It was a pleasure to officially open the newly reopened Henstridge Post Office. A huge thank you to Lesley, Andy, Barry and Helen for restoring this vital village service. Post Offices are at the heart of rural communities, and I’ll keep fighting to protect them.

I’ve tabled a motion in Parliament celebrating Somerset-born artist George Henry Longly and his incredible CHRONOS artwork in London. Rural communities are full of creative talent. It’s time they got their fair share of national arts funding and support.

Yesterday I spoke in Parliament about the growing impact of the climate and biodiversity crises on rural communities. We can’t kick these risks into the long grass. Farmers must be properly supported to strengthen our resilience, protect nature and safeguard our food security.

Bluetongue cases are surging, with Somerset and Devon among the worst affected areas. Farmers face mounting costs while vaccine waiting lists grow. Yesterday in Parliament I asked the Minister what action the Govt will take to speed up vaccination and provide financial support to affected farms.

Great to meet Poetry Together, Gyles Brandreth's project pairing schoolchildren with care home residents to perform poems over tea & cake. It would be brilliant to see this project spread across Glastonbury & Somerton! if you fancy getting involved please email: poetrytogether@dukeseducation.com

🍎 A brilliant afternoon at Harry’s Cider, enjoying great local cider, food and music overlooking the orchard. Somerset cider is vital to our rural economy and heritage. I’ll keep championing our cider makers and pushing for fair regulation that protects, rather than undermines, local producers.

Fascinating visit to Langport’s Hanging Chapel on Saturday. This 13th century Grade I listed building & Scheduled Ancient Monument has centuries of history & has been home to Portcullis Lodge since becoming a Masonic Hall in 1891. Great to learn more about a building of such significance & heritage.

Aluminium is critical to our defence, construction & green energy industries. But too much UK scrap aluminium is being exported overseas while domestic reprocessing declines. Somerset is showing what can be done. Today I pushed the Govt to strengthen UK recycling & protect our supply chains.

Communities are fighting to protect their post offices. Henstridge & Somerton are great examples of what can be achieved, with both reopening thanks to local action. Today I demanded the Govt recognise the vital role of post offices & protect access to crucial banking services in rural communities.

Today in Parliament I asked the Government to ensure rural communities get a fair deal in access to banking, connectivity & essential services like post offices. They must rural-proof banking policy & ensure communities like ours aren't left behind. Somerset cannot wait & neither can rural Britain.

That’s a wrap on my Summer Tour! ☀️ Three weeks, right across Glastonbury and Somerton, meeting more than 150 constituents face-to-face, covering 200 miles and supporting our brilliant local pubs along the way. 🍻 Thank you to everyone who came to say hello! 🧡

Last week I visited RocketGro in Cannington – just outside of the Glastonbury and Somerton constituency – to view their groundbreaking approach to peat-free compost production.

I was delighted to be invited to officially open Templecombe Village Fete on Saturday – but even more so to be asked to judge the dog show! From fancy dress competitions and line dancing displays to delicious barbecues and tombolas, our village fetes showcase rural Somerset at its very best.

Pleased to speak to BBC Radio Somerset about my campaign to embrace wonky veg and stop perfectly good British produce going to waste. Farmers shouldn’t be penalised because extreme weather means fruit and veg looks a little different. Let’s back British farmers and put good food on our shelves!

My statement on the energy price cap rise:

Farmers have been hit hard by this year’s drought. I welcome RABI’s £2m Emergency Drought Grant programme, opening 7 September. Eligible farm owners and tenant farmers can apply for £2,000 towards personal and household costs. Please check if you’re eligible and apply. buff.ly/ZcJCeAI

Last week was a busy one on my Summer Tour. See what I've been up to here:

There was a brilliant turnout at my ‘Meet Your MP’ event in Curry Rivel on Thursday. I enjoyed the opportunity to update local residents on the work I’ve been doing to represent them – both in Parliament and in the constituency – and for me to hear about the issues that matter to them.

I recently met with Landmark Langport to discuss the need for urgent restoration works on Langport Town Hall. Landmark Langport work tirelessly to protect Langport’s community buildings and gardens. I am proud to support their campaign to preserve the Town Hall for Langport and its residents.

It's brilliant to see Post Office services resuming in Somerton, thanks to the hard work of Postmaster Malcolm Adams.

I was delighted to join the students of King Arthur’s School in Wincanton as they received their GCSE results yesterday morning. Congratulations to everyone across the Glastonbury and Somerton who has recently received their exam results. I have no doubt that a bright future lies ahead for all.

Last week, I met with Somerset Cares Association to discuss their pioneering approach to community-based care. The SCA is bringing together care initiatives from across Somerset – from Wiveliscombe to Wincanton – championing adult social care which prioritises client and carer needs.

I was delighted to celebrate the one-year anniversary of The Angel Hospitality Training School and Café in Langport last week. From Lunch Clubs to Meals on Wheels, The Angel runs an array of initiatives to combat social isolation in Langport and surrounding villages.

A huge congratulations to everyone receiving their GCSE results today! 🎉 Whatever your results, be proud of the hard work that got you here. Thank you to all the teachers, staff and families across Glastonbury and Somerton who supported our young people. Good luck with whatever comes next!

🥕 Wonky veg is still good food. Yet farmers are seeing produce rejected because it doesn't meet cosmetic standards, while imports are being used to fill the gaps. I've written to Defra calling for urgent action to stop perfectly good food being wasted at the farm gate.

🥕 Wonky veg is still good food. Extreme heat means British produce may look different, but it’s still perfectly good to eat. I’ve written to Defra urging action to stop good food being rejected over cosmetic standards. Let’s cut waste, back British farmers and embrace wonky veg! 🥒🥔

🏠 If the Government is serious about building 1.5 million homes, they must be fit for the future. At Bradfords in Glastonbury, I discussed making homes resilient to extreme heat & flooding & making Sustainable Drainage Systems mandatory in new developments. Planning policy must catch up.

Wessex Water’s first hosepipe ban in 50 years starts tomorrow, affecting 1.4m customers, many in Somerset. Our region is now in drought. Please check if restrictions apply to you and help reduce water use. We urgently need greater water security and climate resilience. buff.ly/2caJDfc