Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg MP Visits Outstanding Hereford College

6.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 17th Apr 2009

Hereford and South Herefordshire Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Sarah Carr welcomed Nick Clegg MP, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, and Liz Lynne, MEP for the West Midlands, to Hereford on Friday 17th April.

Nick Clegg MP, Hereford MP Paul Keetch, Liz Lynne MEP and parliamentary candidate Sarah Carr first visited Hereford's The Royal National College for the Blind (RNCB) meeting with the Principal and staff members. The visit focused on the new multi-million pound campus redevelopment 'thePoint4', officially being opened in June. ThePoint4 is set to become a world class centre of excellence for training in Sport, Recreation and Complementary Therapies, and is already home to the British Blind Football Squad. The College was rated as being "Outstanding" in a recent Ofsted inspection.

Later following a walk-through of Hereford city centre, Nick, Sarah, Paul and Liz met with local business and community leaders and Liberal Democrat party supporters at a reception at Hereford Farmers' Club. With standing room only, questions ranged from the effect of high petrol prices, to the recession and its impact on local businesses, and the Liberal Democrats' proposals to reduce income tax for people on lower and middle incomes.

Commenting on the visit Sarah Carr said,

"I was delighted to welcome Nick Clegg MP back to Hereford. Everyone was hugely impressed by the new 'thePoint4' leisure facilities at the Blind College which offer fantastic new leisure and spa facilities to members of the public as well as students of the college in Hereford.

"It was great to see so many of our community and business leaders at the reception afterwards - there was a real buzz in the room. The impact of the recession was a key theme, as was discussion of Liberal Democrat policies to help get us out of it.

"I am determined to continue campaigning in support of our local businesses and economy and working hard for our residents al year round."