Madam, congratulations to Richard Mayo and his newly formed ART association of Ross Traders for the great efforts they are making to revive the wonderful reputation which Ross held in the past as a thriving Market Town.
My family ran the shoe shop in Gloucester Road (now Herrings) for many years and just before the last recession we, like many other independent traders were experiencing an exodus of local shoppers to Gloucester and Hereford. So about 25 years ago I wrote the following little ditty in our advert.
A wise old owl sat in a tree and watched our Christmas spending spree
Some folk went off to the big town store
Got hustled and bustled, and what is more
How much did it cost to travel there?
Could they park the car, did the traders care?
'Oh no,' said the owl, 'that's not for me,
I'll buy my presents locally
In Ross, although the shops are small
There's food, clothes, gifts for one and all.'
So shop in Ross and in the end
You'll be better off like our wise old friend.
Please think about it and support ART.
Jean Marshall, Goodrich