The recent Smalltown and Dullbridge Town Council Full Council meeting saw four councillors absent. Illiberal Party Councillors Prue Hairdresser, Saul Synn and Mark Facelift all avoided having to vote on the budget plans and SaD Headmistress and Mayor Kelsey Dullard also found something better to do with her time.
Cllr Dullard’s absence meant that the assembled councillors and members of the public were spared from having to listen to her report, however, SomersetClive has obtained the transcript so that our readers won’t miss the latest instalment in the ongoing SaDTC-sponsored research into a cure for insomnia.
I wish everyone a lovely and happy New Year!
I have joined many people in their lovely Christmas celebrations over the Christmas period. I joined Mosley’s Café when they offered a lovely Christmas Lunch to Senior Citizens – with free tea, I opened the lovely Christmas Fair at Smalltown Rhythm Method Church where lovely free tea and cake were plentiful, and joined the Navy Cadets for their lovely free Christmas lunch – sadly more fizzy pop than tea on offer. I joined many hardy people at the outdoor Carols by Candlelight service in Chateau Park with the Smalltown Community Choir. We were lucky to avoid the worst of the rain that night and I took my own flask of lovely warm tea. I joined in the Mouse International service in Smalltown Baptism by Fire church to celebrate our wonderful voluntary organisations. No tea but a lovely, albeit small, glass of free sherry.
I have enjoyed getting to know all the lovely music groups in our town. What a varied and interesting selection we have. I attended the concert given by the Queen Ethelred’s Concert Band. It was great to see the variety of ages involved in the band. I then attended the Christmas Concert given by the Smalltown Choral Society in the Vatican Village Hall in Smalltown. On both occasions I was struck by the quality of lovely music offered by choirs, bands and orchestras in Smalltown. We are lucky to have such a lovely variety of musical talents to enjoy. The Music Department should be very proud of themselves. Although if I must make one suggestion it would be that a lovely cup of tea wouldn’t go amiss during future events.
I met with members of the ‘Come to Somerset’ team to find out what they do. Apparently they try to encourage people to come to Somerset.
I was pleased to visit the Dullbridge Youth Club to see all the young people, because young people are the future and we need to encourage them to do well at school. It was good to meet members of the new committee and to watch a thriving provision for the town. This was my only trip to Dullbridge over the Christmas period and I only went because it was held very close to Smalltown, so meant I didn’t gave to go too far into Dullbridge.
I was pleased to join the Huang-Low Twinning Group for their free Christmas lunch (my eighth plate of turkey with all the trimmings). We are aiming to increase membership of the group to attract a wider age group. It will be good to start the Smalltown and Dullbridge Town Council school trips to North Korea again in the future, because I understand that the costs of this trip are for free for the Mayor.
I have to say that my highlight of Christmas was joining the Town Shouter on a round of the Retirement Homes in Smalltown. We met many lovely people both residents and carers as we went around. I was able to pick up some interesting ideas which could be incorporated at our own Hayloft Road Palace Retirement Home for Bemused and Bewildered BeFuddled Party ex-Teachers (and Others). The Town Shouter was a big hit with residents, with several thanking me for bringing him as it was the first time they’d heard anyone speak to them in a long time.
I am now looking forward to this year as we hold elections for the incredibly unpopular yet lovely Youth Town Council idea. I will be joining members of the sixth form at Queen Ethelred’s School to discuss how they see the Youth Town Council would be most effective, because I can’t find the answer to that one. We will also look at how they can implement some of the lovely ideas on the SaD Climate Rescue Action Plan (CRAP). I will also be introducing them to the concept of tea drinking, as it has more health benefits than their usual mix of cider and Minster energy drinks.
Exciting times!
Hello? Hello? Is anyone still awake? Hello?