In the latest edition of the ‘Shiptonthorpe Council Newsletter’ parish council chairman Victor Lambert said:

“It seems some wanted to inflict false fake news regarding our community”.

He does not say what was fake or false within the recent media coverage.
He continues:

“The Parish Council continue to condemn anonymous letters sent to one Shiptonthorpe resident and the people living in Market Weighton.
In addition we condemn all letters anonymously sent wishing harm to anyone including your Parish Councillors.
I have been provided with copies covering a lengthy period of the posts on the Pocklington Bugle, inclusive of non-resident comments about Shiptonthorpe. None of the posts are extolling the positives of the village or community. No positive comments about Shiptonthorpe activities or events”.

Comment – almost all the information about events is sent to the Bugle via e mail or posted directly by the organisers.

Chairman Lambert reminds villagers that the Bugle stated it was the first to run the ‘Poison Pen’ story, thus stimulating the extensive media coverage.

Fact. The first anonymous letter was posted on a Shiptonthorpe Facebook Group by a Shiptonthorpe resident in January 2023. I shared the story to the Bugle a few days later. The first national media coverage appeared on the BBC News website on Sunday 22 September 2024, 18 months after my original story.

The chairman ends his address by saying that positive things are happening including Charity Poppy Day, Remembrance Weekend and a Christmas party on December 20th.

In the meantime, everyone seems to have a view on who is writing the letters. Three weeks ago, a national newspaper knocked on my door to ask if it was me. Several people had told them that I was writing the letters to build up a story so that I could sell it to the national media. It’s sad that I should have to say this but…. for the avoidance of doubt, I am not the letter writer, and I did not tip off anyone.

On a positive note, readers should note that the accuracy of the Bugle coverage has never been challenged only the fact that the coverage exists. Bugle stories are mostly based on council minutes and transcripts of meetings.