A council’s new ‘refreshing’ social media approach led users to think that they may have been hacked.

Cherwell District Council has been posting on Facebook under the character ‘Mr C’ since Wednesday (June 28).

‘Mr C’ is said to be a fan of bucket hats and writes friendly posts in the first person.

The council has seen engagement with their posts soar after they implemented the new approach. 

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One post, talking about the pronunciation of Bicester, said: “Hi-ya,

“I've just started, and my boss said I needed to let you know what's happening. But I thought I would say hello first.

“So hi. Sorry, that's three times.

“As you can tell, I'm slightly nervous about whether this is the right approach. But hey-ho. Let's give it a try.

Oxford Mail:

“I've already been corrected on one thing: the pronunciation of Bicester.

“The fact I was getting this wrong gives the game away that I am not a North Oxfordshire native. I pronounced it like 'ice' until someone had a quiet word.

“To be honest with you, Bicester is Nice is good, but Bicester is Brill is better.

“I reckon its got a ring to it. #Bicester is Brill.”

This was followed up by a second post yesterday which read: “I forgot to give my name in the Bicester is Brill post yesterday.

“I was a bit nervous as you could tell. It's Mr C.

“Firstly, sorry for the garish image. Someone mentioned a cowboy museum. And for those who know me, I am fond of a hat, owning a selection of handy bucket hats.

“I can't chat long as I am doing my online induction modules. Let's keep it between us - and don't tell my HR team - but it's like wading through treacle.

“Not to get sidetracked but I used to call golden syrup treacle when I was young. From my nan bless her!”

This left social media users confused with one commenting: “They must have been hacked.”

Another added: “Is CDC getting ChatGPT to write its social media posts now?”

Oxford Mail:

But the posts received high numbers of comments and reactions on Facebook with one getting over 80 comments in the first few hours of being online.

One user commented: “Very refreshing. Lovely to meet you! Look forward to hearing what’s coming up!

Another added: “It was strange at first...I thought CDC social had been hacked but I think it's quite a nice post.”

Cherwell District Council were contacted for comment on their new social media approach. 

A council spokesperson said: “We were trialling a refreshing approach to some social media content to engage with residents in the way they often do between each other. The engagement and interaction have been positive.”