Political opinion with Mims Davies MP: Fabulous evening at Bonfire, and speaking out on drought

Another fabulous evening at the East Grinstead Community Bonfire Procession, bonfire and fireworks - amazingly well done to all the Bonfire team who made this another must attend for our town.

It was a huge honour to again join the poignant Act of Remembrance ahead of the main procession along this year with Deputy Mayor Cllr Pond, Cllr Jacquie Russell, and Cllr Ed Godwin, so many others from great local community groups, and fellow local Sussex bonfire societies.

This is a year in the making, planning, fundraising, and logistics from the bonfire, firework, and Marshalls from the fabulous East Grinstead Lions Club - a truly wonderful 4th event which was a joy to be part of, This year via our wonderful, Twinning Association visiting Mayors and Dignitaries from our twin towns from Germany, France and Italy! Thank you to The Railway pub for a great welcome on the route switch around, and to Sussex Police and West Sussex Fire and Rescue and all the services who kept us safe throughout this event.

A fantastic night celebrated and ending with very tasty late kebabs from E.G Charcoal Grill! Don’t ask about my lost phone for a while and huge thanks to the kind families who assisted me in my mini drama. But all was well in the end and so a BIG thank you to all.

Last Friday in the House of Commons, I rushed in back for the urgent statement on drought conditions and spoke on behalf of my constituents raising the very real concerns being experienced across East Grinstead, Uckfield, and our villages which covers parts of three Districts - Mid Sussex, Lewes and Wealden.

The Environment Agency officially declared we're now in ‘Severe Drought’. This alongside the wider challenge of water and food security, my constituents are continuing to report the everyday reality of ongoing leaking pipes, water outages, low flow, and concerns for future disruption to their supplies.

I asked the Water Minister to look at properly bringing together the infrastructure investment plans of Southern Water and South East Water, so that the actual investment and delivery can be properly aligned. We do need to see practical investment, joined-up planning, and effective delivery and crucially partnership on the ground.

We’ve further meetings with the Water Minister, the Environment Agency, Defra officials, and representatives from South East Water this week. Our communities and our businesses deserve reliable water supplies, a resilient network, and real peace of mind that when they turn on the tap, water will be there whatever the weather.

Finally, it’s clear our local pubs truly matter and that was on display at the Coach and Horses in Danehill on Sunday. A dedicated team of volunteers are looking to buy the free house with the community, as Ian and Catherine Philpots look to retire.

Congratulations to Duane and the volunteer board who have searched for an answer on how the community can invest - which was so incredible to witness as they launched a crucial and bold month-long community ownership bid. I wish them all the best and will hope to witness their great ambition come to fruition along with a very happy retirement for this hardworking couple who after 25 years want to relax with this precious pub in safe local hands for generations to come.