As regular readers will know, Parliamentary recess is certainly not a time for a holiday instead it allows Members of Parliament to spend time in the constituency meeting numerous individuals and organisations. This week began in the Gurdwara Nanaksar in Southampton on Sunday where I was honoured to address the assembled congregation on issues that affect Sikhs locally. Since 2010 I have been a member of the APPG for Sikhs and as a result of the issues raised on Sunday have tabled an oral question on the contributions of Sikhs in World War One.

I have been to Abbotswood this week to discuss concerns about the new bus service to the development. There are very reasonable arguments on both sides of the debate regarding the route through the estate, however the vast majority of constituents who contact me are very pleased to be served by a local bus so I hope the problems can be resolved in the best interests of everyone involved.

There has also been an interesting theme this week of tackling food waste. On Tuesday I met with the manager of Waitrose in Romsey and was impressed  to hear the store has managed to get food wastage down to around 0.2% of stock, which is a fantastic achievement and they are determined to get down to zero.

Following on from this, later in the week I visited Above Bar Church in Southampton to see the work Rev Risbridger and the team do for homeless people at their Big Breakfast. Community events such as these are vital to those who find they may have, for whatever reason, slipped through the system and I was grateful for the opportunity to speak to all those involved.

On Saturday I will be holding my monthly drop-in surgery at St Michaels and All Angels Church in Bassett from 9.30am until 11am. No appointment is necessary however it is advisable to come along early as this surgery is often very busy. I am looking forward to an evening at Romsey Abbey listening to the Mountbatten Community Choir on Saturday night which will be a fitting end to this recess and I know it will be as good as ever.