Challenge is not always wise. On Tuesday I went to the Freemasons’ Hall for Lord Young’s memorial gathering. David Cameron recalled the ‘discussion’ between David Young and Norman Tebbit a week before the 1987 general election. When the dust settled, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher told them not to appear so often on television because they were old. Neither reminded her she was older than either of them.
David Young was my Secretary of State when I was the minister working on industrial relations, health and safety, and confronting discrimination. I still do work for fairness and justice.
Christ College in Finchley was David’s school. It ceased to be an Anglican school in 1927. Pupils included the Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sachs, University of London Vice Chancellor Professor Graham Zellick and the advertising and arts guru Charles Saatchi.
The present Freemasons’ Hall is the third on the site at Great Queen Street. It was built as the Masonic Peace Memorial to the thousands of Masons who died in the Great War. When the ‘war to end all war’ was followed by WWII the name changed to Freemasons’ Hall. It is open to visitors. I commend it as a fine interesting building.
The years of Masonic secrecy are way past. I was pleased to attend open days, as well as being welcomed with Virginia as non-members when the United Lodges in Worthing held a charity ball in the Charmandean Centre. My then local barber was the Master of Ceremony.
Castle Goring, designed by John Rebecca, is one of the finest places in the Worthing district. English Heritage declares it ‘the most complete example of the carnival-style of the era’. Famous for its gothic and Greco-Palladian aspects. Sir Bysshe Shelley had it constructed in 1797-8 for his grandson the poet Percy.
Lady Colin Campbell has worked to rescue the historic site during the past decade. She and her events team want the grounds to enhance people’s enjoyment. They have good relations with neighbours. After a cheerful visit to the Castle with Councillors Russ Cochran, Janet Duncton and Sean Macdonald for a briefing by Lisa Carmel, I agreed to ask the South Downs National Park people to help the Castle hold appropriate events.
Other great places, including Wiston House, Goodwood racecourse and Glyndebourne, hold events in the National Park. Music and festivals bring locals and visitors to enjoy our great protected natural surroundings. Do visit the Stern Chalk Garden at Highdown so well developed by Worthing Council. After one visit, I lay on the Highdown grass to watch and hear the sky larks.
My team and I tackle problems facing constituents, together with trying to ease the frustrations of those who want to help them. Dentistry is a recurrent concern. This week again I am pressing to restore this vital service. We know the pain and worry experienced by people of all ages. The dental contract was not effective and nor was it fair to many dentists. Patients are suffering.
With Labour colleague Dame Diana Johnson, I met the Minister, arguing how best without delay to meet the needs of those affected and infected in the tragic contaminated blood scandal. We have a debate this month.
This week I intervened in the Commons Chamber on planning for homes. It is not nimbyism to fight to protect the Goring Gap. I resisted the suggestion that developers could grab any field they wanted.
On Tuesday I met Levelling up Secretary Michael Gove to argue for effective help for park home residents and for residential leaseholders who now are at risk from landlords wanting to build without agreement on their roof. Any speculative developer looking at St Andrew’s Gardens in Tarring should raise an eyebrow at the auction description of vacant units. They do not exist.
Previous plans were rightly rejected by the Council and by the Appeal Inspector. I will not let go when fighting for local people and constituency interests.
