What do young people want to see in Chelmsford?

Politicians should always keep in touch with the views of people in their area - but particularly with young people, whose views are often ignored. I've been running a young people's survey on Facebook for a while, following a talk to Moulsham High school students as part of Citizenship Week.

Now the survey is on a new website accessible to everyone, whether on Facebook or not. This survey is aimed at all young people in Chelmsford. If you are of that age, please take part and tell your friends. If a bit older, please pass on the message to someone who would like to use the survey. It's here.

The J's - Hospice and Respite Care for Young Adults

I recently heard a presentation about the progress with the plan to build a hospice/respite care centre in mid-Essex for young adults. There is only one other in the country (in Oxford) but a growing need. Children's wards or hospices for the elderly are rarely ideal for young adults in need of different surroundings.

The Js (named after Jonathan Whiffin) will be the appropriate alternative: The J's Hospice. They have just held a successful tea party as part of the ongoing campaign to raise the huge sums required (see Essex Chronicle).

"Immigrants taking our jobs" - RUBBISH!!!

The next time someone complains about "all these foreigners coming in to take our jobs" I shall point them to this story in The Observer. Our fruit growers are desperately short of workers:- Immigration rules and the strong euro have led to a shortage of foreign fruit harvesters.

I get seriously fed up with the media (not to mention UKIP and their ilk) who actively blame "foreigners" for various problems - and the conspiracy between Labour and the Conservatives to not clarify the real situation, because it suits their ends.

Essex Fire & Rescue - Incidents report

Following a news report of a fire on the A1060 Roxwell Road, I've discovered that our Fire & Rescue service carries a report of all call-outs on their website.