This morning I attended the Remembrance Service at the War Memorial in New Brighton with my ward colleagues Cllr Karen Hayes and Cllr James Keeley as well as the Wallasey, New Brighton and Seacombe Councillors.  The service was conducted by the Reverend Frank Cain, Vicar of St James’ Church.  I was honoured to lay the wreath on behalf of Wallasey Conservatives.  The service was very well attended despite the weather and the frequent downpours. 

Afterwards we went to the British Legion in Withens Lane, Liscard and waited for the Parade of memebers of the Wallasey Branch of the Royal British Legion along with the cadets from the Navy, Airforce and Army to arrive back.

Taken from the Conservative Party’s Blue Blog - Why the Poppy Appeal Matters.

Steve Williams, Mary Connolly, Leah Fraser, Beryl Jones and the Mayor, Cllr Andrew Hodson

I attended the ‘Grand Switch On’ of the Moreton Christmas lights earlier this evening along with Steve Williams, Cllr Chris Blakeley, Cllr Simon Mountney and Cllr Ian Lewis.  The Mayor of Wirral, Cllr Andrew Hodson officially switched on the lights and luckily the rain kept off long enough and everything went according to plan.

Before the Mayor arrived everyone was entertained at the Coach and Horses pub by Bob and his disco and some real Christmas rocking songs by local group ‘Insanity Beach’.  Afterwards the Mayor drew the raffle and everyone tucked into the buffet.  Thanks also the Ben, Manager of the pub.

Beryl Jones is the Chair of Moreton Community Lights Association and originally campaigned for Christmas lights to come back to Moreton over five years ago.  Since then she and her team have raised funds, organised the lights and the switchon.  Sadly, this is Beryl’s last year organising the event - she’ll be missed.

Cllr Chris Blakeley, Leah Fraser, Steve Williams, Alex Jones, Cllr Ian Lewis and Maria Byrne (plus Marg who was behind the camera)

Early this morning the Action Team were out delivering in Moreton and in just over two hours delivered over 4,000 letters and leaflets to different areas.  Steve Williams, our candidate at the by election on Thursday 26 November, was joined by 16 others who came out to help – thanks to everyone who came out to help – a great turnout.

After lunch we all met up and held our latest Green Action Day at Leasowe Common to litter pick the area.  We managed to collect 11 bags of litter.  There were lots of empty bottles in the bushes and although we did as much as we could there is still lots more to be done.  We’ve contacted ‘Streetscene’ to get a team onto the common to clear the rest of the litter from the bushes.

Straight from the coffee morning at St James’, I called into ASDA to meet Wallasey Sea Cadets who were in the store ‘bag packing’  to raise funds, not only for their own activities, but for the Liscard Traders Christmas Lights Appeal as well.  A couple of them were having a well earned break, so I stopped for a chat.I met quite a few of the cadets last year when I was invited to present their annual awards, they were really enjoying themselves and its good that they’re active in the community and I know the Traders in Liscard will be pleased with their support.

I’ve already bought my Christmas cards this year and I’m supporting the RNLI so I was delighted to be able to attend the Christmas coffee morning in aid of Wallasey Ladies’ Lifeboat Guild at St James Church, Albion Street in New Brighton this morning. 

It was good to see my Aunty Betty again, who lives in Montpellier Crescent nearby and is a great supporter of coffee mornings!  The place was packed with local people many of whom I’ve got to know over the years.

The Bike It Breakfast follows ‘Walk to School Week’ and the school’s status as a ‘Bike It’ school to encourage children to cycle to school and take part in cycling proficiency tests.  What impressed me were the numbers taking part 47 children cycled to Overchurch school this morning.  They handed in a ticket and could then have toast and fresh fruit and juice.  Simon, the ‘Bike It’ man was at the school gate to check the bikes over and make sure they were safe – a fantastic idea.  Parents took part as well.  Thanks to the young lady who kept offering me pineapple and melon, very tasty, I’ve definitely had my five pieces of fruit today. 

