Like most kids, I loved summer when I was growing up. It was a time for family, sunshine, and a change of routine. I spent long days at Tunstall Park with my sisters, racing each other between the bandstand and the pond, or heading into Burslem for a bit of shopping with my grandparents. On rainy days, there was always the old Normid at Talke Pits, an adventure in itself, before returning home for tea and biscuits around the table. Those simple moments became treasured memories, and I think many of us can remember summers that felt just the same.
Parliament’s summer recess is a bit like the school summer holidays. The pace changes, the setting is different, but the work doesn’t stop. In fact, the first couple of weeks have been just as busy as any week in Westminster, only with fewer train journeys to London!
I’ve been out and about all across Stoke-on-Trent and Kidsgrove. From enjoying the Goldenhill Fun Day and meeting local groups in Kidsgrove to sharing stories with families at ‘Tales in the Park’ in Tunstall Park and appearing on Six Towns Radio, the past fortnight has been a reminder of the energy and community spirit we have in every corner of our area. I’ve also been meeting with local businesses, charities and voluntary organisations — listening to what’s working well and where they need more support. My team and I have also held coffee mornings at Bradeley Village and Mow Cop, where we got to meet and hear from local people. These visits are a vital (and my favourite!) part of my role, helping me to speak with your voice in Parliament and to work with local partners to get things done.
And there has been some genuinely good news to share. One of the jewels of our city’s heritage, Burslem Indoor Market, is set to benefit from a £1 million investment for urgent preservation works. The funding will pay for urgent repairs, protecting this building from further deterioration. For generations, the market was part of the life and character of Burslem. It has seen the town through boom times and tough times, and it deserves a future as bright as its past. By safeguarding the structure now, we keep the door open for exciting plans to come forward in the future. I won’t lose hope that we can make the Mother Town the place to be once again.
We’ve also secured another win for the future of our city, this time for our young people. Stoke-on-Trent is one of only 12 areas chosen for the Government’s Local Youth Transformation Pilot, which is investing £8 million nationally to rebuild local youth services. Our share will help us design activities, facilities and support that truly meet the needs of young people here. From sports and creative projects, to skills training and safe spaces to meet, this funding is about investing in the potential of a generation. When we give young people real opportunities, we strengthen our whole community for the future.
Both of these announcements tell an important story. Preserving our heritage and investing in our young people are two sides of the same coin. One honours the history and identity that makes our area unique; the other builds the skills, confidence and ambition that will carry us forward. If we do both well, we create a city that is proud of its past and ambitious for its future.
The summer recess still has a few weeks to go, and I’ll be making the most of that time by getting out and about around the area. Just like those summers in my childhood, it’s a season for exploring, meeting people, and working together to make things better.
Our area has always been resilient. With the right support, the right vision, and the right determination, we can make the future as memorable as the past.