The A.P.T., which has a strong reputation for showing contemporary fine art, has been working since 1995 to provide support for fine artists. The opening of this latest building brings its total number of studios up to 41.

This is the speech I gave at the opening:

"When I asked Liz [May, A.P.T. Studio & Gallery Manager] what my duties would be today she explained I would follow several speakers and I would only need to say a few words. Nonetheless I asked for a brief. It was 1327 words long - I couldn't resist having them counted!

"But that just demonstrates what a consummate professional she is - everything at her finger tips: the history of nearly 20 years with its 17 great milestones, culminating in today's new studios, to its 31 grants ranging from just over £200 to £142,000 .

"It is a remarkable achievement and one I've been privileged to follow since its inception. And what makes it so remarkable is the people who have led A.P.T. and still massively contribute today.

"Having worked in the inner city for 30 years I know the relentless pressures of poverty and deprivation and blighted ambition. But here in the heart of Deptford, A.P.T. is a beacon of excellence, giving inspiration to local people, providing the vital low cost studios for artists and lifting all our spirits through exhibitions and events.

"It is impossible to put a value on art. We may not always like what we see, we may sometimes want for understanding - though that is always a stimulus - but when we do connect the range of possible emotions is limitless.

"I congratulate everyone involved in all that A.P.T. has done and is doing and in particular the completion of the Welding Shed Studios, which in a few moments it will be my great pleasure to open."

Research shows the Summer Reading Challenge increases children’s reading range and their enjoyment of reading significantly. It builds confidence and independent reading, while preventing the dip in children’s literacy levels during the long break from school.

A unique partnership between The Reading Agency and public libraries across the UK, the Summer Reading Challenge got a record 810,000 children reading in the summer holidays in 2013. With the support of local MPs, libraries, schools and a host of well-known children’s authors including Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Morpurgo, even more children aged 4-11 will be encouraged to join the library and complete the challenge this year.   

Children will also be encouraged to share their love of reading by recommending a book to friends, family and carers with a campaign called ‘pass-it-on’ this year. The campaign is intended to inspire them to share their reading choices. It is endorsed by the new National Curriculum, which suggests that pupils should be "recommending books that they have read to their peers, giving reasons for their choices.”

I hope parents, grandparents and carers in Lewisham, Deptford will take their children to the library to sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge.  It’s free, inclusive and makes reading fun - a vital ingredient in building literacy. Last year 3832 children in London Borough of Lewisham took part in the Challenge. I hope we can increase that number this year and show local libraries what a valuable asset they are to us and our community.

Each year the Challenge uses a new theme to inject fun and creativity into reading. The 2014 theme is “Mythical Maze”, illustrated by award winning Sarah McIntrye. Children sign up at the library and receive a mythical maze poster.  As they borrow and read library books over the summer, children collect stickers of mythical creatures to complete their poster and discover facts about the creatures as they go. It’s a highlight of the holidays for thousands of children and families.

There have been major advances in the fight against cancer over the last 40 years and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress. 2 in 4 people diagnosed with cancer in the UK today will survive for at least 10 years - compared to just 1 in 4 in the early 1970s - but survival rates continue to lag behind those of comparable countries.

Freya was one of over 100 Cancer Research UK Ambassadors who came to Westminster last week to meet with their MPs and highlight the importance of parliamentary support in accelerating progress in the fight against cancer.

Freya said: “I’m really excited to have taken part in Cancer Research UK’s day of action because I know that this is a great way to make a difference. I feel passionate about supporting the organisation’s work. So many people are diagnosed with cancer and it’s vital that we do all we can to help save more lives. 

“It was fantastic to meet Joan to discuss my reasons for becoming an Ambassador and why access to treatment matters for me personally. Cancer Research UK is making huge progress but we need the help and support of MPs like Joan to help more cancer patients survive.”

It was a pleasure to meet with Freya and to listen to her story. If we are to meet Cancer Research UK’s target it is imperative for both this government and the next to ensure that cancer remains on the political agenda. I have therefore written to Jeremy Hunt, the Secretary of State for Health, to ask him to back measures to improve access to radiotherapy treatment.

What you should bear in mind when applying for a European Health Insurance Card:

• Your EHIC should be free of charge
• If you are being asked to pay for your EHIC, you are not on the official EHIC application website
• Further information, including how to apply, can be found at www.gov.uk/european-health-insurance-card or by calling 0300 3301350
• Your EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance - when travelling within Europe, you should ensure you have both

People sometimes mistakenly use these misleading sites after following sponsored advertisements on internet search engines. If you have already been affected by this issue and paid money for an EHIC or other government service which should be free, please visit www.gov.uk/misleadingwebsites to make a complaint to Google and other search engines.

The awards event celebrated the work of dedicated health professionals in the NHS who have helped people on long-term warfarin treatment to monitor their own blood clotting level. Comfort was short-listed for the category of outstanding individual.

Earlier this year, ACSMA invited their network of members to nominate their top health professionals across the UK. The response was overwhelming. ACSMA received nominations from patients for specialist nurses, GPs and hospital consultants who are regarded as having gone above and beyond the call of duty for their patients.

These payments range from £100-£200 grants to help groups establish an event or project to one-off small payments to individuals in financial difficulty.

Each summer we hold an informal gathering to encourage local groups and charities to come together, celebrate the summer and network with others working in the area. We try to hold the event at a different venue each year and our 2014 host was the Lewisham, Greenwich and Southwark branch of the Samaritans in New Cross.

The tea party, held on Friday 27th June, was a great success and a wonderful opportunity for people to visit the Samaritans and learn more about their work in the local community.

This was my last time hosting the tea party as I am standing down from Parliament at the general election next year, but my successor as Labour Party candidate for Lewisham Deptford, former Brockley councillor Vicky Foxcroft, is keen to take over and keep the event going if she is elected.

I would like to thank everyone for their support over the years and I very much hope that Deptford First will continue to provide assistance to local people in need.