Popularity ratings at the street surgery

Across the three Whickham wards, the 7 Lib Dem councillors hold a joint monthly surgery and today we decided to hold it outdoors in St Mary's Green, complete with table, yellow umbrella and some Lib Dem diamond corex posters. Those attending were me, Cllr John McClurey, Cllr Peter Craig, Kevin McClurey and Cocoa, John's labrador.

The first person to speak to us was Peter de Vere, Labour candidate in my ward. It was interesting to note that he wasn't out campaigning - instead he was on his way to the dry cleaners. Then we had a number of people who all seemed to be recipients of my email newsletter (which goes to about 1500 households) and were keen to talk about issues raised in the edition I sent out last week.

But the winner in terms of profile today was Peter Craig. It seemed everyone knew him and the issues and projects with which he is involved.