Oyez, oyez! Town crier wins final place on council

THE final place on Barnard Castle Town Council has been decided by the narrowest of margins. 

The 11 sitting town councillors voted 6-5 in favour of Ian Kirkbride filling the one vacant position in Barney’s east ward.

Mr Kirkbride, a retired customs officer and former head of health and safety for the now defunct Comet electrical retailer, is well known as a member of the Castle Players and as the ceremonial town crier. He was one of four people to put their names forward for co-option onto the town council after only five candidates stood for the six available seats in the east ward at May’s local elections.

At last week’s town council meeting Gary Marshall, another of those who expressed an interest, withdrew, while former member David Kinch was unable to attend, although he asked for his name to go forward.

That meant Mr Kirkbride and cafe owner Emma Rowell, another former town councillor, were the only candidates to address members in support of their written expressions of interest.

Mr Kirkbride, 72, said: “I have a particular interest in developing aspects of the arts in general and music in particular and most recently have been pleased to see the encouragement of community related music events embracing many and various local talents.”

Ms Rowell highlighted the work she had undertaken during her year as a town councillor which included campaigning to support health services, introducing monthly open ward surgeries and taking on constituents’ case work.

In the question and answer session which followed, Mr Kirkbride said he had been unable to stand in the recent election as he had been visiting the widow of a close friend in the US, while Ms Rowell outlined her involvement in the Good Ask mental health initiative.

Both were asked whether they would join the council as independents or as members of a political party.

Mr Kirkbride said he was of “no political persuasion whatsoever” while Ms Rowell explained that although she was a member of the Labour Party, politics had no place in the town council. She said she had stated her Labour credentials as part of her aim to be open, accountable and accessible as a councillor.

Town council members then went into private session to discuss the candidates’ presentations further before the vote was held in public.

Town clerk Michael King explained a simple majority was required. Mr Kirkbride received six votes, Ms Rowell five and there were no votes for Mr Kinch.