It was a privilege to have the Minister for Veterans, Kevan Jones MP, visit the town last week to meet with people from Hartlepool who had served in the country’s Armed Forces.

The Minister met with Veterans (in appalling weather, if you remember last week) at the restored Heugh Gun Battery. The Battery has played a strong and proud role in the military history of this country for centuries, not least during the Bombardment, when it is said that decisive and professional return fire from the troops from the Battery made the German warships cancel their planned three-hour shelling of the town and make a retreat after less than an hour.

The restoration of the Battery is testimony to the vision, passion and commitment of the likes of Taffy Southcott, Steve Plant and countless others who volunteer and give up their time to secure the future of this important part of our military history. The Minister was extremely impressed with what the Battery Trust had done with the place.

Hartlepool is a strong military town, although it sometimes doesn’t seem that way. We haven’t an army base close by, like Catterick, we don’t have an RAF base next to us, like Linton-on-Ouse (much to my dad’s despair, who loves the RAF) and- although we’re on the coast and have a proud maritime tradition- I wouldn’t say we are a navy town like Plymouth.

Having said that I really enjoy, when I get the chance, to have a drink in the Navy Club. I occasionally end up singing when I come out of the Navy Club after spending time with John Neville and others – I think they must put something in the rum. We in Hartlepool have a great tradition with the Durham Light Infantry, and the Royal Air Force Association are actively recruiting members and doing a lot to advance the objectives of the Association.

There were about 40 Veterans at the event with the Minister last week. There was a great atmosphere, and the Minister mentioned the role that he has in Government, including being the Minister with responsibility for UFOs.

There is more help available to veterans now than ever before. The Service Personnel and Veterans’ Agency provides great support for anyone who has served in the Armed Forces, even if only for a day. This includes a free Veterans UK helpline – 0800 169 2277 and website – www.veterans-uk.info – which provide information, advice and guidance on benefits, compensation payments, pension, employment, awarding of medals and much more.

It is always very humbling when I spend time with Veterans. They are truly inspirational people – the best of British, as I mentioned on Friday. They provided, in dark days like the Second World War, the spirit and fight to beat the enemy. I don’t believe that that those are unique characteristics of that generation: I think the young men and women who are fighting on behalf of our country now display the same character. We should all be immensely proud of what they do for our country and, when they leave the Armed Forces, they should be provided with the best possible help and support there is.

Iain got the opportunity to see Hartlepool schoolchildren learning how to keep themselves safe during a series of action-packed workshops.

The workshops have been taking place at the British Energy Centre, based at Hartlepool Nuclear Power Station and are part of the Crucial Crew project.

Crucial Crew's message is to make children more aware of their personal safety and this is the fourthteeth year that the event has taken place.

The scheme has been running since Tuesday this week and will continue until next Thursday. More than 1,100 Year 6 pupils from primary schools across the town are expected to have attended the sessions by then. This will bring the total number of youngsters who have benefited from the project since its launch to more than 17,000.

The event includes pupils taking part in eight different scenarios covering fire, home, road, coast, electrical, railway, building site and gas safety.

Iain said

“Being able to see at first hand the excellent work Crucial Crew is doing to help promote the personal safety of our schoolchildren has been a revelation. This is the fourteenth time this event has taken place and I am happy that I have been able to take part.

“Teaching our children of the dangers facing them in every day life is of vital importance and I congratulate Crucial Crew for helping to keep our children safe”.

Emma Thompson is principal health development officer at the council and a member of Hartlepool's Crucial Crew committee.

Emma said

"The aim is to provide an enjoyable way of teaching children to become more aware of personal safety, to teach them how to react to dangerous situations and to provide an opportunity for them to practice safety.

"The lessons learned by the pupils also link with schools' on-going work through the Hartlepool Healthy Schools programme."

Iain had the pleasure of announcing the winner of his Christmas card competition this week which he runs every year.

Iain made the announcement at a visit to a specially organised assembly at the winning school Kingsley Primary. Alyssa Syres’s winning entry was of Rudolph the red nosed reindeer and was chosen above 600 other entries.

Alyssa was presented with a Nintendo Wii by Iain for her winning entry at the assembly which was also attended by Hartlepool United team mascot H’Angus and Hartlepool Mail editor, Joy Yates, who judged the competition.

Alyssa’s drawing also won the school £150 in book vouchers in the sixth annual competition which is open to all of the town’s primary schools.

Iain said

“I think this year’s winning card is particularly delightful. The look in Rudolph’s eyes is really funny and the way Alyssa managed to capture that was brilliant.”

In second place was Elizabeth Rose, ten, from Clavering Primary School, who won the chance to be mascot at a Pools match and an Ipod.

Two runners up, Jacob Clyburn, 11 from St Cuthbert’s RC Primary School, and Eldon Grove Primary School pupil, Jonathan Taylor, ten, also won an Ipod.

All runners up had their design printed on the back of the card and received £70 in book vouchers for their schools.