Cheltenham MP Comments on Kelly's Expenses Crackdown

Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood has warmly welcomed news that Sir Christopher Kelly's inquiry into MPs' expenses will impose radical changes to the flawed expenses regime. The key recommendation thought to be in the report is the banning of MPs’ claims for mortgage interest on private second homes. In his submission to Sir Christopher Kelly in June, Martin argued strongly that banning mortgage payments would 'at a stroke... prevent all the problems of moats, duck-houses, tennis courts, interior decorators, ‘flipping’, capital gains tax and profiting from public expenditure.' He also argued that, having lost public trust on the whole expenses issue, MPs should accept Kelly's eventual recommendations without question.

Martin said 'If this leak is confirmed, it is excellent news and a real victory for people power and the freedom of the press. I wasn't convinced that Kelly would be this bold in cracking down on the system but if it's true, then I'm delighted. I think this will go a long way to restoring Parliament's reputation by removing any temptation for MPs to claim for private homes. It was a mistake for this loophole to be introduced into the expenses system in the 1980s and it is absolutely right that it should now go. I understand that he is recommending a five year transition period which seems quite generous but I can't imagine many MPs would risk facing their electorate at a second general election while still claiming for an allowance that was being banned.'

Other recommendations apparently to be included in Kelly's report include the banning of any second homes within 60 minutes commuting distance of Parliament and the banning of employment of family members. Martin commented: 'there will be arguments for and against these recommendations, for instance that late night votes might leave some MPs having to claim huge taxi fares or that loyal spouses will effectively be sacked despite doing nothing wrong. It's important that the changes are implemented fairly but the bottom line is that we could have sorted all this out ourselves and we blew it. The public won't tolerate us unpicking the reforms.'

Bath Road Christmas Lights Switch-On

Thursday, 26 November 2009, Bath Road

Bath Road traders hope to attract shoppers this year with a spectacular seasonal display, including 50 Christmas trees decorated with lights. The Christmas lights will be switched on officially on Thursday, 26 November. The shops will be open for late shopping and Santa Claus and Cheltenham mayor Lloyd Surgenor will make an appearance. There will be live music performances, dancing and food tasting.


For information about this and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Cheltenham Christmas Market 2009

20 November - 6 December 2009, The Promenade

The annual German-style Christmas Market is coming to the Promenade on Friday, 20 November. It will feature newly designed decorated wooden challets, selling a wide range of festive crafts and gifts. Since 2003 when it first appeared in the Promenade, Cheltenham Christmas Market has become a popular Christmas attraction in the region. This year the Christmas market is staying in the Promenade until Sunday, 6 December. Stalls will include Christmas decorations and baubles, unusual and hand-made Christmas cards, wooden carved animals and ornaments, ornaments from Welsh coal, traditional Morrocan lanterns and puppets. You'll be able to buy traditional wooden toys as well as Russian crafts and dolls. There will be musical instruments from around the world, jewellery made from cones and flowers. Refreshments will include French crepes, mulled wine and bratwurst which should keep shoppers warm.

TIMES:
10am – 6pm Monday – Wednesday
10am – 8pm Thursday – Saturday
11am – 5pm Sundays

For information about this and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Cheltenham Literature Festival 2009 Photos and Video

Cheltenham Literature Festival 2009 ended on Sunday, and as every year brought to Cheltenham many stars. Writers, comedians, actors, directors, poets, journalists, musicians and politicians, have flocked to the Festival, which this year offered over 440 events.

What were your favourite events at this year's Festival? Were they stars of the silver screen such as Robert Vaughn or Judi Dench, or acclaimed writers, such as Graham Swift, John Irving or Sebastian Faulks, journalists, such as Andrew Marr, Gavin Esler or Kate Adie, or comedians, such as Jo Brand, Alistair McGowan or Mitchell & Webb, or perhaps TV personalities, such as Kevin McCloud or Stephen Fry?

PHOTOS FROM CHELTENHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2009

VIDEO FROM CHELTENHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2009

Buccaneer Blades Fencing Course for Beginners

Starting 6 November 2009, Abbeydale Sports Centre

Learn fencing this autumn with BuccaneerBlades, who use a system designed in conjunction with the British Fencing Association to bring safe fencing to 6-19 year olds.

The course lasts four weeks (four Fridays) from 6 November 2009 to 27 November 2009 5pm-6pm and are suitable for ages 8-17yrs. Suitable for beginners to the sport of fencing. This course covers a British Fencing Association approved syllabus leading to a level 1 certificate. Please contact BuccaneerBlades for further details and to request or download a registration form. Numbers are limited to 10 students. Price is £30 per student payable in advance.

For more information visit their website at http://www.buccaneerblades.co.uk/ email liz@buccaneerblades.co.uk or phone 01452 532388, mobile 07774 214830.

Meet Your MP Martin Horwood in Cheltenham

Martin Horwood is the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Cheltenham. If you need to discuss any matters with your local MP, you can arrange an appointment at his advice surgeries on Friday lunchtimes or evenings. Appointments can be booked by phoning the office on 01242 224889 or e-mailing martin@martinhorwood.net.

