Lack of cash puts Taunton town centre Christmas lights in the dark

8:27am Thursday 4th October 2012 in Taunton Photograph of the Author By Phil Hill

TRADITIONAL lights will not hang over Taunton town centre this Christmas because of a lack of cash.

The popular lights were previously funded by a scheme known as the BID, which has since ended.

Opposition councillors have said the lack of lights would be a “PR disaster”.

Graham Love, Taunton town centre manager, said: “We’ll have the tree at the Market House and six trees in Fore Street with lights – that’s the extent of it.”

Shoppers could boycott Taunton over a decision to put up hardly any Christmas lights, it has been claimed.

The blackout contrasts with Wellington where £10,000 is being spent on lights.

Taunton’s town centre manager said money had dried up after traders ditched a scheme funding a kitty to improve trade.

Cllr Jefferson Horsley, LibDem leader on Taunton Deane Council, said: “This will be a PR disaster for Taunton.

“This failure of the Conservative group to support traders will likely lead to more shoppers vacating for more cheerful towns.

“I call on the Tory leader to stop playing Scrooge – we need illuminations, not gloom, this Christmas.”

Mark Raisey, merchandise director at Hatchers department store, claimed the council had abdicated its responsibility.

He said: “Taunton Deane and Taunton Town Centre Company have missed a brilliant opportunity to put on a great display of Christmas lights.”

He accused them of “sour grapes” after businesses decided not to renew the Business Improvement District scheme under which firms paid a levy to boost the town.

Andy Sharman, of Somerset West Businesses Against Crime, said: “It’s disappointing. Christmas is vital and if not successful it’ll strain traders.”

Cllr Andrew Govier (Labour) said: “We have really good lights in Wellington thanks to the town council – it’s a shame Taunton can’t do something similar.”

Taunton town centre manager Graham Love said there was no money for lights after the demise of the BID scheme.

He said: “There’ll be a limited scheme as there’s no funding.”

Taunton Town Centre Company is staging a street fair on Sunday, November 18.

Council leader Cllr John Williams (Conservative) said other initiatives included the town centre company offering businesses trees, the orchard centre putting up lights and free parking after 3pm on Saturdays, possibly being repeated.

  • A WORKING group aimed at finding a solution to the issue was being formed as the County Gazette went to press.

Councillor Kelly Durdan appealed for people or businesses with ideas to contact her at cllr.k.durdan@googlemail.com

Comments(44)

MATT7250 says...
8:53am Thu 4 Oct 12

THIS IS A JOKE COUNTY TOWN OF SOMERSET NO CHRISTMAS LIGHTS.

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tauntontone says...
9:28am Thu 4 Oct 12

Everyone knows the true Taunton Christmas lights are along Roman road and not in the town centre, all the council needs to do is spend a couple of quid on a laminated sign saying 'Christmas lights this way!' pointing down Roman road.

Seriously though any idea what our council tax actually gets spent on?

Lets all move to Bridgwater!

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Siker72 says...
9:54am Thu 4 Oct 12

What we had Christmas lights last year here in Taunton?, I saw a large twig that someone told me that it was are Christmas tree... What a joke!!

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Taunton John says...
10:09am Thu 4 Oct 12

What about Tesco chipping in? They have FIVE stores in town!!!!

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*fairy* says...
10:23am Thu 4 Oct 12

With all the tempory traffic lights around due to the water works theres more lights in Taunton now than any other xmas! Looks better too ;)

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mrjonesykid says...
10:24am Thu 4 Oct 12

The council want to build trade so they are gonna make the atmosphere in taunton gloomy ova Christmas I no were I'm not shopping this year

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Maurice Butcher says...
10:48am Thu 4 Oct 12

Taunton centre managers and the council are committing suicide. Who will vote concervative again.
If we have no lights I will boycott the town and go to Exeter. No money coming to the town, join me in a boycott. The lights we hadlast yer wasn't the best but better than none?

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Chunkysboy says...
10:59am Thu 4 Oct 12

County town what a joke look a wellington

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souwesterly says...
12:14pm Thu 4 Oct 12

The whole thing is that the council must be made to look stupid and uncaring.
Oh - they are already!
Instead of asking for some thing to be done, which the council will never do, we should just make them a laughing stock.
Spread the word to show how useless they are.
Think up and put online, jokes and comic stories.
And boycott the turning-on ceremony while you're at it.
Make the councillors feel so small they'll be ashamed to show their faces in public. (Not that anyone in their right mind would really want to see any of them.....)
It's a total waste of time haranguing the council - they're blind and deaf to the public.

