WITH Parliament now in a two-week Easter recess, I welcome the opportunity to spend time with my family in the evenings, but also the extra time to accept some of the many midweek constituency invitations, which Westminster commitments so often prevent me from accepting.

However, before I could start these engagements, I returned to London on Monday for a visit to the Department of Health to check on the evaluation process (which has been going on for several years) on the future of Public Health England at Porton Down.

It is clear that a thorough analysis is under way, but I will be continuing my battle to see that the option of transferring any elements of PHE Porton to Harlow are fully challenged from cost-effective and strategic perspective.

I heartily recommend Salisbury Playhouse’s current production The Worst Wedding Ever, now in its last few nights in the main house, which richly deserves the national acclaim it has received. It never fails to impress me that a theatre of this size has both built and sustained over many years a reputation that gives it the pulling power to commission new works of such quality.

It was a great pleasure to be able to take the time to experience the work of Splash by joining a wildlife project at Little Durnford.

Splash started as a Wiltshire Police initiative to provide positive activities for youngsters during the school holidays – a time when some children lack support and can be bored and at risk of getting drawn into less wholesome pursuits.

Although still supported by the police, it has now taken on a life of its own and runs a rich and varied programme of exciting events across the county that are not only a boon to busy parents but also offer real opportunities for youngsters to make friends and learn valuable new skills.

Although my advice surgeries continue all year round, recess also allows me to offer the occasional home visit to constituents who struggle to get out and about and to catch up in person with the many local organisations whose work I support all year round, among them, the women’s refuge and Wilton Rotary.

Happy Easter to all Journal readers.