Devon County Show - and grammar schools

What a fabulous event the Devon County Show is. It is quite wonderful to see such a huge variety of livestock all in beautiful condition. Being able to go behind the scenes so to speak and see how a cow is prepared for showing is fascinating. The show jumping events always have me gripped - something I used to do in a minor way when I was much younger (and I have the broken tooth to prove it!). I did not know we had such a variety of Devon beers and cheeses - a delicious discovery. Everyone was represented, the schools, hospices, NFU, Countryside Alliance to name but a few. Teign School gave a very spirited performance with a selection of pop songs performed by a group of very talented youngsters which attracted a good crowd. Three good days - and surprisingly with weather to match.

On Wednesday, Dawlish Town Council held its formal Council Meeting to welcome in and instate the new mayor, Ros Prouse and formally appoint the new committee members. I felt very privileged to be there. Some traditions are very special and this is one of them. On Friday Sir David Hoare opened Luscombe Castle and with the Dawlish League of Friends gave a splendid coffee morning for the community raising funds for the local hospital. Well done to all the devoted carers who skillfully pushed wheelchair bound residents to the castle - quite a challenge even for the very fit! I thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many of you.

I was very surprised at the press coverage given to David Willets announcement on the party's position on education. For me, a good education means providing a range of institutions meeting the diverse and complex needs of our children. Be in no doubt , I strongly support Grammar Schools along with City Academies and other schools in all their diversity. I do not believe in a one size fits all approach which is what Labour's Comprehensive Schools were established to provide. Only this week a young 19 year old told me that his generation felt let down by this government and in particular its failure to provide vocational training which would lead to real job opportunities. More university places had done very little to improve employment prospects - just raised expectations only to see them dashed.

This government's behaviour as regards Post Offices beggars belief. Nothing like leaving it until after the District Elections to announce massive closures! No attempt has been made to explain where the money being lost has gone and why. No attempt has been made to help and support Post Offices - instead all we have seen is increasing cuts to what they can provide. There is clearly no understanding of or support for the role Post Offices play in the community. I will be fighting to keep our Post Offices open and offering practical help and support, not just words.