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millymoo says...
12:21pm Thu 4 Oct 12

What??? I cannot believe i am reading such a sad headline about the COUNTY TOWN OF SOMERSET????

Surely we should be leading by example not being shown up by the more dedicated neighbouring towns?

We are amidst a double dip recession, YES. However the government have been doing nothing but going on about how public spending is down, what schemes they are putting in place to address the fact that consumers have less cash to buy things, that Christmas trade will in no doubt suffer. So what does the seemingly silly man with no commercial awareness decide to do? Make the town so dull and boring that people feel that Christmas may as well be cancelled and therefore will not feel inspired to spend their cash in the shops and if they do, they will probably take a day trip to somewhere that has christmas festivities going on so they can enjoy the christmas experience and festive spirit.

When the country is as down and depressed as it is, Christmas becomes as important as ever if not more so and by doing this, what have we got to look forward to in this town????

SORT IT OUT!!

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Gem64 says...
1:17pm Thu 4 Oct 12

The Council spent all our money grassing over the castle green carpark and making a fantastic hangout for, Drunk, Druggies and Yobs, cant possibly run to festive cheer. Oh and where are last years lights? could they not be used?
A disgrace and shame on you...

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Gem64 says...
1:17pm Thu 4 Oct 12

The Council spent all our money grassing over the castle green carpark and making a fantastic hangout for, Drunk, Druggies and Yobs, cant possibly run to festive cheer. Oh and where are last years lights? could they not be used?
A disgrace and shame on you...

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appleandparrot says...
1:26pm Thu 4 Oct 12

In response to Taunton's lack of Christmas lights for this year.........Well...
.... In Castle Green we may have an answer. With the new open space now finished, between the Apple N Parrot Taunton, The Drawing Room, and The Castle Green Inn
and Cafe Mambo Taunton, we decide Christmas should go ahead and have decided to pay for some trees for the space ourselves and will be inviting local primary schools to come and decorate them for the 12 days of christmas.......... Anybody else like to get on board?

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Bigkez says...
2:29pm Thu 4 Oct 12

SHOCKING........

Growing up as a kid going to town shopping at Christmas with my parents was what made Christmas special.
I can only feel for the kids that won't get to feel this warm exciting feeling around Christmas time,

And for what reason do we not have lights? Do we not pay taxes? Do businesses not pay rates? Ohh yea we do don't we!

I guess someone somewhere will have a nice new car instead of us having lights well done! Plank.

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Somerset_lad says...
2:44pm Thu 4 Oct 12

The council already has the electrical supply in place for the Christmas lights. If you look up at the walls around Fore St etc., you’ll see the power boxes and light anchor points in place. They have the lights from previous years, so to me, it’s just hanging the lights and connecting to the mains. Simple job!

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Henrietta Marie says...
9:20pm Thu 4 Oct 12

Bah Humbug!! Christmas Past - Christmas Present - Christmas Future!!!

This is what springs to mind over this seemingly mindless reasoning behind the cuts to our Christmas lights.

When I was a child Christmas was a magical place to be and to look in awe at the festivites. Strangly, I did believe in Santa Clause. Now all I believe in is Santa Scrooge.
What a sad and gloomy time for the residents and visitors of Taunton all because of the lost BID for Taunton. And was it the residents fault? No! It was the Town Centre Company's fault. How could the bid have been messed up so badly. We gave the Company £50K this year to get on with marketing us to attract new businesses, but they put it on hold because of the Olympic Torch Relay. Fine. but what have they done since? Diddy squat. So the money they did not spend on marketing they can use on the Christmas lights. And why not? We need shoppers to come here and enjoy the retail experience that I used to enjoy and feel Chritsmassy just like when I was a child and all other old Tauntonians felt.
So come on you skinflint Tories give us back that Christmas feeling of excitement and kick the Town Centre Manager into touch to GET OUR LIGHTS BACK!!
Bedause I dread to think what Christmas Future may bring.

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andy-sharman says...
9:36am Fri 5 Oct 12

For the past four years, Taunton Deane have issued additional grant funding to BID worth £20,000 each year. Their BID levy for the past five years has been £4,100.

As there is no BID this year, this represents a saving of £24,100 which the council could use for light provision.

