Kelvin was pleased to be asked to help present awards at the fourth annual African Caribbean Achievers (ACA) Awards organised by the African Caribbean Community Development Forum (ACCDF).
Over 100 young people from Luton's primary, secondary, two academies and colleges received awards in recognition of their outstanding achievements in academics, music and sports at the fourth annual African Caribbean Pupil Achievers Awards. The event was compèred by Howard McCalla and Juliet Sharpe from BBC Three Counties Radio. Award winners and other guests were also treated to entertainment from Luton Jazz Orchestra, Luton Youth Steel Orchestra and the Barnfield Academies Choir.

Kelvin is pictured (below left) presenting an award with the evening's compères, (below centre) with Marvellous Akib and Reon Purerin - two winners from William Austin School - and (below right) with other young achievers.

(15th November 2008)

Kelvin attended the official opening of the new Butterfield Campus of the University of Bedfordshire, which houses the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery.
The official opening was performed by the minister for Health Services, Ann Keen MP. The Butterfield Park Campus is situated in a 85-acre business and technology zone and provides dedicated teaching and learning facilities for students. Future developments at Butterfield will include simulation laboratories complete with fully functional operating theatres, ward, and clinic environments.
Butterfield Park campus also boasts a mix of fully-networked computer suites, and a Learning Resources Centre which is home to a digital library with over 2,000 health-related e-journals. Nursing students also have access to the NHS Trust Libraries.
The investment in the new facilities at Butterfield Park highlights the University's commitment to provide both staff and students with the best possible teaching and learning resources. The £1m investment paid off: Butterfield Park has been named Green Office of the Year 2008 in The Office Development Awards competition for the environmental development of the future. The Nursing and Midwifery programmes at the University of Bedfordshire have been ranked fourth best in the country.

Kelvin is pictured (below left) with Ann Keen MP, Baroness Ros Howells, the University's new Chancellor and (below right) two newly qualified midwives, (l to r) Janice Thomas and Mandy Garner.

(14th November 2008)

Kelvin was pleased to support the Bedfordshire African Community Centre BACC fundraising evening.
BACC was set up in 2002 provide support and advocacy to the African Communities living in the Luton and Bedfordshire areas.
It also aims to relieve the suffering of people in the African Sub-Saharan countries who are in need, hardship or distress and assist in the recovery of those who are sick, convalescent, disabled or infirm. The event raised money for BACCs many international projects. Kelvin (photo right) was pleased to welcome people from many different African countries (from the Congo to the Cameroon and from Gambia to Namibia) who have made their homes in Luton to the event. Food from different countries across the continent was provided.

Kelvin is pictured (below left) with the director of BACC, Bony Shamalo and two of the performers.

(31st October 2008)

Kelvin met lung cancer specialist nurses from across the UK to hear about the invaluable work they do in supporting patients with the disease. The nurses were in Westminster for Lung Cancer Awareness Month to call on the government to ensure every lung cancer patient has access to a specialist lung cancer nurse.
Lung cancer specialist nurses play a vital role in supporting patients and their families, but unfortunately there just aren't enough nurses compared to the number of patients diagnosed. Lung cancer kills more than 34,000 people every year and more women die from lung cancer than breast cancer and the disease kills more people than breast cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer and leukaemia combined.
Kelvin says, "Around 600 people in our area are diagnosed with lung cancer each year. I have no doubt that having access to a specialist nurse, like Maria Guerin, can make a world of difference for patients and their families. They work tirelessly to support patients when they need it most. Increasing the numbers of specialist nurses would mean more patients could have the dedicated advice and care they deserve."
An extra 200 lung cancer specialist nurses in the UK to bring specialist nurse provision in line with some of the other major cancers. You can read a briefing about lung cancer specialist nurses in this pdf.

Kelvin is pictured (above right) with Dame Gill Oliver, chair of the United Kingdom Lung Cancer Coalition (UKLCC).

