MP Hears of School's Link with Poland · Fri, 23rd Mar · 

The Minister for Europe Geoff Hoon marked the 50th anniversary of the European Union by hearing about Eastwood Comprehensives project with a Polish school.

Ashfield MP, Rt Hon Geoff Hoon launched the Learning Together initiative to develop learning partnerships between UK schools and their European counterparts.

Through Learning Together, information will be made available to schools about the range of opportunities to develop learning partnerships and carry out projects such as Eastwood's Tropical Rainforests project with Myskow School in Poland.

Tropical Rainforests has been chosen as the theme of the 2007 Eastwood Arts Festival parade. Though still in the early stages of discussion, representatives of all of the area's schools have been involved and aim to use the theme within the National Curriculum as they learn about recycling and food links.

They are also planning a bigger and bolder parade than usual with each school represented by a bird of paradise with hopes that their Polish counterparts will contribute too.

The minister took part in a live link-up with Myskow School and answered questions from pupils in both locations.

He said: 'The 50th anniversary provides us all with an opportunity to celebrate the European Union's achievements and to look ahead to the challenges the EU faces in the next fifty years.

'The EU's role in the next 50 years will be about safeguarding the world our children will inherit - tackling major issues such as the environment, security and international development.

'One of the key challenges which we currently face in the UK is raising awareness about how relevant Europe is to our everyday lives and how we can learn from each other across a range of issues.

'This is why I am proud to be launching the Learning Together initiative, which will open up new opportunities for teachers and young people.

'I hope that it will help schools to offer their pupils access to an international experience and encourage more joint learning opportunities between UK schools and their European counterparts.

'The young people of today will be the leaders of tomorrow and they deserve every opportunity to learn to their full potential.'

By courtesy of Eastwood and Kimberley Advertiser

Unveiling at Millbrook Mental Health Unit · Fri, 16th Mar · 

A sculpture designed by a recovered schizophrenic and former service user of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Ian Morris, has been unveiled at the entrance to Millbrook Mental Health Unit at King's Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfield by Ashfield MP Geoff Hoon.

The 2.5 metre tall sculpture is constructed from brushed stainless steel and is in the shape of a ladder. Every fourth rung is made from copper to symbolise that one in four people will experience a mental health problem during their lifetime. It also has a circular marble tablet in its base to represent the moon and the connotations it has with mental health.

Geoff Hoon MP said: 'It is very important to raise awareness of mental health issues. It is likely that most of us will know friends or loved ones who suffer from mental health problems. I was delighted to unveil '1 in 4' and to meet the artist Ian Morris, whose recovery from schizophrenia has given him the drive and ambition to create pieces of art which can be enjoyed by all the people that visit the Unit.'

Clair Chilvers, Chair of Nottinghamshire Healthcare, added: 'Using art to express experiences of mental health problems helps people come to terms with what they've been, or are going through. It's an incredibly important process and one which often leads to the service user taking art further.'

Ian Morris explained how his design came about: 'I suffered with schizophrenia between 1990 and 2003 and during this time took up painting. My doctor Dr Jeremy Resnik encouraged me to seek help in promoting my art which is how the sculpture came about. Now I'm studying for an art degree at Nottingham University.'

The sculpture has been made possible through a charitable donation from Janssen-Cilag.

The 60 guests also saw a performance by Reach4Dance, a group of professional dancers who perform for people who experience mental health problems who may not normally have access to professional shows.

Ashfield MP Geoff Hoon has called a public meeting to discuss the future of Bentinck Tip and Void.

A planning application for the reclamation of the site has been submitted and is currently subject to a public consultation.

The consultation has already generated a large volume of response from people in Ashfield. Nottinghamshire County Council is in the process of assessing these responses and is raising relevant issues and concerns with the planning applicants and with other relevant bodies.

Geoff Hoon said: 'I understand that the County Council has received a significant number of objections to the planning application in response to the consultation. I appreciate that people feel strongly about the future of the Bentinck site so I was very keen to call another public meeting in order to listen directly to people's views and concerns.'

Chatsworth House Supported Housing Scheme · Fri, 2nd Mar · 

Ashfield MP Geoff Hoon joined staff from Sutton's Chatsworth House supported housing scheme on Friday.

Mr Hoon visited Chatsworth House - which is made up of 23 self-contained flats to house vulnerable homeless people from across the area - as part of an ongoing tour of local supported housing projects.

Mr Hoon told Chad: 'I was delighted to visit Chatsworth House to see how this housing project is helping local people with a wide range of issues.'

'I was impressed by the facilities and the commitment of the staff and I hope that the project can continue to benefit people in the Ashfield area.'