Dan Byles: Member of Parliament for North Warwickshire & Bedworth

Former soldier Dan Byles is the MP for North Warwickshire & Bedworth, and stood successfully at the 2010 general election.

Dan comes from an ordinary background, and he believes strongly that we need more ordinary people in Parliament. Not more lawyers and career politicians, but people who have had real jobs and have lived in the real world.

Dan’s parents separated when he was young, leaving Dan and his sister to be brought up for a time by their mother alone. She opened a small shop, and Dan and his sister used to work for their pocket money. Dan was lucky enough to have opportunities that too many still don’t have. He is the first member of his family to stay on at school beyond 16, and the first member of his family to go to university.

After University Dan served in the Army for nine years, initially with the Light Infantry and then as a Medical Support Officer in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He completed operational tours in Kosovo and Bosnia, and served in the MOD during the Iraq invasion. At one point Dan was the youngest serving Major in the British Army at 27.

The Army gave Dan the opportunity to travel and to take part in some unusual expeditions. He is a double Guinness World Record holder, having once crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 101 days in a 23 foot wooden rowing boat with his mother to raise money for charity. Then in April 2007, Dan and his mother were united in adventure once again when they trekked 650km to the Magnetic North Pole. His mum was 62 at the time!

In June 2007 (six weeks after returning from the North Pole), Dan married Prashanthi in an English church wedding. Then in November, they flew to India for a traditional Indian wedding in her family's home city of Hyderabad.

After serving in the Armed Forces for nine years, Dan became increasingly disillusioned with this government. Eventually he felt he had to stand up and do something. He left a promising career in the Army to stand for election, because he was fed up with the mess politicians were making of the country.

Following the expenses scandal, Dan became determined to get into Westminster to bang some heads together.

Dan says:  “When I served in the Army, I was taught that integrity and moral courage are two of the most important qualities of leadership. We desperately need some integrity and plain speaking in Parliament.

“Labour had their chance, and they failed. They became morally bankrupt, and thanks to Brown the country is financially bankrupt too. His solution to every problem has been to spend more of OUR money and to leave the country groaning with debt.”

You can learn more about Dan’s non-political expeditions from the other half of his website: www.danielbyles.com

TWO Nuneaton hairdressers will push themselves to the limit this weekend to help soldiers wounded on the front line.

Janet Blurton and Sarah Marsh from the Stylettes Hair Studio in Stockingford are taking part in a gruelling triathlon at Bosworth Water Park on Sunday.

They face the challenge of having to complete a 500 metre swim and 21 kilometre cycle ride and a three kilometre run to raise money for Help for Heroes.

The couple have been in training for the last four months, but Janet, a 46-year-old mother of two, said: "Everybody thinks we are mad."

She owns the salon in Arbury Road where clients have already sponsored the intrepid twosome for nearly £700: "Our clients have been very generous and we have had a lot of support from family and friends," she said.

"We cannot believe we have raised that much already."

They have set themselves a target of £1,000, but Janet admitted the triathlon will be tough: "It is daunting, particularly the swim," she said.

"That is particularly challenging because it takes place in the lake which can be choppy at times. We will be wearing wet suits, but it is nothing like a swimming in a pool."

Sarah, who is 25 and has a four-year-old daughter Kaci, is a nail technician at Stylettes, and is Janet's niece.

Her brother-in-law Ian Robson, who is married to her sister Kelly, is serving in Afghanistan: "That is why we decided to take part in the triathlon," said Janet, who has two sons, John, aged 20, and 17-year-old Liam.

She said: "Sarah suggested it because Ian is out there at the moment and we both feel that it is for a very good cause because those soldiers are coming back with terrible injuries."

Recruitment experts will be on hand at two events in North Warwickshire this month to give advice on job applications, CV writing skills, interview techniques, current jobs market and training.

WorkCare Cove This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ntry & Warwickshire will be partnering with a number of organisations to offer a 'one-stop' shop for skills development and up-to-date information on the jobs and training market.  'First Resort - Opening Doors to New Beginnings' is aimed at those who have been made redundant, are currently unemployed and those considering a change of direction.  The project, which runs until March 2011, is funded by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT).

Kay Aldersley, WorkCare Development Officer explained "There are many people needing support in today's competitive jobs market.  WorkCare, working alongside local partners, is able to offer a professional and up-to-date service and a 'listening ear' for those who are feeling under pressure.

For the last 40 years WorkCare has been responsible for placing chaplains in industry and commercial organisations, eg Jaguar, Land Rover, emergency services, across Coventry and Warwickshire.  'First Resort' is WorkCare's response to supporting those who find themselves unemployed as a result of the economic downturn.

First Resort 'Skills Day' will take place at North Warwickshire Volunteer Centre on Tuesday 6th July from 10 am - 2.30 pm and will be opened by the Mayor of North Warwickshire, Councillor Kath Johnston.  A further event will take place on Friday 16th July at St Peter's Church School Room, Mancetter, also from 10 am - 2.30 pm.  People can attend for all or part of the day.

First Resort 'Skills Days' are free to attend with drinks served - just bring a sandwich for lunch!

For further information please contact Kay Aldersley on 024 7636 2995 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it