It is a village mystery that may not have stretched Miss Marple too much. But Norfolk Police seem to be making heavy weather of an investigation into an anonymous satirical newsletter which has been stoking up tensions in Hoveton.
The force has spent more than four months probing the Hoveton and Belaugh Bugle Facebook page. Parish councillors from the picturesque village on the Norfolk Broads say the page has been harassing them for three years.
So far, the creator – who started it in the summer of 2021 “out of boredom” – has refused to reveal his or her identity and has yet to be unmasked by police. The page describes itself as “specialist Edwardian curtain twitchers” and says it deals in “community nonsense”.
‘Harassment’
But members of Hoveton Community Council claim the site has gone too far and its actions amount to harassment.
Kerry Walker, who has been the main target for criticism, is planning to stand down as a councillor next month and even move away from the area as she has had enough of the abuse. She reported the matter to police, which launched an investigation in June. But so far, the individual behind the site remains unidentified.
A Norfolk Police spokeswoman said: “Police received a report of harassment on June 20, 2024. The incidents happened between August 27, 2023 and June 20, 2024 when the victim was harassed online and over the phone. Enquiries are ongoing.”
The suspects
The Hoveton and Belaugh Bugle has continued to make mocking posts since the probe began. There is a long list of suspects for those behind the site, but each has denied being involved.
One Facebook user, ‘Martin Reade’, which appears to be an anonymous profile, is believed to be linked with the page, with their bio describing themselves as a “newshound”. When questioned about their involvement, the user said: “You need to contact the Bugle, I don’t do press and keep my name out of your paper.”
In a strange twist, their name appears to be an amalgamation of two former parish councillors, Martin Richmond and Greg Eade. Both have denied any involvement.
Mr Richmond is a former chairman of the council whose own time at the authority was characterised by intrigue. He wrote an open letter in 2019 complaining of people making “baseless complaints”, “planting derogatory stories” and “verbal abuse”.
At the time, he told the Eastern Daily Press: “It has become what appears to be a concerted campaign to discredit the council. Some members of staff are really feeling under siege.”
Mr Eade – a local businessman who runs an accountancy firm – does frequently interact with the page. He has also created an offshoot Facebook page inspired by the Bugle, called the Hoveton Hornet.
‘Hacked’ account
His Facebook profile has recently commented on a post, which Mrs Walker believed was aimed at her. It referred to “the wicked witch of Hoveton”, which Mrs Walker says is meant to refer to her, and said “the stake” was “ready” for her.
Mr Eade has denied making the post and wonders if his Facebook profile may have been hacked around this time. He says he requested the comment be removed and it has since been taken down. He said he recently agreed that he would “leave Ms Walker alone if she left me alone,” when challenged by a fellow councillor.
‘Leaving Norfolk’
Ms Walker has decided to leave Norfolk due to the continued harassment she has received and is to stand down from her parish council role. In addition to the ongoing online abuse, she says she has also been the victim of offline harassment. This has seen her signed up for house valuations, window replacements and Reform political party newsletters, all without her knowledge. She was even booked in for a psychiatric assessment at a London health clinic.
“It is devastating,” she said. “I really enjoyed being a parish councillor and it is certainly my loss to no longer be a part of it. The amount of time and effort they put into this is unfathomable.”
Explaining her decision to Hoveton Community Council (HCC), Ms Walker said in a resignation letter:
“The degree of the malicious intent to humiliate myself, my family and friends began before I joined the council. However, incidents have been ramped up since joining HCC. This is now resulting in a wider campaign to discredit myself as a councillor and has also drawn in all councillors and the clerk.
“Fuelled by lies and misinformation, the Bugle has triggered new people to join in the abuse. The misinformation and libellous rhetoric aimed at the council and the hall are undermining any ability to make affect change without associated aggro for the council. I do not wish to bring the council into disrepute through this hate campaign, nor do I want to put my friends and myself at personal risk.”
‘Shocking episode’
Russell Reeves, chairman of HCC said: “This has been a regrettable and shocking episode. It is really sad and unfortunate that Kerry and even her friends and family have received such unfair and cruel treatment from a few individuals locally.
“Kerry was a big part of us getting things done within our village. Many activities have progressed locally because of her.
“Meanwhile, Hoveton as a community will now lose out on her immense contribution to the activities and services being provided within our village in the future.”
The saga of the Hoveton and Belaugh Bugle has left the community divided and the mystery unsolved. As the investigation continues, it’s a stark reminder that even in the quietest villages, drama and intrigue can take centre stage.
By Local Democracy Reporting.