(29th October 2008)

Kelvin joined with Friends of the Earth to call on the government to boost the roll out of small scale renewable energy systems such as wind and water turbines and solar panels.
Kelvin backs the introduction of a renewable energy tariff (sometimes called a feed in tariff) which would guarantee a long-term, premium payment to households, businesses and communities that generate their own energy from renewable energy sources.
Kelvin says, "The government must act now and introduce a renewable energy tariff for local renewable energy schemes. Local people and businesses that want to invest currently aren't given the support they need. A renewable energy tariff is a simple and cost-effective way for the government to make sure they are properly rewarded. I'll do everything I can to support this vital measure. If we are to meet the target of 80% reduction in the UK greenhouse gases as announced by Climate Change Minister Ed Miliband last week, green small scale renewable energy will be vital."

Kelvin is pictured (above) signing his backing for the measure on a solar panel.

(14th October 2008)

Kelvin showed his support for the work of the charity Guide Dogs during Guide Dog Week (6th to 12th October) - which aims to raise awareness of the work of guide dogs - by visiting their display in the Arndale Mall, Luton.
Kelvin was guided by trainee guide dog Kera around some obstacles that had been set up. Guide Dogs have been providing dogs for blind and partially-sited people for over 75 years, and there are currently 4,500 working guide dogs in Britain, including hearing dogs for the deaf and dual-purpose dogs for the disabled. The charity also breeds over 1,000 puppies a year and most are labrador/retriver crosses like Kera. The charity is also raising awareness of how sighted people can help blind and partially-sighted people who need a bit of help getting around even if they have a dog or use a cane.

Kelvin is pictured (below left) with trainee guide dog Kira. The dog uses her skill to guide Kelvin around obstacles at the Guide Dogs display(below centre).

(10th October 2008)

Kelvin took up the Skip 2 B Fit challenge along with children and staff at St Joseph's Catholic Junior School.
The children can count the number of skips they can do within two minutes with specially designed digital skipping ropes. After a few practice skip, Kelvin skipped with the children for two minutes, Kelvin then presented awards to the top skippers, the best effort, the most improved and the top teacher. Much to his surprise, Kelvin managed 36 skips in his two minutes. There is a leader board of his fellow MPs who have taken part in the challenge at the Skip 2B Fit website here. John McCormack founder of Skip 2B Fit said that it was great that Kelvin took up the two minutes Skip 2 B Fit challenge as this gives a great message to the children to go home to their parents, to encourage them to exercise at home.
All the children who took part in Skip 2 B Fit were given a tub of blueberries to help promote healthy eating as well as fitness. Kelvin says, "I congratulate all the children at St Joseph's school who took part and skipped so enthusiastically". Since it was founded five years ago Skip 2B Fit has visited over 500 schools up and down the country.

Kelvin is pictured (right) during his two minute skipping and (below left) with some of the best skippers and the top teacher and (below right) with Skip 2 B Fit founder John McCormack.

(6th October 2008)

Kelvin attended the Team Read Summer Reading Challenge awards 2008. The scheme gives children encouragement to reed during the school summer holidays and gets them using their local Luton library. Children who signed up to the scheme got medals - bronze, silver and gold - for the number of books they read and each library had one overall winner who was presented with a book.
This summer, children in Luton and Bedfordshire Libraries read over 95,000 books in just seven weeks and every book read raised money for Keetch Cottage Children's Hospice. Thanks to sponsorship from Costa coffee a total of £6,000 was raised for the hospice.

Kelvin is pictured (left) with the Mayor of Luton, Councillor Lakhbir Singh and some of the challenge winners with their books.

(4th October 2008)

The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, came to Luton to unveil a memorial to PC Jon Henry who was fatally stabbed while carrying out his duty in Luton town centre on 11th June 2007. Gordon Brown and Jon's widow, Mary Henry led the tributes at the memorial erected by the Police Memorial Trust.
In his speech, the Prime Minister said, "Winston Churchill, one of the great Prime Ministers who took us through so many difficult times, said courage was the greatest quality of all because he said upon courage everything else depends; our safety, our security, and our livelihoods." more...

