Andrew Griffith
Iwelcome the reopening of our high streets with appropriate social distancing measures, which will be a much-needed boost to the economic vibrancy of towns and villages around the South Downs.
I am sure that residents will need no encouragement to support our small independent stores, by shopping locally and I am glad that West Sussex is now ‘open for business’ once more.
This week, I launched ‘Covid Community Champions’ to recognise individuals and groups in Arundel and the South Downs who have gone the extra mile to support the vulnerable, isolated and elderly through the lockdown.
These local heroes include health workers, waste collection personnel, police officers, community volunteers, delivery drivers, supermarket staff and anyone else who has shown real dedication to keeping us all healthy, fed and safe during difficult circumstances.
I would like to make sure that these selfless efforts are celebrated as showing the best of British spirit in the face of adversity and encourage readers to nominate an individual or groups they feel deserve recognition by e-mailing me at Andrew@griffithmp.com
In Sussex, cricket is naturally very important, and we are rightly proud of our historic teams, including our county side and the Duke of Norfolk’s XI based at Arundel Castle.
I have written a letter to the Sports
Minister, signed by (appropriately enough) 11 other MPS, calling for the Government to encourage the reinstatement of local cricket teams. While village cricket is a vital part of rural communities around the
South Downs, it is also a national game and can be played safely with its wide fielding formations providing no problems for social distancing guidelines.
Its resumption would send a positive signal to the country and be a muchneeded boost for people’s mental health as they are able to return to traditional outdoor summer pursuits after the weeks of lockdown.
The single best news this week was the announcement by the Under Secretary of State for Schools that Clapham and Patching primary school has been saved from closure.
One of my first visits after being elected was to the school, where I heard from parents, teachers and pupils, and I have since championed their wish to remain open.
After a long campaign – including low moments in April where it looked as though the closure was all but certain – they will instead be allowed to academise with the highly regarded South Downs Education Trust who have put forward a credible proposal to save the school.
This historic school has educated children from Clapham and Patching since the 19th century, and I am glad that it will continue this proud tradition.