North East Bedfordshire MP Alistair Burt continues his occasional series of articles looking at aspects of local life THIS time of year is one of the busiest for MPs but also one of the best. I have always maintained that we are lucky to see so much of t

North East Bedfordshire MP Alistair Burt continues his occasional series of articles looking at aspects of local life

THIS time of year is one of the busiest for MPs but also one of the best.

I have always maintained that we are lucky to see so much of the good things that happen in our communities as well as having to deal with so many problems and difficulties.

If you live with the front pages of most national newspapers as part of your daily life it is very easy to become completely depressed at all the bad news which seems to be out there.

But there is nothing like the summer, with its explosion of community activity, to remind us that there is much good about where we live and those we live amongst.

Wherever you look there is something to see, enjoy and take part in. Churches have their flower festivals, schools have their fetes, towns are having their carnivals; there are duck races, bike rides, organised walks, and don't forget that our summer sports clubs are in full swing, and young people's uniformed organisations have their special events too. Open gardens are a newer event, and I thoroughly enjoyed the variety in Beeston just the other week.

The common factor here is that none of the above happens by magic. Behind every event is a hard working team, which has very likely been working for months, wondering if the weather will be right, if people will come and above all, is it still worth it?

Well let me tell you, on behalf of all my constituents, yes, it is still worth it, and thank you all very much for what you do. We still have a treasure in our rural, village and small town life. This weekend let us show that through our support for whatever is going on around us.