Toby Perkins MP

Chesterfield MP, Toby Perkins experienced first-hand the results of over £2.7 million in good cause funding from the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) since 2007 when he visited two projects benefitting local people.

Big Lottery Fund Head of Region for the East Midlands, Mick McGrath, accompanied Toby Perkins MP on the visit to see two groups in his constituency: Chesterfield Citizen’s Advice Bureau’s Financial Exclusion Project and Chesterfield Fairplay.

At Chesterfield Citizen’s Advice Bureau the MP met workers from the Financial Exclusion Project to hear first-hand the difference they are making in Chesterfield for local people who struggle with budgeting, accessing basic bank accounts and help them to make more informed financial decisions.

The project received a Big Lottery Fund grant of £176,051 in 2008 from the Reaching Communities programme and includes basic budgeting skills, increasing understanding credit, safe systems of lending and saving and managing the financial impact of utility costs.

Fairplay’s project delivers regular clubs for disabled young people in Chesterfield and Derbyshire. The project received £337,261 earlier this year, also from BIG’s Reaching Communities programme, to provide the clubs for young people with physical, sensory, learning and behavioural difficulties where they can enjoy activities together including arts, music, cooking, sports and computing classes.

During the visit the MP could see the impact the project was having over lunch, as the young people made their meals in the training kitchen and was able to witness the fun and safe learning environment that the project provides.

Mick McGrath, Big Lottery Fund Head of Region for the East Midlands, said:

“In the current economic climate it is more important than ever that people can access the advice and support they need and these projects are providing a vital service for the people they help. BIG is pleased to be able to fund these and the many more projects that we support across the Chesterfield for the benefit of local communities.”

Toby Perkins MP, said:

 “It was great to visit two projects funded by The Big Lottery Fund in my constituency and to see the facilities which may not exist if it wasn’t for this investment”.

Worried Chesterfield residents have enlisted the help of their local Member of Parliament, Toby Perkins, after their parking spaces were sold to Tesco. This followed the decision to allow the opening of a brand new Tesco Express store on the site of the former Angel public house on Derby Road, at which local people had parked for around half a century.

Car owners living on Derby Road had previously had authorization to park unconditionally in the Angel public house car park. However the decision of the Council has meant that spaces may not be offered to those living in and around the Tesco’s store, leaving elderly and disabled members of the community with a one mile walk to and from their vehicles. The campaigners are hoping for a little divine intervention after Father Flynn of the Church of the Holy Family expressed his concerns about parking for mass and christenings at his church, particularly on weekends.

Mr. Perkins said:-

“The parking situation on Derby Road, like many other areas of Chesterfield, is very difficult. I am worried that the opening of the new Tesco Express will make it incredibly hard for residents along Derby Road to park their cars safely and within an acceptable distance from their homes. I am writing to Tesco’s to see if we can come to a solution which is both agreeable and feasible for all parties involved”.

 Toby Perkins MP welcomed David Miliband to Chesterfield on Monday 23rd August as part of his Labour Party leadership campaign. David and Mr. Perkins spoke in front of around 150 Labour Party members and supporters at the impressive Market Hall in Chesterfield town centre after an informal meeting with councilors and party officers.

David spoke about his background, including when senior members of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa called by his house to meet his parents as a youngster, his politics and his vision for Britain. The audience had travelled from Chesterfield, Amber Valley, Bolsover and North East Derbyshire to come and hear the forerunner in the contest speak. They were then given the opportunity to ask the former Foreign Secretary questions on many topics from education to the economy.

The Chesterfield MP then accompanied David Miliband to the West Indian Community Centre in Derby to attend a rally. Also present at the event were Bex Bailey (Rushcliffe CLP Youth and Students Officer and standing for East Midlands Youth Representative on the Labour Party’s National Policy Forum) and Martin Repton (local Derby Councillor and senior CLP activist supporting David.

Mr. Perkins said:-

“It was great to welcome David to Chesterfield and for so many members of the party to come and put their questions to who will hopefully become leader of the Labour Party and the country. As I have said previously, I believe David is the man to take the Labour movement forward, and from speaking to many members after the event, I know I am not alone. He is an experienced and seasoned politician of the highest caliber and it was clear to see from the speech he gave to a packed out Market Hall”.

Community volunteers and the local MP have warned mindless vandals that they won’t give up on their award winning community-based facility after a nighttime attack. Mr. Perkins met with Marion Wilcockson and volunteers at Hunloke Community Gardens, who have worked tirelessly over many years to make the site into such a focal point of the Grangewood area, to see the damage caused when vandals went on a wrecking spree ripping up dozens of plants.

Mr. Perkins said:-

“Only last week I was delighted to speak to those who enjoy Hunloke Community Gardens for what it is – a ten year re-generation success story. This week saw acts of mindless vandalism, a shocking reminder that we must keep treasures like Hunloke safe for the community to enjoy and to benefit from. For the vast majority of law abiding residents it is hard to imagine why a minority would want to damage local investment projects aimed at improving the lives of the entire community. I will work alongside the police and volunteers to protect Hunloke Gardens from yobs and to maintain a peaceful and enjoyable environment for local people to spend time”.

A Chesterfield girl, who was born with a life threatening heart defect is now one of the most promising football stars in the UK. Toby Perkins, Labour Member of Parliament for Chesterfield, is calling on local businesses to support Megan Tinsley, of Parkside School, who is widely seen as a rising star at the Sheffield United Academy and potentially the England Women’s Football Youth Team.

Currently playing for the under 14 age group, travelling to and from Sheffield for training and Saturday matches costs her parents several hundreds of pounds a year. Unlike the boy’s youth teams, Megan and her team mates are also expected to pay for their own kit and equipment which often totals around £250 a season. Local MP Toby Perkins is backing Megan and her quest to make it as a professional footballer, and is keen for local businesses to come forward to sponsor a gifted star of tomorrow.

Unlike the boy’s game, the girl’s game is not as well funded and Toby Perkins MP is asking if there are sponsors out there who might be willing to back Megan to enable her to reach her full potential in the game.

Mr. Perkins said:-

When I heard about Megan’s remarkable story and met her proud parents, Julie and Lyndon, I was taken aback. Megan is a fantastic football player and it’s hard to believe that she underwent open heart surgery at just five years old. It is vitally important that the community gets behind such a promising talent. The opportunity is there for a local business or organization to sponsor Megan and her Sheffield United team mates and to make life that little bit easier for her parents. With a little support there is no doubt she can go all the way”.

Toby Perkins, Labour Member of Parliament for Chesterfield, has pledged his support for a local charity dedicated to helping sufferers of brain injury.  

Mr. Perkins met with Peter Shaw, Chair of the North Derbyshire branch of Headway at the Old Whittington Gala on Saturday 26^th June. The organisation provides opportunities and support to people affected by brain injuries. Those who have been affected by brain tumors and strokes often go on social events, including ten pin bowling, complementary therapy, along with indoor and outdoor leisure activities.

The charity is hoping to re-establish a new HQ to help its volunteer carers, professional workers and brain injury survivors carry continue doing an important job in the Chesterfield area. As well as caring for people of all ages, Headway also provides its members with information on issues such as home equipment, transport, and welfare benefits.

Mr. Perkins said:-

“It was great to meet Peter and his Headway team at the Old Whittington Gala. The organisation helps hundreds of people in Chesterfield and the surrounding areas who have been devastated by brain injuries”.

Peter Shaw added:-

“We were delighted to meet with Toby on Saturday and very much appreciate his support. We now hope to expand our volunteer base to ensure we develop our social rehabilitation scheme in North Derbyshire”.