Some Chronicle readers may be aware of the work I do in Parliament as Chair of the All-Party Breast Cancer Group.
Last year we led a major inquiry into older people with the condition, which heard evidence from our own Dick Rainsbury among others, but our current focus is on the younger generation and today (Thursday) sees an important initiative in this respect come to Winchester.
Kris Hallenga is 28-years old and has a terminal diagnosis of secondary breast cancer. I have got to know Kris since her documentary 'Dying to live' aired on the BBC and she has agreed to speak to young people locally about her charity, CoppaFeel, and her #rethinkcancer campaign.
We will visit all three secondary schools in the city as well as meeting with Prof Joy Carter at the University to discuss how cancer might be taught in schools. There is more, including a short-film of the day, at www.stevebrine.com/breastcancer
We are of course, in Wimbledon fortnight and it was very smart of the excellent Thornden Tennis Club in Chandler's Ford to hold their Great British Tennis Weekend last Sunday.
Alongside former Thornden pupil (and now TV celeb) Dan Lobb it was great to have a hit with some of the young members and hopefully use the excitement of Wimbledon to bring new people to the game. Pictures of me on court - and in shorts - online if you dare.
Finally, last weekend I held what turned out to be a wet (but extremely busy) street surgery at Kingsgate in Winchester.
The event was held as news came through of Mr Juncker's approval as President of the European Commission and I must admit I was expecting some negative comment at the Prime Minister's failed campaign to stop his candidacy. The reality however, was very different.
One after another, constituents stopped to tell me how pleased they were we finally have a PM who sticks to his guns. I agree. So, upon returning to the House of Commons on Monday I made sure that sentiment reached Mr Cameron who I sat right behind when he gave his EU council statement to MPs.
Our detractors seem unhappy Britain has somehow displeased the German Chancellor or Swedish PM but David Cameron's job is to reflect British public opinion and boy he's done that. As one constituent said to me, only dead fish go with the tide.
In my opinion, last Friday was a bad day for Europe. Jean-Claude Juncker's election hands power to the European Parliament and risks further undermining the position of national governments.
This whole process has reinforced my conviction, and that of our Prime Minister, that Europe needs to change. As we know from last weekend, securing that reform is not going to be easy but - wherever we are on that journey at the end of 2017 - it will be you who decides how this ends with an in-out referendum on our membership.
I keep hearing how people like straight talking from their leaders these days. That is about as clear as it gets on this one.
You can find out more about my work and get in touch via 01962 791110 orwww.stevebrine.com
