 Adam
Afriyie
MP
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Ascot Homecoming
30-Jun-06, Windsor Express
Article.
Royal Ascot returned to its home course last week
and I was delighted to be able to attend one or two of
the opening events.
All of the elements which make Royal Ascot such a great
festival were there: the presence of the Royal family, the
high fashion of Ladies Day, and of course, the crème de la
crème of the world’s racehorses, presented in peak physical
condition, competing in some of the world’s best races.
The Queen officially opened the new racecourse at the end
of an amazingly well managed 18 month project which was
finished both within budget and on time for its most popular
meeting.
Despite a few initial teething troubles, the new
facilities ensure that racing fans will enjoy the ultimate
in comfort and hospitality. The horses’ and jockeys’ welfare
has also been of paramount importance as new vets’
facilities, horse-walkers and saddling areas, in addition to
a new weighing room, have been included.
There has been racing at Ascot since the early eighteenth
century and almost 300 years on, Royal Ascot remains the
pinnacle of the racing and social calendar.
The racecourse has undergone many redevelopments over the
years and I hope that the fantastic new facilities will
enhance tourism and contribute to the local economy in the
years to come. |
I
believe
People are happier
when making their own decisions.
Business is the
engine of the economy that generates our jobs, incomes and
taxes.
Government should
not interfere in our lives beyond protecting and defending
us.
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