I think we can all agree that Grantham isn’t as ‘great’ as we would like it to be.
We’d love to have a thriving high street, more employment and we generally want it to be a better place to live. However, we shouldn’t forget about the things that do make Grantham great.
We had the inspirational Gravity Fields event last year, which I’m sure many of us would like to see return again at some point.
We saw the return of our museum, which despite the controversy around the Thatcher statue seems to have been welcomed by all.
Some of our local businesses have been able to expand, like Moy Park and Belvoir Fruit Farms, despite the downturn in the economy.
We’ve also had the tireless campaigning from local people to save our A&E department and the ambulance station.
If there’s one thing that makes Grantham great, it’s the sheer determination and willpower of local people to make sure their voices are heard and that the things that are most important to us are retained.
Local people are not afraid to speak up when they don’t agree with something and they’re certainly not afraid to fight for the things they believe should remain here. It’s brilliant to see a community still very much involved in local life.
We might not have much in the way of shops or jobs, but I’m certain that with such a powerful voice, the future of Grantham is looking good. I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for our little market town.
It’s been a pleasure to write for the Grantham Journal column over the past year. Although people have not always agreed with my views, it’s been a great experience and I’ve learned a lot. Thanks for reading.
* The Journal would like to wish Alison all the best for the future and thank her for her contribution.