With the Christmas lights being turned on over the weekend, residents of Kington could have been forgiven for thinking that the saga of the 2009 Christmas lights was over.
However, in the run-up to the Kington Town Council meeting, it became apparent that the Christmas lights had been reported to AMEY* and EON by a member of the public. Both of these bodies stated that the lights must come down immediately.
At the Kington Town Council meeting (7/12), Cllr Terry James advised those at the council meeting and those councillors and members of the public who had remained in the Council Chamber (various councillors having left the chamber having declared an interest in the item under discussion namely the Disassociation of the comments made on 7/9/09 by Mr B Trumper) that a ‘well known local resident’ was responsible for contacting AMEY etc. Cllr James went on to say that he had a long discussion with AMEY’s representative and that the lights in Kington can stay where they are. AMEY are now working hard on the matter to see it resolved.
Well done Chris Coates and Cllr Terry James for their hard work in keeping the Christmas Spirit alive and well. In addition, The Hereford Times has picked up the story, which can be read here.
Previous comments can be found on the ‘Kington has Lights‘ thread.
*AMEY are employed by Herefordshire Council to maintain highways, parks and public rights of way.
Peter, very many thanks for taking the time to pop in!
Or, maybe I have read all this wrongly?
No, I think you have a very good grasp of it. Yes there are some ’shortcomings’ of the Town Council and you are clearly well versed with Town Matters yourself! The Hereford Times this week calls it a Tit for Tat series of complaints by some Councillors. Whilst there might at times have been some very small element of that, it is pretty insignificant, there are some MAJOR problems that after 12 months the Town Council is trying to investigate the multitude of complaints against it, and the Higher Authority, Hereford Council, had referred many – some serious – complaints to the SBE Standards Board for England, calling the Town Council Dysfunctional etc. “Reconciliation” and training program is supposed to deal with it, but with unjustified and unsubstantiated Suspensions of THREE Councillors(by the clerk’s “grievances”), failed vindictive court actions against one of the councillors, The clerk slightly burying anything and everything that is slightly embarrassing, it just goes on and on.
See http://kingtonblackboard.org/2009/11/clerk-pay-rise/ for further issues on the clerk! And one of the councillors (although she denies it), Local Trader says some are leading a hate campaign! I don’t think so!
The issues surrounding the Lights are just a further indication of how fragmented and factional the Council still is, caused or highlighted by the husband of one of the councillors, and the originator of the (what many regards as his mischievous) complaints to the Auditor costing several tens of thousands of pounds.
Report this comment
Fascinating! Your Christmas lights – something I’ve come across whilst searching for other issues on the web. Your predicament prompted me to look at some of the published council minutes. As a consequence, I have to ask myself if the Town Clerk is up to the job. There seem instances where matters are on the agenda of meetings (he presumably draws up the agenda) and yet he is instructed to find the information at the meetings! Is it not more appropriate that he should find the information BEFORE the meeting to brief the elected members.
Then there appears to be some confusion about the action(s) of the councillor(s)in respect of the Christmas lights. Given that some of your councillors were totally supportive of the lights, someone might ask if there were any actions by any other councillor(s) that were undemocratic or not in the best interests of the community. If that were the case, should they not be investigated and the consequences made clear and applied. The advice for this would come from the Town Clerk……….
There seem to be some words and actions missing, e.g., partnership, community, communication and humility. I’m sure you locals can think of others! By the way, the death penalty and deportation have been prohibited in law, even in wildest Herefordshire!
Or, maybe I have read all this wrongly?
Report this comment
If what Oakapple says is true, then why is Newman a town councillor? No one should forge anyone’s signature but certainly not a councillor. Public representatives should be above all of that.
I understand that she also threatened a former mayor with violence at the hands of her husband. Do we really want that sort of person to represent the people of Kington?
I should think not!!
So, why doesn’t she, and Councillor Trumper given her husband’s performance, do the decent thing and resign. Wouldn’t this, given that Handley has moved to Almeley and won’t qualify to be a Town Councillor in 2011, remove those who seem to act against the interests of the Town? It would also reduce the need for the intervention by Herefordshire Council as reported in this week’s Hereford Times, saving everyone concerned time and money.
