I was delighted to present Diss Infants School with an Artsmark Silver Award recently. This award recognises the tremendous efforts made by the school to develop arts schooling.

It is also a great tribute to the wonderful leadership of the headteacher Barbara Key, together with a great team of teachers, classroom assistants, dinner ladies and helpers, including many parents and governors.

Diss Infants has taken part in a wide range of arts activities, including dance, puppet plays and music lessons to clay modelling and video imaging. Professional musicians and authors have visited the school. The children have also enjoyed school trips with an arts theme, including Norwich Castle.

This is how an infant school should be. I am so pleased for everyone involved that the school has received this award. Three cheers for Mrs Key!

NORFOLK FARMERS

I enjoy meeting local farmers to hear what they have to say about current issues.

Last week I met a group from the poultry and dairy industries, general farming, and a representative from Anglia Farmers.

British farmers are rightly proud of the high quality of their output, which is produced to the highest standards. A big problem is that inferior foreign imports can be produced using methods which would be unlawful here and yet still be allowed into this country, undercutting the price of British produce.

British farmers are also concerned other countries offer their farmers much better deals for new equipment, also making it very difficult to compete.

If I can secure parliamentary time, I want to reintroduce my Food Labelling Bill. This would create fair play and make sure foreign producers cannot pretend to be British through legal loopholes and misuse of the Union flag.

TAKING CARE

Many carers do a great job which is mostly hidden from our eyes.

Many congratulations then to Norwich and District Carers Forum, for bringing its roadshow to Diss for National Carers Week.

There are more than 81,000 adult carers and, shockingly, about 2,000 young carers in Norfolk looking after a sick or disabled friend, partner, relative or parent.

"In sickness and in health" was the theme for the week, highlighting the effects caring can have on a carer's own health and well being, and encouraging more carers to seek support from their GP or carers' group.

Did you know there is now a carers' group in Diss? It is held on a regular basis at the Health Centre in Mount Street. For more details, telephone 01379 644513.