WHEN I was elected as Member of Parliament for Basingstoke, Reading University invited me to become a member of their governing body and last week was my first meeting in that role.

Reading is one of the UK's leading research-led universities. Only a short 30-minute train ride separates the extensive Reading University facilities and expertise from our town, schools and businesses, yet there are few links between us. I will be doing all I can to explore what could be gained from better contacts between us.

BASINGSTOKE is fast becoming the centre for arts in north Hampshire.

Last week, I heard about plans "The Making" has for visual art and craft in Basingstoke. Their objective is to be a centre of excellence in art, craft and design.

I WAS pleased to be invited back to the new Co-op in Beggarwood to mark Fair Trade Fortnight.

The Co-op has been a driving force behind fair trade for a long time and has done much to increase awareness of it. The Co-op now even sells own-brand fair trade wine!

WHILE I was out and about on Saturday, I dropped in to Limington House School to support their Easter fair, held to raise money for new sensory rooms at the school.

Congratulations to the organisers for such a successful event.

IF YOU need to contact Maria you can call her office at the House of Commons on 0207 219 5749, e-mail millerm@parliament.uk or write to her at The House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, or Basingstoke Constituency Office, 149d Pack Lane, Basingstoke, RG22 5HN.

Appointments to see Maria can be booked on the above number.

First published: Wednesday, March 22, 2006