“EVICTION NOTICES” ON WOLVES COUNCILLORS

27-04-2010

“Eviction notices” have been served on eight Wolverhampton councillors in an emotive video posted on youtube designed to highlight the forced removal earlier this year of 106-year old Louisa Watts and other residents from Underhill House.

There’s no clue as to the director or producer of the film, but it looks professionally made and calls on voters to reject the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats who voted for the closure of Underhill and are now standing for re-election in May.

Among those named are Council leader Neville Patten who’s standing in Bushbury North.

The others are Andrew Wynne (Con, Tettenhall Wightwick); Barry Findlay (Con, Tettenhall Regis); Christine Mills (Con, Merryhill) Malcolm Gwinnett (Lib Dem, Springvale); Matthew Holdcroft (Con, Wednesfield South); Neil Clarke (Con, Wednesfield North); Patricia Patten (Con, Penn).

Louisa’s son Derek Watts was so enraged by the affair that he’s standing as an independent in Wednesfield North.

Fallings Park councillor Steve Evans who led the campaign against the closure of the home was surprised but delighted when The Stirrer broke the news of the video.

He said: “The message is that it was wrong to force a 106-year old to leave her home against her will, but the voters are the bosses and they will decide.

“The Council made a decision on that fateful night, the High Court made a decision on that fateful day, and now its up to the electorate – I’m sure they will do the right thing.”

Cllr Evans recently visited Louisa in her new home, The Sycamores in Blakenhall, and while he’s careful not to criticise staff, he believes her quality of life has suffered.

“There’s nothing wrong with the home, but being stuck in one big room in a semi-circle with other residents watching a 22” telly isn’t the same as enjoying bingo, having a sing song, or eating the odd fish and chip supper that they had in the old place.”

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