Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visits Derby to meet charity volunteers …

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has stopped off in Derby to meet representatives providing charitable services across the city. The event was held at the Hannah Fields Community Gardens, in Normanton Lane, Littleover[1], which was founded with the ambition of creating a green space for the community, including those at risk of social isolation, and as a place to learn more about the natural environment and sustainability.

His visit on Wednesday (August 16) started with a cup of tea and slice of lemon drizzle cake at the Hannah Fields café followed by a tour of the fruit and vegetables produced on site. He had the opportunity to pick and take home a selection of tomatoes and he expressed how impressed he was with the care the volunteers had invested into the community garden.

Mr Sunak was then introduced to twenty-two representatives from different charities active in the city. Derby North MP Amanda Solloway,[2] who hosted the visit, said: "It was a privilege to introduce the Prime Minister to a variety of people who carry out important work in our community and impact the lives of so many people.

"Hannah Fields Community Garden was the perfect location to host this event as its mission, to provide a safe space to those who may not always have somewhere to go, is an ambition that many of our charities and local businesses share within their outreach work.

"The Prime Minister was really impressed to learn about a range of fantastic community projects, and I was delighted that he had the opportunity to thank these organisations, and the volunteers at Hannah Fields, for all their selfless work. We are lucky to have such a generous and diverse community."

Angela Griffin, who founded the Hannah Fields Community Gardens in 2018 said that it had been a pleasure to welcome the Prime Minister to the gardens and added: “It was a wonderful opportunity to share our work and mission here at Hannah Fields and that of all the other wonderful charitable projects in Derby."

At the same time as Mr Sunak's visit, Bolsover MP Mark Fletcher[4] was hosting Minister for Rail Huw Merriman on a visit to rail wagon manufacturer WH Davis at Langwith Junction.

PM Rishi Sunak with Derby North MP Amanda Solloway meeting volunteers PM Rishi Sunak with Derby North MP Amanda Solloway meeting volunteers

The Minister’s visit was part of his UK wide tour that includes business visits, heritage, community rail and rail remembrance projects, as well as community engagement.

Mr Fletcher said: "It was an absolute pleasure to be able to welcome the Rail Minister to WH Davis today. They are such an important employer locally and they do a lot of work with our communities in Shirebrook and Langwith.

"Supporting local businesses is incredibly important to me and to have such a big manufacturer within our local community is a great source of pride for Bolsover.[5] And as the last independent wagon manufacturer left in the UK - I wanted to show the Minister the very best of what our area has to offer."

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References

  1. ^ Littleover (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
  2. ^ Derby North MP Amanda Solloway, (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
  3. ^ : Merry Widows pub in Derby closes as hunt for new landlord gets under way (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
  4. ^ Bolsover MP Mark Fletcher (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
  5. ^ Bolsover. (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
  6. ^ the main Derbyshire Live newsletter here (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)

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