LIKE many parents I am in a whirlwind world of end-of-exam celebrations, speech days, prize givings and performances and facing the endless questions from my children as to why he/she should attend anything at the others’ school.

My usual response of “because I say so” is no longer working as my family move through their teenage years but thankfully the youngest can always be nudged towards good behaviour with the promise of cricket test match viewing time.

His resulting encyclopaedic knowledge of the game (and rather questionable support for the Black Caps) came in very handy this week when I was delighted to officially open the second cricket pitch at Burbage & Easton Royal Cricket Club which will serve their 3rd and 4th teams.

This has come about thanks to a huge amount of effort from club members both in raising the necessary funds and also getting the pitch open. As a result the club has been able to bring on many junior members, all of whom were eager to return the first ball bowled on the pitch – by me – and join in the celebratory cake eating.

One of the election pledges that I made to you was to continue to champion the rapid rollout of superfast broadband to help local businesses and rural communities.

As a rule, high-speed broadband has been installed in more urban areas by commercial providers where return on investment is more likely and much of Devizes and Marlborough has benefited from this commercial development.

However, the Government recognises that in less populated areas additional intervention and public investment are needed, and Wiltshire Council is working with BT Openreach on Phase 1 of the project to enable 91 per cent of homes and businesses to have access to superfast broadband speeds by March 2016.

Locally work is progressing and 8,000 premises now have access and Wiltshire Council is continuing to update parish councils as local cabinets go live. There is also a useful postcode and exchange checker on www.wiltshireonline.org.

I am continuing to work on your behalf, both with Wiltshire Council and my colleagues in Westminster, to ensure that our local rollout is a completed as quickly as possible.

Wiltshire Council is now planning Phase 2 which will mean 95 per cent of premises connected and beyond this the Government is working on the final five per cent – those premises in the hardest to reach areas.

My advice surgery this week is taking place in Durrington on Friday afternoon. Please call my Devizes office on (01380) 729358 or email claire.perry.mp@parliament.uk if you would like an appointment.