PARLIAMENT is still in recess due to the Party Conference season so MPs will all be back in full swing from October 10, with a programme of legislation then until Christmas," writes Redidtch MP Karen Lumley.

Time certainly rolls on quickly!

Earlier this week (on Monday, September 26) I took advantage of the fact that I was not in London, and held meetings with a number of people of organisations, including Severn Trent Water, who like to keep me up to date with important goings on in the constituency.

Part of my job as Member of Parliament includes holding regular meetings with representatives from many local organisations, including councils, the police, health service, charities, banks and other businesses, as well as with utility companies, schools and clubs.

I like to keep up to date as much as possible with what is going on in Redditch and surrounding villages.

I also met with Eleanor Mills, a leader from the 1st Matchborough Cub Group, who is looking to raise £2,000 to help support the cost of a once in a lifetime trip to Iceland for the 15th World Scout Moot 2017.

Today of course (Wednesday, September 28) is the public meeting at Redditch Town Hall on the subject of the Alexandra Hospital.

The purpose of this forum is to allow members of the public to ask questions about current plans for the Alex, and will see consultants and other medical experts, council leaders as well as myself share the top table.

I am very much looking forward to meeting with Redditch residents who will get the chance to question Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust about their plans for the future of our hospital here in Redditch.

I have said before that this is not a grand-standing event, but a chance to listen to experts and clinicians and to have your say.

The meeting starts at 7pm and those wanting to attend can just turn up.

As ever, to keep up to date with what I am doing, visit tellkaren.com/ or follow facebook.com/Karen4RedditchCounty.