CHILDREN LEFT IN TEARS AFTER MAYOR FALL ASLEEP SCHOOL PLAY

[Daanyeer]

Children left in tears after mayor and his wife fall asleep during school play
By Daily Mail Reporter
9th April 2010


Young pupils were left in tears after their town mayor and his wife dozed off in the audience during their school production of the musical, Bugsy.
Noel Atkins, Mayor of Worthing, in West Sussex, and his Danish wife, Helena, were both asleep within 20 minutes of Vale First and Middle School starting its performance.
Outraged parents who had to comfort their sobbing children during the interval blasted the Atkins' 'poor manners'.

One parent, who did not want to be named, said: 'I think it is appalling. The couple were the guests of honour but within 20 minutes they had both fallen asleep.
'It's just disappointing for the children. Some of them were crying during the interval and asked what they were doing wrong
'They thought the mayor was bored because their performance wasn't good enough.
Tory Cllr Atkins, 66, hastily issued an apology blaming his wife's medication tablets and his heavy cold for their controversial catnap.
He said: 'I would like to apologise if I have upset any of the children
'A reviving cup of coffee did work wonders, and we were pleased to meet and chat with the children during the interval and enjoy their performance of Bugsy.



Despite getting his free bus pass last year, Mayor Atkins is normally better known in his home town for his energetic approach to local politics.
He threw himself into his first engagement after his appointment last May by 'crowd surfing' over a 14,000-strong audience.
The father-of-five was wearing his official chain as he launched himself from the stage during a church festival. He was carried aloft for two minutes by the cheering crowd in scenes that became an instant YouTube hit.
He said at the time: 'I have received a huge number of compliments. It was a great sensation though I was a little concerned that I might lose my trousers.'
In August he made a 12,000ft parachute jump to cure his fear of heights - and landed in a cow pat near Headcorn, Kent.