THE ridiculously long parliamentary summer recess is just over halfway through. Despite Afghanistan and Libyan affairs there has been no recall to Westminster and I think we sadly miss the routine fortnight return to parliament that we had in September one year.

This was disrupted by the invasion of the House of Commons by campaigning activists and it was claimed that, as so much maintenance is done during the summer recess, security cannot be adequate as it is so easy for unauthorised people to gain entry disguised as contractors’ workers.

I was in London this week to contribute a session to the annual Parliamentary Schools Education Scheme. I met about 80 lower sixth form students from Nottingham and Canterbury for a brief talk about the work of an MP and then a question and answer session.

I asked them about their intentions to vote when they reach voting age. To my amazement and satisfaction, as we hear of widespread loss of interest in politics and elections, not one of this large group of young people said they were not intending to vote and all clamoured for the voting age to be reduced to 16.

The Gilgal roadworks in Stourport will commence soon. I understand how essential these are but I am grateful to Severn Trent and the contractors for listening to so many of us who persuaded them to postpone and shorten the inevitable disruption that these works will cause.

I have obtained a promise that a through route will be available at all times for emergency ambulances and fire appliances and I am grateful to PC Julian Turner for alerting me to the situation.

I was delighted to learn that the restoration of the Stourport canal basins has won the important title as the country’s best heritage project at the National Lottery Awards. Congratulations to all concerned.

The basins are certainly worth a visit and the buildings around the restored Lichfield basin are taking shape and some are already occupied. When the basins are opened up more obviously to Bridge Street they will become great attractions to visiting sightseers as well as boaters.

Congratulations are also due to the editor and producers of The Bridge, the small magazine that is the community voice of Bewdley. I think it is an exemplary publication and it is delivered free, monthly to 4,600 homes. This month’s issue, typical of issues I have seen, is a comprehensive guide to services available in the town from its extensive advertisements.

There are reports on local events with excellent colour photos. The Bewdley cormorant and a Ribbesford dormouse both have their pictures in this issue with a wealth of other valuable local information including details about the museum, Grow with Wyre, the town council, PACT meetings and, of course, the imminent Bewdley Festival.

The amount of work to produce this free magazine monthly must be enormous but so worthwhile.

Nominations are being requested for the Queen’s Award for Enterprise by October 30. Details are available from my office – answerphone number 01562 75 3333.