Councillor declines royal day invitation after Signal Tower Museum 'snub'
An Arbroath councillor revealed he declined an Angus Council invitation to today's visit from the Princess Royal, after the chairman of the Year of the Light Committee was "snubbed".
The Signal Tower Museum in Arbroath.
- By Graeme Bletcher
- Published in the Courier : 27.05.11
- Published online : 27.05.11 @ 02.23pm
Councillor Bob Spink told the local authority he would not attend the opening of the refurbished Signal Tower Museum, in a show of solidarity with former Arbroath Citizen of the Year Harry Simpson.
Princess Anne is due to reopen the attraction this afternoon and it was widely anticipated that Mr Simpson would be in attendance, due to his integral role in the bi-centenary celebrations surrounding the Bell Rock Lighthouse.
Year of the Light committee members are "astonished" by the decision, while Mr Spink deemed it an "insulting blunder".
He said, "When Harry told me he had not received an invitation to the opening of the refurbished signal tower museum last week, my reaction was one of disbelief and embarrassment at the snub to one who has done so much, with his committee, to forward the Year of the Light project.
Mr Spink added that he had great respect for Mr Simpson and said omitting him from the prestigious event was "uncalled for".
He added, "After our conversation I did not think Harry wished to ‘go public' on this issue, thus made no public comment, not wishing to perpetuate his embarrassment or interfere.
"I did however, last weekend, inform the council that I would not be attending the event and gave no reason although that reason is now clear."
Mr Simpson has spoken personally to Princess Anne in the run-up to today's unveiling. He was the driving force behind many of the ideas incorporated in the £450,000 revamp of the museum.
Angus Council blamed Mr Simpson's exclusion on "space restrictions" within the museum.
06.36am - 28.05.2011 Harry Stephen - TORROX COSTA, Spain Report This
Well Done, Bob Spink. Yir a man efter yir faither's doing and he'd be prood o' you. It's a disgrace that Harry Simpson has been omitted from those invited. Could the Courier please print a full list of those invited to attend. Thank You. It will make very interesting reading.
10.17am - 30.05.2011 JM - Glenrothes, Scotland Report This
Typical the councillors muscle in for a bit of publicity and to rub shoulders with royalty whilst those who did the work get sidelined. Well done Bob Spink for having some integrity.
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