Having just been re-elected as a district councillor for Pinchbeck and Surfleet, I have many people to thank.
First and foremost I would like to thank the 860 residents of Pinchbeck East, West and Surfleet who voted for me, and those that voted for Liz Sneath and Sally Slade.
For this, I thank you genuinely and sincerely.
During the last five weeks of canvassing I have met some interesting people. There are several who are memorable for various reasons, and I will thank them individually, but one that really stands out is Bill from West Pinchbeck.
I met Bill on my first day of this campaign, and he told me he would be 100 years old in April.
So, I promised I’d come back on his birthday for a chat, which I did, and we had lots to talk about. Given his magnificent age Bill had lived a very full life, including going to fight for his country in 1939.
I promised to catch up again with him soon for a cuppa.
I’d like to thank Liz Sneath and Sally Slade for letting me say and do whatever I thought was right to get us through our campaign, and to get us across the line together.
Thank you to Terry Moore for putting together a positive and fair campaign. Terry worked hard and wanted to win a seat, but we worked harder and wanted it more.
A very big thank you to Karen, my wife, and to my family who didn’t get a great deal of my time during April.
A big thank you also to Mabel who supports me through thick and thin, and never judges me.
I’d like to say a special thank you to the small number of individuals who made negative comments about Brexit, or even had the cheek to say “what have you ever done for Surfleet” (you know who you are).
You drove me on to be ever more diligent, determined and supportive of those that made encouraging, positive comments.
I’d like to thank all the staff involved in manning the polling stations and at the count itself into the early hours of May 3.
You did a sterling job, and with great humour.
Thank you also to Paul, my counting agent, and for bringing that vital ingredient for any election – chocolate!
Thank you to the Group and the Association for your support, and thank you to every single candidate for ‘having a go’.
Whether you won or not, you did yourselves and your residents proud and can hold your head high.
Coun James Avery
Via email
