Richard Bacon MP cuts the ribbon to open the new extension at Tivetshall County Primary School.

Although there are only 35 children at the school at present, they are a talented group. They all took part in a Harvest Festival which included poetry, drama and song. During refreshments, a number of the children serenaded visitors with trumpets, recorders and other musical instruments.

I congratulate headteacher Mrs Shelia Berry on running an excellent school.

Long-suffering residents in the village have put up with thousands of cars and heavy trucks passing through their community for decades.

The proposed Long Stratton by-pass qualifies as a so-called Major Scheme, that is, one where the costs are more than £5 million.

It is the only Major Scheme put forward by County Hall for government to consider across the whole of Norfolk, an indication of its high importance even compared with other priorities.

So will it be plain sailing? Well, I hope so, but we can take nothing for granted.

I have recently explained to Transport Secretary Alistair Darling just how important the Long Stratton by-pass is, and asked him for an update on progress. I'll keep you posted.