LIKE everyone, I was shocked and saddened to hear about the terrible incident at Chemring Countermeasures at High Post. My sympathy goes out to the family and friends of the individual who lost his life and the person who was seriously injured.

I have visited the company several times, most recently in 2016, at which point procedures were in the process of being upgraded.

I hope that the Health & Safety Executive conducts a thorough investigation to discover what went wrong and to reassure staff.

On Friday I will be conducting a business visit and catching-up with Chalke Valley Mobile, the group who are exploring a bespoke solution for poor connectivity in the Chalke Valley.

On Saturday, I have a morning of meetings in advance of an annual highlight, helping with the judging at the Woodford Valley Garden Club Show. Despite being brought up on a nursery, I could only aspire to produce a specimen of anything like the quality of the entries that are submitted every year and can only offer my admiration for the patience and skill of the green-fingered entrants.

Salisbury’s recovery continues to be a top priority. In the last few weeks, my inbox seems to have been flooded with pleas for positivity.

I think it is only right that we acknowledge the help that is needed in some quarters and do justice to the accurate data on footfall and visitor numbers that has been painstakingly collected.

However, I have always been a big advocate of positivity. The area is safe, it is open for business and is a great place to visit. I said as much in The Guardian the week before last, on Radio 4 and Radio Wiltshire this week, to the Valley News last week – and will continue to do so to anyone else who will listen!

The decision has been taken that this is the wrong time to spend government money on a massive marketing campaign, while we still have the jarring visual of cordons and police.

But that does not mean nothing is being done to promote Salisbury and Amesbury.

I have reminded correspondents in particular of the free parking, large public events and the tireless promotional work being undertaken by the BID and Chamber of Commerce, among others.

I am also pleased that the positive narrative is being reinforced by the release of more sites – including the Mill – a process that I hope to see accelerate in the coming weeks.