Tessa Munt MP drums up support at Wells May Day fair

Local MP Tessa put her percussion skills to the test by giving drumming a try with the Mendip All Drummers (MAD) during celebrations for May Day in Wells this weekend.Tessa at Wells May Fair

Tessa joined hundreds of people enjoying the summer sunshine in the annual celebrations arranged again by the Wells Lions club. Alongside the traditional Maypole dancing were vintage cars, stalls, games, music and of course drums!

Tessa said; “This is always a wonderful annual event in the Wells Calendar. We have fantastic weather, and it’s been great fun meeting all sorts of people and visiting dozens of stalls and activities.”

Tessa Munt

7th May 2013

Local MP Tessa Munt joins Wells Tourism Conference

The City of Wells hosted an important tourism conference last week, with Wells MP Tessa Munt and representatives from across Somerset, the UK and even China.

 Coordinated by John Turner of the Somerset Tourism Association (STA), with support from UK Trade & Investment, delegates ranged from international organisations with major interests in the region to B&B and small hotel owners.

 Local organisations and visitor attractions in Wells were well represented and put the case strongly for opportunities to be included in plans to promote the county as a tourism destination. 

Conference speakers

 Statistics presented by Sharon Orrell, Head of Research & Insight at Visit England, showed very mixed trends in the region, but demonstrated clearly that Somerset is not communicating its offer well enough to compete with other areas. John Turner said that tourism in Somerset currently generates £850m a year, but with little or no support from local government, they are reliant on the private and voluntary sector to support investment in promotion to both domestic and global markets.

 Tessa said, “I have many years of experience in the tourism industry before becoming an MP and understand the need to help small businesses to help themselves. I know what amazing things Somerset has to offer visitors – the food, the heritage, the beautiful rural environment and large number of independent shops – but this could be threatened by everything from the recent poor weather and the recession to parking issues and fracking! 36,000 people in the region are dependent on tourism related income and I will continue to work with Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills for industry support.” Read the rest of this entry »

Tessa Munt MP welcomes Lib Dem President to Wells

Tessa meeting TimTessa Munt, Wells MP was pleased to welcome the Lib Dem President Tim Farron MP to Wells this week. 

  Tim was on a visit to the county, covering a large chunk of Somerset, following the Eastleigh by-election success in Hampshire. He met with the people of Wells, heard their concerns and spoke about how local politics matters.

  Tessa said “I am delighted to show Somerset off to Tim again. Coming from another rural area, Tim understands the people and the politics away from the big urban areas.”

  Tim went on to say, “Wells is a wonderful little city – I so enjoyed the lively response on the doorsteps with lots of people keen to make their views known. I look forward to coming back at some point in the future.”

  Tessa Munt

  8th March 2013

MP Tessa jumps onto a raft again at the Wells Moat Boat Races

Local MP Tessa Munt had such a good time at last year’s event in Wells she was delighted to take up the challenge of competing in a raft again in 2012.

This highly successful and fun event is organised by the City of Wells Lion Clubs and the local 1955 Air Cadets. Now in its 11th year, the money raised goes to the two groups as well as to the Bishop of Bath & Wells’ chosen charity, which this year is the Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance.

Tessa joined the Wells Boxing Club raft who stormed to victory in the first race of the day.

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Tessa Munt MP condemns total withdrawal of 490 bus service

Tessa was extremely disappointed to learn that Somerset County Council has refused to listen to the concerns of local people and has decided to withdraw all funding for the 490 bus service which runs every Tuesday morning between Cheddar and Bristol.

After completing his ‘consultation process’, the Cabinet Member responsible for public transport, County Councillor Harvey Siggs, confirmed the withdrawal of this service. The 490 bus stops running on 22nd May. Read the rest of this entry »

Blue Lounge Radio hosts debate on cuts to youth services

Local MP Tessa Munt debated the County Council’s cuts to youth services in the recording studio for Blue Lounge Radio at The Blue School in Wells with Wells County Councillor John Osman, Thomas Fowler from the Connect Centre in Wells and Jake Pitt, Member of the Youth Parliament for Mendip.

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