Row over 'censored' notices to be probed

A row over allegations of censorship of a public notice board in a quiet Shropshire town will be probed by councillors.

Bob May, town clerk to Much Wenlock Town Council, has been accused of censoring the contents of the notice board in the town and exceeding his authority.

Disgruntled residents claim articles posted by townspeople criticising the council have been removed and now the row will be debated in private at Thursday's meeting of Much Wenlock Town Council.

Gary Anderson, of St Mary's Road, contributed to the content of the town centre noticeboard, which he claims is not municipal property because it was donated by another resident.

But critics claimed his articles were insulting to council officials and allegedly included personal attacks.

"It was not my intention to be polite or not, but to write a satirical, humorous, hopefully witty, fictional tale," he commented.

Mr Anderson said: "I would like to know who gave him the right of censorship. He has also stated that the noticeboard is on council property, I would like to see proof of council ownership of the site."

The town clerk had alleged that it was agreed the council would have some form of control over the board's content when it was put up, but Mr Anderson said he challenged the council to produce minutes to verify this claim.

He called on residents who were unhappy about the council's control of the noticeboard content to protest.

"It is time for the Much Wenlock electorate to stand up for their rights, and not be dictated to by petty bureaucracy," said Mr Anderson.

Mr May confirmed that the town council would be discussing the allegations at its meeting.

"The matter will be fully and properly debated then," said the town clerk.