Richard Fuller MP » Bedford and Kempston

UPDATE – My full speech at Bedford Academy

Richard — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:48:05 +0000

On the 5th July, I spoke at Bedford Academy’s ‘Sod Turning Ceremony’. Here is the full text of the speech I gave:

“We meet today, not only to celebrate a building, but to celebrate education.

Not only to mark the achievement of a goal, but to ready ourselves for the challenge ahead.

Nothing defines better the success of a community than the teaching of its children.

Nothing fuels the innovation, the creativity, the passions, the heart, the strivings, the successes of the generation of Bedfordians that will follow us – nothing fuels this future, more than the passion, dedication and skills of our teachers.

Today, at Bedford Academy, we recommit ourselves as a community to the critical importance of raising educational standards and strengthening the ethos of high expectations, respect, openness and honesty with a focus on every student; the ethos that lies at the heart of this Academy. Principal, teachers, assistants and staff – we commend and encourage your every effort.

Today, we commit ourselves, not only to the education of every student, but to each year of schooling. We recognise that each child only gets one chance at each year of their education.

We commit ourselves that the quest for higher standards is not only a long term discussion, but an urgent priority for today, where failure to perform demands leadership and action so that not one single year of any child’s education is wasted.

Today, we acknowledge the dedication of two of our town’s finest institutions of learning – the Bedford Charity and Bedford College – and the guidance they provide to help Bedford Academy achieve its mission. Your sponsorship has been critical to getting to this day of celebration.

Today we praise the parents and carers who listen each evening to their children’s stories of their day at school, who push them to do their homework, who pack their lunches and read them stories, and who wryly smile as they – as we all – remember that although any particular day at school may have been better or worse, that our ‘days at school’ were the most important of our lives.

And today to the pupils of the Academy, to those who are our future, I say that ‘Great things are expected of you.’

Your teachers can see your potential – often before you can see it yourself. Respect them, listen to them. Be aware of all that you can be and not be distracted. Make us all proud through the achievements of your lives and the openness of your hearts.

Today, this day, let us celebrate the great futures that the Bedford Academy will nurture, shape and strengthen.”

Building work begins at Bedford Academy

admin — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 16:50:23 +0000

Richard was guest of honour at the “Sod Turning Ceremony” for the new Bedford Academy building on Tuesday (5th July). The funds for the new academy building were secured by Richard last year.

In his speech to the students, teachers and sponsors, he said:-

“Today, we commit ourselves, not only to the education of every student, but to each year of schooling. We recognise that each child only gets one chance at each year of their education.

The school thanked Richard by baking a delicious cake (pictured above)!

Big Society fund supports voluntary sector in Bedford & Kempston

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 09:11:19 +0000

Richard Fuller MP has welcomed the news that money from the Government’s Big Society Transition Fund will support the voluntary sector in Bedford & Kempston.

The funding, part of the third wave of payouts from the £107 million Transition Fund, is being paid out to several local charities: Advocacy Alliance, Bedford and District Citizens Advice Bureau, Bedford Race and Equalities Council, Energize Transformation Partnerships, Relate Bedfordshire and Luton, and Youth Matters.

The Transition Fund provides grants to these organisations to allow them to prepare for the future opportunities opened up by the Big Society. The money will fund the crucial changes that charities need to make to take advantage of the new opportunities available to them from opening up public sector contracts. So far more than 900 charities nationally have received support from the Transition Fund.

Richard commented:

“I’m pleased that the Government is committed to supporting charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises across the Eastern region.

“It’s great to hear that Advocacy Alliance, which provides support to people with learning disabilities, mental health issues, the elderly and vulnerable adults will receive nearly £250,000 of funding.

“Youth Matters was also awarded £37,500 to support its provision of informal education for excluded young people through work-based learning programmes – this is excellent news for everyone in Bedford and Kempston.”

MP urges people to nominate Olympic torchbearers

admin — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:37:56 +0000

Richard Fuller, MP for Bedford and Kempston, is asking constituents to nominate local residents to become Olympic Torchbearers. The 2012 torch relay is looking for 8,000 “inspirational” people to carry the torch on its journey around the country.

Richard said:-

“We already have a number of great reasons as to why the torch should come here, including our history of nurturing home-grown Olympians.

“But it will be even harder for the London 2012 committee to turn down our request to have the torch pass through Bedford and Kempston if we a large number of local people nominated to carry the torch.

“We have an abundance of inspiring life stories in our remarkable town, so I hope people will visit the London 2012 website and nominate!”

For details on how to nominate someone to become a Torchbearer, please visit:
http://www.london2012.com/olympic-torch-relay

Cameron Impresses In Bedford

Richard — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:07:49 +0000

Conservative Party leader, David Cameron, visited Bedford on Tuesday to answer questions from local residents and to get a better impression of the local issues that are important to the people of Bedford and Kempston.

First stop for Mr Cameron was the Civic Theatre for a spirited meeting with local Party members and supporters. Well over 100 activists heard Mr Cameron stress how important it was for the Conservatives to win Bedford if Mr Brown is to be removed from Downing Street and the hard work of restoring Britain’s finances is to begin.

After answering questions, Mr Cameron was off on the short walk to the Harpur Suite for his second meeting. This time it was a public meeting in the form of an open Question and Answer session. Over 140 people filled the Harpur Suite and Mr Cameron answered questions for over an hour. As many told me afterwards, it was hard but to be impressed with his openness and his willingness to offer direct answers to people’s questions.