A message from Laura Farris MP
Laura Farris at Lambourn Junction
9 Feb 2021
It was a pleasure to join the Lambourn Parish Council meeting last month, even if – as with all my meetings – we only appeared to each other in a lattice of Zoom squares.
Despite all the restrictions of the last 12 months, Lambourn has played an important part in my first year in Parliament. I’ve lobbied Oliver Dowden and others at the Department of Sport for more money for the racecourse industry. I’ve made site visits and convened roundtables with Thames Water to try and resolve flooding through the village. I’ve visited Lambourn Junction to hear how they’ve supported families in need throughout the crisis and the pharmacy to support their work on domestic abuse.
Its been great to make the case for West Berkshire’s most important sporting community in Parliament and I was proud that ‘behind-closed-doors’ racing got the go-ahead before most other sports. It’s also been rewarding to get to know residents – heroes like Rachel Carden and others – who were able to explain in detail the years of disappointment that had arisen from failures by Thames Water. Whilst I cannot guarantee that the issue is fully resolved, we have AT LEAST acquired a dedicated engineer who has taken the time to assess and inspect the pipes and sewers and embark on a comprehensive programme of work which will be completed this year. At last I hope that we are bringing an end to the serious flooding and pollution that has blighted lives in Lambourn for so many years. Moreover, specific protections embedded in the forthcoming Environment Bill will prevent a grim repetition of sewage entering the Lambourn River in years to come.
I know of course Parliamentary work in a pandemic is far from the norm. And I look forward to the day (which I hope will be in Spring or Summer) when I can visit you properly and talk more about how I can champion Lambourn in Parliament and at home.
Laura Farris
Dear Laura,
Peter & I are delighted to welcome you to the west Berkshire Seat the work you have done so far tells us you are very caring and on the side of the good residents in Lambourn. The water problem has been going on for some time and at last you have the full details of the problem the Village suffered for some time. Although Peter & I are near the 80 age at least Peter will be on 3rd July 2002. but I follow in just 2 years.
We love Lambourn and had relatives we loved dearly that passed away just a few years ago, leaving Their Son Mike who now lives in Harris Close he is 82. and lives there as a single Gent. and loves it. He very much being a president of the Lambourn British Legion Club. He takes on many of the problems that have shown its face, So now that is the life he is leading. which we know he loves.
Many Thanks for looking after our lovely Village of Lambourn. XXXXX
Thank you so much for your message Doreen. I’d love to come and visit Mike at the British Legion Club when circumstances allow, and I hope I can meet you there at the same time. Very best wishes to you and Peter. – Laura