The Stroud MP's weekly column.

Congratulations to all those Team GB medal winners including, as I write, the four athletes who won golds on Mega Monday.

I am enjoying the Olympics again even though there are no crowds. The sporting endeavour and tales of the underdog triumphing is gripping.

The stories about the dedication from our athletes and playing a team role reminds us all that the benefits of sport is not all about winning too. This was really highlighted by the swimmer Aimee Willmott who came seventh in the final of the 400m Individual Medley at the weekend.

Aimee has been to three Olympics with Team GB and never won a medal. She now retires with the respect of all her teammates for her amazing contribution to the Olympics and British Swimming.

Like many, I will be cheering on our athletes whether they win or not and it has been fantastic to read about local paralympian Billy Shilton. I wish him well in his efforts to win in table tennis.

There has been some tentative good news about Covid infection rates over the last week with cases falling. The jury seems to be out on whether this will be sustained but as more and more people get the jabs, then I hope this continues.

Again, figures show that those who are unvaccinated or who have had only one jab are the majority in hospital even though they now constitute a minority of the population. Please make sure you go out and grab both jabs whatever your age and circumstances.

The summer season is now upon us, despite some torrential storms, and this is my first opportunity since I was elected and since Covid struck to really get out and visit summer activities and other events across Stroud the Valleys and Vale.

I hope to see you at some of these events, including Stroud Pride in Bank Gardens on 7th August.

Parents will also be looking for activities for their children during the summer holidays.

Stroud District Council, in partnership with Gloucestershire County Council, is offering four weeks of activities. Due to the government providing the funding, they are free for children eligible for free school meals.

Activities children can do are pretty wide-ranging and include Art, wild play, circus skills, sports, swimming and Forest Green Rovers Football Club football camps.

Other stuff available is graffiti art, Djing, animation workshops, felting, photography, cookery, skate competitions, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, boat rides and treasure hunts.

There should be something for every child in that list and the council has linked up with Morrisons to provide Kids Meal Boxes to those who would normally receive free school meals.

To find out more information and see when and where the events are happening, visit: stroud.gov.uk/haf