Some people saw our recent post on the local election as a personal attack on the candidates. Not so. The point was that poor communication meant we would have to judge them on publicly available (i.e internet) sources.
Step forward William Wallace, the only candidate to react to our challenge, who has now shared his impressive election communications with us. The Blog bunker was obviously not on his circulation list. We are happy to publish it for the benefit of other voters who may not have seen it
Other candidates are welcome to submit their election material up to midnight on Wednesday. Good luck to all -Ed
Election Communication from William Wallace, Conservative Candidate for Somerset County Council
County and District Councillor William Wallace has responded to our article on the forthcoming election. Thanks William. Let’s hear from the other candidates -Ed.
A few corrections …. Somerset County goes to the polls for the 55 seats of the County with a by-election for a District Councillor for the Blackmoor Vale ward . May the 4th not the 5thMay. (Sorry, Ed).
As the Conservative party candidate , I have delivered to every household in the B Vale twice with my biography , policies and what I have achieved over the last 4 years. –maybe Eds house was missed . On the doorstep I have received many words of thanks and support Perhaps you would like to join me at a local pub and I can give you the various leaflets and info already given to the electorate -Thanks for all your support . – William Wallace.
It’s Election Time. Don’t vote and you’ll get the councillor you deserve.
Local elections are always overshadowed by a general election, and Teresa May’s snap election on June 8th will inevitably mean that Thursday May 4th’s County Council and District Council elections will attract a low turnout for some fairly unimpressive candidates.
All have fought a dismal, low key, flaccid campaign. Actually “fought” is a wild overstatement. It hasn’t even been a skirmish.
First, the County Council election.
Incumbent William Wallace is defending a 745 majority for the Conservatives against UKIP, which came second last time round. The result will be interesting, since UKIP is not putting up a candidate. Will he take the UKIP vote, or will they go elsewhere?
The choice is not very exciting, as far as we can see from any of the candidates’ public profiles. Your editor had to ferret about for these on the internet, since NONE of the candidates have bothered to communicate with the electorate, not even through simple leaflets, websites or facebook pages.
BVM: South Somerset not mentioned – and 2 candidates missing in the print version
Even the Blackmore Vale Magazine missed out two of the candidates in their pre-election coverage.
So we will have to judge them by what they say about themselves (which is very little) on Facebook and other websites
Sara DYKE Liberal Democrat
Currently the South Somerset District Councillor for Milborne Port, who ousted previous incumbent Lucy Wallace, wife of the aforementioned William, in last year’s election by just 1 vote. Her other job is working for an EU-funded grant-making body designed to bribe taxpayers with their own money, and which seems mired in bureaucracy. A third salary from the public purse will come in handy. Not much on her Facebook page unless you like tattoos.
William WALLACE Conservative
Is the incumbent Conservative County Councillor and also one of the District Council’s Conservative Councillors. He sits on the Cabinet of SCC. Despite his implausibly young photograph in the Blackmore Vale Magazine, he claims to have lived in the area for 30 years. No policy statement, but at least you can talk to him in the pub from time to time.
No Facebook, and only one sentence on the Conservatives’ website.
It’s all been hidden!
Michael YIANNI, Labour Party
He claims that by voting Labour you won’t be voting for more cuts in council services, but instead voting to improve and strengthen our communities. Back to bribing us with our own money then.
He also believes in social justice, but don’t we all?
His Facebook page has been completely redacted. You have to be a friend before you can see it. We wonder what he’s hiding?
This election is to find a replacement for the much-respected and badly-missed Tim Inglefield, who died tragically on 27th February. Your editor was approached to stand and allowed his name to go forward, only to be turned down by the selection committee. Much to his relief, and, we suspect, that of the community at large.
The candidates
Grahame BAKER Liberal Democrat.
Grahame’s Facebook profile demonstrates he has a beard, is a Liberal Democrat and not much else.
Hayward BURT Conservative.
Hayward went to Sexey’s School and was at least born in Horsington. It appears he once stood in Stroud, but came second. That’s all we know. Oh, and he lives in Templecombe.
Another aspirant “double hatter”, as they are known. Actually he seems like a decent bloke, but the tendency of councillors to try and grab extra allowances by sitting on two councils is not welcome, leads to conflicts of interest and is the best argument we know for a single local authority for Somerset.
Most voters (and we suspect many of the councillors) are completely confused about which authority does what. Local services are mainly dictated by central Government policy anyway. The poor local authorities have to put up with it and pretend to be important.
Winterborne Longjohns betting odds: Burt 2/1, Baker 7/2, Dowding 4/1 Verdict: A bit like a 3-horse race on a deserted wet Thursday at Wincanton Races. Keep your money in your pocket.
BUT DO VOTE! PLEASE!
If the candidates wish to post anything, we will happily accommodate them – There are 2 days to go and everything to play for – Ed
Yes she’s back. Delighted to hear from you ma’am -Ed
Dear Mr Editor,
I would like to take advantage of the hospitality of your medium to announce that today is the first of May and that I have just heard the first cuckoo, which broadcast its iconic mating call at exactly 7.45 this morning.
Spring is here. I wonder if that nice Mr Longjohns will be visiting the area soon. Such a shame about his horses.
