Last weekend, the local news and social media was dominated by reports that a patient with a possible case of Ebola was being treated at the Great Western Hospital.

I kept in close touch with developments, and of course it was a great relief when we heard later that the tests had proved negative. The concern was raised because the woman had recently returned from West Africa, and complained of feeling unwell.

It is absolutely right that every precaution is taken in these circumstances. There was obvious concern locally, because this case coincided with the news that the nurse Pauline Cafferkey was in a critical condition with Ebola at the Royal Free Hospital in London. However, the GWH quite rightly reassured the local community that there was no risk to residents, patients or visitors to the hospital. The NHS Trust in Swindon and the Ambulance service have robust and established systems in place to manage patients with suspected infectious diseases.

I would like to thank all the medical staff and authorities who dealt with this case with their usual outstanding professionalism.

On a much brighter note, Swindon was also in the national news this weekend for another reason. Pupils and staff from Commonweal School appeared on television for the announcement that they had won a nationwide competition to win Jamie Cullum’s grand piano. They were presented with their prize by the jazz star himself on The Andrew Marr Show… while the Prime Minister looked on. To win the piano, the school put together a video starring staff and pupils explaining why they would make such good use of it.

I’m delighted with this news. Not only am I a huge Jamie Cullum fan and love jazz, but I’m also an arts patron at Commonweal.

The school has an excellent reputation for performing arts, and this will be a real boost. Well done to all concerned, and I look forward to seeing the piano in action very soon.

Finally, I’d like to mention an important event. On Friday 30 January I’ll be hosting a Dementia Friends awareness session in association with the Alzheimer’s Society.

It’s to help promote the small, everyday things we can do that could make a difference to people living with dementia in our community. The scheme helps us all understand what it might be like to live with dementia and then turn that understanding into action.

The event is at the Wyvern Theatre from 1 to 2pm and is free.

Spaces are limited, so if you would like to go, either as an individual or representing an organisation, please confirm your attendance by the end of this week. You can do so by calling my office on 01793 533393.