Tit for Tat Tourism?

28th FEB 2025

A huge amount of social media responses followed Cllr Chris Bartrum’s double column attempted WWE take-down of another councillor in the Ross Gazette, with people clearly wanting their say about what they think he’d done.
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In this article, we’ll see what some of those who took to social media said in the following 48hrs.
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Here’s a little selection of those comments, an insight into reactions to the Councillor’s seemingly failed attempt at a reverse chokeslam. Is that a wrestling move? Sounds like one dunnit?

Let's get ready to rummmmmblllle!!!
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Fans quickly decided who they were rooting for… In one corner, The Wrinkled Wrecker (as soon as they’d answered the call of nature), in the other, (not that she knew she was going to be blindsided on the Wednesday morning when papers hit the shelves), the force of nature that is The Tigress Tornado.
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Right, enough of the wrestling rubbish, not knowing the first thing about it makes metaphors too hard to think of. Here’s some of what the great people of Ross-on-Wye had to say…..

Seems yet again the ones out of touch are having a pop at the ones that want the best for our town. Sadly until the town wakes up from its slumber and votes for those that want the best for Ross then this will always be the same.

It’s a sad day when someone feels the need to drag someone down especially a person such as Milly so widely known for doing real hands on caring work for those in real need in Ross, just to grab themselves some limelight.

Milly you have been at the heart of the town for so many years and obviously have your finger on the pulse of the people who live in it and use it every day.

I’m appalled in the way he has treated you Milly Boylan with everything you do for this community you are an amazing selfless person I know you will stand up for the community in every aspect you have our 100% support in everything you do.

Take no notice Milly Boylan you are doing so well in Ross and he knows this, I am fed up with Ross town going down hill like it has , we need more shops to help entice others to shop here along side the little independent shops.

The service you and your helpers provide for this community are doing so much good. Any time you need someone by your side I will support you. You are a huge asset to Ross Milly, you are also an amazing woman with the cojones of 10 men. You are loved xxx

Stop getting at each other and focus on improving the town. There are many ways to do it not just one way. You achieve far less by this attitude. Far more by talking , planning and doing.

Shame on Cllr Bartrum for using this column to so publicly slander a fellow councillor.

To me, for him to not accept a different opinion from another elected Councillor is not democratic of him, and makes you wonder if there is jealousy on his part as you have achieved way more than he ever has in a short space of time.

Milly you are well supported by so many because you are always doing your best for the community. Unfortunately councils can sometimes be reflectios of the national and international politics where so much time is spent by characters endlessly niticking about each other personally just to appear clever.

They should put a supermarket outside the town, near the modern houses, a new surgery etc, but not invade the center of a market town with modern supermarkets. Only my personal view.

It never ceases to amaze me how people behave when they feel threatened by someone doing a good job.

Well said Milly don't let a man bully you and you are correct the town needs more with houses being built people are leaving to go to bigger places to shop it's about time ross changes for the better even Monmouth has Home Bargains and an Iceland.

It's a sad affair that a public attack has been made to you Milly, however I feel like people who respond in this way are either threatened or stuck in their ways and don't want to see positive change.

Ms Boylan does so much for this community, not for her own needs but relentlessly for others. She never stops, even when she was in hospital, she was working. People like this lady do not come along often, we are so fortunate she cares so much. I trust this lady and admire her tenacity and care for this community

I live in Monmouth, most of my trips into your town centre are because I'm already there doing my food shopping. Get that Mcdonalds built or a big B&M and I'd be forever popping in lol.

Milly Boylan funnily enough I have heard of and know because of all the amazing and hard work she continues to do for this community, FOR Ross-on-Wye. Thank you Milly, don't stop what you are doing. The other one, sorry who again?? NEVER heard of. Think that says a lot!

It seems that Mr Bartrum is very out of touch with his local constituents if he doesn’t realise quite what a hands on asset Milly is to the people of Ross ESPECIALLY those in dire need. He’s entitled to disagree with her opinion but the arrogance and rather narcissistic call for her resignation for holding a different opinion to his is rather disgusting.

