I WANT to thank all those who did their civic duty on May 6 and voted in support of Labour's work for Ramsbottom.

In the event, it was the narrowest of wins for the Tories - a majority of only 32 votes after two recounts.

As the unsuccessful Labour candidate, it was disappointing for me that 67 per cent of the electorate could not make the effort to get out and vote to support our ambitions for the very issues that concern them most.

It seems to me that it was a narrow win for the whingers and the carpers over the planning of realistic and practical solutions that people need.

Representing Ramsbottom has been a tremendous privilege for me. I've met some smashing people and I look forward to continuing with those street corner and shop debates regardless!

There is one crumb of comfort for Labour: constructive hard work will continue in the capable hands of Labour councillor Sheila Barnes who does a really excellent job. On to the future then . . .

ANNE BECKETT,

Uppingham Drive,

Ramsbottom.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.