Tracey Crouch

Vote for your Top 10 Blogs

2008-07-21T21:57:00.002+01:00

In September the latest guide to the Top 100 political blogs will be published. Iain Dale has launched an appeal on his blog for readers to vote for their Top 10 blogs. This blog is available, under the rules, to be voted for in the candidate blog section!!

Starting a domestic

2008-07-19T18:44:00.005+01:00

I was out canvassing in Snodland this morning for the Town Council by-election on Thursday and had one of those moments you really don't know what to do about. I knocked on a door and a rather good looking man opened the door with just a pure white towel wrapped around the lower half of his body. He was well tanned and to be honest it was rather difficult not to notice his sportsman-like physique. Naturally the first thing I spluttered was how sorry I was to disturb him etc etc but then by complete mistake said "I am finding it hard to concentrate...(nervous laughter by me)..." before finally getting out the point I was trying to make which is to see if he was going to support the Conservative candidate on Thursday. He replied "we don't vote" before hollering into another room "we don't vote do we love". A female voice replied "yeah, I vote Labour" before he yelled back "WHAT? THAT LOT ARE RIPPING US OFF - YOU CAN'T SUPPORT THEM...". At which point I could only apologise profusely for starting a domestic and scuttled off quickly to the next door. I didn't really know what to put down on the canvass card so entered a W for won't vote - he'll probably be at the gym anyway!

After Snodland, I headed up to one of my favourite lunch time venues - the Robin Hood Pub - for a Ham, Egg and Chips to celebrate Proud of Pubs Week. I love a good pub - one with atmosphere and a proper pint - and would much rather head to a pub than a bar for a decent bite to eat and to relax with colleagues and friends. Sadly the pubs are having a rough time of late with nearly 30 closing every week and with the extra 4p being added to the pint following the last Budget the outlook is quite gloomy. Pressure is being put on pubs to diversify in order to meet costs and if they are not selling out to the high volume bar trade they are being turned into other commercial operations. Some research has been done into pub closures by Professor Preece of the University of Teeside and he makes an extremely good point about the value of the local pub: "In many cases the pub is the last community facility left – the village shop went years ago and the Post Office and bank have gone. There may be a village hall but it is not an inviting place to sit and chat. The pub was the place where the football team and the darts team were run from. Their loss is a great shame." Sadly if the pubs continue to close then alongside the closure of Post Offices we will lose our last bastions of the community.

(Tracey & Adrian Gulvin enjoying Ham, Egg & Chips at the Robin Hood Pub)

A day of education

2008-07-17T16:43:00.004+01:00

Yesterday morning I was invited to join other members of the community to watch years 5 & 6 of Aylesford Primary School perform their school play. Sitting in the audience was the Mayor, the vicar, local councillors, school governors, police officers, residents of the Royal British Legion Village, councillors and myself and we all sat there for nearly two hours enthralled by the wonderful performance. The children told a tale of war time evacuation from London to Caerphilly. It was a brilliantly scripted play with a wonderful musical score, which the children sang their hearts to - including some very brave solo performances. They had one more performance last night and I am sure if it was half as good as it was yesterday morning, then parents will be very proud of their children today.

After the play I went to see Councillor Les Wicks, portfolio holder for schools at Medway Council, to raise with him some concerns that parents have raised with me about the proposed merger of Chatham South and Medway Community College into a new academy. One particular concern I raised with Les was how the consultation was being run but he reassured me that there are going to be a number of public meetings where parents will be able to raise their concerns directly to the Council. I would urge parents and pupils to attend these meetings - further information of the dates will be published here shortly.

A tad red faced

2008-07-13T20:30:00.004+01:00

The under 10s, 11s and 12s were all in the same tournament today in Chatterden with the under 10s getting into the final, beating teams older than themselves and playing brilliantly. Unfortunately they lost to Lordswood in the final but they had played so well that they thoroughly deserved their runners up medal. Unfortunately muggins here completely under-estimated the strength of the sun and am currently sitting at my PC radiating heat (and light) with an extremely burnt nose and forehead (or "spam" as one of the coaches called it!). I am usually so paranoid about getting burnt that I put too much cream on and wonder why I never tan! Which is why I am feeling even more of a wally this evening. Time to put the sun cream back in the car methinks...

