EVERY September Parliament rises for a few weeks so that each Party can hold their annual Conference.

The recess provides the perfect opportunity to get out and about in the constituency, which I can only do on Fridays and weekends when Parliament is in session.

Over the past few weeks I have opened the new Oxford Office Furniture premises and tested out their fleet of electric vans, visited the Merton Street mosque, and met local farmers to discuss the upcoming debate on the Agriculture Bill.

I have also held two supermarket surgeries and a pub tour, spoken at the Bicester Business Club breakfast and Citizens’ Advice AGM, and been to the first meeting of the Super-HOSC to discuss the future of maternity services at the Horton General Hospital.

I have also had a chance to get through lots of casework from constituents.

This is a great time to catch up with teachers and pupils in my constituency in a way that isn’t possible during school holidays.

I enjoyed my school dinner at St Leonard’s Primary School, and I heard more about the important work they are doing as part of the group Safeguarding Children in Banbury.

I was thrilled that my third Shakespeare Day offered ten new pupils from all of our local secondary schools the opportunity to work together and enjoy a performance of Macbeth.

Thanks to the continued generosity of Cherwell District Council and the Fiennes family, Broughton Castle once again provided the perfect backdrop for an immersive morning of theatrical excellence put on by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Looking ahead, with Parliament Week approaching in November, I am preparing for my annual Cherwell Democracy Challenge with students from Years 11 to 13.

Bloxham School and Heyford Park Free School have already entered teams.

It would be brilliant if we could get a team from every secondary school in North Oxfordshire. And to make sure the primary schools aren’t missing out, there is my Christmas card competition.

This year’s theme is “Nativity Animals”.

Any primary school-aged child can enter.

The winner will be invited for a tour of the Houses of Parliament and will also have their design printed on the front cover of my Christmas card.

Entries should be sent to my constituency office: Heyford Park House, Upper Heyford, Bicester, OX25 5HD by Wednesday October 31.