Dean was pleased to be invited to speak to the Watford Branch of the Townswomen’s Guild at St Luke’s Church. The group play an important role in the community, and like to share their views and thoughts about issues which improve the lives of women.
Dean spoke about his upbringing and the time he spent growing up in Birmingham. He talked about his communications work with the British Heart Foundation, and more recently about how their advice helped him to understand that he was having a heart attack. Dean also mentioned that he was a children’s author and his more recent role as their local MP. Dean is very proud of his work on delivering The Tips Bill, which now has Royal Assent. Later this year, it will be an offence for a business to withhold any tips from their staff. He also talked about Zach’s Law which is a brand new law which means that it has become a criminal offence for anyone to try and trigger a seizure in someone with epilepsy by targeting them with flashing images online.
The Townswomen’s Guild are well known for helping those in need. The many thousands of members across the UK play an active role in their communities and work so hard to raise funds and awareness for charities and good causes. This local group meet each month and enjoy talks, hobbies, crafts, organised trips plus much more! The very talented members also have opportunities to compete at national levels in interests such as bowls, tennis, golf and swimming.
Following the formalities, Dean was asked to draw the raffle.
After the visit, Dean said, ‘I would like to thank the wonderful group who put me through my paces today with all their great questions about my work as their MP. My favourite part about being a constituency MP is engaging with residents, and I know how much great work groups such as the Townswomen’s Guild do for the community. If you would like me to talk to your group in Watford, please drop me an email [email protected]’.
Bridget Lyne, Chair, commented, 'The Townswomen’s Guild is a national organisation founded in 1929. There are TG groups all around the UK, including a number in this area of Hertfordshire.
Our Cassiobury Group is very active, with monthly meetings at St. Luke’s Church, and we warmly welcome new members. We hold various events throughout the year to bring members together and to raise funds for local charity; there is always enthusiastic support for our Peace Hospice here in Watford.
At each of our meetings we have a visiting speaker, with recent subjects ranging from examples of exquisite embroidery from the Royal School of Needlework to World War II Spies, from local bee-keeping to travels in South America, and so much more. We are very grateful to Dean Russell for taking time to join us for our February meeting and to talk about his life and work, both here and overseas, before he became involved in politics. This was very much appreciated by everyone present. Thank you'.
