Jason had a busy festive weekend. Friday evening saw the big Christmas Lights switch on in Honley. Congratulations to Ian Gooch and the Holme Valley Business Association for doing the valley proud with the lights in Holmfirth and Honley.

Hundreds braved the squalls to walk round the Honley Christmas street market on Saturday morning with shelter just up the road in Trinity Church for their lovely Christmas Tree Festival.

Then it was Marsden’s turn for their lights switch on with entertainment from the Imbolc fire twirlers. The blue and white Christmas lights in Meltham looked as dazzling as ever on the drive home.

Jason spent an enjoyable Sunday afternoon at the 1940s themed Christmas at Taylors Food Store with a festive performance from Honley Male Voice Choir.

A combination of the economy, beer taxes and the smoking ban have been blamed for the closure of many local pubs.

“My local pub in Honley, The Coach and Horses, closed recently as have many other local pubs. I support good local pubs which can be the hub of their communities with responsible drinking in a good atmosphere,” said Jason.

The school was one of the first in the area to sign up to the ‘Get Set’ London 2012 Olympic Schools programme.

The home, which is run by Ideal Care Homes, looks after 64 residents in a modern and stimulating setting. During Jason’s visit, a donkey was brought over to meet the residents.

Jason is spending this week volunteering with local charities and community groups, beginning with helping the volunteers who maintain the Meltham Greenway. He says:

“I’m really looking forward to spending a week with some of the amazing charities and voluntary groups in my area during my first Annual Volunteer Week. This is something I’ll be doing every summer now. The aim of the week is so I can learn more about the wonderful work charities and voluntary groups do in our area. I know many of them already but I want to pay tribute to those who give so much time to keep these organisations going and I want to encourage more people to get involved.”

The Force Protection Ocelot is an armoured vehicle that is scheduled to replace the United Kingdom’s Snatch Land Rover with British forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Ocelot is intended for use as a light protected patrol vehicle (LPPV) with specialised protection against roadside bombs and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Jason is pictured with Michael Catherine, the Managing Director of the company.

The school council then grilled Jason during a question and answer session.

Jason is supporting Camira’s bid to get involved with supplying to the London Olympics.

For more information, please visit http://www.camirafabrics.com.

SMILES ALL ROUND
Jason also visited the high tech text messaging services business www.smilessms.com which is based in Golcar. The company employs 10 people and serves a wide range of local businesses and public services including Colne Valley High School who can inform parents and guardians of school closures at the touch of a button.

EQUI-TREK
He also paid a visit to the UK’s biggest manufacturer of horse boxes. The family run business is based in Meltham but has sites all over the constituency including this one pictured in Slaithwaite. This vibrant company, which employs 130 local people, has seen turnover increase by an incredible 60% in the past year. Visit www.equi-trek.com for more details.

BURTON SAFES
Jason visited Burton Safes in Brockholes. The company supplies a range of security products for the UK and overseas markets. Visit www.burtonsafes.co.uk for more details.