MY FIRST INDIAN WEDDING

Yesterday I attended my first Indian Hindu wedding. My friend and I arrived late but apparently Indian weddings often run late and it started after we arrived. The ceremony was very long and we were invited to go and eat while it was still going on - very different from an English wedding! The bride wore red and gold and all the Indian ladies were dressed in saris but most of the Indian men wore English suits. A truly fascinating experience.

My victory as 2008 Bedford Youth Champion was publicised on the Beds on Sunday website and Chiltern Radio and I received compliments from 2 former Bedford Youth Champions, Andrew McConnell and Peter Hand, both Conservative Councillors.
Thank you Andrew for your Blog article on Blogging for Bedford

Sadly my week was overshadowed by the death of my 93 year old aunt in Portsmouth so I have a funeral on Friday. Aunt Erina was in poor health for months but lived a long and interesting life, which we shall celebrate at Portsmouth Cathedral.

BEDFORDSHIRE'S SEXIEST POLITICIAN

The closing date for the Blogging for the Bedford Poll to find Bedfordshire's Sexiest Politician is tomorrow 21 August. So far I have 131 votes and I am in 3rd place. Please vote for me now - the website is www.bloggingforbedford.blogspot.com.

Here are 2 comments received from my Blog readers -

"Nice pictures and informative Blog"

"Councillor Faulkner your modesty does you proud. Best of luck in the Poll. It's good to see a strong woman in politics who combines good looks with sound judgment. More power to your elbow and keep on blogging. I'm a Faulkner Journal addict"

Thank you Birdy and Chris Lake - please keep the comments coming. I hope you like my Olympic blog on our British Women who keep winning Olympic Medals in Beijing!

BEDFORDSHIRE'S SEXIEST POLITICIAN

Many thanks to 124 people who have voted for me in the Blogging for Bedford Poll for Bedfordshire's Sexiest Politician and put me in 3rd place. The closing date for voting is 21 August

My vote was helped by by John Ball in Beds on Sunday who was amused by my Blog reader Wayne Blythe in Barnsley. Wayne said he would rather have me as his Councillor as I am much better looking than his Labour Councillors in Barnsley!

Maybe you just like my Blog, especially my blogs on the Beijing Olympics. I have never been a sportswoman but I became an Olympic TV addict last week. It is enthralling to watch our superb British cyclists, rowers, sailors, swimmers and athletes achieving Olympic glory. Great Britain is tiny compared with China but we are 3rd out of 204 countries in the medal table with 33 medals. We are punching well above our weight and laying firm foundations for more Olympic successes in London 2012.

In between watching the Olympics I am fulfilling a different role, looking after Emma, my 6 year old granddaughter. Tomorrow we are visiting the Summerfields Miniature Railway, Haynes, which is celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year and also plan to visit Wild Britain in Wilden. We local politicians are a versatile lot!

Your comments are always welcome.

BEDFORDSHIRE'S SEXIEST POLITICIAN

You will have realised by now that I am a serious minded politician but August is the silly season in the UK when many people are on holiday and journalists are desperate for stories. Andrew McConnell, a Conservative colleague writes a lively Blog called BLOGGING FOR BEDFORD and has launched a light hearted summer poll to find Bedfordshire's Sexiest Politician.

I have been shortlisted from 200+ politicians with 18 others but so far have only received a few votes. You can boost my morale by Googling BLOGGING FOR BEDFORD and vote for me before 21 August 2008 Andrew's website address is www.bloggingforbedford.co.uk.

There is still time to vote my Blog as one of the TOP TEN UK POLITICAL BLOGS - have a look at my 22 July Blog and vote before 15 August.

Tomorrow I am off on an official visit to London Luton Airport with 3 other Conservative County Councillors.