It appears that Lydney Town Council has produced yet another fiasco with the Party in the Park.

In a newspaper report, Mr Bob Berryman, Mayor of Lydney and Trustee of Bathurst Park Charitable Trust, attributes blame to all and sundry, including the weather.

He also mentions a “debriefing” after this poorly-attended event. 

Perhaps he would like to include a full report and costs to local Council Tax payers in the next edition of Lydney’s About Town leaflet, or even to this newspaper?

I would like to remind him that in order to encourage visitors to this event, current car parking charges were suspended for the day. 

Coleford, Cinderford and Newent – take note. I gather this particular event is planned to become annual, so why can it not be incorporated into the Lydney Festival and not in direct competition with other long-standing, well-attended local events?

Lydney Town Council and its subsidiary departments seem to have little accountability or restraint when spending our Council Tax. 

Look at its recent history: advertising for two additional members of staff – one office-based, one gardener) – a three-year outside contract for flower decorations through the main street.

Was this as a result of the gardeners going to Chelsea Flower Show in May – who went and who bore this cost?

Fencing off leisure areas to keep out boar and dogs and, finally, the on-going saga of the wildflower strip next to Lydney Lake, which has proved both disastrous financially and environmentally. 

I now hear that Lydney Recreation Trust is willing to go to court to defend their position. Yet more cost to Lydney taxpayers.

There have been so many detrimental comments about the actions of our local councillors in both the national and local press that Lydney must be the laughing-stock of Gloucestershire. 

Philanthropists Charles Bathurst, Viscount Bledisloe and John H Watts who gave so much to Lydney, and past councillors such as Messrs Phelps, Essex, Ridler, Steel etc must be looking down in incredulity at this deplorable situation.

– Taxpayer and long-time resident, Lydney.