A fascinating visit to ABP Port of Southampton as guest of Port Director Alastair Welch. Southampton is the UK’s number one vehicle handling port, Europe’s leading turnaround cruise port and the UK’s most productive container port. Operated by DP World Southampton, the terminal is home to the new 500m deepwater quay SCT5, which was purpose built to handle the biggest ships in the world.

ABP Southampton handles around 14 million tonnes of cargo each year

The port supports 15,000 jobs and contributes around £1 billion to the UK economy.

I was honoured to be able to be involved in opening Summer Page’s Fairy Garden at Coldeast today. Sculptor Chris Bain really did Summer and her family and friends proud by creating a wonderful unicorn and fairy castle to Summer’s designs plus an amazing owl carved onsite yesterday.

Samantha and Phil Page, Summer’s mum and dad and brother, were present at the opening along with all of the year group leaving Sarisbury CofE Juniors this year and headmaster Andy Stockton.

It gave me great pleasure as Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Recreation & Heritage to formally reopen Lockswood Library following its refurbishment.

The library serves up to 500 customers per day making it one of Hampshire’s busiest libraries. Volunteers help for 12 hours per week .