THE last week saw a number of important visitors to Parliament.

The first group were on one of my 'volunteer' tours where I invite community volunteers from right across the Constituency up to Parliament for a tour as a small way of saying thank you for their energy and dedication to many local causes.

This group also included volunteers from Julia’s House children’s hospice, due to open in Devizes next year, and for which I am proud to be an ambassador.

Then earlier this week an amazing and very appropriate part of Parliamentary history made an appearance courtesy of the National Lottery Fund – the actual lantern that Guy Fawkes was using in the cellars of Parliament when he was apprehended 441 years ago, and with which he planned to light the fuse that would blow the place sky-high.

It was thought-provoking to think about what might have been and the object reminded me of one of our first Bonfire Night experiences when we moved to the Pewsey Vale.

To cheer up the children I purchased and lit one of the “one fuse, 20 huge bangs” modern fireworks.

I followed all safety procedures, assembled the kids, lit the taper and watched the first few whooshes and bangs with satisfaction – only to look up and see that the lighted windows and sounds of singing from Charlton church meant that a service was in progress, only yards away.

Short of throwing myself on the next incendiary, there was nothing I could do and so we were forced to watch and listen in excruciating embarrassment.

I know we are exhorted to make a joyful noise unto the Lord but I am sure that this was not what the psalm intended so fervent apologies to the village and congregation followed.

I hope that we have now been forgiven but I will be checking very carefully before so much as lighting a sparkler this weekend.

Finally, another meeting in Parliament this week with Mr King who lost his son Olly to a sudden cardiac arrest in 2011 and who has turned the tragedy into a campaign run by the Oliver King foundation to get defibrillators installed right across the UK – and for them to be mandatory in schools.

I’m really pleased that so many towns and villages across the Constituency now have defibrillators thanks to huge efforts by many local people – these are a real lifesaver especially in more isolated communities, and I am determined to do all I can to support this amazing campaign.