Last updated 11:31, Friday, 10 October 2008

MINE was the ‘guilty hand’ that removed the tatty array of sheet-posters from the Netherhall corner railings in Maryport last Sunday; and I offer no apologies.

What began as an acceptable sign of joie de vivre when one or two bright ones appeared for a day or two, but were then removed while still fresh, has degenerated into an unsightly mess.

My plea to future such birthday celebrants is to resume the swift removal habit. Then we can fully enjoy also the beautiful floral displays our park maintenance team provide for us, and give a real welcome to visitors.

Perhaps the most offensive, however, was the perma-poster still advertising the opening week of The Wave three months ago. It has now been returned to its owners with a note, “Please take your litter home”.

While short-staying adverts for charity/community events are also welcome, commercial ones are not!

Meanwhile, another day, another postal survey from consultants in Birmingham on behalf of local councils (Allerdale and Cumbria).

Asking tick-box responses to vacuously worded questions on how well we think they are performing, and compiling meaningless statistical analyses is a complete waste of council taxpayers’ money.

So are repeated deliveries of glossy magazines of non-communication. Abolishing both would release some useful funding for things we genuinely need instead.

It’s time they realised that what folk really judge them on is deeds (or non-deeds), not empty words. Too often we depend on the press to give the real information of what is being done; or more likely, has been done already, without anyone being asked!

Awareness of gritty reality was well put by a Scouse community group to the Bishop of Liverpool: “When they say they’ve come to consult us, they mean ‘we’ve come to tell you what your opinion is’!”

As for Allerdale’s latest hare-brained talk of sharing part-timers in all departments with Carlisle permanently; why, then, did the district councils so vigorously oppose the idea of unitary councils in their stead?

DONALD LEIGHTON
Sycamore Road
Maryport