestre Orangery

Sir Gavin met with The Friends of Ingestre Orangery to discuss the charity’s aims for the site, and to learn about its fascinating history. He joined volunteers, trustees, and local charities on a tour of the building where he learned about its beginnings in the hands of the Chetwynd-Talbot family in the 1840s, then its later restoration in the 21^st century.

When restoration began in 2012 using money from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the original goal was to prevent the building from turning to ruin. Today, the project has expanded greatly, and the site now hosts historic tours, walks, yoga classes, and entertainment.

The organisation is keen to work with local community groups and volunteers to connect with locals and provide them a public space for leisure. There are approximately 2.5 acres of buildings, gardens, and woodlands to explore. Within the grounds lies St Mary’s Church, attributed to the work of Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of the legendary St Paul’s Cathedral.

Sir Gavin said: “I was honoured to be invited to tour Ingestre Orangery which is also home to beautiful woodlands and gardens. I know that the restoration project has been far more successful than the Trust originally imagined, as they’ve transformed a building in danger of ruin into a venue fit for special occasions.”

Joining Litter Legends in Essington

Sir Gavin Williamson joined residents in Essington to participate in a litter pick for the Great British Spring Clean.

Sir Gavin met with the Friends of Essington and the Essington Wombles, groups of volunteers who collect and dispose of stray rubbish in the village. Sir Gavin took part in the litter pick and was pleased to see so many volunteers get involved. The Essington Wombles collect litter in the village on a monthly basis.

The Great British Spring Clean is the UK’s greatest mass-action environmental campaign and aims to encourage the collection and disposal of thousands of bags of litter up and down the country.

Sir Gavin said: “I was really pleased to see such inspiring community action in Essington and to meet so many dedicated volunteers. Anyone can litter pick - in a big group or on your own - all you need is a bin bag! It is a great way to make a positive impact on the environment and look after the village, and I’d encourage others to get involved.”

Taking a Tour of Shuborough Estate 

Sir Gavin joined members of the team at Shugborough to take a tour of the 17th century estate. The estate was passed into the hands of the National Trust by Staffordshire County Council in 2016, and now houses a productive walled garden, working farm, children’s play area, and eating and shopping facilities – perfect for a family day out.

The house and collection tell a story of global exploration, of the lives of intrepid travellers George and Thomas Anson, who gave up their comfortable lives in the Staffordshire countryside to pursue expeditions into the unknown.

Sir Gavin said: “It was a pleasure to meet with Hayley and the team at Shugborough who carefully maintain a site of regional pride and national importance. The estate has wonderful facilities for an educational day out and I’d encourage everyone to visit, especially those living in Cannock Chase, Stafford, and Great Haywood, who live so near.”

Hayley Mival, General Manager for Shugborough Estate, said: “We enjoyed the opportunity to share our plans for the future of the Shugborough Estate with Sir Gavin, and to discuss with him some of the issues facing the area.”

Visiting a New Pharmacy Hub in Penkridge

Sir Gavin Williamson visited Northwood Pharmacy in Penkridge to take a look around their ‘Bank of Wellbeing’.

Sir Gavin met with the founder of Northwood Pharmacy Group, Harvey Northwood, to discuss the financial challenges faced by community pharmacies across the country. In particular, Harvey raised concerns about local pharmacies that are dispensing prescriptions at a loss and having to survive off their retail operations. Following the meeting, Sir Gavin has pledged to take these issues up with the Pharmacy Minister, Andrea Leadsom.

Northwood’s new project, ‘The Bank of Wellbeing’, provides additional support for those seeking health care services in Penkridge. Sir Gavin spoke with the front-of-house team treating private patients in the hub, where you can book to have blood tests, vaccinations, and more. 

Sir Gavin said: “Northwood’s new ‘Bank of Wellbeing’ is a wonderful initiative that will support the work of pharmacies in the area. I commend Harvey for the work he has done which will undoubtedly take the pressure off other health care services on which we depend. I’ll be doing what I can in Parliament to ensure that community pharmacies are protected and better funded, so that Harvey and his team can continue their incredible work.”