Former mayor rewarded for 50 years service to bridge club (From Watford Observer)
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Mayor Thornhill marks half century of Watford and Bushey Bridge Club
10:23am Wednesday 12th September 2012 in News
Maryor Dorothy Thornhill presented former mayor Alastair Allan with an award for 50 years service to Watford and Bushey Bridge Club and the wider community.
The elected Mayor of Watford Dorothy Thornhill proved she still has a few tricks up her sleeve when she attended the 50th anniversary of Watford and Bushey Bridge Club at Beechen Grove Church.
The half century was marked when the mayor presented founder member and former mayor Alastair Allan with an award for 50 years of service to the club and the wider community of Watford.
Mr Allan was a town councillor for 20 years, serving as Mayor in 1988-89 and is also a Trustee of the Parmiter’s School Foundation.
- Beginners’ lessons at the club start on Thursday, October 4. For more information, visit the club’s website www.bridgewebs.com/watford , or call Donald Reid on 01923 227969.
Comments(34)
Mike Watford
says...
11:22am Wed 12 Sep 12
Reg Edit wrote:Reg: change the record it's boring
When I saw the headline "Former Mayor" and yet another picture of Dotty, I thought she had done the decent thing and resigned. Another disappointment from the Liberal Mayor of Watford (sigh)
Reg Edit
says...
12:09pm Wed 12 Sep 12
is it just you or is it all of the local Liberal party that has had a sense of humour by-pass?
You shouldn't take things so seriously, just like the electorate has now realised not to take the Liberal party seriously.
Does anybody take your leader Cleggy seriously? He is now too scared to call people who disagree with him bigots in case people don't like or respect him anymore. Somebody better tell him he reached that point a long time ago.
The Liberals are set for demolition in this country at the next election. What are the latest predictions, 10 MPs at the next election? No wonder you're not laughing!
clarkie750
says...
12:19pm Wed 12 Sep 12
I know Reg thinks, for instance, that the new leisure centres aren't as good as those they replaced, but the vast majorityof the people of Watford do. And of course there have been other significant improvements, but Reg is too blinded by his mad UKIP ideas to admit it.
Reg Edit
says...
1:12pm Wed 12 Sep 12
if you can't say truthful things, why say anything at all?
clarkie750
says...
4:36pm Wed 12 Sep 12
Reg Edit
says...
5:27pm Wed 12 Sep 12
read all the words, take in the information then think about what it means. It will change your life, unless you enjoy twisting the truth or making up things and attributing them to others.
The Liberals want to sell us out to the EU for nothing and sign us up to the Euro. The Liberals want gay marriage. The Liberals want a wealth tax and a mansion tax, no matter whether the person living in the large house has any money or not. The Liberals want windmills. The Liberals are a party of envy and against private enterprise. The Liberals want to stop the brightest children going to university. The Liberals want a Labour government next. The Liberals are against grammar schools. The Liberals lied about student tuition fees. The Liberals want 20mph speed limits like continental Europe. The Liberals want to stop the UK being a democratic state with independence. The Liberals have not just lost the plot, they never got the plot in the first place.
What are the mad UKIP ideas you refer to? Are they fair taxes for all, lower state spending, controlled immigration, common sense? Yes, to you they might sound mad but to a lot of people in this country they sound very good.
What's the weather like on planet Liberal, Clarkie, or can't you see for all the fog?
clarkie750
says...
5:35pm Wed 12 Sep 12
It's ashame you are too mean spirited not to have tried to spoil that.
LSC
says...
10:32pm Wed 12 Sep 12
You list a number of points.
I'm against the EU personally, it is true.
But gay marriage? I couldn't care less. If two same sex people want to legally and financially cement the deal, fair play to them. I thought only religous people/bigots were against that, and they are far more dangerous than Liberals.
A wealth tax seems fair; a Mansion tax unworkable. Windmills you can keep.
I doubt they want a Labour government, I expect they want a Liberal one. Or, according to you, an EU one.
The grammar school system was rubbish, so glad to see the back of that, but it contradicts what you say about bright kids being stopped from going to Uni. Under the grammar school system, bright kids from comprehensives had FAR less chance than average kids from the grammar of attending Uni.
