LIKE MANY OTHER residents across the City of Chester, I am preparing for a weekend of special Coronation celebration events. 

Some of you may have seen from my recent Facebook post I have been lucky enough to have been drawn in a ballot to attend the Coronation of His Majesty the King at Westminster Abbey in London. It is a huge honor and privilege to represent Cestrians at this historic event – one I do not mind waking up at dawn for. 

Events across Cheshire West and Chester are taking place to celebrate the special occasion. On Saturday, there will be a ticketed live stream of the BBC’s Coronation coverage at Chester Cathedral from 11:15am.  

On Sunday, there will be community ‘Big Lunches’ happening across the borough to celebrate the Coronation. Chester Cathedral is holding a ‘Celebration of His Majesty King Charless III’ event, followed by a Coronation Picnic on Sunday morning. Shortly afterward, the Lord Mayor of Chester will be hosting a free concert of local performers, choirs and children on Chester Town Hall Square. 

Bank holiday Monday will be a day dedicated to good causes and community togetherness – the Big Help Out. There will be volunteering opportunities throughout Chester which can be accessed via the Big Help Out mobile app. 

I hope everyone can enjoy the bank holiday celebrations for what is an historic and special occasion 

Despite the national celebrations, it is important to remember households across Chester are still struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. 

Last week in Parliament, I raised the issue of Pension Credit uptake to the Minister for Pensions during Departmental questions. 

I shared the story of a couple of pensioners who visited a Chester foodbank in tears because they couldn’t afford the basic necessities. This is just one case of the additional 400,00 pensioners who are now in poverty compared to when Labour was last in office. 

Around 850,000 pensioners across the UK could be missing out on an extra £3,300 a year in unclaimed Pension Credit. Currently, more than a third of those eligible for Pension Credit are yet to claim the benefit they are entitled to.  

Awareness of Pension Credit needs to improve. Therefore, I am asking residents to prompt a pensioner and ask them if they have applied for Pension Credit, to help make sure residents receive the money they are entitled to and help them through the cost-of-living crisis.