I was recently privileged to attend Beverley Armed Forces Day at Leconfield Army Base. As usual the event was filled with fascination for the whole family.
Since my late father was in the Royal Navy for many years, I always feel a sense of nostalgia at Armed Forces Day. I am reminded of many visits to Navy, Air Force and Army museums as a child.
Linda and I had a chance to discuss various things with the policemen at the police stand.
There were various vehicles used by the Army on display.
Some of the Army’s specialist vehicles
The unfortunate situation in Ukraine has shown that we may need our Army one day to protect us against unpredictable actors in an unpredictable world.
Jeeps, Land Rovers and other assorted vehicles
Several times I have visited Leconfield Army Base and I have always been impressed by the friendliness and openness of the personnel I met. This day was no different.
I was re-elected to Beverley Town Council in the May 2023 local elections. A big thankyou to all those who voted for me.
I also ran as a candidate for the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, in the Cottingham North ward, and with my colleague Phil Redshaw we fought a positive campaign for the Liberal Democrats.
One of many leaflets during the May 2023 campaign in North Cottingham
The campaign was very hard work involving the delivery of many thousands of leaflets. Sometimes I walked for more than 10miles.
Delivering campaign leaflets is very hard work.
Campaign placards
It became clear that my not resigning in Cottingham was an issue for many people, though I tried to persuade them that I could and would fight for a fair deal for all East Riding communities.
Cottingham North – a mixed ward
There were many differing areas of the Cottingham North Ward with disparities of income and points of view. As liberal Democrats we try to listen to everyone. No one’s voice is more entitled to be heard than anyone else.
Myself delivering some last minute leaflets
Here I am delivering some last-minute polling day leaflets on the Poppy Fields housing estate in Cottingham North.
And so it came to polling day. Here I am in my rosette at the leisure centre in Haltemprice, waiting nervously for the result.
Cottingham North result May 2023
In the end I lost – i.e. came third – by 13 votes. That’s politics. My colleague Phil Redshaw and Duke, the Labour candidate, were the two elected councillors for Cottingham North.
My result – lost by 13 votes
However I was successful in being elected to Beverley Town Council, and I will continue to be part of the Lib Dem team in Beverley making a difference!
