Government minister Eric Pickles in visit to West Lindsey
ERIC Pickles swapped the verbal jousts of Westminster for a wand duel with a child – to celebrate the opening of a Harry Potter-inspired library.
The Government minister visited Hemswell Cliff Primary School yesterday to open their new £10,000 Room of Requirement.
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MAGIC VISITOR: Eric Pickles waves a magic wand with pupil Liam Smith, 7, during his visit to Hemswell Cliff Primary School to open their new Room of Requirement. Picture: John Jenkins
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MAGIC VISITOR: Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
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MAGIC VISITOR: Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
Named after a secret room within Hogwarts Castle, the library will be open to residents inside and outside of school hours.
And Mr Pickles praised villagers for their "heart" in trying to improve the community.
He added he would "rattle" the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in an attempt to help make it easier to improve life at former RAF bases.
Mr Pickles, while awaiting scissors to cut a ribbon to officially open the room, told pupils: "If I had known this was being named after Harry Potter I would have wanted a wand.
"I am not from the Ministry of Magic but times are hard."
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government then spoke of Roman philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero.
Mr Pickles said: "He said for complete contentment that what you need is a garden and a library. Today he would have said what you need is a garden and a Room of Requirement."
The 91 pupils from the school sang two songs, leading Mr Pickles to suggest X Factor judge and Take That star Gary Barlow would have approved.
Head teacher Suzanne Scott said: "It's a great honour to welcome the secretary of state to our school.
"We are looking forward to using this facility along with our community."
After touring the school, Mr Pickles was briefed on West Lindsey District Council's plans to revitalise ex-RAF bases at Hemswell Cliff, Brookenby and Newtoft, plus RAF Scampton. Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan said the aim was to create more community spaces.
Mr Pickles said it was "very depressing" to see a picture of a dilapidated building in Brookenby.
After hearing further information on the sites, he added: "I will rattle the MoD's cage on this as this is a place we should celebrate. What you do have should be a joyous occasion. It shouldn't be like visiting the Bronx. In fact, the Bronx is better."
Mr Pickles later visited Gainsborough to hear about the work of West Lindsey District Council.
4 Comments
by exkeelby
Friday, October 14 2011, 5:41PM
“Who ate all the pies ?”
by EASTLEIGH33
Friday, October 14 2011, 5:03PM
“Woder if there will be a grand buffet of pork pies and cream cakes put on for him?”
by infohound
Friday, October 14 2011, 12:07PM
“Why do we only hear about these visits after the event, many of us would relish the opportunity to speak to 'our 'elected representatives. However it appears that only carefully vetted none threatening photo opportunities are considered. Of course it would be too stressful if too many uncomfortable questions were asked.”
by Giles_McNeill
Friday, October 14 2011, 9:51AM
“Excellent to see the figure of Mr. Pickles in the county. I don't envy the local council in their task of regenerating and building communities in the former RAF bases of West Lindsey. It is going to take time, money and effort.”