The Town Centre Company, as a not-for-profit, is sitting on accounts which could be added to the pot. This would provide a decent light provision and would support the local economy during these difficult trading periods.

While I share the upset of fellow commentors on this thread, I would ask that we do not turn our backs on Taunton traders. The fault of the lack of lights is not the traders, so please do not punish for the inaction of others.

Please contact your local councillor to get behind this proposal and give Taunton the Christmas it deserves and so badly needs.

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Robert Miles says...
2:35pm Fri 5 Oct 12

Andy Sharman, of Somerset West Businesses Against Crime, said: “It’s disappointing. Christmas is vital and if not successful it’ll strain traders.” In that case Andy why did you push so hard to get a 'no' vote on the recent BID ballot when you know that is what has paid for the lights in previous years? Unfortunately you can't have it both ways, and you personal vendetta against Graham Love should not be allowed to interfere with the towns xmas season which is vitally important to those of us doing business - rather than those just running security. I would keep a low profile if I were you!

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andy-sharman says...
4:32pm Fri 5 Oct 12

Thanks Robert for your thoughts.

I, and a great deal of Tauntonians (businesses and the community), were under the impression the light provision was through TDBC, the BID providing additional and the switch-on event. It transpires now that this was not the case but I do hope that TDBC are able to solve the issue swiftly.

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woodlandscastle says...
6:36pm Fri 5 Oct 12

How about some having some Christmas cheer by booking a Christmas party at Woodlands Castle, we'll have plenty of lights and a lovely Christmas tree. By the time you finish partying with us you won't remember about no lights in the town centre. :)

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panicked.com says...
8:43pm Fri 5 Oct 12

How embarrassing. Possibly the final nail in the coffin for Taunton. No one is going to bother shopping here. I can't stand Graham Love's constant negativity. It's time he stood aside & let someone less petty run the show; Someone who has the town's success in it's best interest.

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jimbobjoe89 says...
9:10pm Fri 5 Oct 12

How about the council stop spending out on pointless road works and stupid housing developments and give the younger generation something to look forward to, and before any smart arse says 'housing will be for the next generation' or 'without roads, young people cant learn to drive' christmas is for families and brings together communities so do us a favour and bring some christmas spirit you grumpu old men!!!

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FreeSpeech? says...
11:56pm Fri 5 Oct 12

Question!
Can anyone explain who bought the lights that have been used for the last couple of years?
Where are they now?
I suspect hanging from the ceiling in the DLO yard by the viaduct, if so they must be owned by us the tax payer and as such we will only need to pay for them to be put.up and taken down, but may i suggest an outside contractor is chosen by the shop keepers and not TDBC as they charge exuberant fees for the smallest of jobs ie £90 to clear guttering that takes 10mins to perform.

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FreeSpeech? says...
12:00am Sat 6 Oct 12

May i also suggest they stop buying a 50ft twig each year that's placed outside the market house and invest in an artificial one, I don't know who picks each year but whoever it is needs to go to Specsavers.

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Somerset_BTGOG says...
10:44am Sat 6 Oct 12

How much does the town centre manager earn each year?

Problem solved.

In the words of Lord Sugar "Graham you're fired"

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ptis57 says...
12:53pm Sat 6 Oct 12

What on earth has Sir Benjamin Slade's email about the planning department at Taunton Deane and the person he named have anything to do with the situation with the Christmas Lights? Stop knocking local government for the sheer hell of it! Like the majority of households and small businesses in this country, local government is suffering the same effects of the recession and there is only so much in the pot. Would it interest Sir Slade to know that the Revenues and Benefits Teams at Taunton Deane have just been recognised nationally as some of the best in the country, inspite of the current economic climate and the effect on our area. Like any organisation there are weaknesses that in a perfect world we would like to address but it is just not feasible with the current restraints. Putting this aside though, I think Sir Slade's comments are a disgrace and are out of place. Sitting in his "pile" with money to waste on trying to become a "film star" what is wrong with him sponsoring the lights this year instead of denigrating individuals and a department that have nothing to do with the topic being commented on here. Sir Ben Slade- sponsor this years lights!

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ptis57 says...
1:11pm Sat 6 Oct 12

Footnote to my previous comment- would somebody be able to tell me if Sir Slade's firearm licence has been revoked. I'm concerned he may mistake me for a "rogue fox".

