Daniel Kawczynski Becomes a Member of the Childbirth Trust

Following the recent arrival of his daughter Alexis, Daniel has become a member of the charity the National Childbirth Trust (NCT). ‘the parents’ charity’. The national charity NCT was set up nearly 50 years ago and carries out various different activities in support of expectant and new parents and their babies. NCT lobbies both local and national government, campaigning for improved maternity services and the rights of parents.The Trust also provides direct support to new parents, including running antenatal classes and distributing information sheets. There is also an online shop for maternity and baby products, with proceeds going to support the charity’s support and campaigning work.“My wife and I received a lot of support before, during and after the birth of our daughter in October,” explained Daniel, “so I am keen to support this excellent charity in its work with other new parents”.

More information about the National Childbirth Trust is available at www.nct.org.uk.There is a Shrewsbury branch: contact Liz Morris on 01743 792678.The National Childbirth Trust “wants all parents to have an experience of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood that enriches their lives and gives them confidence in being a parent”.

Conservatives Join Call To Repaint Bridge

Conservative politicians joined forces on the Tenbury/Burford bridge over the River Teme to point out the need for a fresh coat of paint.

Harriett Baldwin, parliamentary candidate for West Worcestershire met Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow, on the bridge which links Worcestershire to Shropshire.

Mrs Baldwin said: "We both agreed the bridge could do with a clean up and will be taking this up with our respective local councils. Luckily Cllr Phil Groves, Mayor of Tenbury Wells was on hand and agreed to seek support from the Town Council.

Mr Dunne added: "I was delighted to welcome Harriett Baldwin across the river into Burford in Shropshire. Harriett is an outstanding candidate with an exciting political future. I look forward to working with Harriett, especially on local issues affecting both sides of the county boundary. If we can get the bridge painted after all these years that will be a good start."

Jesse Norman and Francis Maude Visit Martha Trust

Conservative Party Chairman Francis Maude MP joined Jesse Norman, the candidate for South Herefordshire, on a visit on Tuesday to mark the 10th anniversary of the Martha Trust. They were shown round by Richard and Sarah Smith, the founding trustees.

The Martha Trust provides lifelong and respite care for young people with profound intellectual and physical disabilities. Richard and Sarah set it up at a time when their second daughter Sophie, who is very handicapped, was just four years old. They were determined not only to provide the right care for their daughter, whatever her future needs may be, but also to help other families in similar situations.

The trust's residents range in age from school years to late 40s. All are completely dependent on others for their every need and they are given constant loving attention by the nursing staff and carers, allowing and encouraging them to develop to their full potential.
"It's an extraordinary place," commented Jesse after the visit. "An incredibly loving environment, and a real model of private energy providing a service for the wider public."

Francis Maude appears on worcestershire1.tv

See Francis Maude and Harriett Baldwin in Malvern

http://www.worcestershire1.tv

Party Chairman Campaigns in By Election

Let me tell you how it’s gonna be
You’re gonna cast your votes for me. (with apologies to Buddy Holly)

8th February 2007 sees the most significant by-election in recent history for Bedworth, Warwickshire. A Conservative victory in the Bede Ward will bring about a ‘hung’ Council in an area previously considered to be solid Labour territory.

Damon Brown, the Conservative candidate, a newcomer to the Party having joined since the last General Election, is fighting a vigorous, positive campaign based on local issues. Francis Maude, Party Chairman and formerly the MP for the constituency that includes Bedworth, took time out of his busy schedule to launch Damon’s campaign yesterday.
Thanking Francis, Damon said ‘This by-election has come about at short notice and we are determined to put in maximum effort to win. Francis’s visit will generate great publicity, which can only help get our message across.

Jobs in Brussels

Philip Bradbourn MEP is looking for a Research Assistant to take over from the current postholder who is leaving to take up another post at the end of January, 2007.

The position is full time and based in Brussels though regular travel to Strasbourg is also required for the European Parliaments Plenary Session there.
The basic requirements of the post are:

• Excellent Literacy and Numeracy Skills


• Information Technology Skills (inc the use of e-mail and Internet)


• Good Communication Skills


• Ability in French or another Foreign Language an advantage but not essential


• Ability to work flexible hours in a very busy office and to work as a team


• The maturity to be able to prioritise work and react quickly and effectively to rapidly changing demands is essential as is attention to detail


• Knowledge of the Conservative Party and its policies and the EU Institutions an advantage
  

The contract will initially be offered for one year (renewable until the end of the Parliamentary mandate in 2009 by mutual agreement), anticipated start date to be on or around 5th March 2007.

Working hours will be 30 hours per week (Monday-Thursday 9.am - 5 pm) though some flexibility is required. A six month probationary period will apply.

Salary subject to negotiation but will reflect the fact that the post holder will be based in Brussels for most of the time. Travel allowances etc. on official business are available.

For further information please e-mail: pbradbourn@europarl.eu.int

Closing date for applications (which should be submitted in the form of an up to date C.V. and a covering letter) is Friday 19th January. Interviews will take place at the UK Constituency Office on Friday 2nd February.

Solihull Candidate: "Stop Labour's Garden Grabbing"

The West Midlands Regional Assembly has just started a two-month consultation period on the housing needs of the region. With numbers of houses required dramatically increased since the last report five years ago.

Local environment campaigners are questioning the need and fear that green belt will be gobbled up by the new proposals.

Maggie Throup, who has campaigned avidly to protect the green belt around Solihull commented: “The new report suggests an increase in housing needs of 19 per cent in Solihull, that is an extra 18,000 houses needing to be built. Solihull is already a bursting point when it comes to new builds and I fear this will push the developers to our precious green belt.

“With our gardens currently being classified as brownfield sites, the over-densification in our town is already a problem. We need to look at ways of encouraging developers to use more true brownfield sites before more of our gardens and green belt are irreversibly destroyed.”

Conservatives in the West Midlands are backing a national campaign to stop Labour’s Garden Grab.

Anyone wishing to sign the online petition can click conservatives.com/gardens

Pictured above: Maggie Throup, Caroline Spelman MP and a supporter of our campaign.

David Cameron Meets with West Midlands MEP Team

Here is the West Midlands Conservative MEP Team meeting with David Cameron in Brussels in December last year. David met the team's staff and said he was very supportive of all the work Philip, Malcolm and Philip are doing for the West Midlands.

Iain Dale - First link for West Midlands Conservatives Blog

Iain Dale is the first site to link to West Midlands blog.

'More Blog Links Added
Well, what else is there to do on a Sunday night in Tunbridge Wells? Do visit the following blogs, which I have just added to my blog links.Donal Blaney, Tory PPC Nick King, Nick Wallis, West Midlands Conservatives, Wherever I Lay My Hat Is My Home Secretary, West Ham Till I Die, John Redwood MP, Steve Webb MP, Justin Hinchcliffe, Daily Referendum, Northwing, Tom Paine, Dispatches of a Teen, Citizen Andreas, Rachel North, Further Ramblings'

Thank you to Iain.

Iain can be found at:
http://www.iaindale.blogspot.com/