Now it's all over on to the elections.

Well the Wedding is over and so is my Village Fete. Both were very enjoyable and tiring for the participants. Obviously I couldn't watch the wedding until the evening but it was a lovely affair and so very British. Just what the Country needs right now, something to cheer us all up, reconfirm what we are and bring in loads of money! How kind the weather was as well. Just the right mix of sun and cloud and, in our case, a slightly chilly wind that kept people off the beach. The crowds in London are amazing and I think it would be a very brave terrorist that would try to mix it with them. Everyone was so cheerful and having a really good time.
Our Fete was much the same but without the crowds, somehow our advertising didn't get around enough, will have to think up a different strategy next time. It was rather difficult , being so close to the election, as I have been working very long hours in the office and am hampered by what I can say during the run up to the elections. Next year I would like to have a really good Fete for St Georges Day, sunday 23rd April combined with a celebration of the Queen's Jubilee, something with Morris Dancers and maypole Dancing and games for the children. We had space hopper races and they were hugely popular, we will have to try that again next year. I have learnt so much this year that it will be so much easier next time. But I have to get a bigger Committee.
Roll on next thursday now, that is election day and I hope that my colleagues and I will all be returned. These last four years have been a really interesting time and I know we have learnt a lot and we would like to continue to serve the people of Moordown for at least another four years. It might sound smug, but when I drive around Moordown in my little car I feel really proud of how we have managed to make it a better place than it was when we were elected in May 2007. The streets are much cleaner, and on the whole litter free, whilst there are inconsiderate or lazy people we will never be able to keep it spotless, but we have done our best. The road markings have been repainted several times, the pot holes have been repaired, the graffitti has gone and the whole place looks cared for, Oh and don't forget the crossing in Malvern road. There will be hanging baskets in Wimborne Road come the summer. But there is still much to do, Parts of Ripon Road are in serious need of resurfacing and the whole of Shirley Road, I shall make that a priority , if I get elected, it may take a couple of years to get done but I think once the traffic people see the problems they will put it on the list. I also think we still need more equipment for both the two playgrounds, we will have to try and find a way to raise some money for that.
If you are concerned about the AV my response would be vote NO. This is an expensive ploy by Nick Clegg, agreed with by David Cameron to make it look like the L/Ds are actually doing something worthwhile. I don't think it has been thought through fully and despite all the YES people saying it works for Australia, they fail to mention that voting is compulsory in Australia. If we went along the Yes vote they would need to make the vote compulsory or nobody would bother voting. That would take away your inalienable right to vote or not as you choose. Many people worked hard for universal sufferage and that includes your right NOT to vote as well, if that is how you see it.
Any comments please e mail me : sue4moordown@aol.com
VOTE CONSERVATIVE ON THURSDAY - AND NO TO AV

Wrist Slapped

Oh dear now I have upset the Independents and they want me to change my blog. In fact I have been accused of writing untruths, I hadn't realised that laying the facts before the Public made it an untruth. Dictionary definition of an Independent is one who is independent of word and deed, separate,unconnected,unrelated, self sufficient and individual. An Independent individual will always have their own ideas and cannot possibly sign up to being a Party , should they be elected, or conform to a manifesto, or they cease to be Independent. Indeed do they really need a Leader?

Wedding Dress Fancy Dress Competition and Parade.

Last word tonight ; If you have young daughters, or sons for that matter, don't forget the Wedding dress, Fancy dress Competition, at the Village Fete on the 29th April from 12.00. Age Groups 12 and under and 8 and under. Please ring Sue Anderson on 527049 if you would like to enter, please leave a message on the answer phone. Hope to see lots of little Princesses at the Fete.

Election Literature and untruths

Whilst I have been writing this blog I have tried to keep this fairly negative, politically, most of the time, but as the election draws closer I find that I have to respond to some of the literature that is being put out around Moordown. Politics can be a dirty game but I do not agree with those thoughts and if you examine the literature that goes out under my name you will rarely find anything objectionable. I prefer to keep to the facts, i.e things that we have achieved in the past 4 years to make Moordown a better and more pleasant place to live. I do admit to sometimes comparing how things were 4 years ago but it is a long time ago and we need to be reminded of that so we continue to work to keep up the standard that we expect. Certain Parties are claiming that: 1. they stopped the increase in the allowances, that is absolutely untrue as it was an across the Council decision and none of the minority parties would have had the strength to do that had the Conservatives not agreed. In fact it was a Conservative initiative in the first place. 2. Right back in 2008 when an independent National body, set the increase of 17% to the Allowances , I was the only Councillor to refuse it for a year. There was no opposition from any of the other Parties. Allowances are a difficult issue, I know, but I do not think the whole subject has been properly explained. If we are to have a proper representation of the public, in the Council, they have to be paid some sort of remuneration. People below retirement age need to earn a living and although they are supposed to have time off for their Council duties, those duties can be so time consuming that an employer cannot afford to keep an employee on. Of course we could always return to the old days when only older wealthy people could stand for Council but would that be a fair representation of the people? At the moment we have Councillors from 20 - 80yrs old and from all walks of life and this gives a good range of experience to the Council. The basic pay for a Councillor, on duty virtually 24/7, although most people are considerate as to what hours they contact Councillors. What other job pays just £9250(before tax and insurance) for those hours, without special additional payments? The Unions would never allow it. 3. My next complaint about literature being put out is the use of dear old Ron Whittaker's name. We have a great deal of respect and genuine affection for Ron, who did sterling work when he represented parts of Moordown some years ago, but he is not standing in Moordown now so it is an irrelevance. If Independent Candidates cannot stand on their own feet, I have to ask are they suitable to be Councillors?. Also if you are an Independant are you a member of a Party? Should you have a Leader? Should that Leader be claiming the Party Leader's allowance of £1800 plus £180 per head per member of the Party? For the last four years I, and my Colleagues, have achieved much in Moordown and have really enjoyed serving the people of Moordown. We like to think we leave it in a far better state than it was when we were elected and hope that you will elect us again as there is still much to do.

Please support our Village Fete on the 29th, let's have a Party.

Thank you for reading this Blog.

Comments

I have to apologise to anyone that would be kind enough to write a comment about my blog, sadly it does not seem to be working effectively. If you would like to comment please send to sue4moordown@aol.com and I will reply ASAP. Thank you I am sorry for the inconvenience. Cllr. Sue

Celebration Moordown Village Fete.

Well at last it seems that spring is here, thank goodness. There I go again being frightfully British and starting right in with the weather! I suppose it must be because it is so variable and it does make a good ice breaker, no pun intended. So here we are, it is April we have Easter, 3 Bank Holidays, a Royal wedding, a Referendum and the elections to look forward to. Looks like we are going to be very busy but isn't it all exciting. Here at the Halifax Memorial Committee we couldn't let the Royal Wedding go by without doing something to celebrate so the obvious thing was a Party. There is a Fancy Dress Wedding Competition for the 12 and unders which can be a bride, a groom or a bridesmaid. Also the Moordown Traders are running an egg decorating competition, see their web site for details. Also lots of other things to keep everyone entertained. Look out for the posters around the village for details.

Royal Wedding Celebration in the Park

The wedding of PrinceWilliam to Kate Middleton is an excellent excuse to have a get together and this is what we are going to do. To have a street Party is almost as fraught as having one on the Park so forget all those rules and Regs, get your friends and neighbours together, along with your chairs and picnics and come and join the rest of Moordown village on Redhill Park. Friday 29th April, 12 till 4.30. The Moordown traders are organising a painted Easter egg competition to be judged at 4 pm, just bring your egg along to the MTA stand. there will be a bridal fancy dress competition for the under 12s. Can be Bride, Bridegroom or Bridesmaid, entry forms from any shop with the MTA logo or the Moordown Community Centre. Parade will be judged at 3.pm. there will be amongst other things a Punch and Judy show, a Chyildren's entertainer, face painting, bouncy slide and many other things to entertain the whole family. Come and join the Community and have a fun afternoon.

Media interest in The halifax bomber crash

Last week Meridian Tv came to Moordown. Martin Dowse of Meridian ITV came to a little tea party , that was given in aid of the Halifax Memorial fund, and interviewed some of the guests, including ex Mp David Atkinson myself Cllr Sue Anderson and Mr Russell Barnes, without whom we would not have started this project. The whole story was done sensitively but not sentimentally and was very interesting. And I compliment Martin Dowse on the programme If you did not see it click on the link below or copy into your browser bar. http://www.itv.com/meridian-west/bomber-crash-remembered42258/=

Yellow Lines in Brassey Road

Some while ago I was asked to see if yellow lines could be put across the entrance to St John's Gardens on Brassey Road. After a couple of false starts, and some extra phone calls, they were painted about six weeks ago. Unfortunately there was a car parked so the road liners had to paint either side of this. Now I see that cars are still parking on the double yellows. The lines were put there, not from malice or any anti car reasons but because the people who live in St John's Gardens have difficulty getting out if cars are parked to close to the entrance splays. Just a little consideration would have saved the Council at least £150 and the elderly residents considerable frustration. The lines will eventually be painted and if the parking continues there will be penalty notices issued. On the bright side though all the lines in Brassey Road are going to be re painted in the near future.