Welcome to my August update. This month, Parliament has been in recess for the Summer. Here’s a snapshot of how I have been serving Luton South & South Bedfordshire this month.
Knife Angel in Luton
We need to talk about knife crime. And what a better way to get the conversation started than with The Knife Angel sculpture, created from 100,000 surrendered knives. I was pleased to attend the Knife Angel Luton official launch event in St George’s Square, and joining with our community, Luton Council, Luton Targeted Youth Service, Bedfordshire Police, Wingman Mentors, and others, to show our shared commitment to working together to tackle knife crime.
It was an absolute privilege to present Roseann Taylor, whose son Azaan ‘AJ’ Kaleem was tragically killed in 2018, with a special award to recognise her dedication and selflessness in using her own story to raise awareness of the impact of knife crime.
It was also an honour to join our community in saying farewell to the Knife Angel this week, with a Walk of Remembrance for all those lives lost to knife crime.
Find out more: https://knifeangelluton.com
Meeting Farmers in Kensworth
I was delighted to visit Frances, Philip and David at their family farm in Kensworth. We were joined by representatives of the NFU to discuss important issues facing our farming sector and local farmers’ concerns – from food security to rural crime and fly-tipping.
Celebrating South Asian Heritage Month at CYCD
I was delighted to attend CYCD’s South Asian Heritage Month event. It was a powerful celebration of Luton’s rich diversity, and our South Asian community’s heritage and achievements. There was a packed programme of performances, including singing, dancing and poetry.
Alongside this there were powerful speeches touching on CYCD’s history, the importance of celebrating South Asian heritage, the South Asian community’s contribution to our town, and how in Luton we stand together as many voices, one town.
Read more about South Asian Heritage Month here.
Appledown Dog Rescue and Rehoming Kennels
This month, I dropped by Appledown Rescue and Rehoming Kennels in Eaton Bray to donate spare dog food and lots of shredding from our office! It was lovely to meet Kat and discuss Appledown’s important work rescuing and rehoming dogs.
There are lots of ways you can support Appledown, including making a donation, joining their fun days and online auctions, or sponsoring a kennel, where you receive regular updates!
Find out how you can support Appledown here.
Bury Park Banking Hub
I met with Cash Access UK at their Temporary Banking Hub in Bury Park Community Centre to learn more about the important local banking services the hub provides to the local community, and discuss plans to make a Permanent Banking Hub in Bury Park.
The Banking Hub is open Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm. Find out more about the services available, including which day you can see a representative from your bank, here.
It was lovely to see the community brought together through food at Strathmore Summer BBQ with Councillor Charmaine Isles & Reverend Patrick Kandeh. Join the Family Breakfast Club on the first Sunday of the Month, 8:30-10:00AM at Strathmore Avenue Methodist Church.
Ukraine Independence Day Celebrations
I was honoured to attend the Luton branch of Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain’s Ukrainian Independence Day celebrations. There was beautiful music, songs by Vivo, a group singalong to Make Noise For Ukraine, and important reminders about freedom and democracy.
Finally, in my August Luton News article, I wrote about Labour’s plan to boost house building and tackle the housing crisis. Read my article below.