I note that it is some weeks since I last posted.  Much has happened in the meantime.  The cold wintry weather finally gave way to a really hot week in mid-May and we have now settled back to a normal damp, coolish English summer.

Following the election period, I have been involved in a massive programme to get the garden into something like normal.  But this is happening and the vegetables are out, the tomatoes are doing eally well and the lawn has been cut twice!  Hanging baskets are up and the front is getting tidier by the day.  But – no tadpoles this year.

The withdrawal symptoms from the election are just about gone.  Still waking up each morning at 5.45, but as there is no “Freepost” to get to Stourton I can indulge in the benefit of a bit of a lie-in.

What of the election.  Starting from a relatively poor third place in the Colne Valley constituency (6500 behind Labour and 4000 behind the Cons), it is pleasing to note that the LibDems are now second, but still 4000 behind the Cons, but 1000 in front of Labour.  This was not a good result, nor a good campaign for Labour and all our literature has been borne out – Labour can’t win here!  They have found this very difficult to accept.  The Tories are, of course, cock-a-hoop.  They did well on the national stage (not quite well enough, however), but their local Kirklees results were pretty dire.

It is pleasing to note an exceptional result in Colne Valley ward – the largest number of votes cast for a local LibDem ever (or so I have been informed!!) – and to see the Tory beaten in Lindley ward by a LibDem.  We also held Golcar, but were less successful in Holme Valley North.  Coming second in Holme Valley South is very encouraging and beating the incumbent into fourth place was as good as it might have been in Crosland Moor.

So now we have a “strong” leader in Cllr Khan and a Labour cabinet.  The council AGM was fascinating in that the Tories had been fully expectant that they would be the largest party.  In the event, they are the third largest having lost two seats.  (The LibDems gained one and Labour gained 2.)  The Tories were really rather bad-tempered and the Mayor (Tory) was moved to admonish them very sternly.

We have had a big fire at Grosvenor Chemicals in Linthwaite.  The cause is now a matter of investigation, but the local residents are really somewhat concerned as to the future of the site, being so close to so many houses.

There are changes to Area Committees which have caused some ripples of comment.  Colne Valley AC is to link up with Holme Valley North AC and Holme Valley South AC to form the Valleys Strategic Group.  I think this is an excellent move and I really hope that all the elected members can be enthused to make these new arrangements work for the benefit of all.

 Got to go!!

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