My first hate mail

On opening my post this morning I came across a letter which had been redirected to me from Stafford Borough. Over the last week there has been a lot of publicity concerning an application for planning permission to erect a flagpole to fly a skull and crossbones 'Jolly Roger' flag. The Town Council were unanimous in stating that it was thought to be 'un-neighbourly' and the Council's comments were duly relayed to the planners at Stafford.

One local newspaper, The Newsletter, reported the item a couple of weeks ago and my name was mentioned in the article. And that, I thought, was that! Not so!

Earlier this week I received a torrent of calls from the media - other newspapers both local and national, radio and television - all wanting me to further comment on the story. it seems the Daily Mail had reported the story and used my name - even though I've never spoken to that paper. I declined to make any further comments and again assumed that would be the end of it! Oh no!

The letter received today was written by a gentleman (?) from London who was vitriolic in his criticism of me. Obviously his views are based on the Daily Mail report and he clearly has a serious prejudice against people living north of London judging by his references to whippets, flat caps and black pudding!

Oh well, as the saying has it, "you can't please everybody all of the time"!