High time they went to see what she and the rest of the team have actually done with At The Hub Ross on Wye - Literally on a shoestring providing essential services for those that other 'charitable' organisations look down upon.

High streets up and down the country have been in decline for years.I appreciate the honest assessment of Cllr Boylan.

He just doesn't like people who actually do something for Ross. He should be the one to resign and make way for someone who is in touch with what's going on and wants to improve things.

Ross enjoys good road links making it a great place to commute from but will be spoiled by yet more houses with no infrastructure to support them and Morrisons needs to clean up its act and needs more competition (back to needing another supermarket).

The old saying, " Come to Ross to be sharpened" is alive and kicking.....it takes a long time to earn our trust, and seconds to lose it.

100% support Milly and everything she does for the town!

And all the hard work Milly puts in for our community I think we’d all revolt if she tried to resign.

How can he say there is nothing wrong with the town when there are charity shops and barbers galore and any other business seems to be struggling or closing?! Out of town development is in desperate need to bring more people to Ross! Especially with all the new housing estates, we don’t have the infrastructure to support it all.Well done for all that you do Milly!

Where was he when Ross had the massive sewer and flooding incident?

Thank you for all your hard work and dedication Milly, the people of Ross are lucky to have you and all your hard work. You are an inspiration to many.

Milly all I hear is good stuff re your contribution to Ross. I’ve never seen or heard anything of the other councillor.

You obviously don’t know what Milly has achieved for this town and all the ‘doing’ she has already done. It was her attitude, talking, planning and doing that got ‘The Hub’ up and running and has helped many, many people. If you are not familiar, please look it up. It was her hard work and attitude that fought and had her stood in the floods helping business owners until goodness knows what time of night for days/nights on end. It is her doing which has highlighted the awful provisions for homeless people in our county. It is her being available that you very often see her offering her mobile or messages to help people - without judgement and without discrimination. These have all been seen in the news, local press as well as Facebook. Milly has been personally attacked in a newspaper by a paid councillor, this is her right to reply/respond. Milly is an absolute asset to our town, if you live here count yourself lucky that she uses her grit to get things done!

Firstly thank you Milly for all you do for Ross on Wye, Cllr Bartrum has no idea what Ross needs, he is governed by his party line, he is a paid count councillor how many meetings does he actually attend and stick up for Rossthink that town councils should all be independent, and stop this party politics altogether We need fresh direction and leadership in Ross before it's all to late.

Well done you this town needs more passionate councillors and less councillors up there own arses.

You'll always get some haters mate keep up the good work you always go above and beyond for the community of Ross. Ross is lucky to have you as a town councillor and all the brilliant work you do at The Hub.

Neither of them are doing anything for the town! Milly is doing great for the community but not for the town, as for the other one no idea what he has done or even who he is! The town is dying.

Curious - can any councillor have a column in the Gazette, or does that too need approval from the politburo cabal as well?

Thank you Milly for your ongoing support of the town. Visitors to the town that shop with us say such lovely things about the independent shops in Ross, we’re all trying to do our best selling quality/unique/handmade items at reasonable prices and then in turn support small local businesses and local makers. As two entrepreneurs starting a small business we have not been offered much support besides publicity resulting from last years roadworks and the disruption it caused. Keep doing what you’re doing, we appreciate you.

We need to create jobs with the likes of B&M and another out of town supermarket, charity shops and barbers don't create employment for all the new people moving in to town. Well done for all you do Milly it is appreciated.

I’m glad someone else thinks we have a ridiculous amount of charity shops.

Shocker that a politician not be open, transparent nor act with integrity, but instead choose to do some "politicking" to self-serve.

We need to update the infrastructure to accommodate all the new housing, currently there is no where near enough. We need to create jobs with the likes of B&M and another out of town supermarket, charity shops and barbers don't create employment for all the new people moving in to town. Well done for all you do Milly it is appreciated.

What you do and the help and support you give people is amazing I’ve heard only good things about you milly from various random people in Ross what you do for the community is more than any other has ever done.