The Liberals did not lie about tuition fees; if they had been voted into power, then they would have scrapped them. They weren't, so they didn't.
What they DID go back on was a promise to vote against them, but that is because circumstances changed.
And who wants politicians who cannot react and change with events?
Not me.
We already have 20mph speed limits; there is one less than a mile from my house. Labour policy.
I'm not a Liberal fan, especially over the EU, but you score no points for making stuff up.
Reg Edit
says...
2:26pm Thu 13 Sep 12
Liberals scary?
If they were credible as a party of government, then in a way, yes they would be, for the direction they would take this country given half a chance - into the EU as a province with no referendum for the people of this country. They would destroy our independence and remove any meaningful democracy. They would burn our bridges so we could never leave the EU.
Luckily, the Liberals will never again form a government in the UK - it's almost 100 years since they had their last one. They know they are a spent force in the UK, worse now than before they entered the coalition. They are predicted to only get 10 seats at the next election.
The EU is not a democratic body and I like living in a democracy, even a flawed one like ours.
The Liberals are one of those parties that does not respect the electorate, one that believes the electorate need to be told what to do, not asked, even if it is clear the country does not agree with the direction proposed. I disagree with that way of thinking, fundamentally.
The Liberals use that old argument about tuition fees, "we didn't form a government, so that ""cast iron promise"" doesn't count".
Let's be honest, the Liberals were never going to form a government, were they? Not a chance.
So why sign cast-iron guarantees that they had no intention of keeping to? Oh yes, to get the student vote. I don't imagine they will get many student votes next time.
Well, they will never get into government again as the main party, so whatever they say are their "principles" in an election manifesto are completely worthless, not worth the paper they are printed on.
So what can you trust the Liberals to do if they enter coalition again? NOTHING AT ALL. They have shown that there are no principles that they would not gladly sacrifice on the altar of political power.
BTW I threw the controversial gay marriage bit in because their leader Cleggy is having rather a bit of bother over calling people bigots, not a good idea in politics - ask Gordon.
You said "What they DID go back on was a promise to vote against them, but that is because circumstances changed". Not really LSC. Circumstances didn't change because they were never going to form a government. It was pure and simple electioneering, nothing more, nothing less. They are the party of dirty tricks, after all, ask anyone who knows about politics.
clarkie750
says...
4:21pm Thu 13 Sep 12
And of course you still haven't owned up to the fact taht Watford is a vastly improved place since the mayor was elected.
Sanity 750
says...
5:33pm Thu 13 Sep 12
10 years later and we are still waiting....
Reg Edit
says...
6:13pm Thu 13 Sep 12
clarkie750 wrote:What's the current Liberal position on an EU referendum Clarkie?
Reg the list of things you don't know grows ever longer. The Lib Dems wanted a referendum on the whole concept of Britain in or out of the EU. But of course that doesn't fit in with your never ending diatribe, does it.
And of course you still haven't owned up to the fact taht Watford is a vastly improved place since the mayor was elected.
They threw their toys out of the pram when the conservatives double-crossed them (for all the right reasons) over Lords reform, but they seem to have allowed this EU referendum promise to be broken.
Watford IS vastly improved since the discredited Labour party were kicked out and the Liberals replaced them on the council.
It was not hard to improve on what came before them to be honest, as Labour was such a disaster with more than a whiff of corruption or incredibly bad management and financial record keeping.
Labour were a disaster. The ruling Liberals don't get everything wrong by any means, but there is a lot of room for improvement on what they do now.
I think they've been in power too long in Watford and now concentrate on staying in power rather that doing what is needed for Watford. They no longer (if they ever did) listen to the people of Watford, so complacent are they.
It's time for change. All the signs are that the Liberals are finished nationally, let's hope some of that comes to Watford so we can get a more balanced council.
"Only Sal can win in Watford" - remember that Clarkie? It's about as true as the Liberals wanting to hold a referendum on the EU!
The Liberals are a bit insignificant in national politics, they will never be in power and so they know they can promise whatever they think people want, they will never have to put it into practice. In other words, their manifesto was not genuine, in fact it was rather meaningless.
Reg Edit
says...
6:19pm Thu 13 Sep 12
Sanity 750 wrote:Manifesto commitments again. You don't mean you actually believed them?
