Title: Charlie Maynard Connects with Communities in Goosey and Surrounding Areas to Address Local Issues

Charlie Maynard was out speaking to residents in Goosey, Charney Bassett, Fyfield, and Millets Farm on Friday, May 31.

Mr. Maynard said: “It was great to catch up with residents, groups, and businesses and hear about the great work going on in the constituency, to listen to the problems our communities are facing, and talk through possible solutions.

“I spoke to people about issues from flooding to road safety, and the challenges facing the farming sector. These walks are a great way to get in touch with the smaller communities in the constituency who are too often overlooked and also a great reminder of how beautiful our area is.”

This was the fifth walk in Mr. Maynard’s series, which has seen him touring towns and villages to connect with residents and businesses. The day began at All Saints Church in Goosey, where Mr. Maynard met parish councillors and residents before walking to nearby Charney Manor. Discussions focused on local issues and maintaining services across the constituency, particularly in light of boundary changes last year.

He then stopped in Lyford at Nationwide Safety, where he learned about how the company has become an industry leader in working safely at height. In Garford, he spoke with parish council members and residents about flooding and how the village can become isolated as a result. Residents also raised issues around how Garford can be a thoroughfare for heavy goods vehicles in the local area.

His next stop was Millets Farm, where he spoke to the farm’s senior leadership team about issues impacting the farming and hospitality sectors, as well as the importance of the farm to the local economy. Mr. Maynard said: "Millets Farm is a tremendous and much-loved local success story. Hats off to Tony, Nigel, and the whole team there for creating such a wonderfully fun business, now employing more than 200 people. We talked through the dire impacts of the Family Farm Tax, the increases to national insurance, labour shortages, and a worsened trade situation that farmers now face. I will continue to make the case to government that they need to urgently rethink and act to protect our countryside and the agricultural businesses which are at its heart."

The day concluded at The White Horse Inn in Fyfield, where Mr. Maynard met with parish councillors to discuss road safety on the A420. He has committed to working with Oxfordshire County Council and arranging a driving tour with the highways team to address concerns along the route.