The Parliamentary half term recess is with us, which brings both a chance to recharge the batteries in the clean Wiltshire air; to do a bit of reading and writing and thinking and to get around the constituency.

Last Thursday saw the ‘sod-turning’ ceremony at Lyneham to mark the start of the £121million works there to convert it to the Defence Technical Training College. I was encouraged to see plans for Phase Two, which will see even more technical training facilities brought to Lyneham from various bases round England. All good news.

I have been keeping a pretty close eye out for signs of flooding in North Wilts. So far we have been fortunate to have avoided the worst consequences of the rains, at least in the north of the county. That is partly due to some extensive flood prevention measures taken by Wiltshire Council in reaction to last year’s floods, for example in Malmesbury. Similar action is needed in Dauntsey, which I visited on Thursday to look at what seems like a quite cost-effective solution for the many houses there which have in fact flooded in recent weeks.

I was able to try to get the ideas over to councillors and officers who briefed Wiltshire’s MPs on flooding matters. That was followed by a brave attempt by the Fire Chief to explain why he intends to abolish Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service by amalgamating it with Dorset. I would much rather see Wiltshire Council take on some of the overheads and back office functions, or perhaps greater cooperation with Wiltshire’s Police and even Ambulance, rather than a watering-down by amalgamation.

Saturday saw surgeries in Cricklade and Malmesbury followed by a most lovely service and reception in Royal Wootton Bassett to say a sad farewell to their outstanding vicar, the Rev Canon Thomas Woodhouse and his lovely family. They are off to Dorchester, where we wish them well, and thank them for all they have done.

Putting the finishing touches to a book about Parliamentary war-making powers, which I have written with a QC friend, a couple of articles, a speech to the Cricklade WI, a briefing on planning matters and a meeting with Tesco to explain why I am so opposed to their proposed development outside Royal Wootton Bassett are amongst the other highlights of my constituency week.

Best of all is just a week in North Wiltshire, which helps equip me to shout the corner on your behalf when it’s back to Parliament next week.