I don’t think that Gordon Mackay got the facts right about saying that he didn’t want people to stop shopping in Midsomer Norton but only reiterated what I had already said.

Didn’t I say I knew where toilets were and that I still shop in Midsomer Norton, but tend to go to Frome because I know the disabled toilets are open? The reason was that our banks had closed in Midsomer Norton.

We were season tickets holders at the sports centre, even when Writhlington took it over, when my husband was walking. We know that they have a disabled changing room and have used the toilets. But now with very limited mobility, being in wheelchair, it’s impossible. In the past when going to go to South Road car park it’s full so I’ve gone past the sports centre to park and if lucky get a space. I don’t use the ones there because I feel that they are there for disabled who use the sports centre.

Another example: last January on a Saturday we had an invite for my husband to attend for a eye health check up so I parked in the car park on the side of Sainsburys. It was a bitter cold day and by the time I got him out and down the slope, found a high curb and had to walk down the side to the lights where the pedestrian crossing is to get him back up to the opticians. 

He was shivering so badly although dressed for the cold and a cover over him that the optician turned the heating right up to help him stop shaking.

This year we had another invite, so made a weekday appointment. I called Dial A Ride and was met by two very helpful drivers. 

The one who picked us up wouldn’t let me push my husband out in his wheelchair to get on, stopped right outside the opticians and again took control. The lady who came to pick us up stopped in the bus stop came and said to the receptionist that she was here to pick us up, had to wait five minutes as he was nearly finished, took control of my husband in his wheelchair, what a credit to the company.

My last encounter, again last year, was going to Lidl car park and waiting for a car to pull out of the only disabled space free, my husband asked to come in but as it was very busy I said I think it would be better if he stayed in the car. Getting my bags out the boot a car came round and the driver shouted out I shouldn’t be parking there as my husband was the disabled one. I said you can obviously see the wheelchair and suggested that he reads the blue badge rules in the book that comes with it and walked on into Lidl to do my shopping. 

I did my shopping but when coming out this disgruntled man shouted out that he just had to walk up from the bottom, at which point I told him to think himself lucky that he could walk. I still go in Lidl.

Oh by the way I’m 80 next year and my husband 83. Luckily I’m fit and healthy.

On another note, in last weeks’ Journal I was saddened to read that Steve Plumley will not be standing again as a councillor as he has done so much for the town. He’s always welcoming when attending functions that he has helped organised.

Please note I said I’m glad it has been passed for Gullock Tyning, just hoping that the toilets in the project could be replaced or modernised for disabled people, young and old and with hidden disabilities, could use with a key.  My fault, I should have been my open about my reason.