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GrumpyNewsReader says...
2:28pm Sat 6 Oct 12

Maybe it's time we got a new town centre manager, that way they might start planning for the Christmas lights a little earlier. Seems like the current manager could only deal with one thing and that was the Olympic torch. Has anyone ever seen the manager wandering around the town? Or does he only come out for photo sessions? I'm sure he's doing a wonderful job behind the scenes!

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Siker72 says...
7:50am Sun 7 Oct 12

As a child I can remember the town being all a blaze with colour right down to the over head lights that was the co-op, now we have a large twig and and ne or two poor looking lights.... Shame one you SCC booooooo!

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Schoolboy Q says...
10:27am Sun 7 Oct 12

Robert Miles of The Brewhouse, said to Andy Sharman, “I would keep a low profile if I were you!” In that case Robert, I would keep a low profile if i were you. Notice how i didn't put an exclamation mark at the end of that? Unfortunately you can't have it both ways either and your personal support of Graham Love should not be allowed to interfere with the towns xmas season which is vitally important to those of us doing business - rather than those just running a theatre. You're out of touch Robert with what people think, which is a shame. But then, you haven't lived in Taunton all your life, so your opinion carries no weight. Shame on you for your constant attacks on Andy Sharman. People in glass houses and all that.

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Robert Miles says...
11:20am Sun 7 Oct 12

Oh dear Schoolboy Q you sound a bit touchy! I have never attacked Andy Sharman, just pointed out in my previous post that he wanted a 'no' to BID (which is the business community coming together to pay for the lights, as they have for the past five years) along with his colleagues in Hatchers who are also quoted in the report above, so its a bit rich to complain now, unless your agenda is to just to attack TDBC and the Town Centre Company. I also have no interest in protecting Graham Love, just a desire that the bickering stops and decisions are made in the best interests of the town. But as you say I :- "haven't lived in Taunton all your life, so your opinion carries no weight" - where I am from we like to hear everyone in order to get to the best decision - and we are also brave enough to use our real names so people know who has what opinion - rather than hide and make snide remarks from the sidelines. "people in brew houses and all that!!"

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Schoolboy Q says...
2:11pm Sun 7 Oct 12

For once Robert, you are correct. I am very touchy when it comes to this subject. Also, annoyed, constantly disappointed, and in disbelief when it comes to the Town Centre Company. I think I mentioned a while back that I think BID is a good thing for Taunton. However I believe that it is time for Graham Love to step down. Acknowledge the areas which need improving and act, and also celebrate the successes of Love and his team. But step down. And do what you said, "decisions are made in the best interest ot the town." Remember earlier when I said you're out of touch? Well I think you still are a little bit since that post. As you know, BID isn't just about Xmas lights - if it was, believe you me, I'd be acting a tad more than "touchy." And I've recently discovered I was misinformed regarding the ownership of Taunton's Xmas Lights - I honestly thought the lights were paid for by TDBC, but I don't recall attacking TDBC? Where you're from Robert, sounds like a really nice place. And you seem like a really nice man. Because here in Taunton, what a large population believe, is ignored. A "no vote" for BID is STILL being ignored. And blamed on the mischievous Andy Sharman, his Security thing and large national retailers who's vote is done by someone in Head Office. Still. Out. Of. Touch. My comments are far from snide, they're direct "knock on your front door" comments. Snide would be telling Andy Sharman to keep a low profile. (But with an exclamation mark, so you know it's just for jokes!!) And you ask anybody who knows anybody about Schoolboy Q from Taunton, I'm known.

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Keefy1 says...
2:23pm Sun 7 Oct 12

Ita a sad day when the county town of Somerset can't even lay on some christmas lights for the kids, is this part of the ever growing "anti christian we love muslims agenda" or is this just another cynical ploy to turn our eyes away from the real problems like lack of social housing & the ever growing anti social fraction going on in our once lovely town? Im sure there will be a u turn in the end & we can start praising the town centre manager again (whoever he or she is this week?) and start crowing about how great our council are, job done. What we shoudn't be doing is blaming the retailers for not making more of an effort as it's no secret that it is against council rules to adorn the outside of their premises as they risk a heavy fine, unless they of course buy a christmas tree direct from the council for a fee of around a £100 which they could then stick outside or their shop. Work that one out! Im off to Cabot Circus Bristol, Merry Chrismas everyone!!!

