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Disappointed: Former district councillor, John Simmonds, with his dog Ben at his home in Rock.

TWO stalwarts of the Wyre Forest community lost their seats in last week's district council elections.

John Simmonds, a councillor in Rock for 35 years and Louise Edginton, first elected a Bewdley councillor in 1976, were the only two Independents on the authority.

Mr Simmonds, 77, a former council chairman, said the recent elections marked the end of an era, with national trends increasingly sidelining local concerns in district elections.

He said: "I was disappointed by the result. Being a councillor was a great part of my life and I was proud and keen to represent Rock."

He added: "Everything has to come to an end. I don't know whether I will stand again in the future. It's a long way away."

He explained: "I felt like I was fighting the whole Conservative party and not a person. It was a kneejerk reaction against the Government that did the damage."

Mr Simmonds said, as an Independent, he had to do all his canvassing himself or with a few "faithful helpers", while the Conservatives had resources he could never match.

He explained local elections should be about local concerns and local people and that politics at district level were "unnecessary".

He added: "I am very sad that both the Independents are now gone. Independents are very important in helping to keep the council balanced."

Mr Simmonds said he would "soldier on" and had many interests to keep himself busy. He would also continue to serve Rock as a parish councillor.

Louise Edginton said she had expected to lose her seat because of widespread unhappiness with the Government.

She added: "I'm very proud to serve Bewdley and I hope the town is proud of me. I love Bewdley and the people of Bewdley and I will continue as a town councillor."

She explained: "It's a terrible shame there are now no Independents in the council. In local government you should be free to say what you like and vote as you like."

She added: "But you just have to take things in your stride and bounce back again. I have a happy personality and I don't let things get me down."

8:26am Thursday 8th May 2008

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