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HOWARD'S WAY.... a weekly column from Michael Howard MP

20 April 2006<IMG height=195 hspace=10 src="images/michaelhoward3.jpg" width=130 align=right vspace=10 border=0>

The Parliamentary recess is an excellent opportunity to see and do things in the constituency which would be difficult when Parliament is in session.

But last week, before I could get stuck in to the things I wanted to do in the constituency, I had a few things to do in London. On Monday morning I took part in Andrew Marr’s Start the Week radio programme. Apart from discussing the books which the other participants had just written, I was there to talk about a film Newsnight had asked me to make about my time as Home Secretary. “Would I like to make a film,� they asked “about how I cut crime by 18% during my four years in that job?�

It was an offer that seemed too good to refuse and I enjoyed making the film. It was shown on Newsnight on the Tuesday night, followed by the inevitable studio discussion.

In order to get back to London for that I had to leave the meeting of the Board of the Folkestone Sports Centre Trust, which I had asked to attend, before it finished. I was delighted that the Trust Board agreed to pursue its partnership with Shepway District Council to provide the district with 21st Century sports facilities.

Earlier that day I had gone along to Pent Valley Leisure centre to see children with disabilities learn to use customised mobility equipment – tricycles, sports equipment or powered wheelchairs. This was all carried out under the auspices of Whizz-Kidz – a national charity which provides the equipment as well. It was truly inspirational to see the difference this equipment can make to the lives of these children.

Good Friday was the occasion for a magnificent performance by the Folkestone Choral Society, accompanied by the excellent Amberley Orchestra of Elgar’s ‘The Kingdom.’ It is an immensely powerful work which left the large audience in the Leas Cliff Hall somewhat in awe. All in all a performance that those present will not easily forget.