Update from Jack Lopresti (Oct/Nov edition)

This past month, I had the pleasure of making many visits in the local area, one of which included the Patchway Men’s Shed.  Here we discussed how they help the local community including schools and community groups, as well as their future plans for the development of their site and how I could help by connecting them with businesses and organisations who could help.

I also had a great visit to the Bristol Academy of the Military Preparation College for Training where I met some inspiring learners hoping to become armed forces recruits and had a good discussion with them hearing how they are supported as young people to join the military.

Additionally, due to many issues raised by constituents, I held a meeting with our Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford and Councillors Neel Das Gupta and Keith Cranney to discuss anti-social behaviour, e-scooters, and the Meade Park fire. We also discussed neighbourhood policing and how the council can do more to tackle graffiti.

In addition, I had the opportunity to attend some great community events this month including the South Gloucestershire Show where I met with Jackie & Anna from the Staple Hill branch of the Royal British Legion and got to see some of the products of our agricultural industry in South Gloucestershire. I also visited the 60th Winterbourne Down and District Horticultural Society 60th Annual Show which had some fantastic displays.

I have also recently been on another visit to Ukraine. This time I met with a number of influential organisations and officials in Ukraine’s defence industry and in government. This included productive meetings with Herman Smetanin, Head of Ukroboronprom; Sergii Boyev, Deputy Minister for Strategic Industries responsible for European Integration; Alexander Kamyshin, Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine; and Oleksandr Zavitnevych, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence. We discussed closer collaboration between British and Ukrainian defence companies to support the war effort. I also had the opportunity to discuss defence procurement cooperation with the Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov, and the continuing support our nation will provide for Ukraine on their path to victory.

On this visit I was also able to go to the Ukrainian frontline (photo below) and was honoured be able to speak to some of the troops and see such high morale among soldiers. Many of them were trained in the UK and it was great to see British kit and equipment in action such as the AS-90 self-propelled artillery from my son’s army unit.

Back in the UK, I also had the opportunity to show my support for Ukraine on National Flag Day and Ukrainian Independence Day on which my office hung the Ukrainian flag in solidarity with the gallant Ukrainian people. I also went to a BBQ at the Ukrainian Refugee Hub at St. Andrew’s Church in Avonmouth organised by the Bristol Rapid Relief Team who did a fantastic job delivering a great event for the Ukrainian refugees in our area.

As always, should you need my help with anything, my office is open from Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm. 

Please telephone me on 01454 617783 or email me at:  [email protected] 

if I can be of assistance or to book a surgery. 

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