andybodders

[andybodders]

Joint statement on Ludlow Youth Centre by Ludlow Councillors

After the Ludlow Youth Centre was put out of use at the end of April by an out of control HGV, some services from the flourishing Family Hub were moved to Helena Lane and elsewhere. This was accepted as a temporary move. However, it has become clear that Shropshire Council officers are viewing the move as permanent. That solves a problem for the council because Helena Lane is massively underused.…

[andybodders]

Punch Taverns responds to criticism of Blue Boar closure

I could cry over the closure of the Blue Boar and probably will when it closes this weekend. This is a pub that is great for locals and visitors alike. Good beer. Good food. Good company. It is busy throughout the year. It is a traditional pub with a modern approach. Over the last decade, leaseholder Adam Tutt and manager Emily Hardman have built a great community asset and a destination for…

[andybodders]

Update on Lower Corve Street and Coronation Avenue during roadworks

Essential roadwork to replace the decking above a 1930s culvert on Coronation Avenue began on Monday. This will protect the culvert and maintain flood protection. The start of the work was delayed allowing vehicles from the Live at Ludlow Castle events to leave the town northwards. Once the closure was in place, traffic diverted illegally through Lower Corve Street which is an access only…

[andybodders]

Hugely successful ShropDoc scrapped as local NHS chiefs opt for privatisation

There has been a shedload of problem with NHS services in Shropshire. Think of Ockendon report on maternity services in Shropshire. Think of the very delayed Future Fit and the abandoned and forgotten Community Fit. The withdrawal of services from rural areas. The great success of health services in Shropshire has been the resilience of NHS staff and the strength of our GP services. And the out…

[andybodders]

North West Relief Road comes to screeching halt and Darwin Oak saved

It was a road to nowhere that will now go nowhere. Championed by the ousted Conservative administration, the 4 mile road would have cost more than £50 million a mile. It was environmentally destructive and could have damaged Shrewsbury’s water supply. The Darwin Oak would have been felled and precious ecology including Hencott Pool damaged for ever. That alone should have been sufficient reason…

[andybodders]

Ludlow road safety meeting on 16 July – all invited

Following recent accidents in Ludlow, one fatal, I am calling a public meeting to hear concerns and discuss potential safety measures. The meeting will be attended by Shropshire Council’s portfolio holder for highways, David Vasmer and highways officers. The police have been invited. Other invitations are going out. The meeting will take place on Wednesday 16 July at St Peter’s Parish Rooms, 6pm…

[andybodders]

Ram raid puts Ludlow Co-op out of action

Last night a 2005 Mini Countryman was used to ram raid the Co-op in Foldgate Lane. There has been significant damage to the front entrance and porch. It seems like the Co-op may be out of action for a while until repairs are made. West Mercia Police are at the scene. This is very bad news for the staff and the local community. The Co-op is an important store for the Sheet Road, Parys Road area of…

[andybodders]

Work is underway on revised bus timetables for Ludlow

On Monday, Ludlow councillors management with the portfolio holder and deputy portfolio holder for transport along with council officers to discuss improvements Ludlow’s bus services. There has been widespread dissatisfaction with the bus services since new timetables were introduced by Shropshire Council last September. These were introduced without consultation with councillors by the previous…

[andybodders]

Work to start on Ludlow pyrolysis unit on Coder Road next week

Work will be starting next week on the new pyrolysis unit on Coder Road. This will replace the experimental biodigester that was closed by Shropshire Council in 2012 in council then led by a climate change sceptic leader. Unfortunately, the biodigester was not properly decommissioned. Shropshire Council just abandoned it. The new unit will be contained within the existing building with new build…

[andybodders]

There was a spring in the step at Shropshire Council last week – we haven’t seen that for a long time

The atmosphere at the first meeting of the new administration at Shropshire Council last Thursday was so different. There was a buzz. A sense of excitement, albeit tempered with realism. It was described by several people as like the first day of a new term. It was more than that. It was the first day at a new school with most of the faces in the chamber new. Even some of the Conservatives, down…

[andybodders]

New cabinet for Shropshire Council announced

The Liberal Democrats have announced the new cabinet. It’s a strong team bringing a wide range of experience to the council’s leadership. The positions will be confirmed at full council on 22 May. Leader-elect Heather Kidd said: “We’ve brought together a strong team that are raring to go, serving communities across Shropshire as the new Cabinet. “There’s a really good breadth of experience, a…

[andybodders]

Lib Dems take control of Shropshire Council but Reform makes gains

The Conservatives in Shropshire are wiped out. After 16 years of mismanagement and misguided polices, they are left with just seven councillors, down from 54 in 2009 and 36 less than that they had in 2021. The Liberal Democrats now control the council with 42 seats. That is the result of huge effort across the county to displace the unpopular Tories. The Lib Dems caught the mood in the county.…

[andybodders]

Ludlow Town Council elections – continuity and change

The results on the town council elections were announced today. Long standing councillor Rose Jones has lost her seat as has Stuart Waite. Stalwarts Viv Parry, Tim Gill and Glen Ginger are continuing. With eight new councillors alongside seven continuing councillors, we can expect lively debates, especially over the town walls. It was not a very clean campaign, with both the Electoral Commission…

[andybodders]

Thank you – I have been re-elected to Shropshire Council

I have been re-elected for a four year term to the Ludlow North division (ward) of Shropshire Council. Thanks everyone for their help and votes. Particular thanks to those who delivered leaflets while I have concentrated on getting my legs back up to scratch. I have made a commitment to keeping you all informed. Full Shropshire results and commentary, along with Ludlow Town Council results are…

[andybodders]

Ludlow Youth Centre out of action after HGV carnage

Early this morning, an HGV careered out of control for at least half a kilometre down the hill on Sheet Road, damaging vehicles, safety barriers and homes on the way. The HGV was fortunately not loaded. That meant when the HGV, from the Llanelli based Owens Group, came to a stop embedded in the Youth and Community Hub at youth centre the damage was not as bad as it might have been. No one was…

[andybodders]

Update on the Unicorn Inn – now seeking staff

Neil and Natasha will be reopening the Unicorn Inn on Lower Corve Street in mid-May. The new owners of the inn are Black Country Ales. In recent years the pub has never quite found the sweet spot between being a restaurant and a place for a drink. Black Country Ales are clear. This will be a drinking pub with no cooked meals. Only cobs, pork pies, scotch eggs and similar food will be offered. The…

[andybodders]

Shropshire Council says NO to fly posting election material – take note Ludlow Residents Group

Ludlow has had a long standing understanding that political material is not fly posted in conservation areas. Unfortunately, Ludlow Residents Group hasn’t respected this. At least two candidates have fly posted. On Lower Broad Street there are flyers by Sebatian Bowen and Robert Owen. Now, following complaints from across the county, Shropshire Council’s legals had laid down the law. No one can…