You can also meet Martin at various events taking place in and around Cheltenham.

Monday 19 October 2009
2:00pm
Martin will be visiting St Catherine’s Surgery, a GP surgery based at the St Paul’s Medical Centre, to find out more about the day to day running of the surgery.

Wednesday 21 October 2009
Along with his colleague Simon Hughes, Martin is leading the main chamber debate in the House of Commons, entitled ‘Government’s failure of leadership in the climate crisis’, from 4pm until 7pm. This is a Liberal Democrat opposition day where the Lib Dems have the opportunity to set the agenda for the rest of the House to debate and to call the government to account.

Thursday 22 October 2009
6:00pm
Martin will be at the launch of Linc’s 2010 calendar at Montpellier Wine Bar. See http://www.lincfund.org/calendar2010_49.php for more details about the calendar and Linc.
7:30pm
Balcarras School are holding their Annual Prize Giving and Martin has been invited to attend.

To keep up-to-date with Martin's Horwood's appearances in parliament please visit our website.

Cheltenham MP Calls for Final Swindon-Kemble Push

Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood, attending today's Gloucestershire Rail Day at the National Waterways Museum, has called on all those involved in business and local government in the county to make one final effort to win the upgrading of the troubled Swindon-Kemble line. This single track railway is a major bottleneck for services between Gloucestershire and Swindon, Reading and London. Redoubling it would deliver more reliable and direct trains from Cheltenham Spa and other Gloucestershire stations.

After intensive lobbying from Martin and other local MPs, transport minister Andrew Adonis has backed the scheme and identified more than £50m of available funding, including £30m from the cancellation of the Westbury By-pass. At today's Rail Day, Network Rail confirmed their support, subject to final funding agreement and cost-benefit analysis. The final hurdle is the green light needed from South West regional authorities.

Martin said 'We have nearly won this battle. Upgrading this line will make both business and leisure travel to and from Gloucestershire easier and much more reliable. It will be good for Cheltenham, good for Gloucestershire, good for business and good for the environment. But we could still lose this vital improvement if we don't pull out all the stops right now. The money is running out fast at national level and this £50 million could evaporate fast if we don't grab it for Gloucestershire. '

Martin also rejected calls to put a new Gloucester Parkway station back on the agenda. 'Parkway is dead in the water and it should stay there. It would damage Cheltenham and Gloucester's current services and lead to more car use not less. I'm pleased that Network Rail confirmed today that it is no longer a supported scheme and not part of their future plans.'

Cheltenham Literature Festival Family Fun Days

Saturday 10 & Saturday 17 October 2009, Imperial Gardens

Imperial Gardens will come to life with free family fun on Saturday 10 October and Saturday 17 October as part of the Cheltenham Literature Festival. On 10 October Big Draw project will be launched with amazing artist and scientist Lizzie Burns. Together with illustration students from the University of Gloucestershire, she will help members of the public to create their very own masterpiece. Punch & Judy make a welcome return, along with face painting, jugglers, stilt walkers and a children will get the chance to learn circus skills. There will also be a bouncy castle and much more, such as outdoor performances from storytellers and poets, and a host of colourful children’s characters roaming the Gardens.

High School Musical at Bacon Theatre Cheltenham

29 - 31 October 2009, Bacon Theatre

Disney High School Musical is the original and by far the best in the HSM trilogy. Stage Experience is a registered charity providing a taste of professional theatre to young people by offering Performing Arts opportunities within a production directed and produced by industry specialists. Cast members receive tuition from professionals (director, musical director, voice coach and choreographer), and experience performing on a professionally designed set, to live music and with the latest in theatre lighting and effects.

High School Musical is a story about two high school juniors from rival cliques - Troy Bolton, captain of the basketball team, and Gabriella Montez, a beautiful and shy transfer student who excels in math and science. Together, they try out for the lead parts in their high school musical and as a result divide the school. Despite other students' attempts to thwart their dreams, Troy and Gabriella resist peer pressure and rivalry, inspiring others along the way not to "stick to the status quo".

This high energy musical is a great for children during the October half term. The feel good songs and energetic dance numbers are great fun for all the family and will have everyone dancing in the aisles. Book now online at www.hsm1.co.uk or call the Bacon Theatre Box Office on 01242 258002. Prices - Bacon Theatre £15 & £11.50, online at http://www.hsm1.co.uk/ £14 & £10.50

Dates: 29th - 31st October 2009
Performance Times: 7.30pm & 2.30pm

For more information about this and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Cheltenham MP Praised by Green Groups

A national coalition of environmental and conservation organisations - including Friends of the Earth, WWF, Greenpeace and the RSPB - have praised the new Liberal Democrat policy on the natural environment, adopted at the party's recent conference in Bournemouth. And they singled out Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood, one of the co-authors of the policy, in a letter of thanks to party leader Nick Clegg.

