Last week I had the pleasure of celebrating the launch of 40 new scooters for Shopmobility in Redditch.

Our Shopmobility scheme has been copied across the Country in the twenty years since it was set up.

Over the years, thousands of people struggling to get around have been able to browse the Kingfisher Centre in comfort thanks to the hard work of everyone involved in the scheme. I hope that they will continue long into the future.

l On Sunday, I was proud to represent Redditch Constituency at the Remembrance Sunday Parade at St Stephen's Church.

All that we have in Britain has been protected and fought for by brave people willing to serve in the armed forces and in services like the merchant navy.

We owe them our thanks and the recognition of their courage. I was pleased last week when the government took steps to issue a medal for those who served in the Suez Crisis.

But our respect for those that served might just mean more than all the medals in the world.

At my surgery on Friday I met the Friends of Southcrest Woods, a community group set up to improve a corner of the town that is often forgotten and little explored.

Now this group will be working to attract new visitors and a diverse wildlife and will be working with the borough council on a plan to manage the woodland.

Whilst on the subject of woodland. The superb autumn display of our trees is nearly over but I was struck recently by the how little we make of this as a town. If other towns can celebrate their Christmas lights, why can't Redditch promote the turning of the trees each year?

Surely an enterprising coach firm could put on tours taking in Redditch's famous roundabouts, our fantastic autumn trees and the Kingfisher Centre. Can Redditch be our New England?