Just after 7pm on Monday, June 6, a quiet – if not quite bloodless – revolution took place at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Liberal-controlled Chippenham Area Board in the old council chamber at Monkton Park.

It had been rumoured, but even so it was carried out in a tense atmosphere. It clearly heralded a new era of political and personal Liberal Democrat ambition.

Firstly Mrs Linda Packard, a newly elected councillor of just one month’s standing, who has not yet actually attended a full Board meeting, strode to the platform as chairman.

She was joined as deputy by a hesitant (he had to be reminded to do so) Coun Chris Caswill, long known for his barbed Liberal Democrat comments, especially at unitary level. Neither actually live in the Chippenham Board’s community area, Coun Packard at Lacock, Coun Caswill at Cherhill, the Corsham and Calne areas respectively.

The coup was complete. Perhaps Coun Jon Hubbard, Liberal Democratic group leader on the unitary council, had better take note for future reference.

It took Conservative Coun Jane Scott to emphasise the dramatic change that had taken place when she praised the work of ousted Liberal Democrat chairman Coun Desna Allen who had “guided the Board, bringing stability, efficiency and a non-political outlook in which we worked together for the benefit of the community area.”

An even more dramatic move followed, when Coun Caswill – a known antagonist with regard to the project – was then elected a member of the Chippenham skatepark task group.

Not only is he now in a stronger position to throw more spanners in the works but possibly dismantle the whole project.

Members of the small Monkton Park clique opposing the scheme will be dancing with delight while a huge number of youngsters will be left in despair.

Local Liberal Democrat town councillors present looked on in clear astonishment. Perhaps in the not too distant future they might consider taking refuge in the Independent lifeboat.

Coun Andy Phillips, Chippenham Cepen Park & Redland Ward.