I would like to let you know firstly, that my absolute priority at the moment is to make sure that our vaccine booster jabs are available to those who need them and want them.

There has been some difficulty in some getting them and I have made this representation in the House of Commons several times over the last few weeks and will continue to do so.

If you are especially vulnerable and are struggling with getting a booster vaccine, please do get in touch with me.

I’m keeping in regular contact with health ministers and those delivering vaccines in Dorset. I will keep pressing on this until we have the provision we need and people can get to vaccine centres close to them.

Last Sunday was the first of Advent, and it is always such a moving start to the preparations for Christmas to attend the Advent Carol Service at Sherborne Abbey. Being an organist and a bellringer, Christmas is a busy time but if in your church you’re short of a Bellringer, or maybe even an organist, I’d be very pleased to come and help - diary permitting. Do email me hello@chrisloder.co.uk if you’re stuck!

Closer to home, I was pleased to welcome Farming, Fisheries and Food Minister Victoria Prentis to West Dorset last week, where we met up with fishermen from across the West Dorset Coast in West Bay and a summit of farmers in Puddletown, discussing amongst other matters supply chain issues, staffing shortages, emerging policy and how these industries play a key part in protecting and enhancing the climate.

It was excellent to have the Minister with us to discuss important issues facing both of these industries, and wonderful to show off what West Dorset has to offer in terms of the fantastic facilities in West Bay, and the combined agricultural knowledge of ou