The Highs And Lows Of Life

I think that I have rarely experienced so many soaring highs and diving lows in my life in such a short time as over the last 24 hours.

Firstly, I had a long-time ambition fulfilled by being elected to both East Lindsey District Council and also Skegness Town Council. The last few months of my life have been geared up to this election. I, like my party colleagues, have put so much work and effort into the campaign and the election itself that to be rewarded as we were was fantastic. Personally I was completely blown away by my election and also hugely pleased with the success that my colleagues have also enjoyed. To have been awake most of the time since early Thursday morning until now is a small price to pay, although I am paying it, believe me.

Then we get the low. Off I went to the home of Lincoln City, Sincil Bank, this afternoon, in the knowledge that my beloved Imps needed a win at home against Aldershot to ensure their survival as a Football League team. After not much huffing an puffing by a Lincoln side that only appeared to half-care about the plight they were in, a 3-0 home defeat ensued. Given that Barnet, our main relegation rivals, conjured up a 1-0 home win against Port Vale and thereby eased above us in the league, we have been condemned to a long and cold stay in Non-League football. A huge and despairing thing to happen to such a club with a history such as ours. So now I am as far down in the dumps as I was high in the clouds only 24 hours ago.

Life is nothing if not interesting and at least it is not predictable. Cest La Vie. Onwards and upwards. I will be working for the residents of Skegness whilst at the same time the hierarchy at Lincoln City Football Club are working to get my beloved team back into the football league.

I hope we both have a huge measure of success in our endeavours!!!!!!!

Skegness Pavillion - Renovation (Tower Gardens)

Excellent news that the Skegness Pavillion (Inn On The Park) is in line for a renovation and to be brought back into full use once again. The District Council has been speaking to people who have shown an interest in taking on the building but unless it is upgraded they will not be interested.

The Pavillion, which was built in 1879, has been vacant since the last tenants left in 2007 leaving the building requiring extensive repair.

My understanding is that there will need to be in the region of £200,000 of funding allocated to bring the building up to standard and that a plan is being put together and will be put forward to the council soon after it's formation following the local election this Thursday 5th May.

The present responsible Councillor, Portfolio holder Colin Davie, has stated that he wishes the Pavillion to be returned to full use, as do we all.

To see this wonderful old building back in productive use would be a fantastic fillip for the town.

£6.21 million - A Lot Of Road Repairs

Good news on road repairs and pot-holes. The government has given our lovely county of Lincolnshire an extra £6.21 million to help to repair our roads and the damage caused by a succession of extremely cold winters.

Those of us who travel the counties roads will already have seen the many stretches that have already been repaired or have seen the men in yellow doing the job and enjoyed the inevitable delays!!

From what I know the extra money is to be used to provide permanent repairs as opposed to pot-hole filling. Excellent news I think!

Flooding - Is The Risk Exaggerated? No New Homes In Skegness?

Have a think about this. How many of you actually believe that we on the East Coast are at a high risk of flooding? The last time it happened was 1953. When was the time before that?

Should we not put the possible risk, depending on what you believe it is, in perspective? Should we really be held to ransom by the fear of flooding, because that is the situation we are in at the moment.

No new houses to be built in the town for several kilometers from the shore-line. The Environment Agency have made it totally clear that they will oppose any new developments. Where will the growing population of the area live? Is this decision making investment into our area, both domestic housing and commercial/business investment more or less likely? I think that is pretty much a silly question. Of course it is going to put investors off. Where does that leave us?

There is light at the end of the tunnel however. A planning decision has been made in the South of the county, within the apparent flood-blighted area, has gone in favour of the applicant and against the wishes of the Environment Agency. This is excellent news as it gives hope to any other planning applicant to get a positive outcome.

In addition the MP for Boston and Skegnss, Mark Simmonds, is firmly on the side of those of us that believe that the Environment Agency are being  far too cautious regarding the risks. It would also appear that the government is also viewing this risk-assessment by the Environment Agency with some scepticism.

Hopefully then, we will be able to climb out from under the Environment Agencies risk assessment which has the potenial to damage our town and make our town a more vibrant place that investors can view as being a worthwhile and viable place to be.

Could You Help Save LIVES?

On my census travels I met a bloke by the name of Trevor Burnham. Trevor is a very busy hotelier but finds the time to run the Skegness area of the LIVES charity.

LIVES stands for the Linolnshire Integrated Voluntary Emergency Service.

These people do great work attending medical emergency calls at all hours of the day and night to act as First Responders in conjunction with the Ambulance Service. They carry a lot of medical equimpment that allows them to provide Emergency First Aid. The equipment includes a defibrillator which is used when the victim has suffered a heart attack.

THESE PEOPLE HELP TO SAVE LIVES!!!

Could you? Help save lives I mean?

Trevor is urgenly looking for volunteers to be trained to help provide this very important service. Could you help? Do you fancy doing something really important for your community?

Trevor is contactable on 07737530858 and I know he would be very pleased to discuss this with you.

For more information have a look at this website: http://www.lives-responders.co.uk/

Do please give this some serious consideration.

Mothering Sunday - Have A Lovely One

To all Mum's out there, a very Happy Mother's Day.

To all sons and daughters out there, make a real fuss of your Mum. You only have one and she will be the best Mother in the world. When she has gone she will leave a huge hole in your life. So cherish her whilst you can still put your arms round her and say "I love you Mum".

My Mum brought up six of us on a shoe-string, but with the biggest love you could imagine, more than enough to go round. She was the best Mum in the world, just like yours is I am sure.

Never forget how special your Mum is.

Hide The Salt - The Nanny State.

In the Greater Manchester area, restaurants and take-aways have been told to hide the salt shakers. Take them off the tables and off the food counters. If you want salt you have to ask for it.

The Nanny State strikes again. Save us from ourselves and from the evil salt.

Are we not capable as people of making up our own minds whether we wish to use salt? There is plenty of information out there that allows people to make their minds up. Do we really need to hide salt away?

What's next. Ready Salted crisps on the top shelf of supermarkets? No salt to be bought by the under-18s?

What would happen if they did the same here in Skegness? Can you imagine your fish and chips without salt and vinegar?

Save us from this type of meddling please!!