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Robert Miles says...
2:50pm Sun 7 Oct 12

"And you ask anybody who knows anybody about Schoolboy Q from Taunton, I'm known" - genius - a legend in your own playground! Having chaired the BID steering group for five years, we resourced last years switch on involving 40 commando which was fantastic. I am out there doing things for our community and our businesses instead of trying to get people sacked. This town needs a BID to help it compete (see Keefy1 above). We need to work together or we all loose, and what it doesn't need is nasty little personal agendas like yours while you hide behind a schoolboy pseudonym - man up, tell us who you are so we can understand your opinion in context, or leave the debate to those like Andy and me who use our real names and if we differ in opinion can do so openly and with respect! Well...

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FreeSpeech? says...
2:50pm Sun 7 Oct 12

Schoolboy Q wrote:
For once Robert, you are correct. I am very touchy when it comes to this subject. Also, annoyed, constantly disappointed, and in disbelief when it comes to the Town Centre Company. I think I mentioned a while back that I think BID is a good thing for Taunton. However I believe that it is time for Graham Love to step down. Acknowledge the areas which need improving and act, and also celebrate the successes of Love and his team. But step down. And do what you said, "decisions are made in the best interest ot the town." Remember earlier when I said you're out of touch? Well I think you still are a little bit since that post. As you know, BID isn't just about Xmas lights - if it was, believe you me, I'd be acting a tad more than "touchy." And I've recently discovered I was misinformed regarding the ownership of Taunton's Xmas Lights - I honestly thought the lights were paid for by TDBC, but I don't recall attacking TDBC? Where you're from Robert, sounds like a really nice place. And you seem like a really nice man. Because here in Taunton, what a large population believe, is ignored. A "no vote" for BID is STILL being ignored. And blamed on the mischievous Andy Sharman, his Security thing and large national retailers who's vote is done by someone in Head Office. Still. Out. Of. Touch. My comments are far from snide, they're direct "knock on your front door" comments. Snide would be telling Andy Sharman to keep a low profile. (But with an exclamation mark, so you know it's just for jokes!!) And you ask anybody who knows anybody about Schoolboy Q from Taunton, I'm known.
Could you please tell us who owns the lights that have been used in Taunton up until last Christmas.

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Robert Miles says...
3:17pm Sun 7 Oct 12

Freespeech? I believe there is a little stock in ownership of either TDBC or Town Centre Company which will be used this year but the majority of xmas lights that are used came on a three year rental deal, which enables towns to update their design regularly. The last three year deal ended last year in line with the guarantee of funding. The Business Improvement District (BID) fund that all businesses in the centre of Taunton contributed to used to pay for the hire and fitting, but that ended in September on a very close vote. Those in the article that have stirred up this report were key in pushing for a 'no' vote for a continuation of BID - which is why lots of us think they should not be complaining, they got what they wanted. They are now trying to blame the town centre manager and making it personal as you can see in the thread above. But really it's just a great shame for the town and a great danger to those of us running businesses relying on xmas trade. Hope that helps.

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Schoolboy Q says...
4:01pm Sun 7 Oct 12

Oh dear Robert, now you sound a bit touchy. What are we like, eh? "We need to work together or we all loose." Lose Robert, we all lose. Definitely. Although "loose" does describe the running of Taunton Town Centre Company as of late. Yes you are out there Robert, doing things for our community, and what you do is not what is being debated. But would you expect to still be in the Brewhouse after 5 years, if the people you were representing demanded a bit more? It's not about sacking Love - he's had a go, some things were successful, and some things weren't. The businesses with the large rateable value who didn't vote YES, what was their feedback? Why didn't they vote YES? It is my opinion, that the Managers of those businesses did not have faith in the current Town Centre Manager. Not a nice thing to hear for anyone, but it's what's being said. You mention nasty personal agendas and debating with respect, however your initial thread was nasty and personal, and didn't show respect to Andy Sharman. Again, telling someone to keep a low profile can be taken personal. I hope you do find a solution to BID Robert, regardless of my sarcasm, I do have some confidence in you, you know. Also, this is a forum, everyone's meant to have a stupid cool name. I liked Scoolboy Q!

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Robert Miles says...
4:47pm Sun 7 Oct 12

Freespeech? - see above for example of damaging personal agendas! Meanwhile in the real world we are trying to find a solution to benefit Taunton. Cheers, Robert

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St. Austell says...
4:50pm Sun 7 Oct 12

So there will be no Christmas lights in Taunton this year to possibly attract shoppers
because money has been spent on other projects such as the green turf on Castle
Green.

