As well as knocking on doors throughout Weymouth for the local election campaign I also chased up a few issues around the town.

I met campaigners at Elm Close in Preston who need a refurbished playground.  The existing facility is old and worn out with many things having been taken away because they were unsafe.  The fencing is ineffective and the many young families locally need something better.

There is the possiblity of something being provided as part of an adjacent housing development, but I am also waiting to hear back from the County Council as to whether they want my help in accessing some of the £200 million being offered by the Government for play facilities.

I also attended the 125th anniversary celebrations at Conifers School in Westham.  The community celebration was a wonderful occasion with entertainment, stalls, refreshments and a unique and fascinating exhibition of local people's photos and records of the last 125 years in the area.

I was delighted to attend the opening of Holy Trinity's wonderful new school.  This is the largest primary school in Dorset now in fantastic new facilities.

The ceremony was carried out with typical skill and charisma by Tim, Bishop of Sherborne.  The school was chosen for its new school by Dorset County Council, I tried not to feel put out that the Government was given no credit for providing Dorset with the funds for the school, but resisted the temptation to rush up to the mike and ruin everyone's day by making my slightly political point!

I was given a tour by a great group of pupils who are rightly very proud of their school.

The other issue I've been trying to deal with is the decision by Roman Road pre-school to close.  I've went and met with the owner, paretns and some other pre-school providers.  They are concerned about the new Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and how Ofsted are inspecting against it.  I am taking it up in Government and have promised to get back quickly to see if we can persuade the owners to carry on, if the framework is used more of a guide and less dogmatically.