The big day of the visit of Paddy Ashdown to The Hayling View on a wet and windy day for a big press and radio event in my lounge and new conservatory with many journalists and a radio station in attendance and then this evening to a HDC Policy Committee where they considered my proposals for new standing orders but would not let me speak! Then canvassing in Buckden where the Tories have yet to appear to oppose us!
This was a big day today, but first we had to do some necessary chores. Diana and I drove up to Sawtry in our separate cars and left the Range Rover there to have some service work done on it. Once back, I had about an hour and a half to prepare the house for today’s event. First, I move the dining table out of the conservatory and made room for several chairs. Then I organised Joan and Peter to make the house and garden ready and use the rest of the time to make up some signs for the doors and lapel badges for Michael Pope and I. I then changed and went to the lounge and conservatory which I decided upon as the best reception facility. Soon press photographers for the Hunts Post, the Citizens Express and The Town Crier arrived and then also journalists Celia Chignell of the Express and Peter Jupp of the Hunts Post. Then a journalist and recordist from the CN FM 103 local independent radio station; and all of our candidates and finally Paddy Ashdown, leader of the Democrats, with all of his entourage.
* PRESS "Read More" BELOW for the complete story **
After using our loo, he dealt first with the journalists, then the photographers with a group picture and finally a private interview with the radio station in my office. A final shot of just me with the leader and then we bid them all farewell. By this time, it was approaching 12 midday, and so I took Di and Debbie out to lunch at the Croxton Happy Eater. On the way back I heard the recorded radio interview with the content based upon my briefing notes, and the indignant reply from Anglian Water which was less than effective! This afternoon, I worked with Michael Pope on his last election leaflet which we are doing in response to his opponent’s effort. Then, this evening, I went first to the Policy Committee meeting of the District Council for which I made a detailed input on the question of the new standing orders and asked to speak. Tory Leader Derek Holley denied me this opportunity as I left before the end of the meeting, discussed it, and went to Buckden to help with some more canvassing. No sign yet of the Tories by leaflet or canvas in the area and we may stand a good chance if they do not start soon. Earlier, just about all my proposals on standing orders were rejected, and all of the others (by Tories) were accepted. The weather was wet and very windy today and I appreciated my conservatory, but it cleared up after the rain stopped for our canvassing tonight