By Dr Brian Iddon, Member of Parliament for Bolton South East

ON top of the loss at the turn of the year of Cllr Peter Birch, the sudden death of Cllr Dennis Barlow, who represented Daubhill Ward, came as a double whammy for the Bolton South East Constituency Labour Party.

Dennis, a former miner, played several roles in the community. As well as being an extremely active local Councillor, he helped his wife Maureen to look after the residents of St Georges Court, and he was the caretaker at my Constituency Office. Dennis was very well-liked. He had a rare ability to entertain whoever he was in company with at the time and will be sadly missed.

I attended five functions during the Commonwealth Games. It was a great privilege to be able to present the winners of the badminton mixed doubles final, English team members Joanne Goode and Simon Archer, with their flowers at the Victory Ceremony at the Bolton Arena. I also attended a unique event at Manchester Town Hall -- the presentation of Honorary Degrees to Commonwealth sports personalities Sir Roger Bannister, Clive Lloyd and Diane Modahl, and political personalities The Rt Hon Donald McKinnon and Dr Mamhela Ramphele by the four Greater Manchester Universities.

The Games were a tremendous success, and I want to thank all those who worked so hard to make them so, the organisers, the competitors, of course, but especially those fantastic volunteers, many from our Constituency. Bolton played its part and I heard nothing but praise for the local arrangements.

I have now completed Phase II of the Police Force Parliamentary Scheme, with two 10 hour overnight (9.00 p.m. to 7.00 a.m.) shifts with F Division at Salford (I have to serve outside Bolton). The Officers I have accompanied have been very dedicated to their job, and I have seen a good cross-section of their work, including the tragedies that they have to deal with. Next I move on to Phase III, which will involve me spending about 16 days with all the back-up teams, firearms, drugs unit, CID, tactical aid group, the helicopter, the Motorway patrols, and looking at special operations, such as policing a Manchester United home game.

My advice surgeries are on the first Saturday of each month at 10.30 a.m. in Farnworth Town Hall (rear entrance) and on the third Friday of every month at 4.30 p.m. in Bolton Town Hall (Dido Suite). Ring Karen (371202), or visit my web site at www.brianiddonmp.org.uk for further information and news.