Come on Newman, Trumper, and Handley for that matter, do the decent thing and step down from the Council for the good of the Town.
Report this comment
Sorry Konfused, but I think ‘In The Dark’ has done his/her homework. While talking to a former member and officer of the Chamber of Trade, it became obvious that Councillor Newman was, for a long time, a member and officer of the Chamber. She was the Chairman at the time of the present Festoon lighting being purchased and negotiated a grant form Leominster District Council towards their costs. It was also alleged that Councillor Newman left the Chamber after it came to light that someone had forged the signature of another Chairman of the Chamber on another application form. Must have a look through my oldcopies of the MWJ!
Report this comment
In Teh Dark……I am konfused. It is my understanding that Cllr Newman has never been a member of the Chamber of Trade. One of us is wrong!
???????????????????????????
Report this comment
I understand that it was Councillor Newman who applied for a grant from the Council for the purchase of the Christmas lights back in the mid-1990’s and was involved in ordering the lights, still in use today. That’s when she was on the Chamber of Trade as a “Local Trader”.
Surely she would have ensured that the lights which were ordered were fit for purpose and safe??
That being the case, why did she not help by explaining this to everyone concerned in order to ensure that the lights could be re-lit sooner than they were?
She could at least have explained the position to her friend Mr Trumper!!
But no, she didn’t – short memory or just downright obstructive??
Well there’s a thing.
The Town Council, (who say “Kington Town Council did not have the responsibility for the Christmas lights.”) were Minuted as trying to get the Lights up at one time, – suggesting they used the Chamber’s Lights.
What a surprise this did not come out then.
How unfortunate that letter the Clerk “Lost” stating HOW the lights were to “be arranged” SUCH A VITAL LETTER RELATING TO SAFETY, was not “mentioned” at that time.
Nor when a quotation was sought for the Lights from a Lights Supplier (a vital part of the contract).
How unfortunate the clerk first denied (11/12/09) having had any such letter. Nor correct that, when he did recall that it had been sent.
So I asked on Monday’s meeting “if the [copy of the] letter had been found”. No it hasn’t, we will ask for a copy again. WHY WASN’T IT AS SOON AS IT WAS FIRST KNOWN TO BE MISSING? The Clerk said it was handed to Cllr Bounds. Cllr Bounds said he had no recollection of ever having it. Then up pops Cllr Handley to say he had had it, and placed it on the table. This is the letter the Clerk said had gone to the Chamber ! ! ! !
Perhaps it went to Mr Trumper – as he seemed to know everything about “how they should have been arranged”?
Something we should be told.
I also suggested on Monday that those Councillors that did NOT have the opportunity to vote on the Resolution [that WAS eventually passed] to disassociate the Council from the “Member of the public’s [i.e. Mr Trumper]comments, should make a Statement to make their position clear! If I hear this done, I will let you know!
Report this comment
I spotted some snow on one of the overhead light bulbs.
I do hope it is safe!
Now where did I leave my camera?
Report this comment
I understand that it was Councillor Newman who applied for a grant from the Council for the purchase of the Christmas lights back in the mid-1990’s and was involved in ordering the lights, still in use today. That’s when she was on the Chamber of Trade as a “Local Trader”.
Surely she would have ensured that the lights which were ordered were fit for purpose and safe??
That being the case, why did she not help by explaining this to everyone concerned in order to ensure that the lights could be re-lit sooner than they were?
She could at least have explained the position to her friend Mr Trumper!!
But no, she didn’t – short memory or just downright obstructive??
Report this comment
As we rapidly approach the News Year, some town new year resolutions could be helfpul. Could I suggest:
That those town councillors who are working very hard to resolve outstanding problems with the operation of the council receive full support from the town. There are still a lot of challenges that they face,and support will encourage them to continue the struggle to put right past injustices and poor performance of the town council.
That we find ways to bring the whole town together to celebrate those things that make this community unique and a great place to live.
That we strive to make this an environmentally sustainable community.
I hope that 2010 can bring a resolution to all of the challenges that have faced Kington over the last few years, culminating in the fiasco of the Christmas lights. The response of the town showed just what a great place this is. Let’s build on this for the future.
