MADAM, On Feburary 17th the ancient Market House of Ross was re-opened with some ceremony as the new Visitor Centre. I say 'with some ceremony' because the presence of John Kyrle, one of the town's great benefactors, was invoked for the occassion.
The renaissance of the market house had not been without some difficulties. It was deemed that Mary Sinclair Powell had to go in the wake of the new managment structure. As they say, 'you can't make omelettes without breaking....' and one tries to understand. So, back to the Market House, now serving a dual function. Actually it is serving no one! On Thursday, market day it is closed, much to the chagrin of traders trying to deal with bewildered visitors to the town. Today, Friday, it is closed again and I watched another stallholder trying to deal with a visitor. One is entitled to ask what is going on?
Some expense was incurred integrating the Tourist Information Centre with the Visitor Centre. The manager appointed to run the Market House operation has already moved on leaving a vacancy. Applications for a replacement have been invited. Why? Who would want to? Only someone with the interests of Ross at heart, someone dedicated to serve the community as other benefactors have in the past.
In 2001 I had the honour of organising and compering the then Mayor's 'Jubilee Concert' during which I paid tribute to those public spirited people who give their lives to the community. Amongst those named – John Kyrle, Thomas Blake – was Mary Sinclair Powell, who received an ovation from the audience. Now ten years later Mary is out in the cold and for half the week the Market House is shut. I repeat, one is entitled to ask, 'what is going on?'
Brian Jackson, (sometimes John Kyrle) Ross