Groundbreaking four ways

Groundbreaking at Barn Green Cottage

On Thursday it was an absolute pleasure to join the 5th Haywards Heath Scouts, Bentswood Hub and many members of the local community at Barn Green Cottage. For a long time it has been a dream for these organisations to have a new home, and finally they are in a position to begin work on a new community building. There was real community spirit, an amazing cake, and lots of happiness. I wish everyone involved in the build lots of success for the months ahead. 

Groundbreaking quantum computing

In the heart of Haywards Heath there is a company who are doing pioneering work developing quantum computers. On Thursday I toured the state-of-the-art lab at Universal Quantum and learnt about their work from CEO Sebastian Weidt and the team. Sebastian and fellow co-founder Winfried Hensinger are both professors at the University of Sussex where they published work on creating a large-scale trapped ion quantum computer in 2017, that led to the creation of Universal Quantum. Since then the company has gone from strength to strength. Quantum computers have the potential to solve massive problems that classical computers would never be able to process. The potential for how they can be used is staggering, and for this reason it is vital the United Kingdom seizes the opportunities that this presents. Back in January I invited Hove MP and Secretary of State for Science Innovation and Technology Peter Kyle to meet to discuss the potential of quantum in Sussex. I am looking forward to getting that date in the diary very soon.

Groundbreaking conversations

I met the Samaritans at Haywards Heath Station early on Wednesday morning to help them with ‘Small talk saves lives’. This is a campaign they run each March to encourage people to start conversations if they think someone isn’t OK at railway stations or other public places (if they feel safe to do so). It empowers people to approach others and offer support through small but meaningful interactions. We handed out booklets to commuters about how to start a conversation, but you can read more about it here. Thank you to the Samaritans for the vital work that they do across the country. 

Groundbreaking women

You may enjoy spotting people you recognise in this photograph of women MPs in the House of Commons which was taken to mark International Women’s Day on Saturday.

Getting in touch

My parliamentary email address is: alison.bennett.mp@parliament.uk. If you need my help, please get in touch.

Best wishes,

Alison

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