A view from Wrexham’s Member of Parliament

Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South Members of Parliament and Assembly Members to write a monthly article with updates on their work in their respective Parliaments and closer to home – you can find them all here.

Today, Wrexham’s MP Sarah Atherton writes…

As businesses have started to fully reopen and begun to see the light at the end of the tunnel, it has been brilliant to get out into town to meet residents, traders and community groups – all of whom are generally optimistic about the future! On one excellent visit to Mecca Bingo in celebration of National Bingo Day, it was wonderful to speak to see the sense of community the game creates for those that attend and to witness the optimism many felt having missed out for so long during the pandemic

https://twitter.com/AthertonNWales/status/1409089118857015299?s=20

However, our businesses still need our support, which is why I have launched a competition to find Wrexham’s most loved pub. I am asking everyone to submit responses via my website as to which pub in our area is their favourite. Pubs (and the hospitality sector more generally) are an important part of the local economy here in Wrexham and are also close to my heart as a former brewer. Given the tough year that pubs have had due to the Covid restrictions, I want to celebrate the amazing pubs we have in Wrexham and encourage people across the town to get back into their favourite pub or to try a new one. Please do get involved with the competition and I cannot wait to announce the winners!

https://twitter.com/AthertonNWales/status/1409119321054277632?s=20

As I have said before, it is also important to remember that whilst businesses have been adversely affected by Covid, so have charities and community groups. For many, traditional funding streams such as donations have dried up because of the restrictions. As such, my team and I have been working hard to support charities, organisations, and individuals across the constituency with finding grant and funding opportunities. In the last eighteen months, we have supported over £50,000 worth of funding for local charities or organisations, so please do contact my office if this could be helpful. Recent successful applications have helped support many local community groups such as the Holt Community Gardens, Rhosddu Utd JFC, Lex XI FC and the Wrexham Rugby Club.

I know that the past year has been financially tough for many, but I am pleased to have been able to help facilitate additional grants and funding for many groups and charities in Wrexham.

Have a look at my website for some of the latest funding and grant opportunities. pic.twitter.com/qbiOtTeUkP

— Sarah Atherton MP (@AthertonNWales) June 28, 2021

At the end of June, I had the pleasure of being invited to Park Primary School for their ‘Under the Sea’-themed ‘Super Learning Day’ at Park Primary School last week, having been invited by Year 6 students. 

Earlier this year, Sam Bennett, an eleven-year old pupil at the school, contacted me to raise concerns about hunting and whaling leading to some animals becoming endangered. I then responded to Sam, telling him that some of his questions “were more sensible than some I hear in Parliament!” before discussing the issues over email. This led to Park Primary’s Year 6 class organising a day of awareness for the rest of the school, inviting me along too.

It was fantastic not just to see children becoming aware of the effect we all have on the planet around us, but actually organising themselves to make others aware. Year 6 set this up and took ownership of educating the younger year groups in their school, and if that doesn’t make for responsible future citizens, I don’t know what will.

It has been another busy month in Wrexham and I know we are all looking forward to a summer unlike no other as the world begins to open up. As always, if there is anything I can do to support Wrexham residents please don’t hesitate to contact me on the details below:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 020 2719 4885 | 01978 291742
Post: Office of Sarah Atherton MP, 65 Regent Street, Wrexham, LL11 1PF

Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South Welsh and UK Parliament representatives to write a monthly article with updates on their work and closer to home – you can find them all here.