The Lib Dems have a very patchy history on referendums locally. In 2002 they opposed the setting up of the Mayoral system for Watford promising a further referendum if their candidate won the election. I quote directly from the Lib Dem manifesto of 2002, entitled going for gold. “We will hold a referendum to enable the public to have their say on the new mayoral system at the earliest opportunity”.
10 years later and we are still waiting....
Once in power, they are only interested in power. This is just one more example of their bankrupt morals once they get in to power, with another broken Liberal promise.
That's why we need a more balanced council and we need to shed a few Liberals.
Sanity 750
says...
7:05pm Thu 13 Sep 12
Lets ask Clarkie if he believes in them.
Over to you Clarkie...
Reg Edit
says...
8:55pm Thu 13 Sep 12
can you help me out in understanding the Liberal party better, both locally and nationally? I thought I knew them quite well, but you say I don't. I am a quick learner and always willing to learn.
In particular...
What is the Liberal Party policy on the EU? What are your intentions regarding EU integration?
Can you tell me when it is ok to abandon your (Liberal) manifesto commitments, both at local and national level?
Conversely, can you tell us how to recognise a manifesto commitment the Liberals will keep to?
Can we take it that you now, after 10 years, have no intention of holding a referendum on having a Mayor in Watford?
Can you tell me why you publish local election results (favourable to Liberals) in graphs when polling for a national election? Isn't this misleading as the two elections do not have the same voting pattern at all?
What about your local liberal paper saying "Only Sal can win in Watford" accompanied by said misleading graphs? (She didn't win by the way, she's now baroness nobody of Watford).
If I were cynical, I would suspect the Liberal party are guilty of deliberately trying to mislead the public and of failing to honour pledges. Would you agree with that analysis?
We're waiting Clarkie, please share your insights on the above. I am sure there are many people who would benefit from knowing more about the Liberal party, you know, your true colours.
clarkie750
says...
8:35am Fri 14 Sep 12
At least you have at last admitted that the Lib Dems in Watford have been successful. And they continue to make improvements to the town, only this week there was a story on this website about the major improvements to the play grounds across Watford.
Sanity 750
says...
9:00am Fri 14 Sep 12
Try answering the questions. Or have you something to hide?
Reg Edit
says...
10:08am Fri 14 Sep 12
clarkie750 wrote:Clarkie,
Oh dear Reg. another long list of things you know nothing about.
At least you have at last admitted that the Lib Dems in Watford have been successful. And they continue to make improvements to the town, only this week there was a story on this website about the major improvements to the play grounds across Watford.
You say there are a long list of things I know nothing about. Let's assume that's true for a minute, that you're right.
I asked you to enlighten me on them, not an unreasonable request if "you know the answers and I don't". Is there a reason you will not answer simple straightforward questions about your party?
I actually think I know the answers, but I would like to hear it coming from you, a leading local Liberal.
Put simply - WHERE ARE YOUR ANSWERS?
LSC
says...
12:55pm Fri 14 Sep 12
You constantly say the Liberals will never have any power, then rant on about what they say in their manifesto.
If, as you constantly assure us, they will never get a chance to use that manifesto, why do you care?
clarkie750
says...
2:31pm Fri 14 Sep 12
You then criticise attempts to reform the House of Lords, which is hugely undemocratic. You then criticise Sal Brinton being there, without acknowledging the fact that that is how the Lords works. Nobody there has been elected. Didn't you know that?
So a complete mish mash of conflicting views.
Sanity 750
says...
3:26pm Fri 14 Sep 12
10 years later and we are still waiting....
Try answering the question; do you stick to an election pledge or not Clarkie?
Or have you something to hide?
Reg Edit
says...
3:31pm Fri 14 Sep 12
good point.
The liberals are too strong locally and as they have such a stranglehold on the council they are not brought sufficiently to account for their actions. In my own little way, I try to point out their mistakes or where they could do better. Their image and their actions are, in my opinion, at odds with each other and I wish to **** that bubble so others may also see through them.
As for their manifesto, I cannot see it does any harm to point out how shallow they are in the pursuit of power and how anything they say or promise is pretty much worthless in their pursuit of power.
