It was great to visit the Audley Village at Stanbridge Earls at the start of the week to have a look round the facilities and chat to some of the residents. There is undoubtedly a need for these sorts of housing, and certainly they have a long waiting list of potential future residents. I am not surprised, the grounds and environment are lovely, even in a drought when everything could do with a good watering.
On which subject, the hosepipe ban for Southern Water customers continues, and the parallel restrictions on some industrial usages are also of concern to some local residents. There are exemptions for things like dust abatement, and it is disappointing to see some companies not managing to prevent dust nuisance to their neighbours.
I have had a group of work experience students this week, coming with me to visit local businesses and organisations and it has been an interesting experience for all of us. One of my colleagues runs a formal work experience programme every summer recess, with a different group of up to 20 teenagers every week for four weeks in succession. I am simply not sure I would have the stamina to keep up with them!
We had an interesting visit to the Freedom Church to talk about the work they do in the community and hear about their plans for a new church and community centre at Greatbridge. It was a useful opportunity to hear from the DWP officer stationed with them on Tuesdays about the work being done to help the over 50s back into the job market, and of course the ongoing help they provide to younger people who might just be starting out in their careers. The Labour Market statistics were out this week so it was a very timely opportunity to talk about how the jobs market is looking in Romsey and which sectors have vacancies they are struggling to fill.