AFTER urging “hundreds of people” to picket last Thursday’s drop-in-exhibition in the town’s library on the possible Porlock fire station closure, Minehead mayor Cllr Sandra Slade said that she was “deeply disappointed” that only about 20 residents turned up.

They were joined by placard-carrying campaigners from Porlock who stood in silent protest outside the library when the exhibition opened.

“We came to give support and to thank people for championing our cause,” said Porlock district councillor Andy Milne.“But this consultation was for Minehead residents to put their views.”

Minehead Town Council supports the Porlock protest and Cllr Slade told councillors at their meeting on Tuesday that it was deeply disappointing that residents had failed to realise the importance of keeping local fire stations at full strength.

Cllr Slade later told the Free Press: “I was amazed how few local people turned up for the protest. There were four from the council and 20 from the town.

“This could be of great importance to Minehead. This is not just about Porlock. They are also talking about downgrading Williton, which will put more strain on other local stations and leave areas of West Somerset without cover.”

The mayor said she had been told that the fire authorities regarded last Thursday’s event as an exhibition rather than a public meeting and would only answer questions on a one-to-one basis.

“To me this is completely wrong. A consultation should be an open meeting at which the public can ask questions and expect to get answers,” the mayor said.

In an appeal to the public a week before the drop-in, Cllr Slade had urged residents to turn out in their hundreds and offered larger accommodation if the library proved too small.

Cllr Milne said that Porlock greatly appreciated the support they had had from Minehead. The town council had been well represented at the recent Porlock protest march and had backed Porlock throughout the campaign.

This and other reports on the campaign are in tomorrow’s Free Press (August 30)