Yours ever,
Amelia Badger (Mrs)
Winterbourne has been very quiet of late. We hope, like Mrs Badger, he will be back soon.
Milborne Port Opera’s “Into the Woods” is now sold out, unless you bag the 2 remaining tickets at Waynes, Milborne Port.
The company would like to thank everyone from Horsington who came and supported the show, particularly the coach party from the Half Moon. We hope you enjoyed it.
For those who missed it, there’s a brilliant review in the Fine Times Recorder. Read it, and make a note to book early next year. The Week after Easter.
MPO’s “Into the Woods” has played to delighted audiences since it opened on Wednesday.
Milborne Port Opera’s “Into the Woods” is now firmly in its stride. The Audience reaction has been great (see video), and there is still time to book to see this adventurous show, very different from MPO’s usual offering of Gilbert and Sullivan.
“Into the woods” intertwines the magical fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm with some dark themes and some wry comedy, all staged with the stunning accompaniment of Stephen Sondheim’s spellbinding music played beautifully by MPOs resident band.
It may be possible to squeeze in a few extra seats, so it could be worth turning up at Milborne Port Village Hall at around 6.45 to see if there are any returns or no shows
Milborne Port Opera’s “Into the Woods” by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine opens tomorrow, Wednesday, in the Milborne Port Village Hall. It runs until Saturday. There are still a few tickets available on most nights – www.thelittleboxoffice.com/mpo. Don’t miss this spellbinding show from a company which had five nominations for awards last year, and won three – Best Sound, the “Show Stopper” and best small venue.
Peter Mumford ,Alison Gosney and Mark Blackham in Milborne Port Opera’s “Into the Woods”
Milborne Port Opera, Horsington’s favourite musical theatre company are now close to their final rehearsals for their next show “Into the Woods”, by Stephen Sondheim (West Side Story, Sweeny Todd, Gypsy etc.) It plays in Milborne Port Village Hall (winner of the “Best Small Venue” prize in Somerset’s David Beach Awards for musical theatre) from April 19-22, the week after Easter.
The Milborne Port Company are flying high after their other successes in the awards, organised by the Somerset Fellowship of Drama. They won the “Best sound” award for their last show “The Sorcerer”, and the “Show Stopper” award, for the best musical number.
“Into the Woods” will show a different side to Milborne Port Opera’s talents, highlighting their ability to master complex musical numbers while pushing a plot along at a terrific pace. Gilbert & Sullivan it is not.
There are some familiar faces – Mark Blackham, Jessie Stones, James Craw and Lloyd Davies. Several players have stepped up into big new roles – Gemma Kiddle, Niki Porter, Sukie Read and Ruth McKibbin, and there are a number of highly talented newcomers. The show is directed by Candice Marcus, with musical direction by Caroline d’Cruz.
“Into the Woods” is a wonderfully imaginative take on all those fairy tales – Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Cinderella. Anything can happen when they intertwine in the dark mysterious woods! All set to Sondheim’s spellbinding music and performed by the award-winning MPO. The moral of the piece is “Be careful what you wish for”.
“Into the Woods” is like a liqueur chocolate – delicious, with a sharp intoxicating taste when you get inside!
If you go down to the woods tonight… prepare to be entertained.
(Suitable for children)
The show last year was a sell-out
How to book:
On line at https://thelittleboxoffice.com/mpo (24/7) Quick simple, the easiest way
In person at Waynes Butchers in Milborne Port
Or telephone the box office 07926 983585(Afternoons 4-7 pm)
More details on www.milborneportopera.co.uk
Andrew Tarling of the Half Moon is organisising a coach party on Thursday 20 April
Residents of Horsington and South Cheriton stand to gain substantial benefits if the Parish, currently shortlisted for the L’Oreally Parish of the Year Competition, is successful in the finals.
The competition, sponsored by the famous French/Irish cosmetics company, is for the parish in the UK which best exemplifies civic virtues, is attractive and well-kept, has a pub (we have two), a pond, a blog, and has every front door painted in the colour of the sponsor’s latest lipstick colour ” Cauchemar Cerise”. A typical workman’s cottage in Horsington, showing the attractive front door colour.
The prizewinning village will trouser a prize of EUR 50,000, to be spent on a civil project to be decided by the parish council.
But it gets better. If, in a second referendum on Brexit, the village votes to remain in the EU, there will be:
Annual income of EUR 25,000 per resident household, tax free.
A free pony for every child
A charter flight every year to visit Horsington’s twin town in the wine-making district of Haut Cotes de Poubelles in the Rhone area.
A big Christmas party with champagne and an Irish band
A wine allowance for every resident, to be served in either the White Horse or the Half Moon.
A new cricket pavilion
A car and a tax-free allowance for the editor of the village news medium (of course, this means the Blog -Ed).
Free repainting of every front door in the latest lipstick colour every 6 months.
The Blog has learned that the panel of judges will be visiting Horsington and South Cheriton on Saturday April 1st, and everyone is asked to be on best behaviour, smile at strangers, not put washing out or beat carpets, and keep car washing to an absolute minimum.
Come on everyone, we can do it! Your editor needs a new car! Ed
MPO’s “Into the Woods” has played to delighted audiences since it opened on Wednesday.
See 
