David Amess

Archive for the ‘David's activities in Southend West’ Category

David Amess MP talks to a local newsagent about small business rate relief

David Amess, Member of Parliament for Southend West, has been touring the area visiting small shops and businesses on a fact-finding mission to determine first-hand the effects of the economic downturn on the Southend region.

David has been everywhere from motorcycle shops to dog parlours in and around Southend West. Joined by various local councillors along the way David has been covering the entire area in an effort to establish what may be done to help local independent retailers and businesses.

David Amess with Juliette, proprietor of Leigh cake shop Fancy Nancy

The resounding message from the shops in Leigh and Westcliff is that more people need to shop locally. Small shops such as bakeries, butchers and grocers are becoming increasingly threatened by the advent of large supermarkets and they are in danger of being priced out of the market. Aptly one local butcher commented, “If you don’t use us you’ll lose us”.

“If you don’t use us you’ll lose us”

In this difficult economic climate David is keen to help small business owners, he commented, “In my capacity as Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Small Shops I feel it is important during this economic downturn to highlight the problems of the smaller retailer and to draw attention to their social as well as their commercial role. ”

David Amess MP visiting ‘Forever Sweet’

On Saturday, 12^th September David Amess, Member of Parliament for Southend West, joined with members of the Thalam Family Club to celebrate their first anniversary at the Balmoral Centre, Westcliff-on-Sea.

David Amess MP with members of the Thalam Family Club

The Thalam Family Club is a group of similar minded people from the Indian community in the Southend and Westcliff area. The group was formed with the aim of promoting Indian culture, enriching the talents of its members through the organisation of cultural and sporting events and joining with the local authorities to actively participate in the wider community of Southend through various activities such as volunteering.

David addressed the members of the Thalam Family Club in a wide-ranging speech which touched on the increasingly important economic ties Britain has with India. David was then kept entertained by some of the younger members of the club who performed customary Indian cultural dances. To round up the anniversary celebrations everyone enjoyed a traditional Kerala meal.

Some younger members of the Thalam Family Club performing a traditional Indian dance.

Last weekend David Amess, Member of Parliament for Southend West, joined with the Southend Malayalee Association and Southend Deputy Mayor Ann Holland at the Eastwood Community Centre to celebrate the festival of Onam.

David was treated to traditional dancing and a taste of South Indian culture as part of the Malayalee’s traditional annual harvest festival. The festival of Onam is a tradition celebrated by the people of the South East Indian state of Kerala, it lasts for 10 days and is a celebration of the legend of King Mahabali.

Members of all ages from the community spent the afternoon performing traditional dances from their culture and everyone left the celebration thoroughly entertained.

David Amess MP with Marianne West of Help for Heroes, Southend’s ex-mayor Cllr Gwen Horrigan and Hannah Fisher.

This morning David Amess, Member of Parliament for Southend West, joined with ex-mayor Cllr Gwen Horrigan and residents of Adams Elm House in presenting a cheque for nearly three hundred pounds to Marianne West, Help for Heroes Co-ordinator for Essex.

Hannah Fisher, a resident of Adams Elm House, decided to organise a collection for the Help for Heroes charity in response to the recent news coverage of the number of servicemen and women who have been injured or killed in Afghanistan.

Following an overwhelming response from the residents of Adams Elm House Marianne West was invited to the sheltered accommodation so that the cheque could be presented to Help for Heroes. The residents hope that the money raised will go toward a new swimming pool at Headley Court.

Marianne West commented, “I am delighted to receive this cheque from the residents of Adam Elms House on behalf of Help for Heroes.”

Speaking at the event Mr Amess said, “The residents of Adams Elm House are an example to us all. I am so pleased that they have chosen to donate to Help for Heroes and that their money will go toward the magnificent work the charity does in aid of those suffering from wounds inflicted by the continuing warfare in Afghanistan and Iraq.”

Today, David Amess MP joined Chelsea Pensioners and volunteers from across Leigh and Southend in a street collection for Help for Heroes.

The volunteers pounded the pavement on Southend High Street in an effort to raise as much cash as possible for those wounded servicemen and women returning from both Afghanistan and Iraq.

The volunteers gathered at the Grosvenor Hotel, Westcliff-on-Sea and proceeded to Southend High Street for an early 9am start. The collectors will remain until 8pm but the money raised already looks promising as busy shoppers are giving generously despite the recession.

Mr Amess commented, “I am so pleased to be able to take part in this event which is raising funds for a truly worthwhile organisation; Help for Heroes do invaluable work helping to restore the lives of those servicemen and women who have fought so bravely for our country.”

Help for Heroes is a charity which was set up in 2007 to help the wounded servicemen and women returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. More details can be found on www.helpforheroes.org.uk.

David Amess MP with Southend West Conservative Future Members after the Quiz Night

On Wednesday, 12^th August 2009 David Amess MP supported the first Southend West Conservative Future Quiz Night. Young people from across Southend came together to enjoy a night of fun and laughter at Iveagh Hall.