Kelvin says, "It is absolutely right that the whole town, and indeed the whole country, is commemorating the tragic death of PC Jon Henry. With the plaque in his memory, he will always be remembered by all of us and by future generations too.
It was a kind gesture by the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to attend this important event and shows his genuine concern about knife crime and his appreciation of the bravery of our police officers in dealing with violent crime.
I wish once again to pay my respects to Jon Henry, a very brave man and to his family and police colleagues."
The memorial is outside BHS in George Street close to the spot where PC Jon Henry died.

Gordon Brown speaking at the unveiling (below left) and laying a floral tribute (below right). Kelvin lays his flowers watched by the Mayor of Luton, Councillor Lakhbir Singh, Jon's widow Mary holding her daughter Maggie. The memorial (below right).

(3rd October 2008)

Kelvin attended the Luton Borough Council "Celebrating Excellence" awards, a partnership between the University of Bedfordshire and Luton council. Council staff working in Housing and Social Care were nominated by their colleagues and by service users and received awards for their outstanding work as did students of the University. Kelvin says, "I am very pleased to support these awards for council staff who are often working in difficult and challenging jobs. There was a great atmosphere at the event and it was a pleasure to be there."

Kelvin is pictured (right) congratulating award winner Tara Hopkins (no relation!).

(2nd October 2008)

Kelvin attended Groundwork Luton & South Bedfordshire 2008 annual review. Two of the important projects that Groundwork is involved with in Luton North are the Marsh Farm landscape improvements as part of the New Deal for Communities and the Great Bramingham Park play area.
Groundwork is working with the Marsh Farm Community Development Trust (MFCDT) to transform and landscape the whole estate including play areas, highways, parking areas and communal areas. Groundwork has been commissioned by Luton Borough Council to develop a plan for Bramingham park. As part of the community consultation questionnaires were sent to 2,400 households in the area.

Kelvin is pictured (left with) Groundwork Chairman, Neville Reyner CBE DL (centre) and Executive Director Steve Harvey (right).

(1st October 2008)

Kelvin was pleased to open Tyre City a new tyre retail centre on Madford Retail Park in Dunstable Road.
October sees the launch of Tyre Safety Month by TyreSafe who are the UK-s leading organisation on tyre safety. They hope to raise awareness of tyre safety and the fact that worn, defective or damaged tyres are a major road safety risk. Research by TyreSafe, shows that nearly three quarters of all cars on Britain's roads have under-inflated tyres, which can adversely affect a vehicles handling and also wastes fuel. They are encouraging motorists to check the condition of their tyres to ensure that they are safe.

Kelvin is pictured (right) officially opening the centre with the Chief Executive of Tyre City.

(19th September 2008)

Kelvin visited Barnfield West Academy with council leader Hazel Simmons and Councillor Tahir Khan who holds the education portfolio on the council executive. Kelvin says, " I was very pleased to visit the school which has been transformed over the past year. Standards have been pushed up which is now giving every student the chance of a good education. I would like to congratulate the Principle, Rachel de Souza, Barnfield College who are the sponsors, the staff who are motivated and have put in such a huge effort and to the year 11 students who have worked so hard to obtain a brilliant set of GCSE exam results this year. I know the Academy will now go from strength to strength. I am pleased that the Academy remains wholly in the public education sector with Barnfield College as its sponsor."
The success is showing in the exam results. Last year, only 2% of students obtained 3 A* - A in their GCSEs - this year it is 39%.
The Academy is to be rebuilt in a £30 million state-of-the-art building. The architects have been consulting with the staff, students and the community on the design and the building work is due for completion in 2011.

Kelvin is pictured (right) with the Academy Principle Rachel de Souza, Councillor Tahir Khan and Councillor Hazel Simmons. In a science lab (below left) and in an IT suite (below right).