Ann Sheridan started up the programme – these schemes are fantastic but only as good as the teachers who take the time to run them properly and Ann is very good.   She also provided strong coffee, just what I need to get going in the morning – and before anyone asks yes, I do have a bike, and no I don’t, unfortunately, get to go out on it very often.

Bike It Breakfast is a wonderful idea and the local council provide fantastic support to those schools that support the scheme.

Deborah Caulfield, Director of Extended Services, Leah Fraser, Philip Duffy, Headteacher of Wallasey School at the breakfast club

I was up early and at Wallasey School’s breakfast club at 8.15am.  We were met by the headteacher, Philip Duffy who showed us around.  The school recently won a regional competition organised by Kelloggs.

This morning about 30 pupils attended – numbers fluctuate during the week and they tucked into toast, fruit, orange and tea.  There was a quiet area for for reading or to catch up on homework.  The boys have invented a new version of ping pong which looked like great fun, but unfortunately there wasn’t time for me to have a go.  Thanks to Deborah Caulfield, Director of Extended Services who helped set up the club – another success story from Wallasey School.

Usually, at meetings of all the councillors, there is the usual punch and judy politics that turns voters off.  And, to be honest, most of tonight was like that.  However, there was one bright point that made me think the meeting was worthwhile.

I put forward a plan, to build on the Council’s current arrangements to increase the number of places available for apprenticeships.  On top of the 100 places created by the Council, in all sectors, I called for the Council to work with Microsoft and see if we can take part in their exciting Britain Works initiative. 

I have been in contact with the Head of Government Affairs at Microsoft about this.  The initiative aims to:

• help 500,000 people into work in three years
• provide apprenticeships at a Microsoft IT Academy
• Help technology start ups software technology jobs
• £45 million for training vouchers
• A new skills portal bringing help with training to a single point 

Almost eight in every jobs, across all sectors, require computer skills.  I shall now contact Microsoft again to give them the news that Wirral Council wants to work with them. 

Why?  Because the number of young people out of work has gone up from 2,105 in April 2005 to 3,290 last month and many of them are in Wallasey and Moreton.  Sitting back and doing nothing is not an option.

Nationally, the Conservatives have put forward plans for a massive expansion in the provision of real apprenticeships, creating 100,000 additional apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship training places every year and making it easier for companies to run apprenticeships.   Find out more by downloading our skills policy paper.  The Conservative Party’s campaign Get Britain Working can also be found here

I would also welcome any comments or views you may have on this issue.

Amy above, as part of the Girlguiding celebrations, had been set a task to find 100 signatures – one for each year Girlguiding had been in existence.  I was happy to oblige and Amy popped along just before full Council this evening.  It was quite busy but I managed to get most of the Conservative Group to sign before Council – the Mayor came along to say hello and meet Amy – she’s now reached her target, well done!

Adults attending the Cambridge Road Day Centre have been making preparations to celebrate Halloween for months.  I went along with Cllr Bill Duffey for a sneak preview.

We were met by Carl, who was our guide, Frankie, who was dressed as the grim reaper and Melonie, who was dressed as a witch.  There’s a lovely atmosphere at the Centre which is for disabled adults .

Sharing a joke with Carl!

They had completely transformed the conservatory and garden, with ‘headstones’ and ‘coffins’ which they’ve spent months making during art classes with fantastic affect!  It has to be seen to be believed, I’d recommend everyone to go along, it only costs £1 and is one of the most impressive I’ve ever seen.  Very creepy!

Virtual ten pin bowling

I also chatted to Jean, who is in the middle of attending a course at 7 Waves Radio in Leasowe.  There are many activities taking place including virtual Ten Pin Bowling.  I had a go, it’s not only great fun but good exercise for the wheelchair bound.  They recently held a ‘bowling competition’ - women against the men, I think it was a draw as they wouldn’t say which team had won!

They also have a computer suite and those who hold the ECDL are currently doing paid work for a council department.