The evening was a resounding success; over forty participants tucked into some fish and chips and enjoyed a night of intellectually stimulating questions. The winners took home an assortment of prizes whilst the losing team, YKK, were awarded wooden spoons- but they still went home smiling!

David presents wooden spoons to the losing team YKK

David Amess kept everyone entertained during the evening sharing the responsibility of quizmaster with James Courtenay, Southend West Conservative Future Chairman and Stephanie Drake, Southend West Conservative Future Secretary.

Speaking at the event James commented; “I am really pleased that Conservative Future in Southend West is now back on the scene. The group is continually growing and is a great place for like minded individuals to socialise and be politically active with.”

Conservative Future is the movement for under 30s and has 18,000 members across the country. The Southend West Conservative Future group is rapidly expanding and looking to run an even larger range of events, activities, and social gatherings.

If anyone is interested in joining the Southend West Conservative Future they should visit www.conservativefuture.com or contact Iveagh Hall, 67 Leigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea on 01702 472301.

David Amess MP as quizmaster with Stephanie Drake, Southend West CF Secretary

Back Row (left to right): Jo, Thomas Costello, David Amess MP, Raymond Costello.

Front Row (left to right): Centenarian Essie Gauda and her daughter Kathy Costello

David Amess, Member of Parliament for Southend West last week treated centenarian Essie Gauda to a tour of the Houses of Parliament. In another first for Southend West Essie is the oldest person to ever be taken on a conducted tour of the Palace of Westminster.

Essie arrived with her daughter Kathy Costello, her two grandsons Thomas and Raymond and Raymond’s girlfriend Jo. Despite the fact Essie has reached the remarkable age of one hundred she insisted on walking most of the way around the House of Commons joking, “I am only one hundred years young”.

Essie has long dreamed of going on a tour of the Houses of Parliament and David was delighted to fulfil her ambition and show her the history of the Palace of Westminster. Following her personalised tour Essie reluctantly took a break and enjoyed tea with David and her family on the House of Commons terrace.

In her lifetime Essie has seen 19 Prime Ministers pass through Government and speaking after the event she commented that it was a day she shall never forget.

David Amess MP with centenarian Essie Gauda and her family on the House of Commons terrace

David Amess, Member of Parliament for Southend West is appealing for any war veterans in the Southend area and beyond to come forward and take part in the Southend Carnival Procession on 22^nd August 2009.

Mr Amess commented, “The procession is a wonderful opportunity for the people of Southend to show their gratitude and support to those heroes who have so bravely fought for the freedom of our country.”

The Chelsea Pensioners and other veterans shall begin the procession aboard an open-top bus on Southend Seafront at 7.45pm. Tea and refreshments will be provided for all those involved at the local Grosvenor Hotel, Westcliff-on-Sea. Transportation with disabled access can also be provided to and from the Carnival for those that require it.

Anyone who is interested, or knows of someone who may be interested in attending should contact the office of David Amess MP at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, at [email protected] or on 0207 219 3452 for more information.

Calling all Centenarians!

David Amess MP attempts to break the Guinness World Record for the Greatest Gathering of Centenarians

David Amess, Member of Parliament for Southend West invites anyone aged 100 or more to join him for the fifth annual Centenarians Tea Party to be held on Friday, 25^th September at Iveagh Hall, Leigh-on-Sea.

David is attempting to break his previously set record for the largest gathering of centenarians, which currently stands at 23. Southend West has the largest number of centenarians in the country and this year the tea party promises to be bigger and better than ever! All participants shall enjoy an afternoon of music, entertainment and refreshments and transport will be provided to those in need of it.

David is therefore appealing for all centenarians in the Southend area and beyond or anyone that knows of someone who will be 100 years or older by the 25^th September 2009 to get in touch with his office so that he may personally invite them to the party.

Please contact the office of David Amess MP at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA for an invitation or more information.

David Amess MP with James Duddridge MP, Mark Francois MP, Brian Houssart, and the Southend Carnival Court at the Southend Taxi Drivers Charity Fund for Children day out

On Wednesday 5^th August David Amess, Member of Parliament for Southend West joined his colleagues James Duddridge, MP for Southend East and Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh in lending his support to the Southend Taxi Drivers’ Fund for Children annual day out.

Mr Amess joined in the day’s events at Belchamps Activity Centre, Hawkwell. A wide variety of activities were provided for the children ranging from donkey rides to a rifle range. The children, aged 5-9 years old were encouraged to try rock climbing and abseiling and constant music kept the children entertained throughout the day.

Since 1972 the Southend Taxi Drivers’ Charity Fund for Children has provided parties and events for needy and disabled children and those from broken homes. The charity provides both financial support and physical activities like its annual day out for the children of Southend.

James Duddridge MP, Brian Houssart the President of the Taxi Drivers Charity Fund for Children and David Amess MP