Busy!

AS Christmas approached I kept up the pace making a number of visits across my vast constituency.

This year I again held a competition amongst my 43 primary schools to see which pupil could produce the best Christmas drawing for the front of my Christmas Card.

My congratulations go to Matilda Clothier aged 9 of Bickleigh on Exe C of E Primary for her magnificent winning representation of the Houses of Parliament. I was delighted to visit her school and those of the runners up to present the prizes.

I held surgeries in Bovey and Lustleigh. I have held around 250 of these since my election. I also held an important meeting with campaigners against the Denbrook windfarm. These proposed turbines will significantly detract from some of the most beautiful views in and around Dartmoor.

I have agreed to take up various issues with local and national government. I held a Q and A for the Crediton Chamber of Commerce. I also spent a very interesting evening at the Okehampton Conservative Club for the Okehampton branch's Christmas Party — my thanks to Mike Davies and his committee for organising this. I was pleased to address local members and to take part in a lively Q and A session. Further details on the club can be found at http://www.okehamptonconclub.org.uk">www.okehamptonconclub.org.uk

Finally, I had the pleasure of meeting up with Ruth Preater-Gillard at the new Newcome's Play Area in Crediton. The fact that she and her fellow campaigners have successfully overseen the fundraising and specification of what is now a wonderful new facility for local children in under nine months is a testament to their immense hard work. The new facility was, quite rightly, opened by Father Christmas, who despite his busy schedule at this time of year did so in great style.