Prankster’s note to absent councillor Brian Riley damages bench by Hadleigh war memorial
The sign nailed to a bench in Hadleigh aimed at Brian Riley, who has moved to the US but is continuing as a Suffolk County Councillor - Credit: Archant
An attempt at making an amusing political statement has left a lasting mark – but not a welcome one.
Brian Riley (centre) with daughter Kate (left) and wife Alice (right) after winning a local election - Credit: Archant
Former Babergh district councillor Brian Riley sensationally moved to America earlier this year but refused to give up his other position as Hadleigh’s county councillor.
His claim of being able to keep up with the job when nearly 4,000 miles away in North Carolina through modern technology, as well as returning to the UK every six weeks, angered some people in the area and resulted in him having the Conservative whip withdrawn.
And it seems feelings are still running high in the area after a prankster nailed a small note to a bench in the town.
In keeping with Hadleigh’s Year of the Sheep theme, it read: “SCC Cllr. Brian Riley, Missing ewe!”
However the note, while amusing, has caused consternation closer to home.
It was nailed to the bench in front of the town’s war memorial wall, which cost several hundreds of pounds, and now removed has left three holes in the wood.
Most Read
- 1 McKenna on Hladky and Bakinson futures
- 2 Controversial statue on Stowmarket roundabout gets green light
- 3 Husband sues hospital over 'medical neglect' death of wife
- 4 5 of the prettiest villages in Suffolk
- 5 Go-ahead given for 74 new affordable homes for Suffolk town
- 6 'Let's turn this into a fortress' - Town season ticket sales hit 16k
- 7 Mike Bacon: A perfect start to hopefully a perfect season
- 8 Greater Anglia warns of further severe disruptions as more strikes planned
- 9 Plans for second village school scrapped in favour of bigger site
- 10 7 roadworks Suffolk drivers should be aware of this week
It was taken down after a member of the public sat on the bench and had his clothing ripped by a nail sticking out of the sign.
Town clerk Carol Bailey said: “It appears that an unknown person has taken it upon themselves to nail to the bench a metal surround from the front of an old filing cabinet.
“The nails were left in such a way as to be dangerous to anyone using the bench.”
“The town council would like to say to whoever did this whilst you may have found it amusing your actions were both dangerous and amount to criminal damage.
“Let’s hope that when you read this letter you will realise the consequences of your actions and will not repeat them again.”
