I RECENTLY had the pleasure of meeting Alan Clark, Chair, and Di Cridland, Vice-Chair, of Down St Mary Parish Council.

It was a genuinely valuable conversation, and I want to thank them both for taking the time to sit down with me and share the concerns that matter most to residents in this special part of Central Devon. Much of our discussion focused on two themes that I hear about time and again across the constituency: the importance of community facilities and the condition of our local roads. Both are close to the heart of rural life here in Devon, and both deserve serious attention. Parish councillors volunteer considerable time and, along with community facilities, are part of the glue that holds villages together.

Whether it is a village hall, a playing field or a shared meeting space, these places give people a reason to come together, to volunteer and to look out for one another.

Their value is hard to overstate. Research from the charity sector suggests that around one in five adults in England volunteers formally at least once a month, and rural communities consistently punch above their weight in this respect.

In villages like Down St Mary, that spirit of mutual support is a real strength, and protecting the spaces that enable it is something I feel strongly about. The state of our roads came up just as forcefully, and it will surprise nobody who drives around Devon regularly.

Potholes and worn surfaces are a daily frustration for motorists, cyclists and businesses alike. The scale of the challenge nationally is considerable.

The Asphalt Industry Alliance has estimated the backlog of repairs needed to bring England and Wales local roads up to scratch runs to roughly £17 billion, and councils report filling around two million potholes a year.

Devon has one of the largest road networks of any county in the country, stretching to nearly 8,000 miles, so it is little wonder that maintenance is a constant and costly task. These are not abstract issues. They affect how easily people get to work, how our farmers move goods, and how safely our children travel to school.

That is why conversations like the one I had with Down St Mary Parish Council are so important.

Parish councils sit closest to the ground, and they often understand local needs better than anyone. When they raise a concern, I take it seriously and follow it up where I can. I want to encourage all our parish and town councils to keep reaching out.

My door is always open, and the more I hear directly from those working at the heart of our communities, the better I can represent Central Devon.

My thanks once again to Alan and Di for a productive meeting, and I look forward to continuing to work with them and with councils right across the constituency in the months ahead. Facebook: Mel Stride MP X: @MelJStride Instagram: @melstridemp Website: www.melstridemp.com