They are finished for now, nationally, by all accounts, but complacency and a failure of collective memory may allow them to come back in the future and that would not be good whilst they remain such a dangerous party.
Whilst they have such dangerous policies I will campaign to stop them attaining power.
I don't disagree with everything the Liberals stand for (assuming they mean what they say), and believe it or not I was a Liberal supporter before I joined UKIP. However, if they manage to get any of their most dangerous policies implemented, like on business, tax and the EU, then I worry for the future of our country. It wouldn't take too long for a daft bunch of Liberals to ruin this country if they were left to their own devices.
That's why I care, because I care about this country, it's values and the people living here. I do not want the Liberals to ruin it.
Reg Edit
says...
3:34pm Fri 14 Sep 12
clarkie750 wrote:Clarkie,
Reg let's start with your ramblings about democracy. You accuse Lib Dems of supporting an undemocratic instiution (the EU) but fail to mention that they are in favour of reforming it.
You then criticise attempts to reform the House of Lords, which is hugely undemocratic. You then criticise Sal Brinton being there, without acknowledging the fact that that is how the Lords works. Nobody there has been elected. Didn't you know that?
So a complete mish mash of conflicting views.
thank you.
So you admit the Liberals support the undemocratic EU. That's a start.
Can you now move on to the other questions?
clarkie750
says...
5:10pm Fri 14 Sep 12
Sanity 750
says...
5:14pm Fri 14 Sep 12
10 years later and we are still waiting....
Try answering the question; do you stick to your election pledge or not Clarkie?
Or have you something to hide?
Sanity 750
says...
8:28am Sat 15 Sep 12
Or have you something to hide?
Sanity 750
says...
8:40am Sat 15 Sep 12
Or have you something to hide?
Sanity 750
says...
12:51pm Sat 15 Sep 12
In an age where Value for Money is the over-riding theme throughout Government, both National and local, we need an honest debate about the future of an Elected Mayor. For a comparatively small town like Watford with an expensive Administration which actually has few responsibilities, in my opinion, it’s a luxury we just cannot nor should afford.
We were promised a referendum on the Mayoral system. Clarkie keep your word and give us one
Sanity 750
says...
12:52pm Sat 15 Sep 12
In an age where Value for Money is the over-riding theme throughout Government, both National and local, we need an honest debate about the future of an Elected Mayor. For a comparatively small town like Watford with an expensive Administration which actually has few responsibilities, in my opinion, it’s a luxury we just cannot nor should afford.
We were promised a referendum on the Mayoral system. Clarkie keep your word and give us one
Reg Edit
says...
3:47pm Sat 15 Sep 12
clarkie750 wrote:Clarkie,
Reg let's start with your ramblings about democracy. You accuse Lib Dems of supporting an undemocratic instiution (the EU) but fail to mention that they are in favour of reforming it.
You then criticise attempts to reform the House of Lords, which is hugely undemocratic. You then criticise Sal Brinton being there, without acknowledging the fact that that is how the Lords works. Nobody there has been elected. Didn't you know that?
So a complete mish mash of conflicting views.
a further question for you. Maybe if I ask just on one subject at a time you will be able to concentrate and respond to it.
Ok, so you lost the battle to democratise the House of Lords.
The Tories want to reduce the MPs in the house of commons from 650 to 600 and redraw the boundaries of constituencies to even up the number of people in each, to make them far more equal than they currently are. Your Liberal party agreed to it. After all, why not, it makes things fairer and saves money. Two laudable aims.
Your party has now refused to back this money-saving democratic-increasin
g reform, in fact you are now trying to derail this reform.
WHY?
Are the Liberals only in favour of "improving" democracy when it favours them?
If this is the case, then I wonder why you want to "reform" and stay in the EU? Does it allow the Liberals to have the power that is denied them by the British people?
Any chance of an answer?
Clarkie, Clarkie, where have you gone?
Reg Edit
says...
4:12pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Or is your Liberal position completely indefensible?
Reg Edit
says...
6:16pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Sanity 750
says...
11:22am Fri 21 Sep 12
Reg Edit says...
10:57am Wed 12 Sep 12
Another disappointment from the Liberal Mayor of Watford (sigh)