COLUMN - Political View with Edward Argar, MP for Melton & Syston
It was a real pleasure to join the team from Great Dalby’s March House Farm at an event in Parliament hosted by the Countryside Alliance to celebrate fantastic rural businesses and the contribution they make to our communities.
The Countryside Alliance Awards recognise those businesses that do so much to help our rural communities flourish, and March House Farm was the regional finalist in the 'Rural Enterprise' category, but the day got even better when they were announced as the national winner in the Rural Enterprise category, collecting a coveted plaque recognising their achievement.
The butchery, farm shop, deli, and cafe are a fixture in the local area, with people travelling not just from neighbouring villages, but from much further afield to shop there, and to enjoy the different events hosted on site.
The team always provide a warm welcome, and take huge pride in the quality of the meat and other products the farm shop sells, so this national recognition was very well-deserved.
It was a privilege to join the March House Farm team at the awards and to join them in celebrating their success.
Businesses like March House Farm are the backbone of our rural economy, and I wish them all the very best, and huge success in the future.
On a similar, rural, theme, I also want to pay tribute to Melton Young Farmers’ Club, whose 90th anniversary dinner and celebration I recently attended.
Ninety years and still going strong is a huge achievement for any organisation, and as well as the fun of the evening there was a serious side in the recognition of all those who have, both in the past year, but throughout its existence, contributed so much to this fantastic organisation.
It brings together young people in that most important of professions, farming, providing support and friendship, but also contributing to our local community, and at the dinner raise thousands of pounds for charity.
Farming has faced, and continues to face, challenging times, but the energy, drive and commitment of all those who organised the dinner and event left me feeling that the future is in safe hands if this next generation of young people in Melton Young Farmers’ Club are anything to go by.
I want to thank everyone who helped organise the event, and borough councillor Elaine Holmes, who also places such a big role in our local Young Farmers Club and in encouraging and supporting our young farmers.
As we approach the start of the parliamentary summer recess, we also approach the arrival of a new Prime Minister.
Once that new PM is in place I will write in the Melton Times my reflections on the appointment but, for the moment, I simply want to conclude my column by expressing my sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of former MP Ann Widdecombe, following her shocking death.
I met Ann when I was at school, many years ago, and she was extremely kind and encouraging to me in my political ambitions even back then, so my thoughts and prayers are with her family at this very difficult time.