Last week I had the privilege of seeing the Bloodhound
Supersonic Car (SSC) during its test run at Newquay.
The Bloodhound SSC is designed not only to go faster than
the speed of sound (supersonic) but to over 1,000mph, smashing the current land
speed record, which is 746mph. The Bloodhound will cover a mile in just 3.6
seconds. The Car is powered by both a jet engine and a rocket, which together produce
more than 135,000 horsepower: that’s more than six times the power of all the
Formula 1 cars on a starting grid put together.
The Bloodhound came to Cornwall Airport Newquay because of
the length of its runway – something that makes it an ideal place to trial the
car ahead of its full attempt.
It is particularly good to see that all of the schools in
Cornwall have been invited to visit the Bloodhound during its time at Cornwall
Airport Newquay. One of the stated aims of the Bloodhound project is to inspire
the next generation about science, technology, engineering and mathematics,
also known as STEM subjects.
It is crucial that future generations embrace and do well in
STEM subjects, to ensure the UK remains at the cutting edge of global science
and technology development. I hope that witnessing the tremendous achievements
of the Bloodhound first-hand will ignite or fan the flames of creativity among
our pupils from schools in Mid-Cornwall and set some of these children up for
having a lifelong love of STEM subjects.
Also while I was with the Bloodhound team I had the chance
to have a good chat with Richard Noble, the project director and former world
record holder behind the project. Richard is an inspirational character and it
was great to be able to talk to him about his ventures, previous achievements
and future plans. His enthusiasm for innovating and pursuing such an
extraordinary goal is plain to see and something which I would love to see grow
with similar high tech ventures in Mid-Cornwall.
With our world now an increasingly digital one, I have
always championed bringing new businesses to Cornwall whose work forces can work
remotely from our beautiful county. It is important that we get not just more
jobs for Mid-Cornwall, but jobs that are highly skilled and better paid,
therefore improving our economy and the living standards of all of us who live
here.
Attracting high-tech investment in the spirit of the
Bloodhound project is a good start but there is much more to do. I will
continue to do all I can both locally and in Westminster to realise this goal.
My team and I are here to serve the whole constituency and
work hard to make a real difference to the lives of everyone needing support.
The office is open to the public Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm (no
appointment necessary). If there is an issue you would like my assistance on
then please, either visit the office or contact me on either 01726 829379 or
office@stevedouble.org.uk. Additionally, I hold regular, appointment only,
advice surgeries across the constituency. Dates of these can be found at:
www.stevedouble.org.uk/events
