THERE used to be a zeal for things happening in Fairford’s Town Square.
Our market town status was established in 1135 — our church, as it stands, was consecrated in 1490, I think.
Commerce enabled the town to flourish and the church to be established.
But now the town seems to lack commercial nous.
Over the past 25 years the decline in local trading has been startling — but understandable. Those enticing out-of-town giants are now realising we like ‘local’ and there is a drift back to the old ‘High Street.’ Our planners seem not to see that — nor the Co-op that promises more local affinity.
Nor do our local councils (Fairford Town Council/Cotswold District Council) it would appear.
Well if Fairford wants to accept its drift into dormitory status — with an historic Church — it is going the right way about it.
The heart of Fairford is its town square — the splendid church its soul.
It is being drained by a lack of vision about who or what it is.
KEITH GALLON
Fairford
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