Back from the Defence Committee visit to Rome and Naples and down to Weymouth to celebrate the end of Apprenticeship Week at the College. It's been my job to find a guest speaker and this year we were most fortunate to attract none other than Tristan Pascoe, my friend and former work colleague, who works at South Today in Southampton. His brief is mainly politics, which he does extremely well. This year the College hosted a lunch in their theatre, where apprentices, employers and lecturers met at 1200. Also present were the Mayor of Weymouth, Cllr Kate Wheller, and the Mayor of Dorchester. It was an interesting two hours, listening to several guest speakers and, after introducing Tristan, to him. He was outstanding and gave a very personal insight into his career, which I have no doubt inspired those present. Afterwards, I retired to another room to meet Board members from both the College and Kingston Maurward. It is no secret that they are looking a merging and a consultation on this will go out shortly. I will do all I can to support both colleges as they are vital for so many of the young in Dorset and especially Weymouth, Portland and Swanage. This merger is now at ministerial level and I have already spoken at length to the minister. Then off to SDCA at Winfrith for a two hour political meeting.