Shiptonthorpe certainly hit the headlines yesterday. The story first covered by the Bugle about the anonymous letters was covered by almost every UK national newspaper. Even the ‘Times of India’ ran a piece on their international newsfeed.

One of the best researched stories came from the Daily Mail. Reporter Chris Brooke spoke to ward councillor and deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Leo Hammond who said he had received eight letters some of which questioned his sexuality. The author suggested he was a closet homosexual which he said is not the case.

The Mail also managed to get a word with Parish Council Chairman Victor Lambert who said he had received nine disgusting letters. They include the wish he gets cancer and is run over by a bus on the A1079.

Chairman Victor said he had gone to the police three times but they said there was little they can do. The Mail did well to get a comment from Victor as last month the Parish Council agreed unanimously that they would not communicate with the media or anyone presenting themselves as a journalist. Today he is inviting the press to e mail him. It isn’t clear if the chairman has chosen to disregard the policy which was supported by all councillors.

Shiptonthorpe dairy farmer and parish councillor Richard Waring made a comment on the Bugle calling the BBC coverage ‘A load of Rubbish’. (It’s not clear if his comment also applies to his council chairman, Victor Lambert). In an early Sunday post on the Shiptonthorpe Residents page he decided to brighten up the residents mornings by posting a picture of a newly born calf before the non resident posts his negativity.

Richard has not shown any empathy towards anyone who has received letters but seems very concerned about any story which shows Shiptonthorpe in a negative light, even if it is based on fact with actual evidence.

In the past Cllr Waring has himself been very negative about the former council accusing them of taking decisions in secret and not being open or honest. As a member of the current council he often takes part in discussions which take place after the press and public have been asked to leave. Discussions about the new communications policy and correspondence from the Information Commissioners office have taken place in secret.

Late on Sunday the admin of the ‘Shiptonthorpe Residents Facebook Group’ put up a post reminding members that the page was for Shiptonthorpe residents only. Anything unfavourable would be removed along with the author. None of the national coverage has appeared on the group. It looks as if the original BBC story was picked up by their reporter looking at the Shiptonthorpe Residents page.