I wish everyone who reads this site a happy, peaceful and successful New Year.
Report this comment
26/12/09
To: M. M*****
Amey
Season’s Greetings,
Herefordshire Council have been seen in an appalling light over the Kington Christmas Lights fiasco.
Incompetence, failure to communicate, over-reaction to an unsubstantiated report from a known serial complainant intent on causing mischief, and total failure to do what they claimed – to try to get them switched back on. They appear to have done absolutely nothing – from the Public perspective. What part has Amey played in this? Is it 100% down to Herefordshire Council, and the failure of the Town Clerk to pass on the vital letter of “how the Lights are to be arranged”?
What substantive remedial work was done by Amey?
Would you please send a copy of any letter sent to Kington Town council regarding the Lights, in particular the letter of “how the Lights are to be arranged”.
Yours sincerely
Chris M
For Info:
1) You will be aware of the MWJ article of 11/12/09 (front page)
“She [a spokesperson for Herefordshire Council] said KTC HAD received a letter earlier this year detailing how the Christmas Lights would need to be arranged…..”
2) The Kington Town clerk wrote 13/12/09, (which is now admitted to be factually incorrect):-
“Mr. M
I have had no communication with Mr. Hall. [Herefordshire Council]
However I have had communication with a Michelle Morgan from Amey on Friday 4th December 2009. I informed her that Kington Town Council did not have the responsibility for the Christmas lights.”
3) The Mid Wales Journal states Herefordshire Council and Amey “would work with the local community and Chamber of Trade to find the most practical way of making the lights safe as soon as possible”
–
Report this comment
This being the season of goodwill, let us feel sorrow and pity for a pathetic and friendless Troll who was out foxed – and utterly failed to deprive the children of Kington of their lights on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day – and beyond.
Battle won, time to move on. Start a new thread (very early I appreciate) to rid Kington in 2011 of the Trollettes.
Report this comment
Happy Christmas everyone. I’ll be seeing you all shortly. To watch me weaving my merry way towards you, you can view NORAD tracking Santa here:
http://www.noradsanta.org/en/video.html
Ho ho ho.
Santa.
Report this comment
Ho Ho Ho!
I’ve just been reading the AUGUST rant from Troll, about the Christmas Lights – yes way back in AUGUST, asking for copies of electric bills and the costs of his pull-tests, and more ranting against the chamber and his arch enemy of 55 years or so Cllr Tom Bounds…….
And where was it? That ever so interesting window on Kington at 9 Duke St. Really does need a wider pavement!
K.
Report this comment
So what IS the difference between a troll and a Grinch? Is it:
A Troll is for strife, a Grinch is just for Christmas?
Latest score – Good people of Kington about 2500, – Bad people of Kington 4 !!!!!!!! ????????????
or is it
Latest score – Good people of Kington 1 – Trolls -10 (when you consider his other misdemeanors) !!!!!!!! ????????????
It’s going to be very quiet after Christmas, so what new topics do we all want to see on the Blackboard?
Restaurant Reviews…….
Best Folk or Live Music…….
Things to do in and around Kington…….
Just moved in, where’s the What’s On?
Whist Drives, Quiz Nights, Discos…….
Investment Clubs
Lonely Hearts meeting socials…….
Community Projects…….
List the three best and worst things in Kington. (Enjoy what we have, change what we can!)
Must be many more idea’s. Whilst you are avidly reading this thread, get thinking what else is good and positive to fight trollism.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS ALL!
Report this comment
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Everyone!!
Report this comment
Latest score – Good people of Kington 1 – Trolls 0!!!!!!!!
Well done everyone for all the hard work restoring the lights, the Town now looks as it should at Christmas and well done all the traders who put up Christmas Trees above their shops, they lit up the town during the period of darkness, oh and bah humbug to all those who didn’t even though some of you I notice have fixing above your shops for trees!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report this comment
Two early morning replies:-
1)
Mr M…….
I acknowledge the receipt of this complaint and the reply to your questions will follow, as promised.
