This season Witham Town FC will continue to attract the support of our local community. The team showed great fighting spirit, putting in heroic displays and strong performances last season. Fans and young people watching would have been inspired by the first team's commitment and 'never give up' attitude. Many of the results were agonisingly close. With these qualities and the strong leadership shown by Garry and the players, I am confident that we will put in more outstanding performances this season and bounce back and return to the Ryman Premier Division.
The Club is as hungry for success and ambitious as ever. I welcome and commend local businesses who continue to be generous in their support and sponsorship of the Club. This helps all of the Club's teams - from the first team to the youth teams - grow in strength. The Club is investing not only in its future but the future of young people in Witham.
Everyone involved at the Club has a strong commitment to improving youth football and facilities for youth teams. Behind the scenes there is a lot of work taking place and I will continue to support the Club as it brings forward new and exciting plans for the future.
As our local football club grows in strength and draws positive attention to Witham, we need to have a town centre that also attracts people to the area. Witham is a great place to live and work but it also has a lot of potential that has not yet been fulfilled. I have been campaigning for town centre improvements and welcome the proposals that Braintree District Council have put forward. These include introducing a new Market Square for the market to relocate to and a shopper friendly link between the Newland Centre and Grove Centre. The changes will help to open up the town centre and encourage more local businesses and shoppers to come to the town.
In addition to the town centre improvements, the Government has decided to invest in modernising the A12 with a widening scheme. This will upgrade the A12 between Chelmsford and Colchester into a three-lane carriageway. Once completed, the widened A12 will reduce congestion and speed up journey times for people travelling to and from Witham. It will also make it easier for fans to come to Spa Road to see top quality football, thriving youth teams, and a successful first team challenging for silverware.
If any residents or businesses need help and advice or would like to raise an issue with me, I can be contacted by email to: WithamMP@parliament.uk, by address to: Priti Patel MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, and by telephone on: 020 7219 3528.

The Rt Hon Priti Patel MP

Member of Parliament for Witham