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June 2022 June 2022

LOCAL CHOIR NEWS NEWS FROM WESTMINSTER

Last month saw the devastating fire on Canford
Music at St Peter’s Church, Dorchester offer two musical events during June. We Heath. Over 42 acres of heathland was destroyed by
present the second in our summer series of coffee concerts on Sunday 19 June at the fire, and it was only the immense hard work of our
11.45am. Join us for coffee, a short organ recital and some musings about St firefighters which prevented it from spreading to local
Peter’s organ with our assistant organist, William Bishop. homes. The Chief Fire Officer for Dorset, Ben Ansell,
briefed me as progress was being made and kindly
William has just completed his A levels at Poole Grammar School but will be arranged for a meeting on the site the following
leaving us to take up an organ scholarship at Tewkesbury Abbey in September. week, with some of the firefighters who had been on
Admission is free. the scene and
in charge of
On Saturday 25 June at 4.30pm, we offer our monthly cathedral-style choral the response.
evensong. The music includes Bruckner: Locus iste, Purcell: Magnificat and Nunc We discussed the cause of the fire, and
dimittis in G minor, Radcliffe: Preces & Responses, Elgar: The spirit of the Lord. Do what actions the fire service are taking to
join us for a glass of wine after the service. All are very welcome to both of these keep residents informed. The fire service
events. You can keep up to date with Music at St Peter’s by following us on do a brilliant job going into schools to
Facebook: Facebook,com/musicatstpetersdorch or Twitter: @musicatstpeter If speak to children and young people
you would like any further information do email us at musicatstpeters@mail.com about the risks and dangers of fires in
open areas. Another great risk is the use
of disposable barbecues, and I was
pleased that the Minister for Farming,
Fi sh e ri e s an d Foo d re c e n tl y
acknowledged the work done locally
here in Dorset and Poole in restricting their
use.

In Parliament we recently had the
Queen’s Speech. For the first time in 60 years the Queen was not able to attend
due to her health, so Prince Charles read the speech on her behalf, supported
by The Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke of Cambridge. As always, it was an
event of pomp and ceremony, but preceded the important debates on the
Government’s plans for the coming session. There are 38 important Bills planned,
building on the work done so far. This includes £22 billion of support to help
families tackle the global cost of living increase. It also includes a Renters Reform
Bill, providing more security and higher quality homes for more than 4 million
households.
I’m also pleased to see the plans for the new Higher Education Reform Bill. This
will introduce something called the lifelong learning entitlement, which will mean
that everyone is able to access further training through academic or vocational
courses.

After the Queen’s Speech has been read, MPs return to the House of Commons
for the Humble Address to Her Majesty. This is the start of the debate, and was, as
is usual, a good-humoured beginning. My colleague thanked Her Majesty for her

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