(19th September 2008)

Kelvin was asked to be one of the judges at the Young People Of The Year Awards (YOPEY) for Bedfordshire. The contest 'reveals, recognises and rewards' young people aged 10-25 who make a difference by giving to others and are unsung heroes.
YOPEY started in Hertfordshire in 2004 and has since spread across neighbouring counties with young people winning £40,000 and sharing their prize money with others in the community. This is the third YOPEY in Bedfordshire and is the first open to young people, across the whole country.
Kelvin says, " I would like to congratulate the founder of YOPEY, Tony Gearing, on this fantastic initiative that both recognises and rewards young people who have helped others in the community. I would like to congratulate all the finalists - and I can say that it was very difficult as a judge to pick the final winners of this contest."

Kelvin is pictured (below left) announcing some of the winners, with all the YOPEY finalists (below right) and with finalists from Luton (below left), Gavin O'Brian aged 16, Sabath Shazia aged 18 and Chris Wilson (below right) aged 17.

(18th September 2008)

Kelvin visited Luton Borough council's waste transfer station in Kingsway to see the recycling of household waste. The operation is managed by a waste management company - Waste Recycling Group (WRG) on behalf of the council. The recyclables come into the centre and are sorted. As Luton households recycle more of their rubbish, the council has invested in new equipment to sort and process recyclables. The recycling facility has a capacity of 25,000 tonnes of recyclables a year.

Kelvin is pictured (below left) with Trevor Smart of WRG, Mick Wright, head of waste management for Luton borough council, Lord Bill McKenzie, Council leader Hazel Simmons and councillors Don Worlding and Lynda Ireland. Kelvin examines the pallets of compacted cans (below right).

You can read more about recycling centres in this pdf.

(18th September 2008)

Kelvin talked to the children at Icknield Primary School in their morning assembly about elections and about his role as the MP for Luton North.
The school had been having elections to elect pupils form each class to the school council. Kelvin was invited to announce the election winners and handed the successful candidates their 'Councillor' and 'Vice Councillor' badges.
Kelvin is pictured (below left) handing out the badges and (below right) with some of the pupils elected to the school council.

(17th September 2008)

Kelvin was invited by the Luton Bangladesh Youth League to their Iftar at the Centre for Youth and Community Development (CYCD). An Iftar is the evening meal for breaking the daily fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Traditionally, a date is the first thing to be consumed during Iftar when the fast is broken.
Kelvin says, "I was please to attend this Iftar gathering with some of Luton's Bangladeshi community during Ramadan which is a very important time for Muslims."

(15th September 2008)

Kelvin was honoured to be asked to be the chief guest at the Onam festival organised by the Luton Malayalee Association. Malayalam is the language of Kerala, the south India state. Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of Kerala. It is a harvest festival and is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm all over the state by people of all communities. According to popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam.
Kelvin says, "I was very pleased to be invited to the first Onam festival in Luton. I congratulate the organisers of the festival and hope it will be an annual event for the Keralites living in Luton."

Kelvin was asked to light the ceremonial lamp (below left) to start the celebrations. Onam is celebrated with flowers and sadhya (Kerala food). The flowers, known as an onapookkalam, are decorated on the floor to welcome King Mahabali (below right).

(14th September 2008)

(12th September 2008)

Kelvin visited the local Luton Macca Bingo in Skimpot Road to launch their give-away of free energy efficient light bulbs for their club members. Across the country, Mecca will be giving away two million energy saving bulbs which would save enough Co2 every year to fill 149,000 double-decker buses.
Kelvin says, "I congratulate Mecca Bingo on this initiative. Not only are the energy efficient light bulbs helping the club members save money on their electricity bills, but it is helping to reduce the UK's Co2 emissions."
Kelvin is pictured (below) at the Mecca Bingo club with the packs of energy saving light bulbs.

(9th September 2008)

Kelvin is pictured (below left) cutting the ribbon to the new unit (with l to r Nurse Florence Smartson, Healthcare Assistant Mandy Barker, Kelvin, Nurse Petia Jamalidini and Healthcare Assistant Kay Smith) and being shown the new endoscope by Paul Hagan, the lead clinician at the unit (below right).

