So, it seems the Tories have changed their minds, well sort of.  Further to our petition and the creation of a lot of noise from residents and visitors to Brentwood, charges in the Town Hall on Sundays will not be implemented.

Currently, the Conservatives still plan to introduce them on Saturdays and, so, our petition continues! You can sign it here.

I’ve been talking about glossy leaflets from Essex County Council of late, but news has reached me of an utter classic!

A good friend of mine, who will remain anonymous, has just reached 70.  He’s been able to reach this good age with little struggle and he has a good social life, lots of hobbies and he’s often away on holiday with his wife and their family.

He’s just a little bit insulted that Tory-controlled ECC have felt it necessary to send him a leaflet which we’ll call “Now you are 70″.  It tells him how to do simple things like booking a holiday and how to eat properly!

I do believe he has made his feelings known, but I also know that his daughter took the leaflet away from him in the end because he was laughing too much and she was scared it was going to give him a heart attack!

The thing is, there are vulnerable people out there who do need extra assistance however, you cannot assume that people are “vulnerable” just because they reach a certain age, have a disability or are in a particular situation. 

I also bring to the table how differently my mother was treated when she went for an eye test at the age of 60+1 day.  No longer treated as a woman having a routine eye test, but suddenly addressed as “dear” and talked to just a little bit louder than usual!

And, talking of this lovely lady known to me as “Mum” - I’m sure many people would like to wish her luck in the Hutton South by-election - the second one in 7 months following a second Tory resignation!  It will be held on 4th June, same day as the County and Euro elections.