Carnival Time

2008-07-12T18:22:00.003+01:00

I joined the Brownies this morning for another Bash the Trash event and the turnout was excellent. I was sent with local Councillors Allan Sullivan and Peter Homewood to tackle Fossington Way which was so bad that I had noticed all the litter as I drove past to meet the Brownies in the first place. It didn't take us very long to fill our bag and we were glad to get back to base for a glass of squash prepared by Brown Owl.

I then headed up to Lordswood to meet other members of the team and help deliver our latest survey, before going over to Snodland for their annual Carnival. Despite the weather not being as good last year, I think there were more people at this year's Carnival - and there were definitely more floats, including one which nearly got stuck getting into the park in the first place. It certainly added a bit of drama to the occasion!!

An afternoon with Ann

2008-07-05T21:01:00.004+01:00

It has been a very long day. My under 1o girls were in a football tournament at Vintners Park this morning starting at 8.30am. Sadly because of prior commitments I could only watch their first two games (won one, lost one) before dashing off in my suit - I looked very fetching on the sideline! - to Larkfield for a meeting.

After a quick cup of coffee in Sainsbury's cafe with my President, I headed up to Kits Coty for an afternoon tea with Maidstone MP Ann Widdecombe. It was great that she could come and as I stood in front of the gathered guests I felt proud that at (hopefully) the start of my Parliamentary career I was able to thank a formidable and much admired neighbouring politician at the end of hers. Ann is a politician who has become popular, well-liked and trusted. Even my mum likes her and if I can capture half Ann's energy and enthusiasm then I'll be doing OK.

I spent a long time talking to a variety of people including a now retired GP about the issues he faces as a doctor and how difficult it is to practice, whether you are a GP, a doctor or a nurse, with so many managers trying to run the NHS. A point that was being made by one of the doctors at the Medway Maritime today, as the NHS celebrated its 60th anniversary. After the tea finished I had to go to Lordswood for another meeting before calling it a day.

I was very sad to have missed the Veterans Day in Chatham, but I was listening to the news reports on Radio Kent and was pleased that it appeared to have gone very well.

Spitfires in the final

2008-07-04T22:45:00.002+01:00

I was listening to some of the ball by ball coverage of Kent v Durham today in the Friends Provident Semi-Final. I haven't managed to get to a single game this season but was delighted to hear them get through to the final at Lords on 16 August thanks to some fantastic batting and bowling by the Spitfires. I think they are truly one of the best one-day teams in the Country at the moment - their all round game is really good. Yorkshire or Essex stand in Kent's way to be this season's Champions - fingers crossed for another trophy!

The Sopranos - Dickens style

2008-07-04T22:30:00.003+01:00

Exciting news from BBC Kent - a new drama is to be filmed at Dickens World!

According to the report filming for a TV series set in the 18th century and featuring Andy Serkis is to take place at Dickens World. The 13-part drama, entitled Newgate, is said to feature a Sopranos style storyline set in the London of 1720 and filming is to start at Dickens World, Chatham, Kent, on 12 July. The filmmakers hope the series will be broadcast in 2009. Andy Serkis was of course Gollum in Lord of the Rings.

Insert Crouchian fact: my brother worked on the special effects for the third Lord of the Rings film, in particular the battle for Minas Tirith. So despite having never read a word of Tolkien (unlike my sister who is a Tolkien addict), I rented the previous two Lord of the Rings films just so I could go a watch the third one to see my brother's work - that is nine hours worth of sibling dedication for one major scene!!

Skipping Class

2008-07-04T21:11:00.004+01:00

I went to New Road Primary in Chatham today and saw one of the most amazing school initiatives I've seen to date. It is "Skip2Bfit" and was sent up by a Kent based chap called John McCormack, a former boxer and boxing trainer, who has introduced skipping into primary schools as a way of improving academic performance.

