Local equine businesses are significant employers across the Constituency and it is always a pleasure to visit Richard Hannon Snr and Jnr, and the rest of the team at Herridge. We discussed the challenges of recruiting and retaining stable staff and also issues with broadband speeds which are affecting the business at the large yard of some 240 racehorses. Good progress has been made across the Constituency with fibre broadband, and indeed the Collingbourne cabinet has been upgraded, but frustratingly the distance along the Fairmile is too great to see any real improvement at Herridge. We discussed other possible options including the Gigabit Voucher Scheme which has been recently launched by the Government and provides up to £3000 per business premise and £500 per residential premise for a full fibre connection. https://gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk/
Finally, I was honoured to meet Billesdon Brook, who claimed a shock victory in the second Flat racing Classic of the season, the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket and I was delighted to hear that Richard Jnr is now considering entering her in the Coronation Stakes at Ascot.