54th Weekly Newsletter
As we approach Remembrance Sunday, communities across the country will pause to honour those who gave their lives in service to others. It’s always moving to see how people of all ages come together for this act of shared remembrance – a reminder of the values that bind us as a nation and as neighbours. That same spirit of community will be on display at my Health Fair in Farnham next Friday, where I’ll be joining local organisations and volunteers to showcase how they support residents every day of the year.
Greg
FEATURED THIS WEEK
Farnham Schools’ Remembrance Parade
School children from across Farnham joined the annual Schools’ Parade this morning. After the launch of the Poppy Appeal in Liphook a couple of weeks ago, this is my first official event of remembrance weekend, where we honour those that fought for us - and the values we must all do our best to uphold. We will remember them.
New accessible jetty for Frensham sailors
After some tireless fundraising work and support from Sport England, there’s a new wider and higher load-bearing jetty at Frensham Pond Sailing Club. Now, more wheelchair users can get into sailing using specialist equipment and enjoy being out on the water - in the stunning surrounds of Frensham Great Pond.
Questions from Highfield’s School Council
An enthusiastic welcome from pupils at Highfield School on Weydon Lane was swiftly followed by questions about my role as an MP and what’s going on in our community. Looking around the school I also spoke to staff, which is invaluable in informing my work in pressing the Government for better support.
The return of the Wheatsheaf
Local publican JP and his team have brought the Wheatsheaf on Farnham’s West Street back to life after a period of closure. I popped in to have a chat about their ambition for the pub and eagerness to put it back on the map. Pubs can only survive with our support, so do drop by if you have time for a drink.
HOW CHILDHOOD HAS CHANGED
Smartphones have transformed childhood. Around 80% of 10–12-year-olds now own a smartphone, spending an average of 29 hours a week on their devices. Teenagers using their phones for more than five hours a day are 71% more likely to display a suicide risk factor, while rates of self-harm among 10–12-year-olds have surged - up 364% for girls and 155% for boys. These figures paint a deeply troubling picture of how technology is impacting young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Last night, I hosted a Smartphone Free Childhood panel in Bordon to hear directly from parents, teachers and clinicians about these challenges. I’ll now be writing to Government to ensure your concerns are heard in Parliament and working with local schools to continue this important conversation. If you’re a parent or carer, I encourage you to learn more and sign the Parent Pact - a commitment to delay smartphone use and protect children’s mental health.
SUPPORT FOR OUR HIGH STREETS
Our high streets are changing - and without action, too many could fade away. On Tuesday, I spoke about the urgent need to back small businesses and restore confidence in our local economies. Across our area, 98% of businesses are small or medium-sized enterprises - run by hardworking people who train young staff, create jobs and invest in their communities. Yet my calls for support have once again fallen on the deaf ears of anti-business Labour and the disappointing Liberal Democrats, who continue to do little to oppose this Government’s disastrous plans for higher taxes and deeper red tape.
The Conservatives’ new plan will scrap business rates entirely, freeing almost a quarter of a million small businesses from one of their biggest burdens. It’s a bold, pro-growth policy that rewards ambition and helps local entrepreneurs reinvest in staff, premises and innovation. Across Farnham, Bordon, Haslemere, Liphook and our villages, our high streets don’t need more bureaucracy or higher bills - they need breathing space to grow and thrive once again.
CASEWORK ROUNDUP
I’ve been in touch with constituents on a wide range of local issues. Concerns about evening parking charges in Farnham and maintenance of car parks across Waverley have increased this week, and I’ve demand urgent action from Waverley Borough Council. Likewise delays to the opening of public footpaths have all been raised in my ongoing discussions with Surrey County Council. I was also contacted by several worried residents following reports of a break-in and attempted break-ins in Haslemere. I immediately spoke with the Borough Commander to receive an update and will be meeting residents over the weekend to ensure appropriate patrols and action are taken.
I’m also assisting a constituent who has faced long delays with her driving licence renewal, having heard nothing from the DVLA since May. I have written directly to the agency to press for an update and resolution. And - like almost every week - SEND education features highly in my inbox, with a particularly difficult case in Bordon being resolved successful for a local child.
