Jake Berry
MP for Rossendale
WHAT a spectacular weekend of Jubilee celebrations.
Even the most hardened republican must have been impressed by the huge outpouring of affection and respect for the Queen from every corner of the UK and beyond. And even the most stony-faced must have cracked a grin at least at the sight of Her Majesty swapping marmalade sandwich tips with Britain’s favourite bear, Paddington.
I was delighted to be able to take part in some brilliant events to celebrate the Jubilee across Rossendale & Darwen, including in Cowpe, Rawtenstall and Whitewell
Bottom. Huge thanks to everyone who took part in organising such wonderful activities.
Another Rossendale attraction that I was pleased to visit recently was Rawtenstall Market’s infamous ‘Foodie Friday.’
The Market really has come on leaps and bounds over the last couple of years and a highlight for me is the incredibly popular ‘Foodie Friday’ held on the last Friday of every month.
Mrs Berry very kindly allowed me a pass out for the evening to join other members of Rossendale’s Levelling-Up board to enjoy an unspecified number of drinks and some brilliant food at the Market. If you’ve not been yet, I can highly recommend a visit.
The Levelling-Up board for Rossendale is a group of people from across the Valley, from all sides of the political divide, from businesses and local community groups who are working together on our bid for money from the Government’s new Levelling-Up Fund.
This is a huge opportunity, so I’m pleased that the Valley’s politicians are putting our rosettes away to work together on delivering the best possible bid from Rossendale to try and secure this funding.
l Another opportunity we are working on together is for the ‘City/Valley Rail Link.’ Thanks to £150,000 of funding from the Government and Lancashire County Council there is now a technical feasibility study underway to look how we could restore the rail link between the Valley and Manchester city centre.
We need to show there is sufficient demand here in Rossendale for a rail link. So as part of their evidence gathering the Council are seeking views on the initial proposals to re-connect us to Manchester via rail. If you’ve not yet shared your views, I’d encourage you to do so. There is a link on my Facebook page but please contact me directly if you need any more information.
I’m continuing to hold my advice surgeries as well as my regular Meet your MP, the next of which will be in Whitworth at the Market Street Kitchen.
The event is open to all Rossendale residents so if you have a question, want to raise a concern or have an issue you’d like me to look into please come along. Whatever you’d like to ask or discuss, local, national or international, I’ll be happy to take your questions.
l Finally I would like to offer my heartiest congratulations to one of Rossendale’s most loved and iconic characters, Councillor Anne Cheetham, who was installed as the Valley’s new Mayor. Anne is a wonderful individual and has given me many greatly appreciated words of advice over the years. She will make a wonderful ambassador for Rossendale and I look forward to supporting her.
If you need my help or want to let me know about an issue, please get in touch either by phoning 01706 215 547 or email me at jake.berry.mp@ parliament.uk