THURSDAY May 7 was a sad occasion for some of us who got swept away by a national tide and no longer represent the communities we have tried hard to serve for many years.

It was unfortunate that a national vote eclipsed what in our case in Alderney was an increased vote.

There were good councillors from mine and other parties that lost too.

It was not so much what individual councillors did, but whether they were wearing the right rosette on the day – with a very few notable exceptions.

Though I have represented Alderney for 31 of the last 32 years (I had an enforced year off in 1995), it is these last seven years that have been particularly rewarding.

The two communities that I represented, that had the highest level of disadvantage, faced with huge cuts in government funding to local councils, organised themselves and created in the case of the Rossmore/Bourne Estate – the Bourne Valley Action Group (BVAG), and Alderney West – Residents of Alderney West, working in partnership with Poole Housing Partnership, Poole Council’s Community Development Unit, and local councillors.

These have achieved, and are still achieving, a lot, including a volunteer run weekly youth club. I was particularly moved when I saw what a fantastic job BVAG, working in partnership with St Aldhelm’s Academy, made of providing a Christmas lunch for the more isolated older people in the community.

I hope that those who have been propelled into public office on a national wave realise that there is more to being a councillor than pinning a party rosette on a seat in the council chamber and that in areas like Alderney there are people with severe problems that need a response and help.

In the meantime, I will personally still be trying to do my bit to help those who have been doing so much to help others.

I am proud of the communities I represented, and wish them well in these even more difficult next few years of “extended austerity”.

TONY TRENT

Former Alderney Ward Councillor