Polling Day

Today is polling day in the UK. Lots of elections going on for local government, by-elections, mayoral positions and police commissioners.

All very exciting, except here in Stratford. Here the only election we had was for a police commissioner. Now I'm sure these people do a very good job and are probably worth their reported 85k annual salary, but how many of us actually know who the current police commissioner is or would recognise them on the street? and how many people are going to turn out to vote for a new one? Luckily it was a lovely sunny day which may have helped turnout but I felt sorry for the six election officers split by different areas, all their faces lit up when we walked in, but only one pair looks after our road, the others slumped back into their chairs hoping they would get at least one (more) customer before 10pm.

The picture is of some cowslips that have flowered in the garden, caught in the morning light so no harsh shadows; yesterday Compton Verney was awash with them.