Vintage Years group welcomes parliamentary substitute

Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert stepped into the breach when a different kind of parliament – of owls – failed to arrive at an event in Steyning last week. 

The Vintage Years group in Steyning had hoped to be given a presentation by a birds of prey specialist with his group of owls – collectively known as a parliament – at The Steyning Centre on Friday (4 October), but severe traffic delays meant that the talk had to be cancelled. 

Fortunately Mr Herbert had called in to the meeting hoping to see the owls and he readily agreed to a request by Linda Davison, one of the Vintage Years co-ordinators, to talk to the group of 40 people and take their questions.  

Vintage Years is a social group for older people, meeting once a month for talks and days out.  Mr Herbert talked to the audience about his constituency work and life in Westminster, and took several questions from the floor. 

Linda said: “It was so wonderful of Nick to step into the breach like that.  I know how much he was looking forward to meeting the owls, as we all were.  But he gave us a wonderful insight into the busy life of an MP and was gracious in taking a few of our members’ questions.  It really did help to make the afternoon more enjoyable and we are very grateful.” 

Mr Herbert said: “I don’t think the members were expecting a visit from a member of this kind of parliament, and I’m sure I wasn’t as wise, but I was delighted to be a substitute and speak to the Vintage Years group.  It is a wonderful social club, filling the void of the old Derby & Joan clubs.  I look forward to dropping in to future events!” 

The Vintage Years Club (www.vintageyearsclub.org) meets on the first Friday of every month at the Steyning Centre for a programme of talks and activities.  

ENDS    

Notes  

1. To learn more about the Vintage Years Club see www.vintageyearsclub.org.