CREDITON Town Council could revisit its decision not to accept a free portrait of King Charles, Cllr Elizabeth Brookes-Hocking, explained before she ended her term as Mayor and Chair of Crediton Town Council.

Cllr Brookes-Hocking was responding to a letter published on the “Crediton Courier” website and social media sites on May 21 and in the “Crediton Courier” on May 23.

Dr Christine Bennetts wrote: “I read with interest that on the basis of a small survey conducted via social media the town council has rejected the offer of a free portrait of King Charles for the town council offices.

“Given that I and many other older people do not and never will use social media, it seems very sad that this generous offer has been declined by what is a vote from only those who do use it, and therefore hardly representative of the town in general. 

“The article said that more than half of the 250 had voted against accepting the portrait – so that is what 128 or 130 people out of a population in Crediton of how many?

“I have to wonder what the figure may have been had this online poll been conducted with a larger cohort who like me will never use social media on principle, or who have no access to a mobile phone or computer, and who would have liked to see a portrait of King Charles in the Town Council Offices? 

“Is there no chance of a re-think on this decision? Or is this decision simply one that mirrors more clearly the politics of the Town Council and not the population of Crediton more generally?”

Mrs Elizabeth Brookes-Hocking responded: “The decision on the King’s portrait can be revisited after six months.

“If you think the decision was the wrong one, please raise it with the Town Council and ask that it be reconsidered after that time.

“I have copied the town clerk into this email so you have her email address should you wish to do this.  If you do choose to raise the issue, it might be a good idea to encourage other residents with the same view to support you.

 “I don’t do social media either, largely because I find that it is usually a big distraction from what I was supposed to be doing in the first place and social media commentators can often be unkind, which I don’t have time for.  However, it can be a useful way of letting a proportion of the population know what is going on and to seek their views – but I must agreed that, as a general rule, it leaves out the older generation.

 “Although I will not be the mayor from now on, as a local councillor, I would be keen to hear the views of older people in the town, and any others who didn’t do the survey, concerning the decision we took and whether it should be reversed.”

Dr Bennetts has since replied: “Thank you for your response to my concerns.

“I note that the decision to refuse the portrait can be reconsidered in six months if people so wish. I also know that Lapford accepted the offer and that the King’s portrait now hangs in the Orchard Centre for public view there.

“This is not about whether people identify as royalists or republicans, it is about respect for our King, the Sovereign of the British Isles.

“I remain unable to comprehend the need for a survey instead of a gracious acceptance of a gift freely offered. The refusal itself appears discourteous, but the decision to hold a survey to decide acceptance was shameful.

“If the Town Council did not want the portrait, then why was it not offered to Crediton Library where it would be seen by more people than simply those who attend the Council offices?

“I may be alone in holding these views but if others wish that Crediton Town Council had accepted the portrait of  King Charles III for Crediton and residents then I hope they will act accordingly.”

 • What do you think of the decision?  Share your views with fellow Courier readers.  Write to The Editorial Manager, Crediton Courier, 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LF or email: [email protected] .