Thanks
Clive
Mr Clive Hall
Highway Network Manager
Herefordshire Council
Tel: 01432 260786
2)
Dear Chris
Thank you for your email I share your concerns and frustrations at this matter. Terry and I have talked about this and the sorry saga. You will understand that matters regarding electricity are very sensitive in my ward following the incident in September and everyone would recognise that standards of safety are important. I have asked for
the details of the matter and how this came to occur as it did.
In my own ward in Pembridge we as a Parish Council and local community that have worked together to put up more modest lights than Kington but I think very impressive in our village and around our Market Hall. This is done because we want to do what we can to get into the festive spirit. That is what living in a community should be about.
I am well aware that quality of life is considerably enhanced by the work of volunteers and Kington at Christmas and Festival time has benefited by the band of individuals who put up the lights and decorations.
All public bodies must recognise that and act appropriately and using common sense as their guide.
I need to sign off as I have last minute shopping to do in Kington.
Roger
Thank you for the reply, Roger. I would say how stunning the very low energy yet brightly coloured Lights in Pembridge look, and the Market Hall. Last year I drove from Worcester to Kington, yesterday from Rhayader to Kington, and they are certainly the best (and lowest consumption) in that long stretch of the A44.
Safety is the No 1 priority, BUT do remember, that the ‘blowing about in the wind’ is irrelevant for electrical safety, if they ‘hit someone on the head’ they will have been turned off long before the lights get anywhere near the ground, they were all electrically protected by RCCDs and that has never been denied.
The complainant is vexatious and serial. Anything he claims must be fully verified before ANY notice is taken of his whims and little games – to him it is a hobby!
Report this comment
cwhall@herefordshire.gov.uk
22/12/09
Dear Mr Hall,
The Kington Lights are on, they look the same as they did when first erected, no substantive work can have been done, or was seen being done. So why say you were doing all you can to get them on? Why has it taken so long? If you really believed they were dangerous ‘if the wind blows’, why leave them in situ?
So PRECISELY what HAS BEEN done by Hereford Council or AMEY to get the lights on? I obviously wish to submit a complaint, but understand the complaint has to be taken up with the department concerned first. Please acknowledge this as that complaint.
I look forward to the replies to the earlier questions as you promised, as soon as possible. As there should be no need for any further delay, I will report to the ICO sooner rather than later.
Regards,
Report this comment
I understand the site does not ‘block email addresses entirely, but with two or more links it my be treated as spam. Try wigginb@parliament.uk or his web site http://bwmp.wordpress.com/
Names and email addresses of individuals are not normally published, unless they make a public statement, or are Councillors MPs etc.
Report this comment
If the site blocks email addresses, I copied it to Bill Wiggin MP. His email address can be easily found by googling him
Report this comment
Below is a copy of my email to copied to
xx xxx xxxxxx,
Kington,
Herefordshire,
HR5 xxx.
Dear Councillor Phillips,
I am writing to complain about the lamentable response by the Council that you lead in relation to the Kington town Christmas lights fiasco. In particular I was appalled to see the response of your Network Manager, Clive Hall to the farcical situation that your council allowed itself to become ensnared in. The whole situation was created by the malicious actions of a single resident and your council fell for it, hook line and sinker. Mr Hall said that the council would do everything it could to get the lights working. When nothing happened (from your end) he did not respond to emails. When asked to explain the lack of action and response from your council he wrote,
“Personally, I have been out of the office over a number of days during the last fortnight, and this has had an influence on my pace of response, I apologise for that.”
That is a disgrace. One employee is “out of the office”. Is that an excuse for the body corporate doing nothing? Of course it is not. And who ultimately sorted it out? Not your council, but dedicated Kington residents. I wonder, if Pembridge, Lyonshall or Titley were cursed with malicious residents would your council fall for such machinations so easily? And, if they did – and your council promised to “sort things out” – perhaps they then would. Pardon my cynicism, but I do understand that those villages are represented by you.
Is this the sort of “efficiency” – not to mention gullibility – that we should expect from a Conservative controlled council? Is this what I am paying my Herefordshire Council tax for? And is this the sort of service we can look forward to on a nationwide basis if the voters of Kington assist in the return of a Conservative government in 2010 by voting for Mr Wiggin? My current view is that the people of Kington should judge your party by their recent experience of your council’s behaviour – and vote accordingly! I look forward to hearing from you.