I suspect that not many of those who live in Taunton are at all concerned. Moreover if
asked in an opinion poll whether those enfranchised in Taunton would prefer money
spent on:
1. A free Christmas drink for them in a pub in "Cider City".
2. The changes to Castle Green.
3. Christmas lights in Taunton.
the majority would vote for the free drink.

What councillors and such as Robert Miles either do not realise or are unwilling to
admit is that now Taunton is little better than a country village. It has little to offer
compared with other nearby cities and towns with many of its shops offering either
inferior produce or over priced product: here I should add that a purchase, delivery
and installation of a new television set from a store in Exeter using no more than the
internet and telephone resulted in a saving of over a hundred pounds compared with
the purchase of an identical product from either a High Street or Out of Town Store in
Taunton. In addition few if any would wish to visit Taunton for shopping since car
parking is expensive and there is a limited choice of accommodation in the town centre
where I understand every excuse was used to prevent the old run down County Hotel
being modernised and turned into a successful town centre hotel and venue by a North
Devon consortium.

Alas the present Taunton is past its sell by date providing little for the discriminating
shopper who can easily visit Barnstaple - with Christmas lights -, Bristol, Exeter or
London for seasonal shopping. The town and its councillors have not moved forward
and still appear to support its image of being "Cider City": pity the "Natch" - Tone
Vale Tea - isn't what it used to be though - with spectacles such as Ted Manley and
Stebbings versus Ridgeway conflicts to entertain those falling out of The Plough or
The Crown and Sceptre on their way to extramaritals in Canal Road.

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tom norman says...
7:39pm Sun 7 Oct 12

no ones interested in all your bickering and pointscoring and probrbly stopped others from reading the comments .

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Mr Billy O'naire says...
2:31pm Tue 9 Oct 12

Taunton John wrote:
What about Tesco chipping in? They have FIVE stores in town!!!!
Letter to the editor:

I did not buy this newspaper so that it could provide some kind of platform for every dirty loonie leftie communist socialist pinko bolshevik tree-hugging hippie and their subversive ideas and comments.

I bought it so that it would reflect the honest and decent views and values of my multi-billionaire friends and myself..that's why we all live in a democracy...it's the democratic right of all multi-billionaires to buy and own a few hundered newspapers, so if you want to spout your lonnie leftie nonsense about Tesco 'chipping in' for your squalid little Christmas festivities, go and buy your own newspaper!
And any way I also own a large part of Tesco and I'm not paying for your pathetic little light show.....every little helps.......me that is.......Mwoooahahah
ahahhahah!

Report this post »

Mr Billy O'naire says...
2:32pm Tue 9 Oct 12

Taunton John wrote:
What about Tesco chipping in? They have FIVE stores in town!!!!
Letter to the editor:

I did not buy this newspaper so that it could provide some kind of platform for every dirty loonie leftie communist socialist pinko bolshevik tree-hugging hippie and their subversive ideas and comments.

I bought it so that it would reflect the honest and decent views and values of my multi-billionaire friends and myself..that's why we all live in a democracy...it's the democratic right of all multi-billionaires to buy and own a few hundered newspapers, so if you want to spout your lonnie leftie nonsense about Tesco 'chipping in' for your squalid little Christmas festivities, go and buy your own newspaper!
And any way I also own a large part of Tesco and I'm not paying for your pathetic little light show.....every little helps.......me that is.......Mwoooahahah
ahahhahah!

Report this post »

Mr Billy O'naire says...
2:32pm Tue 9 Oct 12

Taunton John wrote:
What about Tesco chipping in? They have FIVE stores in town!!!!
Letter to the editor:

I did not buy this newspaper so that it could provide some kind of platform for every dirty loonie leftie communist socialist pinko bolshevik tree-hugging hippie and their subversive ideas and comments.

I bought it so that it would reflect the honest and decent views and values of my multi-billionaire friends and myself..that's why we all live in a democracy...it's the democratic right of all multi-billionaires to buy and own a few hundered newspapers, so if you want to spout your lonnie leftie nonsense about Tesco 'chipping in' for your squalid little Christmas festivities, go and buy your own newspaper!
And any way I also own a large part of Tesco and I'm not paying for your pathetic little light show.....every little helps.......me that is.......Mwoooahahah
ahahhahah!

Report this post »

63taunton says...
6:34pm Wed 10 Oct 12

How about a few of the business men who have made large amounts of money, from our town, donating some lights? Miekle.Dunn,Rowcliff
e,etc.

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