Ghost hunter chases role as Derby city councillor
DERBY historian Richard Felix is to stand for the Labour party in the next Derby City Council elections.
The creator of the city's Ghost Walks and founder of Derby Gaol as a tourist attraction will be the party's candidate for Darley ward at the 2010 local elections next May.
The former chairman of Derby's Chamber of Trade is a married father-of-two who built up a cult following as a presenter on the TV series Most Haunted.
He has already worked with Derby's Labour group on campaigns such as a petition to keep city centre toilets opens.
Mr Felix said he wanted to make a difference locally.
He said: "I've been incredibly lucky to make a career doing what I love but I'm a local boy and it's time to give something back to the city.
"As someone who cares deeply about Derby, I'm absolutely determined to do what's best for the city.
"I publicly backed Derby Labour group at the last local elections because I genuinely believe it's the only party in the city that seems committed to improving things and I want to go one step further in 2010 by helping them to achieve that.
"I've done my best to support and promote Derby in my professional career and now I hope the people of Darley ward will support me."
Councillor Chris Williamson, Derby Labour group leader, said: "Richard shares the Labour group's vision for the city and that has been an important factor in his selection as candidate for Darley ward.
"He's an intelligent man but he's also somebody who cares a great deal about Derby and who is in a position to do something about that. He'd make an excellent councillor and I'm convinced the people of Darley ward will see that."
Comments
by Christopher, Derby
Wednesday, June 24 2009, 11:21AM
“Richard I think you have chosen the wrong party. If you read through the DET archives at the Local Studies Library you will find that most of the destruction of our heritage was carried out under successive Labour councils. I would also quote a couple of points raised by Chris Williamson and Dave Roberts concerning heritage matters. Williamson spoke out against retaining the Cockpitt as a place name because it was representative of a cruel sport that no longer takes place, thus ignoring the cultural importance of the place name. Dave Roberts stood up at a Council meeting and criticised the Liberal Democrats for including Erasmus Darwin in a discussion about place names and Derby's Heritage, when he asked what significance Erasmus Darwin has for Drerby, claiming he came from Litcfield and had no connection with Derby! (all comments can be verified by viewing recordings of Council meetings on the Council Webcast website) As we all know or shouold know, that Darwin lived in Derby for many years and had a house on Full Street, a plaque on Exeter Bridge commemorates the fact, which Mr. Roberts seems to have somehow missed.
So Richard you join this band of Philistines for what? Personal objectives? To help sell your Ghost walks or to defend Derby's Heritage?”