Glorious sunshine, lots of stalls and attractions, beautiful gardens - no surprise that so many families turned out for the Well Hall Pleasaunce annual day of summer fun.  The owls were a particular favourite, as was watching all the ducks enjoying the extra bread rations.

I just wish the ice cream man hadn't asked 'small or large'...I regret my answer now!  But congratulations to the Friends of the Pleasaunce and everyone involved in making it such a great atmosphere today.  Here's looking forwards to the new look Tudor Barn under new management.

Today I attended the funeral of Sally Castle, the Head Teacher of Ealdham Primary School at which I am the Acting Deputy Chair of Governors.  The church was packed with family and friends, colleagues, parents, former pupils, such a vast array of people that there was standing room only.

Funerals are never easy and I always find myself thinking of others no longer with us, not only the person who we are remembering on this occasion.  But I was struck by the courage of her niece who read the poem she had written in Sally's memory.  And by the extraordinary tribute delivered by her sister who despite the enormous grief clearly etched on her face, managed to raise laughter among the congregation.

I did not have long to get to know Sally, her illness took hold all too soon after I became a governor at the school.  But something she said to me sums up her attitude towards the children in her care.  She said "It's not enough for me to appoint good teachers here, I need to appoint exceptional teachers."  I think the way her team has carried on running the school during her illness and since her passing, shows she did just that.  The children at that school are very fortunate.  And they will be her legacy.

I have just heard the news that Douglas Hogg will not contest the next general election.  There are rumours of other MPs deciding to fall on their swords and we are soon to hear a statement from Mr Speaker.

I take no pleasure in seeing long serving MPs ending their careers in such circumstances.  The Speaker has long tried to blame class war on his failure in the role but as became all too apparent yesterday, he was not really up to the task.  Douglas Hogg is also not alone in having caused the greatest crisis of faith in our political system in a generation and I trust he will not be alone in stepping down.  Others have, in my opinion, done far worse deeds.  Some may be dreading the possibility of a police enquiry after making claims that might be described as dishonest.

By stepping down, both have demonstrated that they have heard the strength of public anger.  If only Gordon Brown would also hear the roar, we could have a general election and start the wholesale process of cleaning up our political system.

I was delighted to welcome the Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment to Eltham.  He met with residents who had fought off Greenwich Council's attempt to destroy the 300 year old Eltham Green by driving a tarmac path through it without consultation or approval.  Once it became clear that the initial shock had turned to anger and that the residents were not going to back down, Greenwich Council filled in the trench and laid turf - which has not been watered and is already yellow - but who will pay for this gross incompetence?

Nick Herbert MP agreed with me that saving the environment isn't just about global warming and saving the rain forests, we all have a part to play in saving our local environment too.  It was heartening to see such a large turnout of residents, of all political persuasions, to show their support for this high level visit.