Well, I am back in from attending the Parish Council meeting and need to report on proceedings.
I managed to have an informal chat with Councillor Woodhead pre meeting, and although the chat we had seemed positive, she informed me that as I didn’t live in the village anymore, there was not a lot “they could do” – that statement started to raise alarm bells in my head
Anyhow, sitting nervously listening to Council business, I found that the voices in my head were having a field day. Constant chattering, different tones, laughter – then silence.
These are the voices that first came to me in that Custody Suite at Newark, and have plagued me ever since.
When people say “that will be the death of you – at some stage, they will”
When invited to speak by the Chair (this phrase always makes me think that the chair wants me to speak to it), I was allowed to explain my concerns, and issues that I had without interruption.
I think that I can honestly say that the Parish Council were appalled at what had happened to one of its past residents (i.e. me).
I was pleasantly surprised when the Leader Bill Bates, informed me that the Parish Council would write to the Neighbourhood Watch regarding their posts, and they would also formally write to me expressing their concerns about the way my family and I had been treated. This kind of warmth and support is what I need.
There was also a suggestion ( I cant remember who from) that I get in touch with the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping – perhaps he can get the offending posts removed, albeit, after being in the public domain for nine years – so for that reason, I think the damage is already done.
Clearly, these Parish Councillors were not the same ones who took those positions nine years ago – and I feel that I have fallen into my own trap by even thinking or suggesting that the Parish Councils views echoed those of many of the villagers who made our lives hell.
But, at the end of the day, I have been wounded, my family made to suffer – and in this day and age, somebody has got to take responsibility to ensure changes are made to prevent this happening to any other unfortunate.
That said, it still doesn’t excuse the fact that “someone” decided to post things that would have such a damaging effect, without giving the “audience” the full facts or outcome.
That somebody did it with the knowledge that he, or her, could hide behind the veil of “Posted by Admin”
I will discuss this with Mr Tipping when I am able to arrange a meeting with him.
I did manage to have a conversation with a lovely lady called Lucy Chadwick, who is Vice Chair of the Community Association, and I have been invited to a meeting at the Sherwood Forest Community Church on the 17th November 10am – 12 – my MP Mark Spencer will be there, so lets see what becomes of it.
I will finish this blog by stating that I know that this mental illness will kill me in the end, you cant take the copious amounts of medication that I do and not expect side effects – but if I can use the voices in my head, the frustration and anger that I feel, to try and help others – then it will be worth it. As the famous song goes -“Who wants to live for ever”
Thank you Blidworth Parish Council, thank you Lucy Chadwick – you have made me realise that there are good people out there still.