On Friday, 23rd March, Nicholas had a day in the constituency built around education and the environment.

He spoke at the Harlands School’s Eco Launch Assembly in Haywards Heath. Harlands School is one of 6,000 schools in the country to be granted “Eco School” status with the shared aim of reducing their impact on the environment. Each year group will be focussing on an environmental project eg threats to habitats, litter, energy etc.

Commenting Nicholas Soames said; “I was so impressed by the work of these children and their teachers, they all deserve the greatest credit for taking individual steps to do their bit with the school to make a real effective contribution to the environment. They can be very proud of themselves.”

Nicholas then went on to attend the launch of the West Sussex Design Principles at the Arora Hotel in Crawley.

Nicholas said; “The idea for this project came from a seminar that I held in the House of Commons in February 2003 and I am delighted that West Sussex County Council took this up. The Director, John Kilford, and his colleagues deserve great credit for what they have produced and given the weight of development being imposed on West Sussex it is vital that the developers involved are made to use good design and layout.”

Nicholas then went on to speak to a big gathering of students at Burgess Hill School for Girls. He talked about local politics, Parliament and our constitution and the students asked a large number of questions ranging from the future of the Princess Royal Hospital, the environment, the Hunting Act and university entrance.

Nicholas said; “I was tremendously impressed by the students and I really enjoyed the opportunity to speak to so many bright and engaged pupils. I much look forward to going back again.”

Nicholas then went on to plant six trees in Haywards Heath with Carole Preston, Town Clerk, and the Mayor Richard Goddard, as a part compensation for the carbon emissions from his constituency office and the work in the community of the Association.

Notes

• Eco Schools – http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/
• West Sussex Design Principles – www.westsussexdesign.org.uk