The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, The Rt. Hon. Owen Paterson MP, has today visited Erewash to meet with local volunteers from the Canals and Rivers Trust and the Erewash Rangers.
Mr Paterson, who was invited to Erewash by local MP Jessica Lee and Conservative Parliamentary Candidate Maggie Throup, was able to discuss a number of key local issues with the group, whist taking a trip on the Trust’s maintenance barge along the Erewash Canal.
Jessica Lee MP said: “As a fellow Erewash Canal and River Trust Ranger, I was delighted to join the team of volunteers who work extremely hard to maintain and preserve our Erewash Canal. I had no hesitation in inviting the Secretary of State, when I knew he was in the area, to join us to see the excellent work achieved since the Erewash Canal was polluted in 2012”.
Commenting on the visit, Erewash Parliamentary Candidate Maggie said: “Today has been an excellent opportunity for us to raise local issues with the Secretary of State; such as, the impact of the recent Stanton fire and HS2. On a personal note, it has been great to meet with the volunteers whose efforts are preserving our local heritage for future generations”.