Dr Phillip Lee, MP for Bracknell Constituency visited Finchampstead, on Sunday 22nd of January 2012, to support a campaign against siting of polytunnels over beautiful landscape, of Manor Farm.
Dr Lee commented: “I fully support the campaign against siting of polytunnels on beautiful landscapes here in Finchampstead.”
Dr Phillip Lee, MP for Bracknell, visited BMW’s Marsham Street car sales facility for diplomats and authorities in Westminster. The meeting provided BMW the opportunity to give Dr Lee an overview of their extensive UK business and manufacturing operations and importance as a major UK employer, manufacturer, investor and exporter.
BMW is market leader and a pioneer in innovative approaches. BMW will be providing vehicles for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The group also recently announced record sales in 2011 for all three of the BMW premium brands – BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce and reported a rise of 8.78 per cent in its 2011 sales against a market which has seen overall sales fall by just over four per cent.
Dr Lee commented: “BMW Group in the UK is a fantastic company with very strong sales growth exceeding 166,000 vehicles. The group secured its position as one of UK’s leading car manufacturers and brands in 2011. BMW also has their marketing offices in the town. So good news for BMW is good news for Bracknell.”
The Great British Pub is part of the community, and Bracknell’s MP supported local pub “The Queen’s Oak” on Friday evening, 13th January 2012. He started his ‘shift’ at 7.00 p.m.
Dr Lee had a lesson in pulling the perfect pint of Brakspear from landlord, Dawn Lay, and spent time serving customers calling in for an end of the week relaxing drink, keeping up the tradition of generations who have used their local pub as an informal meeting place. Pubs like the Queen’s Oak now present an ideal setting for all the family.
This is part of Dr Lee supporting the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group’s “MPs Behind the Bar” campaign. Last year he started pulling pints behind the bar of various local pubs, which is a great informal way for him to meet local residents and vice versa.
Dr Lee commented: “The pub is great place to meet locals and I will make sure that pubs will continue to thrive at the heart of every community. The Queen’s Oak here in Finchampstead is a great example of how pubs are all about being part of the community. I enjoyed my evening by meeting with the locals and learned how to pull a pint correctly. Pubs are hubs of community life, as important to the local social scene as they are to the local economy here in Bracknell.”
Constituents had the chance to quiz their MP, Dr Phillip Lee last week, when he held his second public question and answer session on Thursday, 8th of December 2011. The meeting took place at the Driver Room at Wellington College in Duke’s Ride in Crowthorne and was followed by an open trip to the pub. Dr Lee will hold quarterly meetings, rotating around the entire constituency between Bracknell, Crowthorne, Sandhurst and Finchampstead.
Dr Lee commented: “The aim of these sessions is to increase the opportunities for my constituents to come along and engage in participating in political debates. People are getting increasingly interested in Politics and I believe that Q&A meetings are the most effective way to get involved in a discussion. I would like to thank everyone joining me in Crowthorne and I hope that more people will engage in the discussion in the future.”
New figures reveal that in Bracknell Constituency 4,000 homes, are entitled to some form of assistance with their fuel bills. That help is worth an average of £250 per household and a free helpline is available for more information.
Lending his support to the campaign, Dr Lee commented: “Around 4,000 homes in Bracknell are entitled to some form of support. Anyone who is concerned about staying warm should call the Home Heat Helpline and seek advice. I would also ask people to look out for neighbours, friends or relatives who may be in difficulty and make sure that they are aware of the Home Heat Helpline.”
The number for the Home Heat Helpline is 0800 33 66 99 or you can visit www.homeheathelpline.org.uk. It is a free service that provides independent advice to people on low incomes on how to get help with their gas and electricity bills as well as other help such as grants for insulation or a new boiler.
Christine McGourty from the Home Heat Helpline also advises people to think about what they can do around the home to reduce their energy consumption: “As well as calling the Home Heat Helpline to find out what financial assistance is available there are some other simple steps people can take. For example:
