The publication of the shortlist of locations for the jubilee beacon has caused dismay and anger in Dullbridge, with all of the locations suggested being in Smalltown. “It’s been this way for years” said Councillor Mick Muckworthy, chair of the Dullbridge Token Regeneration Committee of SaDTC, “they happily pocket our council tax, but nothing ever happens here.“
This follows the shock announcement that the Government turned down a bid for community renewal in Dullbridge. A spokeswonk for the Department for Patronising Gestures, Mrs Sybil Service, told Somerset Clive that “this funding is for renewal – there has to be something left to renew in order to qualify“. Cllr Muckworthy expressed his regret, but refused to comment to Somerset Clive when asked if it had been the council he sits on who had consistently neglected Dullbridge.
By late evening yesterday, residents were out in the streets protesting. Deputy Assistant Part-time Mayor (Acting) Cllr Dick Trolley addressed the crowd of seven, one of the largest seen in Dullbridge since the skittles-league related gang violence in 2008, explaining that the walk to see the beacon in Smalltown would do them good, noting they “could stand to lose a bit of lockdown weight“. The near-skeletal councillor received jeers and shouts of “shame” – although this was later attributed to the Two Step convenience store having run out of Special Brue – the strong ale favoured in Dullbridge.
Local irritant, Ted Stark suggested that Dullbridge was the right and proper place for a flaming beacon, noting that “we’ve been associated with fire for years – from the historical Dullbridge witch-burnings of 1976 to the ceremonial cremation of our local hotel in 2008, many Dullbridgers fondly remember waking up to the smell of the bacon factory going up in flames each week. It fairly makes my mouth water to think of it.“
The Police arrived urgently to quell the insurrection, just 17 hours later.