The start of August has seen some pretty wet weather and therefore some very damp visits to various businesses and activities in the constituency. This week I had a fabulous morning with the National Park Authority, talking about planning enforcement issues in the New Forest, visiting Lyburn Cheese and talking about New Forest venison, and also with the Commoners Defence Association discussing the challenges of farming in protected landscapes.
Of course this weekend the Farmers' Market returns to Romsey, where Lyburn Cheese is routinely available, but it is also TroutNAbout in Stockbridge, where there is such a massive array of local produce and crafts. It is always an absolutely phenomenal event, and hopefully there will be some sunshine for it.
I have also been to Fawley this week to do a Q&A on Diversity and Inclusion with staff there. I am not sure I had previously understood what a massive employer they are, and the depth of the supply chain operation there. Over 9000 local businesses are in their supply chain, and whilst we have to decarbonise our energy supply we also need to recognise the reliance we have many of the products refined at Fawley. It is incredibly simplistic to regard it as just producing petrol, diesel and jet fuel, globally roughly 50% of the phials Covid vaccines were delivered in contained materials from Fawley.