(9th September 2008)

Kelvin went along to the staff quiz night at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital in aid of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) appeal. UNISON had donated the prizes and Kelvin joined the UNISON team for the quiz. And - yes they were the winning team! Kelvin said, "It was very much a team effort and I was pleased to join the hospital staff and help them in their fundraising. It was a most enjoyable evening in very jolly company."
Kelvin is pictured (below left) drawing the raffle.

(6th September 2008)

As an Honorary Fellow of the University of Bedfordshire, Kelvin attended the annual Civic Graduation Ceremony, which took place at Luton Parish Church of St Mary.
The University was conferring three honorary degrees as well as degrees for graduating students of the Business school.
Kelvin says, "I would like to congratulate the university now entering its third academic year as the University of Bedfordshire, the recipients of the honorary degrees - Rev Canon Nick Bell, HRH Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah and Mr David Young - and all the students who graduated today."

Kelvin is pictured below in the robes of an Honorary Fellow of the University of Bedfordshire.

(5th September 2008)

Read a copy of Kelvin's letter to the Post office constutaion team here.

(2nd September 2008)

Kelvin attended the soil cutting ceremony at Luton Sixth Form College as work started on a new £56 million expansion of the college. The new building at the Bradgers Hill campus will include sports facilities which will be used by local teams and clubs as well as the 2,300 college students. The work is due to be completed for the new academic year in September 2010.
The College has a reputation for excellence and has been awarded the coveted Beacon Status by the Learning and Skills Council. It has its biggest intake of new students in its history and has to place them on a waiting list. Kelvin, who is Vice–Chair of the college governors said, "I was delighted to help perform the soil cutting ceremony for the college. Today marks the beginning of a stunning new building for a stunningly brilliant college. Luton Sixth Form College has performed brilliantly in recent years and this new building will see it go onto new heights."

Kelvin is pictured (below left) in the digger and (below right) with (l to r) the college vice-principal Sally Leech, principal Simon Kitchener and the project managers.
(23rd July 2008)

Kelvin attended the annual Marsh Farm Festival which was held on Freemans Green on Saturday 19th July. There was music, stall and fun activities for kids as well as information stalls run by various organisations in the Marsh farm area.

Kelvin is pictured (below left) with local councillor Roy Davis, in the Marsh Farm Community Development Trust Marquee, at the Marsh Farm Sure Start stall (below centre) having a go at the boy's lucky dip! And (below right) with some members of the Marsh Farm Youth Forum (MFYF) committee. MFYF was set up just over a year ago to ensure that young people have a say in improving the Marsh Farm Community. The Youth Forum has already signed up over 180 young people from Marsh Farm and is coordinated by a youth committee of twelve.

Kelvin met Zen Audu a jazz saxophonist who has just won one of six new jazz scholarships. The new scholarship scheme for outstanding jazz students was announced by theJazz. The scholarships aim to support and showcase the best of the UK's emerging jazz talent and has given awards of £1,000 to three outstanding jazz musicians in year one. These awards will be used to assist in the musical and promotional development of the successful scholars.

The award ceremony was held in the Atrium, Portcullis House in the House of Parliament and was supported the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation group (of which Kelvin is a vice-chair) and Jazzwise magazine.

(16th July 08)

Kelvin took part in the 12th annual interfaith walk around Luton organised by Luton Council of Faiths.
The walk, which visits different places of worship in the town is a celebration of the spiritual and cultural diversity of Luton. The walk started from the Chaplaincy of the University of Bedfordshire, then went to Wigmore Church and then to Central Mosque where Kelvin joined the walk and spoke. It then moved onto the Guru Nanak Gurdwara (Sikh temple) in Dallow Road. Gurdwara means "the doorway to the Guru". All visitors to the Gurdwara are offered Karah Parshad which is made of flour, butter and sugar in equal proportions and is blessed by the Guru.

Kelvin is pictured (below left) at Central Mosque and (below right) at The Gurdwara with the Chair of the Luton Council of Faiths, Zafar Khan and the Mayor of Luton, Councillor Lakhbir Singh.
(12th July 08)

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