I'm back, Hadleigh!

And so are you and a lot of other things too, I see.

I do hope that you have had a happy summer? For us spirits, these particular holidays involve endless extra games of ping-pong and tag with a team led by the Archangel Michael or 'Archie' as he's known behind his enfeathered back.

At first such simple pursuits are a boon, but soon after, alas, their attraction palls somewhat and we all end up arm wrestling and playing British Bulldog instead. These pursuits are, understandably, much frowned upon by the Big G (God, not Guthrum. More on the latter, later).

I notice that the political artist formerly known as 'Generalissimo' and subsequently because of his demotion 'Littlissimo', has temporarily been reinstated to his earlier grandeur.

Councillor John Ward is once again Babergh's leader, stepping up whilst the real leader for a year, Councillor Dave Busby has a leave of absence because of health issues.

Dave Busby, 'Veggies' leader Deborah Saw and Generalissimo

Your spirited and spiritual correspondent wishes Mr Busby well, but is perplexed as to why the pro tem Babergh District Council leadership role wasn't taken on by the Veggies as the Greens are the largest single party.

This seems to be further evidence that the Veggies are struggling to make the transition between being the local equivalent of Just Stop Oil mob (not OIL, though as I don't think they have had any 'beef' against 'Baron' Stephen O'Leary) to being vaguely competent members of the new administration.

The return of 'Generalissimo' though, hopefully means that the day-to-day things that Babergh does will no longer be neglected. 

One example of this is the woeful state of council car parks in the town. These are blighted by ticket machines that don't issue tickets (resulting in frustrated and worried users) and white lines that have almost disappeared (resulting in some hilly-billy style parking).

I'm looking forward to 'Generalissimo' personally replenishing the ticket machines and giving the bays a lick of new paint.

After all, if Babergh can't do the basics, what can it do?

I also notice that the ungainly avian types on our EMU (England's Most Useless) town council haven't let the summer months change their default approach to how they operate.

Being rather preoccupied in stifling scrutiny by the media and the general public, it seemed to escape their attention that the Tour of Britain was due to speed through Hadders last week.

In response to the emus sticking their heads where, er, emus shouldn't be seen sticking their heads, it fell to local traders and citizens to put the bunting up and create a sense of an event. 

Remind me: just what is the point of our EMU council?

Residents and businesses cmbined to dress Hadleigh for Tour of Britain, no EMUs in sight

Talking of the long line of lycra-ed riders that slithered speedily around and through Hadleigh; I noticed that a TV commentator, clearly reading from his briefing notes, referenced the town as having some vague and unproven link with Grumpy Guts Guthrum.

But not yours truly. 

I blame this oversight on the only partially informative but very expensive (funded by Council Taxpayers, of course) Visit Hadleigh website where I've still been 'unpersoned' and unreferenced. 

It's going to be a long autumn…….. 

Rowland Taylor is a Hadleigh legend

Satirical columnist Rowland Taylor's Ghost is a contributor to Hadleigh Nub News.

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