It is always lovely to be invited to visit schools in Staffordshire Moorlands and I was therefore delighted to meet the children and staff at St Edward’s Academy Cheddleton as part of their democracy week recently.
I was met by two of the children who kindly showed me around the school, pointing out the lovely displays on the walls and explaining what they had been doing for their democracy week.
The children had held class based elections for the school council and it was lovely to hear about the candidates’ manifestos and the work that had gone into standing for these elections.
The children also explained the system of voting with ballot boxes and ballot slips and how they had discussed confidentiality.
I was then pleased to join everyone in a full school assembly where after talking about my role as MP and answering lots of very thoughtful questions, I was honoured to be asked to officially present pupil council badges to the successful candidates from each class.
Thank you to everyone concerned for such a lovely visit.
On another note, I was really saddened to hear the news that the Leek Show is to be discontinued.
I went to the Show before I was an MP and have not missed one since I was first elected.
I know that the weather has affected the event for the last two years but I pledge to do all I can to help save the Show as it is such a very important event and a really great showcase for the Moorlands. I have written to the organisers asking if there is anything I can do to help, in order to save this great event that is one of the highlights of the year for people in Staffordshire Moorlands.