Greg visits site of new athletics track in Paddock Wood

Mike Ridger from Paddock Wood Athletics Club and Sarah Hamilton, Chairman of Paddock Wood Town Council, showed Greg the site of the new athletics track in Paddock Wood. Work should be completed by the end of the summer.

Greg said:

"The new athletics track at Paddock Wood is going to be a fantastic resource for the local area. I really look forward to seeing the track up and running!"

Greg visits Circatron in Paddock Wood

Greg enjoyed an interesting visit to Circatron, an electronics manufacturer, in Paddock Wood.

Greg said:

"We have a number of specialised engineering companies in the local area. They provide local jobs and export their products worldwide. I was really impressed by what I saw at Circatron."

Greg meets with Paddock Wood Business Association

Greg enjoyed meeting members of Paddock Wood Business Association at 3663, a foodservice wholesaler based in the town.

Greg said:

"3663 is an extremely successful business so it was great to have a tour round the site with members of Paddock Wood Business Association. After the tour, we had a good discussion about some of the issues affecting local businesses."

Greg visits Horsmonden Farmers' Market

Greg held a drop-in advice surgery at Horsmonden Farmers' Market and had time afterwards to visit some of the stalls.

Good Luck Tunbridge Wells Football Club

Ten thousand people – one person in every five men, women and children who live in Tunbridge Wells – will be travelling to Wembley tomorrow to see our town's football team play in a national cup final.

What a treat this magnificent team have given our town. Through the long, dark days of one of the most miserable winters on record they have kept a swelling crowd entertained, excited and exhausted by tension. It came partly from a weekly agony about whether the matches would be played at all. The crucial home tie against defending FA Vase holders Dunston UTS had to be postponed three times because of abysmal weather, before finally being played at the fourth attempt in early February. It was worth the wait – and being frozen in the arctic Culverden – with a sensational win that gave a glimpse of the glories within reach.

Martin Larkin's boys have put the fans through the wringer. No less than three of the six rounds were won only after extra time being needed. At Larkhall, Jack Harris scored the winner in the very last minute of the 120 minutes played. And none of us who travelled to Shildon will ever recover from the nerve-shredding tension that saw a solid 2-0 first leg lead quickly shatter into a 3-2 advantage for the Co Durham side. But Wells are a team that never gives up, and they give their best when fighting back. To take the game to, naturally, extra time and then coolly win it with five minutes to go is Tunbridge Wells through and through.

The whole team at Tunbridge Wells FC deserve a huge thank you from our town. Martin Larkin and his players and coaching staff, and the ice-cool Chairman Joe Croker and his dedicated team of volunteers who work tirelessly week after week to run the club, and Larrytech who have loyally sponsored the team for years. Together, they've given the town a day that will become part of the history of Tunbridge Wells.

There are many wonderful things about living in Tunbridge Wells. But the chance of seeing your home team play football at Wembley was something we could never offer. Not any more! Best of luck, The Wells – it's been a thrilling journey and tomorrow will be an unforgettable day.

Greg becomes Friend of West Kent YMCA

West Kent YMCA launched its Friends scheme and invited Greg to be one of its very first members, along with the Bishop of Rochester, The Rt Revd James Langstaff.

Speaking at the launch of the scheme, Greg said:

"West Kent YMCA does extraodinary work helping vulnerable young people to find jobs and a place of their own to live so I was absolutely delighted to become one of its first official Friends. They have also launched a new campaign this year called "Say Yes 2Youth" which aims to bring even more opportunities to homeless and unemployed young people in the local area which I urgen everyone to support."

To find out more, visit West Kent YMCA's website:

www.westkentymca.org.uk

Greg hosts Exporting for Growth event in Pembury

Local businesses came to find out more about the opportunities for exporting their products at an event – Exporting for Growth - hosted by Greg with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) in Pembury.

Commenting on the event, Greg said:

"There has never been a better time to export and I would encourage any business that thinks that they could sell their product overseas to go for it. There is some fantastic help and advice on offer from UK Trade & Investment, who organised this event. In West Kent, we have some incredibly successful exporting businesses and it was great to hear their stories at today's event."

For further information on how to start exporting, UK Trade & Investment can offer lots of advice and help: www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk

Greg visits Skinners' Kent Academy new building

Greg was shown around Skinners' Kent Academy's new building by its Principal, Sian Carr.

Greg commented:

"Skinners' Kent Academy has come a tremendous way since it was founded.  It was great to see the new building completed.  I hope it will be a great resource for the community as well as helping many generations of students at the Academy fulfil their ambitions."

Launch of Tunbridge Wells in Bloom 2013

Greg met with some of the organisers and sponsors of Tunbridge Wells in Bloom as they launched this year's scheme to local residents.

Greg said:

"Tunbridge Wells in Bloom gets better and better every year. If you would like to get involved, the Borough Council would be delighted to hear from you. Individuals, schools, and local community groups can all enter so let's get planting! "

Details on how to enter are available on the Tunbridge Wells in Bloom 2013 website: www.royaltunbridgewellsinbloom.org.uk

Margaret Thatcher Tribute

Speaking following the announcement of the death of Lady Thatcher, Tunbridge Wells MP and Financial Secretary to the Treasury Greg Clark said:

"Margaret Thatcher rescued Britain from economic decline and restored confidence in British enterprise. By standing resolute she helped defeat communism in Europe, leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall and freedom for millions of people from the tyranny of the Soviet Union. Mrs Thatcher was staunch in her defence of the people of the Falklands and bravely defied the attempt of IRA terrorists to murder her. She was Britain's first woman Prime Minister and our greatest leader since the war.

"Tunbridge Wells has a long, and special, connection with Margaret Thatcher. Before she became Prime Minister Mr and Mrs Thatcher lived partly in a flat at Scotney Castle near Lamberhurst, within the constituency boundary of Tunbridge Wells, and the Tunbridge Wells Conservative Association was immensely proud that Margaret Thatcher was our Patron. Her memory is especially honoured in our part of Kent and she is greatly missed."