Abergavenny Christmas card picture sparks split (From Free Press Series)

Abergavenny Christmas card picture sparks split

5:20pm Wednesday 24th October 2012 in News By Kath Skellon

ABERGAVENNY councillors are divided over the Mayor’s decision to commission a £100 picture for an annual Christmas card.

The picture, of Mayor Cllr Sam Dodd, will be used for official Christmas cards and the original placed in the Mayor’s parlour.

However, at a monthly meeting of the town council this month, Cllr Douglas Edwards said he was opposed to spending so much on a picture in the current economic climate.

Cllr Chris Woodhouse disagreed, saying: “This is not a card for Auntie Ellie, this is a card for the people who support the town. I would challenge anybody to make a sketch by an artist for that amount. If they are going to judge what the Mayor does I am sad, especially as she saved £500 on the installation ceremony. It is ludicrous for people not to support this. It is nit-picking.”

Cllr Melissa Toombs asked how much the town council usually spends and was told by the clerk that it is around £25 to £30.

Cllr Paul Wadsworth said he had seen the image and that it was a beautiful drawing, done by artist Kathy Casa, that would stay in the parlour as a memory of Cllr Dodd’s time in office.

Six councillors voted in favour of funding the cost of the picture, while four voted against.