Report this comment
If you should hear the wondrous sound of rhythmic slow hand-clapping in or around Kington Town, fear not, it is but a Troll being driven out of Town!
It’s the sound they fear the most, they run scurrying back to the bottom of their crooked well.
The reference earlier to Paul Lewis, was, it seems a refusal to serve a Troll when he came in demanding feeding with meat. Naturally, he was refused. Other customers clapped. Troll trolled along to Nisa, where, not daunted by a Carol displayed in the window to ward off nasty trolls, he ventured in. alas, the same fate awaited him there. So that must be when he trolled off to Hereford, where he scurried around undetected in the throngs!
Go away Baz, nothing is forgiven!
Feed Goats, not Trolls!
Report this comment
Every friday without fail,
Comes the mid wales journal with another tale,
of our town council and battles within,
a power struggle all determined to win.
dodgy clerks expenses, gangs of four,
is this what we need our council for?
Now the latest drama to unfold,
perhaps the silliest story yet told,
our self elected health and safety exec,
has decided the christmas lights weren’t up to spec,
so the lights went out but not for long,
the goodwill feeling in the town was strong,
whilst now the town has regained it’s lights
down in crooked well bottom winter begins to bite
the sun never shines here , it’s cold and uninviting
but for mr scrooge it’s perfect, who needs christmas lighting.
Report this comment
Yay! They’re on again!
On, off and now on again. Looks like a freakin’ disco from my sleigh, I’m telling you.
But I’m very happy they’re on now.
Well Done to all those who fought so tirelessly to get them and keep them on. You will get extra special presents for being such brilliant boys and girls.
Santa
Report this comment
You are quite correct Brigadier, as we now expect from you
rjphillips@herefordshire.gov.uk
Ward: Pembridge & Lyonshall with Titley
Parish: Titley; Staunton-on-Arrow; Shobdon; Rodd Nash and Little Brampton; Pembridge; Lyonshall; Knill
from http://councillors.herefordshire.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.asp?UID=58
Dear Cllr Phillips,
May I express my dismay at the role of Herefordshire Council in the expensive Kington Lights fiasco.
Mr Barrington Trumper is a serial complainant, and made an unwarranted attack on a Chamber of Trade member, Cllr, and also the Chamber as a whole to the Town Council meeting in September. The lights were disconnected, with no explanation other than the repeated “unsafe” mantra, yet totally unable to explain why or how.
They are no less safe than Leominster or Ross or Bromyard, but Trumper’s word has been taken as gospel. Why?
They were installed to a safe compliant standard, electrically and mechanically, fixings tested. Clive Hall, Network Manager said he would do everything he could to get the Lights working. He has done nothing.
After three detailed emails to him, I finally get:-
“Personally, I have been out of the office over a number of days during the last fortnight, and this has had an influence on my pace of response, I apologise for that.
We are satisfied with the standards of the festive lights installations in the other market towns, in some cases there is room for improvement in the detail but they are fundamentally safe.”
This answers nothing, it infers the Kington Lights were unsafe, they were not. Trumper has, again, been making mischief.
The Chamber, Traders, residents, especially the Children, the many volunteers that erected the lights, visitors, are owed an explanation, and an apology. I trust you will investigate.
Living and representing a local Ward, I am sure you know of the immense interest, and this matter, and hopefully your reply, will be on the Kington Blackboard, which shows much background information, along with some humour! Please see:- http://kingtonblackboard.org/2009/12/kington-lights-drama-continues/
Yours sincerely,
Chris M
Report this comment
I have emailed a photo to the Blackboard of my girls playing in the river at Crooked Well. Look carefully. In the background is Barrington Thomas Trumper. He had been shouting, “You are trespassing in my river!”. My mother told him where to go, then caught the girls – and Trumper – for posterity. Nice one Mum.
*moderators* Here is a link to the photo in question: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kingtonblackboard/4210452733/
Report this comment
Fantastic – well done again Chamber of Trade, volunteers and Hydes for the pull testing etc. Let’s savour the moment ………. for tomorrow there may be a few truths ……..
Report this comment