As Gordon Brown spent his first hours getting used to being called Prime Minister, Ashfield MP Geoff Hoon was keeping him company in Downing Street. This was no time for cosy chats. After 29 years of waiting for the title, Mr Brown was eager to get on with the job in hand - and Mr Hoon's task was to help him.

Although in official terms he was still Minister for Europe, Mr Hoon had actually assumed the position of chief whip, the Government's enforcer.

And with Mr Brown's first task being to overhaul Tony Blair's cabinet, Mr Hoon was plunged into the thick of things, saying he was "extensively involved" in the reshuffle.

'Traditionally the chief whip would give advice to the Prime Minister about appointments,' he says.

'We had some discussions. The Prime Minister had some very clear views of his own.

'It's actually a massive job to organise - this was more than just a reshuffle this was the formation of a new government. There were very many changes at every level of the Government in terms of appointments.

'I spent several very, very long days at Downing Street trying to make it all fit together."

The long days often lasted from 7am until midnight, dealing not only with the cabinet appointments, but those of Ministers, junior ministers and then parliamentary aides.

But that's life as chief whip. It might not be the cabinet post which steals the headlines, but the Government's success will be the ultimate verdict on the job he does.

'Organising Labour MPs' is about as close to a job description as you can get, says Mr Hoon.

And winning votes and getting laws through Parliament are the nitty gritty of the job.

'People are elected as Labour party candidates across the country,' he says.

'We formed a government, I think some people do have a strong personal vote, but I doubt any Labour MP would be here other than they have the label Labour Party candidate attached to them, therefore my job is to ensure they vote in accordance with the manifesto upon which they were elected."

Westminster folklore abounds with stories of troublesome MPs being pinned against the wall in the whip's office over the years, or threatened with their darkest secrets being revealed unless they back the party line.

Mr Hoon laughs at that idea, although others suggest there may have been more than a hint of credence to them in the past.

'I wonder if it's ever been true,' he says.

'If you're dealing with intelligent, capable people who have worked hard to become MPs and work hard to stay MPs, I personally believe this is about discussion, debate, particular issues they're concerned about, it's also about loyalty to the Labour Party and the Government.

'I think it's much better to talk to people about those things than it is to try to deal with it any other way. I can't imagine it would work.'

So is this stuff confined to Yes, Minister, a programme which Mr Hoon says he used to find 'very, very funny' but not a realistic depiction of ministerial life?

The change of Prime Minister did not put off the first rebellion for long, with Mr Hoon charged with limiting the number of MPs discontented with the Government's stance on pensions and managing offenders.

Both votes were won with relative ease, but several of the rebels were summoned beforehand and there's a clear steely message when Mr Hoon says: "I'm always disappointed when people feel it necessary to vote against the Government. I think I made that pretty clear.'

A suggestion that he must have a mental list of his most troublesome colleagues is met with another deep laugh.

'I think there are colleagues who from time to time have strayed from the straight and narrow,' he says with a hefty dose of understatement.

'But my job is to encourage them back on to the straight and narrow.'

One thing is for sure - being chief whip is not a job about making friends.

But that is unlikely to faze a man who - as Defence Secretary in the spotlight after the death of Government scientist David Kelly - has been vilified by the media.

Since the formation of the new Government he has made a point of trying to speak to colleagues who were left disappointed when the phone did not ring.

He admits his own disappointment about being demoted from Leader of the House to Europe Minister in Mr Blair's last reshuffle helped understand how they felt.

'I've seen a lot of colleagues of both kind,' he says.

'I've made a particular point of speaking to a number of colleagues because it is a difficult process. Some people are very disappointed.'

Mr Hoon has enjoyed the transfer of power and the enthusiasm with which his boss has taken to the job, praising his "phenomenally hard" work ethic and "amazing" ideas and policies.

'I think Tony Blair did a tremendous job for the Labour Party and the country in winning three general elections, but I think it was important we sent a clear message there has been a significant change,' he says.

