News Andy Burnham MP for Leigh

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11/11/2008 - Burnham honours a Leigh Land Girl

During Remembrance Week Andy made a special presentation to Mrs Irene Kelly. Mrs Kelly received a Womens’ Land Army & Timber Corps Badge to recognise her contribution to the war effort during WWII.

The Women's Land Army (WLA), colloquially known as the Land Girls, was re-formed at the outbreak of World War II to work on the land, freeing the male workers to go to war. By 1943 there were some 80,000 young women working in every aspect of agriculture to feed the nation. With their uniform of green ties and jumpers and brown felt slouch hats, they worked from dawn to dusk each day, milking cows, digging ditches, sowing seeds and harvesting crops.

The Women's Timber Corps (WTC), also known as the 'Lumber Jills' worked tirelessly in the forests to provide timber for the war effort, felling trees, sawing timber and sharpening saws.

Members of the Women's Land Army & Women's Timber Corps who served during either the First or Second World Wars are eligible to apply for a badge.

Andy Burnham MP said, “I was delighted to be able to present the badge to Mrs Kelly who made a vital contribution to the country during the Second World War through her service in the Women's Land Army and the Women's Timber Corps.

“With the country at war and all able-bodied men needed to fight, there was a shortage of labour to work on farms and in other jobs on the land. At the same time it was becoming increasingly difficult to get food imported from abroad, so more land needed to be farmed to provide homegrown food. The Women's Land Army provided much of the labour force to work this land.

“The advertising slogan read, 'For a healthy, happy job join The Women's Land Army'. In reality, the work was hard and dirty and the hours were long. It is right that the country recognises their contribution and sacrifice to the war effort and I feel privileged to have spent some time today talking to them about their experiences during the war years.”

Andy is encouraging applications for the badge. An application form can be obtained by calling his office on 01942 248958.

Andy also paid tribute to over 200 local veterans who attended the now annual Remembrance Event at Leigh Miners' Welfare Institute on Friday, 7th November.

06/11/2008 - Andy Burnham pays tribute to local veterans

Andy Burnham MP has today paid tribute to local veterans ahead of hosting a Veterans’ Ceremony at Leigh Miners Welfare Institute on the eve of Remembrance Sunday.

Now in its third year the ceremony follows an extremely successful inaugural event in 2006. Over 200 local veterans are expected to attend.

Andy said, “I am committed to supporting and recognising our veterans. That’s why I am delighted to be hosting this special event."

“Veterans attending are of all ages with a variety of different backgrounds, and they all deserve our recognition. Not only have they honoured their commitment to defend our country’s interests in service, they have also used their skills and experiences to enrich their local communities across the Leigh area.”

Andy continues to receive requests for the popular Veterans Lapel Badge. An application form can be downloaded from the home page or can be obtained by calling Andy’s office on 01942 248958.

30/10/2008 - Andy voices his support for national writing competition

Andy has today voiced his support for a national writing competition and is calling on teenagers across the Leigh area to take part in a thought provoking national writing competition.

This fun competition, organised by financial education charity the ifs School of Finance, is open to any UK resident aged between 14 and 19.

The competition enables teenagers to test their writing skills by writing a 1,000 word article with the headline: “Should Government encourage home ownership?"

As well as the title “ifs Young Business Writer of the Year”, the winner will also receive a £500 cash prize.

Every year the ifs Young Business Writer of the Year competition is judged by a business or finance journalist from a national newspaper. Past judges include Robert Cole from The Times and James Daley from The Independent. This year Peter Taylor, City Correspondent for the Daily Telegraph, will judge the competition.

Peter will be awarding marks for demonstrating research, evaluation, analysis and written argument skills as well as for overall reporting style.

Andy said, “The ifs competition can help improve writing standards in general, assists in fostering an interest in business & finance and also encourages students to think about what is a very important issue, especially given the current economic climate."

“I therefore hope that 14-19 year olds across Leigh participate in the competition and wish them every success in doing so.”

Anne Kiem, Dean of Further Education at the ifs School of Finance said:

“We very much welcome the support of Andy Burnham MP in highlighting the educational benefits of this competition.

“Once again, the ifs Young Business Writer of the Year competition has a thought provoking and highly topical question. It will be very interesting to see the different views young people have about home ownership as well as the Governments role in encouraging this.”

Anyone aged between 14 and 19 who wishes to enter the competition simply has to e-mail their article (which must not exceed 1,000 words) to ybwy@ifslearning.ac.uk between now and the competition closing date of Monday 26 January 2009.

For more information please visit www.financialcapability.co.uk