The pupils (and teachers) at New Road Primary were having a lot of fun skipping to the Eye of the Tiger when I arrived at 2pm and it wasn't long before I got roped in (geddit?) to having a go - thankfully I had my plimsolls in my handbag so didn't have to do it in my heels! I only had a token skip - it is hard to do it properly in a suit - but even after a little while my heart was pumping away. That said I think my biggest worry was that I was going to whack some kid with my skipping rope - not exactly a vote winner!

Anyway, my efforts were token but the efforts of John, Dwain and the others who run Skip2Bfit are full time and hugely impressive. John is absolutely convinced that this initiative helps improve academic performance - and with some reason: in Medway alone it has been proven that it has raised concentration levels and learning ability - and it goes without saying that it helps keep children fit and healthy.

I gave out the certificates at the special assembly at the end, which was followed by a "face off" between the best teacher and the best student, which had all the students (and teaching) cheering along. All in all the whole thing smacks of fun - and how else do you get children engaged in learning and fitness if it is not fun. I enjoyed my little skip but annoyingly I forgot to ask for permission to publish pictures of the children I was skipping with - hence the cropped picture above - but hopefully I will publish more soon.

After an afternoon at New Road Primary, I went to see a parent of two children at Chatham South School. He is very concerned about the proposed merger of Chatham South with Medway Community College. More soon on this...

Fete Day!

2008-06-28T16:57:00.003+01:00

This weekend I have one of my oldest school friends Chloe, and her new husband Martin, are staying with me whilst they are on holiday from New Zealand. Chloe emigrated about 8 years ago and this is her first trip back to the UK for sometime. So how better to reintroduce her to English life than by taking her to the Aylesford village festival to watch Morris and belly dancing, eat a hamburger prepared by the local scouts, and hook a duck from a swimming pool to win a bow and arrow. Thankfully, and unlike last year, the weather was glorious so an amble stroll around the festival, looking at the Kent produce for sale wasn't too much like hard work for my visitors from the southern hemisphere!

After Aylesford we headed up to Lordswood for the Community Fete at the Kestrel Avenue shopping centre, which was smaller but well attended. When I left the local youth worker Andy was painting a huge mural with some youngsters from the estate to hang on the outside of the youth club - it was looking good and can't wait to see it up.

As the offical national day of Fetes draws to a close, I am now back indoors giving my friends the attention they deserve - especially as they are on their honeymoon...!

Sign a birthday card to celebrate the 60th birthday of the NHS

2008-06-25T20:49:00.004+01:00

This year marks the 60th birthday of that great British institution, the NHS. To celebrate this milestone, and to show support for the doctors, nurses and other NHS workers who play such an important part in all our lives, the Conservative Party has created an online birthday card for you to sign. We have all benefited from the NHS’s care at some point, so please join me in wishing many happy returns to everyone involved with this vital institution.

Sorry for the silence

2008-06-24T21:07:00.002+01:00

My apologies for blogging silence. After spending Saturday in Wayfield, and then Saturday evening at the presentation night with my under 1o girls football team, I headed off to Wales early Sunday morning for a 90th birthday party and only got back yesterday afternoon in time for the launch of the new political lifestyle magazine Total Politics. The magazine is published by Kent blogger Iain Dale and will be available from most major newsagents. Alternatively, the new Total Politics website can be found HERE.

Sadly as a result of being at the family party I was unable to attend the launch of "Let's go Karting" at Buckmore Park, hosted by Formula 1 legend John Surtees, where youngster aged between 8 and 16 will be able to get behind the wheel for £5 in an attempt to find the next Lewis Hamilton or Jensen Button. I wish the scheme every success and hope that it attracts many local kart enthusiasts to test their skills.

A Wild West Village Fete

2008-06-14T18:29:00.002+01:00

Have just got back from a busy day out and about which started off in Lordswood this morning to help deliver my latest newspaper followed by a meeting with residents in Luton over car parking issues. Then this afternoon, I headed over to Blue Bell Hill for their summer fete which this year was on a Wild West theme. Unfortunately, as the vicar explained, their PR operation hadn't really kicked in so the only people who knew it was Wild West were the Committee! Still the huge cowboy straddling the entrance to the church, surveying the village green, looked fabulous. No village fete would be complete without a local dance troupe and thankfully the sun was out so the morris dancers and the modern dancers entertained villagers for most of the afternoon with some wonderful performances. I bought some locally produced apple juice and honey and wandered around in the sun with Blue Bell Hill Councillor Peter Homewood happy that the village festival season is finally here - summer has arrived!!

