Shortage of streets for suggested names in Newport
A son whose mum was a driving force in Newport is picking up a bid to get a road named in her honour, seven years after her death.
But a meeting heard that there are two possible problems – a lack of new roads for naming and lots of suggestions of worthy recipients.
Stephen Prior told the annual town meeting that the issue had been raised before but nothing had seemingly happened to mark the life of Joyce Barbara Prior.
“She did a lot for this community,” Mr Prior told the meeting on Wednesday (May 14).
“It is seven years and two months since she died but nothing has been forthcoming.
“That’s not right to me. That’s far too long for my way of thinking.”
Mr Prior told the meeting that his mum had been a town councillor, and a business person running the ‘biggest hairdressing salon’ in Newport.
She also ran a childminding business and was the “first female president of the town’s chamber of commerce.”
Mr Prior said his mum died at the age of 91, and that the issue had been picked up by Councillor Eric Carter who died earlier this year.
Outgoing town mayor Councillor Ian Perry told Mr Prior that he had “done what you need to do” and the town has a street naming committee to discuss matters.
“I am sure it will be looked at the next time it meets.”
The meeting also heard that there is a shortage of available streets to put names to, and a list of suggested names. The list may also include the late Councillor Eric Carter.
Councillor Perry said Joyce’s name will be put forward but told Mr Prior that “others will be putting names forward. But we will take it on board.”
Councillor Mark Wiggin, who was a member of the town council in the early 1990s, told Mr Prior that his mum “has not been forgotten.
“She was a very important councillor as well.”
After the meeting Mr Prior told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he “wanted her name remembered forever more.”
Pic: Son, Stephen Prior, at the town meeting at Newport Town Council by LDRS
