28/02/2010 by Steve Barclay.

A treat to look forward to is the arrival at Ely Cathedral in Feb 2012 of the award winning Quaker Tapestry collection, which I had a sneak preview of today.  In Brighton for the Conservative Spring Conference, I discoved the exhibition by chance and popped in to see it at the Quaker Meeting Hall where part of the collection is on temporary display.  It is stunning and thought provoking.

Tapestry tutor Bridget Guest kindly gave me an insight into the collection, and in particular explained two key panels which stood out for me (pictured), one of the anti-slavery movement and the other on banking.

Quakers played a leading part in the movement challenging slavery, led nationally by Thomas Clarkson of Wisbech and supported by Conservative MP William Wilberforce.  There was also a timely tapestry panel on the need for honesty in banking, which current bank chiefs could do to take note of.  Wisbech and Peckover House sit at the heart of Quaker history on banking, and the panel even has the Barclays bank eagle on it.

In total there are 77 panels, which took around 15 years to produce involving 4,000 men, women and children in 15 countries.  More details about the 77 tapestry panels can be found at: www.quaker-tapestry.co.uk

Steve Barclay is pictured with Bridget Guest

Looking at the award winning Quaker Tapestry which is heading to Ely Cathedral in 2012

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27/12/2009 by Steve Barclay.

I could think of few things worse than a trip to the shops on the first Saturday after Christmas.  So it was an unexpected surprise to discover a great shop in Ely this Saturday, not least as I have walked past it countless times.

Rather than shopping, we headed over to Ely and completed the Cawdle Fen Walk.  Not the best weather but bracing can have its moments, or so I am told.  Afterwards we popped in to Topping & Company booksellers in Ely and what a delight.  A well stocked shop with lots of signed first editions, knowledgable staff, and they had the book I wanted. But those who know of my love of coffee will not be surprised that what particularly impressed was when, without asking, I was offered a coffee free of charge to drink whilst browing the shop.  Service like that is not available from the supermarkets or internet book sellers. 

Toppings have a regular programme of author events throughout the year, and a really good childrens book section too.  If you are not already a regular there, it is well worth a visit when next in Ely.  Let me know what you think if you go.

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18/12/2009 by Steve Barclay.

Spent the morning at King’s School in Ely where I judged the final of the junior and senior school debates.  Struck by the very high standard - well researched content, all the speakers kept good eye content, and some quite wonderful touches of humour and quick wit. 

To speak in front of a full hall is a big challenge, and even more so when it is before all your school friends who will no doubt have fun if you make a mistake.  So it was really uplifting to see the students speak so well.  The debates were fiercely contested with the teams having come through two earlier rounds.  The first debate was on whether to decriminalise drugs, with Wilkinson House winning.  The senior debate focussed on whether cultural and religious tolerance was a threat to Britain, and Torfrida House took the honours.

Pictured are the winning teams from the junior and senior debates.
In the afternoon I headed over to Wisbech, where I visited Ladbrokes for a briefing about the current state of the gaming industry which employs a number of people locally.  Whilst there I was also invited to place a charity bet - a £50 stake which I place on behalf of the East of England Air Ambulance. 

Am struck at the meeting, not for the first time, by what a small world it is.  At Labrokes the meeting was with Ric Royal who is a friend from my days living in Lancaster.  Rick now works for Ladbrokes nationally and has a detailed knowledge of the gaming industry.  It made for a good discussion about onshore and offshore tax issues, creating more jobs in the gaming industry, and he even helped out with tip for what horse I should back (not something I have a clue about).  We finished off with a sneak preview of the latest political betting for a few parliamentary seats and likely parliamentary majorities. 

Chatting with those in the store, one of the issues which will influence the election was clear - immigration.  There is a strong sense in Wisbech that the Labour Government has let local people down on immigration and not played fair.  Those who stick to the rules and work hard are being hit by higher bills, whilst others are seen to get special treatment with extra benefits.  If I am elected as MP, this is an issue I want to tackle.  We need to stop the current abuse of our benefits system and control immigration much better.  It is not a race issue to talk about immigration - it is an issue of fairness that people locally feel passionately about.   

Photo with Mr Rick Royal of Ladbrokes

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