Michael Howard's Silver Anniversary

2008-06-13T23:03:00.002+01:00

Tonight I drove down to Folkestone to celebrate Michael Howard's 25 years as an MP. I grew up with Michael as my MP and he should be credited for getting me actively involved in politics. I spent many happy years involved in his association and working in and on his election campaigns so I enjoyed returning to Folkestone this evening to see so many familiar faces and old friends. I think it is testament to Michael's achievements that there were video recordings from all 5 Leaders of the Party he has served as an MP under - Mrs Thatcher, John Major, William Hague, Iain Duncan Smith and of course David Cameron, who like me has worked for Michael and knows him well. I felt privileged to be invited to his surprise party but sad that Parliament, along with the electorate of Folkestone & Hythe, is losing such a hard working MP.

Is the Lisbon Treaty dead?

2008-06-13T22:50:00.002+01:00

After the Irish voted "no" in their referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, one would be forgiven for celebrating this evening thinking that the EU Constitution was dead. Except I just heard an interview with a French politician on the World Tonight which makes me wonder whether the Irish vote will simply be ignored and the Treaty, in some other form, will just be pushed through. UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband has already said that the Labour Government will push ahead with ratification, despite not asking the public what they think in a referendum as promised in their manifesto.

The EU rules clearly state that the Treaty has to be ratified by all 27 countries, but I get this sense that after the result today the goal posts have just been moved. Put the champagne on ice...this is not over yet.

Joining the Church

2008-06-08T18:06:00.003+01:00

After spending the morning delivering newspapers, I joined Blue Bell Hill Councillors Allan and Peter in a community litter pick organised by the vicar of St Albans Church The Rev Phil Wootton. A number of parishioners and local residents turned up and were kitted out by Bev from Tonbridge & Malling Council in high visibility jackets and gloves, and after photos and a short prayer of thanks, off we went around the village armed with litter pickers and green bags. We were only out for an hour but still managed to fill half a dozen bags which is quite shocking. The funniest moment of the afternoon was when two bare torsoed lads in a suped up car pulled over and asked very politely (even saying please!) if they could put their beer can in the bin - the driver was at pains to point out that it wasn't his - before speeding off into the distance giggling to themselves. I didn't care - at least I didn't have to go and pick it up of the path with my litter pickers, which incidentally had a crocodile painted on them!! And after an hour of hard work in the hot sun I think it is now time for a long cool drink.

Memorial Meadow

2008-06-07T18:48:00.003+01:00

This afternoon I joined the local vicar, councillors and residents for a short service to commemorate 60 years of the Luton Memorial Meadow, which has been recently redesigned and landscaped by volunteers to honour those from Luton who lost their lives during World War II. Flag bearers from the Brownies and Scouts stood alongside the local Royal British Legion and veterans for the prayer of remembrance and a minutes silence. Once the service was finished the summer fete was opened. I was shown the book of remembrance by Don, the veteran volunteer who, alongside Bob, has worked tirelessly to ensure that the memorial meadow is free from housing development and that the meadow is maintained to honour fallen soldiers. He proudly showed me photos and letters that span over 60 years, including two from Dame Vera Lynn. I was really pleased to have been a part of today's service.

Michael Gove visits Chatham & Aylesford

2008-06-03T18:12:00.004+01:00

Following David Cameron's decision to hold his Shadow Cabinet in Maidstone, I hosted my first senior politician tour of the patch today. It was a bit odd to be on the "other side" of a tour as previously I had been the one that would sign off David Davis' visits, but today I was the one playing hostess - and I was unusually nervous when I woke up this morning. A lot of work goes into organising them and you are always at the mercy of other people so you can never be quite sure how a visit will go - but it went brilliantly.

