The cold winds of change driven by the digital and global economy are profoundly affecting every town and village across the UK – including Stroud, that’s never really been a ‘pretty’ Market town. The manufacturing in the valley bottoms that created the wealth on which Stroud was built and that drew WW II refugees to our town, have long gone and the ‘pretty Market Town’ crown has always to Cirencester, Painswick – with Stroud the embarrassing relative.

I’m sorry if the Five Valley Centre offends your sensitivities but I’m glad that the new owners are investing in Stroud – witness the new centre for Doctors and other health professionals. An excellent new library also looks to be going into Five Valleys. What you find dark and cold and depressing is actually providing all kinds of renting opportunities to support local entrepreneurs get a foot hold in business. Sunday has traditionally been a quiet day as Stroud was dependant on small traders who do need a break, but the FVC now has Super Sunday’s, that sees Dads & son’s out for brunch: a splendid thing in my world.

I suggest that you retire to Richmond Village where the refined life that you seek is available and its very near the ‘St Mary’s Mead’ development: so you can visit the past as well.

The future will be challenging for sure but the Covid lockdown influx of folk has bought a vital new force that the town needs. Talking of Covid it’s a big-up to local (Berkeley) fellow Dr. Edward Jenner, whose legacy of untold millions of lives saved and lives improved must never be forgotten: For Real.

Some look and ask ‘Why?’, others look forward and think ‘Why Not?’.

Jeremy Collingwood

Stroud