And that new style of Government, which has seen statements made in Parliament before being trailed in the media, may end up meaning more work for him.

'I've heard several complaints from journalists they're not being tipped off in advance, there's no spinning, they're having to do their job which is to find out what the story is,' he laughs.

'I think it's a very good thing. I think it's a very proper approach because it will require a lot more of the chief whip.

'Gordon has said Parliament should be at the centre of our national life in terms of the decisions the Government announces and the way we reach those decisions, how we organise the business and what happens, then, necessarily if Parliament becomes more important, I've got a bigger job to do.'

By courtesy of Nottingham Evening Post – Correspondent Jonathan Reed.

Award Winning Units Open for Business! · Fri, 27th July · 

An award winning project which encourages and 'incubates' new business has officially opened its doors today.

The Incubation Centre, within the Ashfield Business Centre at Idlewells Centre, Sutton in Ashfield, has already been recognized for its excellent work in supporting and providing accommodation for new enterprise by scooping the East Midlands regional award for Business and Economy.

The aim of the Centre is to 'incubate' new businesses by providing them with on-site advice and support whilst they are establishing themselves and the award recognised the work being undertaken in the region's market towns in providing sustainable and innovative projects.

The incubation units provide high quality, fully furnished office space, including computer, printer and fast connection broadband. The units offer easy in, easy out terms of occupation at affordable prices. On-site free business support and advice is also on hand.

Funding for the project was gained from the Nottinghamshire Rural Community Council Action for Market Towns and the Alliance for Enterprise (Local Enterprise Growth Initiative) and from the Alliance SSP who was represented at the event by John Cunningham.

Nottinghamshire Business Venture (NBV) is also working closely with Ashfield District Council in providing ongoing support to the businesses located in the Ashfield Business Centre and have a regular presence in the centre.

A BizFizz coach, employed through the Alliance for Enterprise (LEGI) programme will also be based at Ashfield Business Centre to provide one-to-one advice and guidance to individuals wishing to start their own business.

The centre is the second in a network of incubation centres in the district.

The Incubation Centre was officially opened by Cllr Harry Toseland, Chairman, Ashfield District Council who cut the ribbon with Paul Davies, Chairman for Alliance for Enterprise.

'This is a really exciting concept to support new businesses which form the backbone of our local economy. This scheme will hopefully help develop the growth industries of tomorrow,' said Cllr. Toseland.

Mr Hoon said: 'I welcome this innovative project. By providing facilities on favourable terms and offering access to business advice the units will support businesses through the important early stages of their development. I am sure that the units will prove to be a real asset to the business community and to local entrepreneurs.'

The parish of Selston has been awarded £276,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund to record the memories of local people of Selston.

'Selstonia Living Heritage Project' has already enlisted 200 volunteers to help to bring the plan to life, and is looking for another 300 people and aiming to involve all 2,000 of the areas school children in all aspects of a creative effort to record the history of the town.

Heritage Lottery Fund Regional Manager Emma Sale said, 'This is a really ambitious project to ensure that memories of Selston aren't lost forever, and to bring them to life for the current young generation to share in. There will be lots of opportunities for people to get really actively involved and for the whole community to play a part in this project.'

Over 100 interviews with local residents over the age of 7 years old will be carried out by volunteers to plot the changing nature of Selston. The project aims to chart the growth of Selston and the surrounding villages from small farming settlements through to the coal mining and textile days and the decline of those industries that had such a dramatic impact on the people living there. The memories will then be collated into a fascinating archive for the parish.

The volunteers involved will also take part in a host of activities to present the memories in an interesting new way for the rest of the community. Interviews will take place with older members of the community to capture images and stories about what life in Selston was like when they were growing up. In particular memories, pictures and documents connected to Selston's mining and textile industries will be gathered to build up an interactive picture of how they affected working and social life in the area.

