August 2024 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Many thanks for taking the time to look at my latest newsletter for August 2024.

I hope you enjoy this update on some of the work I have been doing in Erith and Thamesmead and in Parliament over the last month.

As ever, if you want to get in touch, don’t hesitate to contact me using the email address: abena.oppongasare.mp@parliament.uk

Abena

Community Cohesion following Southport 

The attacks in Southport last month left every decent person in shock and disbelief. My thoughts continue to be with the families, neighbours, and friends of the three little girls who lost their lives, and the other children and adults injured in this senseless act.

While some attempted to exploit this tragedy to advance their own agendas, I’m pleased to see the people of Southport, along with communities like ours in Erith & Thamesmead, have instead come together to condemn these acts.

I thank all those who reached out to me following these incidents. I will continue to work with community leaders and follow developments closely.

Visiting Temples in Erith & Thamesmead with the Mayor of Greenwich

I was delighted to visit the two local temples – Pashupatinath Temple and Greenwich Hindu Mandir. It was nice to be joined by Cllr Jit Ranabhat, the Mayor of Greenwich.

It was also great to meet so many local activists and members of the Greenwich Nepalese community.

Summer Festival at Shrewsbury House

I had a wonderful time at the Summer Festival at Shrewsbury House. It was such a great lineup of live music, with some brilliant local beers from Bexley Brewery, and tasty food from the Garden Café.

It’s great to have so many creative people and organisations in our constituency.

Dosa and Sambal Express Visit

It was also great to have some lovely food during my visit to the Dosa & Sambal Express in Plumstead in Greenwich. They have some nice choices including the Chicken Masala Dosa, Chilli Paneer and the Mango Lassi. Looking forward to going back!

Green Flag Awards for green spaces in Erith and Thamesmead

This month I was pleased to write to congratulate the organisations and groups who manage three green spaces in our community – Lesnes Abbey Woods, Eaglesfield Park and Plumstead Gardens – who were awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award for 2024.

Congratulations to all the residents who I know put in long hours to make these parks and gardens look as good as they do.

First Cabinet Office Questions

At the first Cabinet Office Questions under the new Government, I outlined our commitment to strengthening our national resilience, and how lessons will be learned from COVID-19 and tragedies such as Grenfell.

If you want to watch this then follow the link here, or if you would prefer to read the text, then follow the link here.

Furthermore:

  • Exam Results Day – This month I wished all the best to students across Erith & Thamesmead and the country who were awaiting their exam results.
  • Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice Rebrand – Exciting to see the new brand for the retitled ‘Community Hospice’, who do so much across Greenwich and Bexley, and where I am a proud patron. Find out more here.
  • Congratulations Team GB and all the best to Paralympic Athletes – I’m sure we’re all proud of Team GB’s success at the recent Olympics and wishing the best to the Team GB Paralympic Athletes as the Paralympic Games begin!
  • VJ Day – This VJ Day, 15 August 2024, I joined all those who shared their gratitude for the sacrifice made by our armed forces during World War II.
  • Visit to National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) – Pleased to go on my first visit to the NCSC in my role as Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office and meet the expert teams working hard to keep the public safe online.

Stay updated on social media

For regular updates on my activities, follow me on Twitter (@abenaopp), Facebook (Abena Oppong-Asare MP, Erith and Thamesmead), and Instagram (abena.oppongasare.mp).

You can also sign up to my digital newsletter at www.abenaoppongasare.com/get_in_touch

 

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First Cabinet Office Questions

Following my appointment as Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office, I was pleased to answer questions at the first Cabinet Office Questions under the new Government.

I responded to important questions under my new brief, including strengthening our national resilience, learning the lessons for the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing ourselves for tragedies like the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire.

Additionally, I confirmed that the Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, will chair a Cabinet committee on resilience to review our preparedness against the range of risks the UK faces. You can find out more about this work here.

If you want to watch these Cabinet Office Questions then follow the link here, or if you would prefer to read the transcript, then follow the link here.

Social Media Post on 26th July 2024:

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Visiting Temples in Erith and Thamesmead with the Mayor of Greenwich

Last month, I was delighted to join Cllr Jit Ranabhat, the Mayor of Greenwich, in a visit to two local temples – Pashupatinath Temple and Greenwich Hindu Mandir.

It was great to meet so many local activists and members of the Greenwich Nepalese community as we visited these two important places of faith in our community.

As I said at the time, I was incredibly grateful for the warm welcome and the blessings given to me during my visit.

Thank you to the management committees at the Temples for hosting me and to the Royal Borough of Greenwich Nepalese Society and the Greenwich Mummies Forum for their hospitality.

Social Media Post on 28 July 2024:

Photo gallery from the visit:

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Summer Festival at Shrewsbury House

I had a wonderful time at the Summer Festival at Shrewsbury House on August 2nd. It was such a great lineup of live music, with some brilliant local beers from Bexley Brewery, and tasty food from the Garden Cafe!

It’s great to have so many creative people and organisations in our constituency!

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Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice Visit

I am honoured to be a patron of the Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice. So I was delighted that the Hospice was one of my first visits since my re-election. This year marks the Hospice’s 30th anniversary and they have been recognising everyone who has helped them get to this point.  

Following the visit, I have also been excited to see the new branding for the Community Hospice, who do so much for residents in our constituency and across Greenwich and Bexley. You can see their new brand on their website here: https://communityhospice.org.uk/.

On social media, I was pleased to congratulate the Hospice team and their CEO Kate Heaps, who’ve been working so hard to make sure the great work at the hospice continues.

Social Media Post on 1st August 2024:

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Dosa and Sambal Express Visit

It’s important to support local hardworking businesses, especially when they produce such amazing dishes!

I recently enjoyed a wonderful meal at the Dosa & Sambal Express in Plumstead in Greenwich. Chicken Masala Dosa, Chilli Paneer, Egg and Fish Roll and the Mango Lassi was brilliant.

I would highly recommend people in and around Erith and Thamesmead visiting them, the staff were friendly and the food was of a high standard.

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