Michael Gove, Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, had specifically requested to come to Chatham & Aylesford which is hugely flattering because it usually happens the other way round! So after lunch at County Hall with Cameron and his team, Michael and I headed first to Aylesford Primary School where we were met by the wonderful headmistress Mrs Evans, the family liaison officer Jane and local Councillor Dave Smith.

Mrs Evans took us on a tour of the school which is a delightful primary in the shadow of the new Sports Academy. It is sad that such a huge amount of money has been invested in the secondary school and yet the primary school has had very little extra money invested in it and although extremely neat and tidy is in desperate need of repair. So much time and energy is spent devising policy on secondary education that often the primary system is forgotten despite the fact that if you get it wrong in the early years, then the rest of the education system falters. As soon as you walk into Aylesford Primary, you know you are entering somewhere special - it was evident almost immediately, as we walked through a salsa class, that the children appeared to be thoroughly enjoying their learning. I was hugely impressed by the game of Simon Says being conducted in French by the Deputy Head - I am ashamed to say that I found it difficult to keep up with the children, who were a 100 times better than me!

After our tour of the school, I took Michael up to Buckmore Park Kart Circuit where we saw the Park's launch of Playing for Success with local children.

Playing for Success Kent provides a wide range of activities that enable, enrich and extend young people’s experiences in Kent. It promotes informal, active and most importantly learning opportunities outside normal school hours. Playing for Success is a partnership initiative between the Department for Children, Schools and Families, Kent County Council and four clubs in Kent including Buckmore Park, Ebbsfleet United and Kent Spitfires.

Not only did we spend some time on the karts (although not driving them!) and in the class with the children, but we also heard about some of the other community projects Buckmore Park has been involved in to help local children, especially those who have been excluded from school. What this latest project helps do is highlight in a very practical way how literacy and numeracy fit into everyday life, and helps develop their skills in a way that is perhaps less daunting for them than a class room. It was hugely impressive and the children were very excited to be part of the scheme. Although the funniest part of the afternoon was when Michael started to ask questions about Britain's Got Talent - he wanted Signature to win (as did I) although almost everyone in the class had a different favourite!!

Once we had finished at the Park I managed to get Michael back to Maidstone in time for his train back to London and finally heaved a sigh of relief - my first Shadow Cabinet visit had gone well, without a hitch and to schedule.

A very brave lady

2008-05-30T22:14:00.002+01:00

"We can all turn a blind eye to situations in our lives and that's what's wrong with everybody now. We are teaching our children that it's OK to do this and it's wrong."

Those are the words of a mother who reported her own sons to the police after she discovered they had brutally attacked a man leaving him blind in one eye. As a consequence she has lost contact with most of her family, and of course her two sons are now in prison. It is a very sad and emotional story but I think she is a very brave woman and should be highly commended for her actions. The full story can be read HERE.

Local Business Survey

2008-05-26T17:05:00.002+01:00

I recently conducted a survey of local businesses, ranging from small to medium-sized operations, and have been looking through the returns today. Not a single respondent thought the Government made it easy for them to invest and grow their business, which is awful. How can we expect UK plc to grow if our businesses feel it is too difficult or too risky for them to invest and expand?

I asked what regulations were the biggest burden to their business and the replies were really interesting: 17% said maternity/paternity leave; 8% said pensions; 21% said money laundering; but 43% said health & safety regulations with many adding additional comments on the same theme.

I also asked what one change would help their business most and unsurprisingly the replies ranged from a cut in corporate tax for small businesses and the reduction of fuel duty through to less red tape. Businesses, especially small ones, are often forgotten by media commentators when reporting on the "credit crunch" and the impact it is having domestically. But it is quite clear from the surveys that business is already finding it tough, and that they are tightening their belts - which sadly often means job losses - in order to prepare for some difficult times ahead. However there was one respondent who didn't ask for a change in tax or red tape. He simply said that the one change that would help his business most was for "Labour being voted out". Quite.