The community archive created by collecting the memories of people in Selston will then be used by volunteers in a variety of ways to bring the stories to life. Radio plays will be written and performed by the volunteers and broadcast on local community radio and those with a flair for art will be able to create works reflecting the landscape and social history of Selston using the memories gathered as inspiration. Through sharing the stories and memories of Selston everyone in the parish will be able to learn about the heritage that has created the place they live in today before the memories are lost forever.

Geoff Hoon said:

'I wrote in support of the lottery bid earlier this year and I am delighted that it has been successful. I congratulate all those from the local community who played a part in securing the funding. The project will have a very important role in preserving and raising awareness of local heritage and am very pleased that it will engage the whole community across the generations. I wish the project every success.'

Chris Bonam, the project coordinator said, 'This is a great result for the Parish of Selston and the people of all ages and walks of life who have worked so hard to develop the project. The Selstonia living heritage project aims to bring those within the area together and to increase the skills base and aspirations of residents through the medium of our shared memories. We are very grateful that we now have the chance to bring our dreams into reality and look forward to the challenges this brings.'

ASHFIELD MP Geoff Hoon says he is excited about his return to the Cabinet following new Prime Minster Gordon Brown's reshuffle. Mr Hoon has landed the important role of Labour Party Chief Whip in the new Government, meaning it will be his responsibility to ensure MPs vote as the party leadership desire.

But Mr Hoon, who was previously Minister of State for Europe, says his new position will not affect his commitment to residents in Ashfield.

Mr Hoon, who has formerly held Cabinet positions as Defence Secretary and Leader of the Commons, told Chad in an exclusive interview that he was looking forward to working closely with the new Prime Minister.

He said: 'We have been extremely busy this week - there have been three Cabinet meetings as well as a major statement on constitutional reform.

'We have a new government with a lot of new, younger people brought in. There have been some very long days because the most important thing for the new Prime Minister to do is choose the government with the help of others, including the Chief Whip.'

Meanwhile, Mr Hoon has continued to pledge his support for the improvement of education and health and a reduction in crime in Ashfield.

He said' 'I am hugely impressed by many of the changes at schools in the district.

'There has been an improvement in the buildings and even more importantly in the work of teachers and other staff.'

He also highlighted the progress made in improving the health of residents in Ashfield, including the reduction in waiting list times.

He added' 'When the new development at King's Mill Hospital is completed, people will be able to see the difference and they will see what is being done.'

He also vowed to tackle anti-social behaviour following the recent successes in reducing serious crime.

Mr Hoon added: 'There is still more that can be done to reduce crime, particularly anti-social behaviour, and to reassure people that all the agencies - including the police and council - are working together in a comprehensive approach.'

Geoff Hoon's recent interview by Catherine Allen of the Chad (Ashfield News) - for further details see visit  www.chad.co.uk

Ashfield MP Geoff Hoon visited homes on Mill Lane, Huthwaite on Friday to meet with residents affected by the recent floods. After being informed of the flooding by residents, Mr Hoon was keen to meet with them and view the damage caused to properties. Residents told Mr Hoon about their experiences over recent weeks and Mr Hoon has arranged a further meeting with residents later this month.

Mr Hoon said: 'I am very grateful that residents have taken the time to show me the damage to their properties. One cannot comprehend the upheaval and stress that has been experienced following the flooding. I will closely monitor the situation and meet with residents again over the next few weeks.'

Geoff Hoon looks into Huthwaite's past · Fri, 6th July · 

Ashfield MP Geoff Hoon visited All Saints Community Centre on Friday for the final day of the centre's 'A Living History Mine' exhibition. The exhibition, which was held over the previous week, included a pictorial history of the area from the very beginnings of Huthwaite's mining era to the present day. As part of the project, which was supported by the Heritage Lottery fund, local people have contributed to books and DVDs documenting their own memories of Huthwaite.

Mr Hoon said: 'This has been a fantastic project in which members of the local community have worked incredibly hard to research and bring to life the area's eventful and fascinating history. Their work will ensure that Huthwaite's past will be well documented for the benefit of future generations.'