Plain-talking (From Durham Times)

Plain-talking

8:11am Friday 8th June 2012 in Spectators Notes

MUCH merriment at County Hall last week, as deputy leader Alan Napier welcomed a report on tourism in County Durham.

But why, he asked, was the Durham Miners’ Gala not featured?

Durham Day, it appears, is not de rigeur with tourism chiefs nowadays. Too many socialists and topless lads from Murton, one suspects.

But he, at least, was sure, Councillor Napier informed those present, its absence from said report was merely a typo – and one which would be corrected post-haste.

WOR Al (see above) is an old friend of the column, thanks to his outstanding ability for creating wonderfully baffling new council-speak.

But he is beaten to this week’s Unplain English Award by his predecessor as deputy leader, Coun Clive Robson.

Robbo, now cabinet member for housing, was bemoaning the Government’s ‘bedroom tax’ when he referred to houses with spare bedrooms being ‘under occupation’.

Spectator thought that might be something else entirely.