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  • Stuff
  • Who?
  • Let's Talk
  • Here nor There
    • Nature Corner
  • Contact
RICH HADLEY

relentless optimist. (Sometimes)

Sign up for News and Updates.

Sign The Petition!

There's a petition getting off the ground encouraging Ledbury Town Council to behave in a democratic, transparent and effective manner:

"We call on Ledbury’s town councillors to stop attacking their reforming colleagues and rebuild trust with the community. 
We urge the Council to uphold the expected principles of democracy and good governance. 
For the good of the town, we ask that the Council urgently: 
1. Acts transparently and democratically from now on; 
2. Commits to uphold the national standards of public life set out in the 'Nolan Principles'. 
3. Undertakes a professional review of all aspects of its operations; 
4. Improves its performance - councillors and staff - with the aim of gaining 'Quality Council' status within one year; 
5. Expands its skills and improves its procedures to work more effectively, enable better debate and to encourage active public participation. 

If any councillor feels unable or unwilling to pledge to do this and/or acts outside these priniciples, we call on them to stand for re-election with immediate effect."

The events of the last few weeks have show our Town Council to be flagrant in its disregard for the law, for its own rules, and for natural justice. This is not just a storm in a tea-cup, but an issue of great importance to the future of our town, and for local democracy itself. 

To sign the petition and for more information click the button below (and pass it on to your friends).
Sign The Petition Here.

Her Finest HOUR.

Annette Crowe says good-bye to her gold-plated chain:
I hate you. 
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The Bye Street Toilets: run by the community (Love Ledbury).

What the Papers Say:
​Legal, Decent and Honest

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Bunting-gate media coverage: foreign to the truth?
Doughnuts special offer - health warning attached.
Social media free for all - Newsquest lets the brakes off.

Patriotic Special feature

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Town Mayors wrap themselves in the flag: what were their motives?
Fascists announce a trip to Ledbury.
Media focus on 'foreigners': dog whistle politics suspected.


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LEDBURY Town Council's year: must try harder.

Also In the news:

The Mayor's 'Fantastic' Term Draws To A Close: More Truth Problems
Town Council in the dock over dodgy meeting minutes?
Barnes has private discussions with local landowners but keeps schtum.
From bad to worse: Ledbury's Neighbourhood Plan budget hits £70k

Fight for local democracy

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The town council has just voted against a motion to ensure residents' petitions are brought to public attention. What are they afraid of? Given the opportunity to enact a small measure to improve its accountability and demonstrate its commitment to transparency, Ledbury Town Council voted for secrecy, concealment and subterfuge. 

Will you join the campaign for greater openness, transparency and democratic accountability. Will you support a parish meeting to call them to account? Email: rich@richhadley.net
More here.


Ledbury Special! Latest from the town council

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In the fictional town of Trumpton, life's little dramas are played out under the wise ministrations of the mayor and the town clerk. When everything is cheerfully resolved, the fire brigade pick up their instruments and play us out. Despite the uncanny resemblances, life in Ledbury is rarely so sunny. 

Stop asking me questions. Or else. Town Council hits back.
I did not have sex with that woman: Bob Barnes claims to tell the truth.
So
 much for Ledbury Town Council: what are we getting for our money?
If you complain, you should be banned: Martin Eager.
Stupid old letters from the public: best ignored.
Ledbury's Neighbourhood Plan Group is dissolved: a triumph of stupidity
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Other stuff

Is resistance futile?
Play among the stars: what does a brilliant town council look like?
A way with pears: caught in the moment.
The Syrian refugee crisis is intimately connected with Britain's homeless.
Why Herefordshire Council is stony broke and what that means for us.
Buffalo girls: they never forget.
The sad tale of the dinosaurs: unable to cope with change.
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Ledbury:
​a Political miniature

It's a pretty country town of ten thousand people, slightly isolated and a little bit old-fashioned. The small-town soap opera that is Ledbury and its Town Council offers richly amusing, occasionally horrifying insights into political chicanery. Will it ever change?
Learn More



Disappointed




​So many good things happening in the world, brilliant ideas, acts of kindness... and yet here we are surrounded by incompetence, greed and callousness. What's to be done?



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Nature corner

An occasional series examining some of nature's curiosities, and the lessons we might draw from them.



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