IT was great to have the opportunity to drop in on the John McNeill Opportunity Centre garden party on Saturday and see so many people passionately committed to raising funds for the facility, which is such a lifeline to its users.

Also making the most of the weekend’s good weather were Studio Theatre, whose garden party fundraiser on Sunday takes them a step closer to realising their ambitious expansion plans – adding much-needed dressing rooms and dedicated youth theatre rehearsal space to their Ashley Road home.

As I write, students are putting their exams behind them and peak work experience season is in full flow.

I take local youngsters for work experience all year round and try hard to include them in everything I do so that they can have a meaningful experience and gain a real insight into the life of an MP.

It has been a delight to have Emilia from Sarum Academy with me this week.

I am now fully booked through to Christmas and I look forward to hosting more students from a range of local schools.

I am back in Salisbury on Friday, when schools will be firmly in focus.

I have, co-incidentally, a long-planned visit to Sarum Academy lined up and two significant events in the evening – Wyvern College’s end of year service at the Cathedral, followed by a swift change into black tie for what I am sure will be a fun and inspiring evening at The Journal’s Education Awards.

I am particularly eager to see whether the teacher I nominated this year picks up one of the coveted awards!

On Saturday, I will be wearing my ministerial hat for a visit to the Manchester International Festival, which has already fired the imaginations of so many people.

Then, on Sunday, I will be back at Salisbury Cathedral to join in the farewell evensong for June Osborne, as she looks back on years of sterling service to Salisbury Cathedral and forward to exciting new challenges and adventures as she becomes Bishop of Llandaff.