Lively sculptures made from re-cycled waste on the Young Farmers stand were great fun while Easton College showed the breadth of its excellent courses for students of all ages. The Show was still buzzing with lots of visitors late in the day.
Simonds employs nearly 90 people, making it one of the larger employers in the area. Managing Director Martyn Simonds told me that all coaches and HGVs must comply with stringent emissions standards by 2010 within London Mayor Ken Livingstone’s London Emission Zone. Out of Simond’s present fleet only about six or seven coaches can be converted to comply, at a cost of between £2,500 to £5,000 per vehicle. A new coach, which lasts 25 years, costs a staggering £250,000.
I have written to the transport minister asking why companies such as Simonds have to send so much paperwork to government that it requires a fulltime member of staff to cope.
Health Matters
They tell me they are carrying out a “comprehensive risk assessment”. Why waste more money? Surely it’s obvious that nurses travelling alone at night are at risk. I shall keep on the case.
Amid the gloom of further health service cuts, it was good to hear that plans for the new £2 million health centre at Diss have received backing from local health officials. I congratulate Dr Ian Hume, whom I met recently, and his colleagues for their persistence and for putting up their own money to ensure the scheme can go ahead.
▪ Need to see your MP? You can make an appointment to see Richard by calling 01379 642769.
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