How Roman Kilns and Modern Collaboration Shape the Future of the South Cotswolds
As a newly elected MP keen to serve the residents and communities of the South Cotswolds and tackle the challenges of broken Britain, it struck me as extraordinary that no sooner do we arrive in Parliament than it closes until September for the summer recess.
However, there is more than enough work to get on with. A recent disturbing report about the challenges pharmacists are facing got my attention. Pharmacies play a vital role in dealing with ailments, taking pressure off GPs and A&E while dispensing vital prescriptions. Many pharmacies are also small businesses, and in common with other businesses, have been hard hit by the rise in energy bills and interest rates. Changes in pharmacy ownership can also cause serious disruption to patients. I am working to understand better the issues facing local pharmacists so I can raise these with Ministers when Parliament returns.
Another advantage of this enforced break is that I now get the chance to further explore my new patch, getting out and about to meet those that did (and didn’t!) vote for me and dive deeper into the history and culture of the Gloucestershire and Wiltshire border.
Last week I had the privilege of visiting the Cotswold Archaeology site near Minety, where a Roman lime kiln is currently being excavated. It was quite something to behold the energy, enthusiasm and sense of purpose of the professional and amateur archaeologists, working against pressure of time to reveal the treasures of the past.
The excavation is uncovering fascinating insights into the Roman era and its industrial activities, specifically the production of tiles that were crucial in the construction of Roman Cirencester, known historically as Corinium, one of the most significant cities of Roman Britain after Colchester and London.
While Cirencester had abundant stone resources, Minety was rich in the clay necessary for tile production, an early example of regional interdependence through trade and the sophistication of trade routes. Roman tiles made in Minety were used in Bath and Silchester.
I was especially impressed with the tiles marked with various stamps, indicating their origins and the specific contractors involved in their production. This extensive distribution underscores the importance of Minety’s tile production in the broader Roman economy.
My visit to the site also made me think about our new South Cotswolds constituency, which spans parts of both Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. I know many were bemused by the Parliamentary Boundary Commission’s decision, but it makes a strange kind of sense in the historical context of connectivity and regional interdependence through trade. For thousands of years, the two sides of the county line have collaborated and thrived through the exchange of goods and resources.
I trust we can draw inspiration from our Roman past to build a stronger, more united community for our future. Just as the Romans leveraged the unique features of Minety and Cirencester to create a thriving economy, the people, communities and businesses of the South Cotswolds can work together across the county line to foster innovation, wealth creation, and social justice and cohesion.
By embracing our shared heritage and focusing on collaboration, we can create a better future for all residents, ensuring that the South Cotswolds remains a vibrant and prosperous region for generations to come.
A NOTE: If you’ve written to me and haven’t yet received a reply, please accept my apologies. The amount of correspondence has been quite overwhelming, and we are still in the process of recruiting our constituency team. We will get back to you as soon as we can. In the meantime, thank you for your patience.
A few of the things I’ve done this week…
✅ Meetings with four fabulous businesses at Cotswolds Airport – met apprentice aeroplane engineers at Resource Group, heard about recycling and upcycling at Air Salvage International, and was amazed by cutting edge innovation right here in the heart of the South Cotswolds at Vertical Aerospace and ZeroAvia (pictured with Sergey Kiselev)
✅ Spoke at Rumifest in Ewen, a marvellously multicultural celebration of the life and work of the wise Sufi poet, Rumi
✅ Attended the fantastic Somerford Show, where I chatted with local stallholders. Sadly, my ducks didn’t win in the Duck Race. Maybe if they’d had a rowboat….!
✅ Took some rare time out to go to Giffords Circus!
✅ Briefing with the Mental Health Foundation to get a better understanding of their work and how they help with the mental health crisis in the South Cotswolds and across the whole country
✅ Interview with Times Radio for their “Meet Your New MP” feature at drive time on Monday
✅ Toured the solar farm at UMF Storage to find out more about the long term impacts and/or benefits of solar installations
✅ Meanwhile, my team continues to grow in numbers and capacity, with all of us raring to serve the people and communities of the South Cotswolds
Quote of the Week
“Cooperation for mutual benefit, a survival strategy very common in natural systems, is one that humanity needs to emulate.”
— Eugene Odum
Have a great week!