I met some of the many volunteers from the WRVS in Bassetlaw Hospital this week and what a job they do. They run the shop, the cafe, and a trolley service and all in support of our hospital.  During the war the WRVS made an incredible number of meals centred at Retford station and one current volunteer was volunteering during those days!  WRVS are part of the heart and soul of Bassetlaw hospital and long may they continue to serve us.

Remembrance Sunday was a big and well attended success across Bassetlaw, with good numbers attending everywhere. What was particularly good to see were the numbers of young people and children attending and participating in the events.

Whilst out with the police the other day, I saw at first hand the impact of policing cuts and the absurdity of losing the police cells at Worksop nick. I was also bewildered by the complaints from door staff at Disraelis that there are no taxis at 4am to take people home. If I ran a taxi I think I would have gone home by then. It begs the question why Disraelis feel the need to stay open until this hour and I have been pressing again this week for new powers to allow councils and the police to charge bars that stay open that late. Why should one or two private profit making  businesses command such a disproportionate amount of police resources?

I have received a bit of stick for not opposing the new uniform policies of Valley and Portland school. I am not one to sit on the fence and I am not doing so on this issue. I applaud the schools for having a new uniform policy and they have my total backing. I go further. I want the schools to work with their neighbours to help ensure that school students go to and from school politely, safely and without dropping litter.

I also hear from students who like the fact that expectations and standards have improved in our schools. On occasion I hear from a parent who has just charged into a school yelling and threatening staff. It happens very rarely in our area, but when it does I suggest that they hand themselves into the police rather than bang on my door and abuse my staff.

If I was a head teacher I would insist that every child attended school, that all pupils treat everyone with respect, not least their teachers, that their parents backed a zero tolerance approach in school to bad behaviour and I would make every student wear their uniform. I think that this, combined with excellent teaching, will improve results and it is high time that we had schools with outstanding results. The get tough approach can only help with this.