University Challenge

2008-05-24T18:34:00.002+01:00

I managed to spend some of this afternoon watching the Championship Play-Off Final between Hull and Bristol. I went to Hull University and went to watch Hull FC at the old Boothferry Road stadium. My partner went to Bristol University and so the challenge was set. Neither of us passionately support Hull or Bristol but even so one of us is happier than the other this evening!! :-)

Crewe & Nantwich

2008-05-23T18:26:00.003+01:00

What an amazing result in Crewe & Nantwich for the Conservative Party! A near 18% swing in a by-election is extraordinary, although as David Cameron himself says: winning a by-election and winning a general election are two different things. I doubt very much we'll have a General Election now until 2010, which I know from my conversations with local people that this will be a horrifying prospect for many who are crying out for change.

Wet Wouldham

2008-05-17T18:57:00.002+01:00

Hurrah for the girl guides of Wouldham. Despite the pouring rain and cold wind, I drove into the car park at Wouldham Rec to be greeted by over 20 children, many of whom were from Wouldham Girl Guides, dressed in High Visibility jackets and armed with litter pickers and it cheered me up immensely. Off we went in our wellies, pac-a-mac's, bin bags, pickers and heavy duty gloves and given the army of helpers I reckon as a team we covered most of the village. I headed off with Cllr Roger Dalton and two Guides - Nicola and Rebecca - and tramped our way up and down school lane picking up discarded rubbish from people too lazy and too selfish to both taking it home with them. By the end of the session we all regrouped back at the Rec and were quite horrified to see how much we'd picked up! Everyone got totally soaked but for the Guides it was hopefully worth it because it goes towards their Challenge Badge. I hope the village residents see the difference next time they go out but in the meantime I am on my fourth cup of tea trying to warm up brrrrr.

ps - There were photos taken but I look a right wally in my purple hooded pac-a-mac so I am not posting them!! But if any parents want a copy please email me at tracey@traceycrouch.co.uk

Sun, Sausages and Surveys

2008-05-10T18:51:00.002+01:00

I have survived the first really hot and sunny Saturday of the year without getting horribly sun burnt - always a cause for celebration when you are as fair skinned as me! I spent the morning out in Walderslade, before popping up to the office to scoop up a mountain of post, before heading back to meet the troops for a late lunch of sausages and chips.

Our surveys are coming back thick and fast and for the first time I am beginning to see the "cost of living" listed as a key concern. Sadly I expect to see it a lot more in the near future.

Joining Jamesy & KGB on Hospital Radio Medway

2008-05-08T19:12:00.003+01:00

Today I recorded a two hour interview with DJs Jamesy & KGB (aka Ian and Bill) for Hospital Radio Medway and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

It was all a bit daunting to start off with because I was asked to send my top 10 records in advance but they couldn't be depressing or have any reference to death or dying in them - for obvious reasons. So when we started the interview I was very conscious that the listeners were most likely to be extremely unwell and that they were looking to be distracted and entertained - no pressure then! But when the two DJs are sitting in football tops, taking the mickey out of each other, it was hard not to relax and enjoy the experience.

The two hours flew by and we covered a whole range of topics from local politics, the state of the Conservative Party, Boris the Mayor through to crime (Ian is a police officer when he is not volunteering at the hospital), community action programmes and mixed sex wards. KGB (or Bill) is brilliant - he is a real "man of the people" with strong views on a number of issues. On a number of occasions I could hear myself chuckling into the mic as he and Ian exchanged witty remarks - although I was most upset when they both disagreed with me that blue cheese "is the best cheese" (their signature question).

It was actually harder than I thought to pick my top 10 records. My taste is so eclectic that the top 10 change on a daily basis! Anyway, here are the top 10 non-depressing tunes chosen for Hospital Radio Medway - if only I knew how to upload them onto a e-mixed tape for you all to listen to!!

1) Paint it Black, Rolling Stones
2) Town called Malice, The Jam
3) This is the One, The Stone Roses
4) History, Thirteen Senses
5) We've Got Tonight, Bob Seger
6) Islands in the Stream, Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers
7) Wish you were here, Pink Floyd
8) Chasing Cars, Snow Patrol
9) Romeo & Juliet, Dire Straits
10) The Man Who Sold the World, Nirvana