The policy paper, Our Natural Heritage, set out the party's position on protecting wildlife and the natural environment, called for increased access to the countryside, tougher penalties for pollution and wildlife crimes, a new anti-waste strategy and an end to nationally-imposed housing targets that threaten countryside across the UK. It was overwhelmingly passed by the party's conference in Bournemouth last week. The letter signed by the chief executives of eight leading environmental organisations described the policy as 'a coherent and credible set of policies on the natural environment; drawing together policies on the landscape, biodiversity, environmental protection and the growing threat that we face from the depletion of natural resources.'

They went on: 'We would particularly like to take this opportunity to express our thanks to Martin Horwood and his team, who took great trouble to consult with the NGO [non-governmental organisation] community throughout the development of these policies, and were receptive to many of the issues we raised with them'.

Releasing the letter yesterday, party leader Nick Clegg also thanked Martin: 'The Liberal Democrats have always been the leading party on the natural environment, and thanks to the tireless and dedicated efforts of Martin Horwood and his team, we have continued this tradition. The new policy paper shows that we as a party are committed to protecting the spaces we live in, and I applaud everyone involved for bringing it to fruition'

Cheltenham Fireworks 2009

Autumn is well on its way and November Guy Fawkes fireworks extravaganza is fast approaching. There is a number of great fireworks displays and bonfire nights taking place in and around Cheltenham.

BIRDLIP SCHOOL BONFIRE AND FIREWORKS
6 November 2009 - Birdlip School

The first bonfire night of this November's fireworks season will take place on Friday, 6 November at Birdlip School. The gates open at 6pm, fireworks will start at 6.50pm. There will be BBQ, Hot drinks, Mulled Wine and most of all safe family atmosphere. Ample parking is available in the field next to the Royal George. Admission: £4 per adult, £2.50 per child, £10 per family.

BISHOP'S CLEEVE PRIMARY SCHOOL BONFIRE AND FIREWORKS
6 November 2009 - Bishop's Cleeve Primary School
The gates open at 6.30pm and the bonfire will be lit at 7.15pm. Tickets cost £4 for adults and £1.50 for primary school children, on the gate.

CHELTENHAM ROUND TABLE FIREWORK EXTRAVAGANZA
7 November 2009 - Cheltenham Racecourse

Cheltenham Racecourse will traditionally host a dazzling evening of musical entertainment, fun packed fairground and one of the largest firework displays coordinated to themed music in the South West of England. This year there will be a musical roadshow leading up to the display by Star FM, a comprehensive fairground set-up and an extensive firework display co-ordinated to themed music and led by DJ Joe Lemer. The gates are open at 5.00pm and the display is scheduled to start at 7.00pm. Tickets: £3 Children (Under 14 Years) and £5 Adults

THE BIG FAMILY BONFIRE NIGHT
7 November 2009 - Leckhampton Scouts HQ, Leckhampton Road

A Bonfire Night is being held at Leckhampton Scouts HQ, Leckhampton Road with fireworks, hot food, licensed bar and lots more. Admission: One large firework or £10 per family. Start at 6pm.

FIREWORKS PARTY AT CIVIL SERVICE CLUB
8 November 2009 - Civil Service Sports Club, Tewkesbury Road, Uckington

The fireworks party at Cheltenham Civil Service club will include including children’s entertainment, a pigroast and bar in the clubhouse. The bar opens at 5pm, the fireworks start at 6.30pm and the children's entertainment at 7pm to 8.30pm. Tickets cost £4 for CACSSA/CSSC members, £5 for non-members when booked in advance and £1 for children under 16. Adults tickets cost £6 when purchased on the day.

BONFIRE AND FIREWORK DISPLAY AT BURLEY FIELDS
14 November 2009 - Burley Fields, Leckhampton Lane

A large firework extravaganza in Leckhampton, Cheltenham with lots of entertainment for the whole family, including disco & live music, small fun fair, fast food serving mouth watering pork baps, burgers, hotdogs and chips with a licensed bar. The fireworks are professionally lit by Sandling Fireworks. Bonfire lit at 7pm, Kids Firework display at 8.15pm with main display at 9.45pm. Tickets: £4 in advance or £6 on the night (limited tickets available) available from Burley Fields Farm shop (Friday 10 am - 1 pm & Sat 10am - 4pm), Leckhampton convenience store and Shurdington Post Office or by Phoning Pam on 07769700067 or Steve on 07831734683. Last admission 9pm.

BONFIRE AND FIREWORK DISPLAY AT ST. EDWARDS SCHOOL
14 November 2009 - St. Edward's School, Charlton Kings

St. Edward's School Bonfire and Fireworks Display is organised by the school PTA. There will be stalls, rides for small children, hotdogs and much more. Gates open 6pm, display at 7pm. Tickets are available from the school or on the gates

More dates to follow soon...

Is your local community or group organizing a bonfire/fireworks night? Do you know of fireworks display near where you are? Please let us know at cheltenham4u@aol.com and we’ll include it in our list.