This is an organisation that has stood the test of time. Because 1815 is not only the year the Battle of Waterloo was won.

Perhaps more importantly even than that, it was the year that the Chamber was established.

So I want to thank the Chamber for centuries of work giving the businesses of this region a voice.

And I have to say, it’s always so nice to be here, back home in the North East. I grew up not far from here, just several miles down the Wear to Washington.

That’s the community I’m from. Where I was born, where I went to school, where I made my first friends.

I have spoken about how during that time there were ups and downs where I grew up. There was deprivation and there was crime in our community.

But there was kindness too. And resolve to make the most of things.

And I sa

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