HINDSIGHT is a wonderful thing isn’t it? 


And most of us love to utilise it in a sage-like manner; suggesting that we knew, back whenever, that what was decided was wrong and doomed to failure.


My pondering on the subject of hindsight was prompted when I attended the World of Glass for an event about a prestigious project, which with the right backing, could come to St Helens.


Glass Futures is a collaboration between British Glass and several major international companies, including our very own Pilkington, which would see a major effort in research and development to revitalise and enhance the glass industry.


As we all know St Helens is effectively the spiritual home of glass making, with many of the major developments in the industry happening here. 


I was distraught at the demise of that same industry; as plant after plant closed.


Therefore it is no surprise that at an event which talks of the twin subjects of glass and St Helens, old emotions are stirred.

If I had a TARDIS, I’d go straight back 40 years and make sure those correct calls were made;

However, no amount of misty eyed nostalgia will make it different.

As I said earlier hindsight’s value is as a tool from which to learn, identifying what went wrong and why, and avoiding those same pitfalls in the present and future; however, it is easy to allow hindsight to hinder the future.


It can be a monster that blocks out any thought of future success, turning from useful tool to bitterness and acrimony and in some ways, this can be the case with our town. 


Yes there have been many failures and broken promises over the past 30 years or so, but let’s not let that mask the evidence that the tide is turning. Glass Futures is but one of many projects and initiatives, which have real potential for success.


I am a St Helens Ambassador and proud to be so; however, we all need to be ambassadors for the borough, talking it up and selling it wherever and whenever we can.

The town has been its own worst enemy for many years by talking itself down. Now the time has arrived to put that negativity aside and get behind the push to make things happen, looking forward, not backwards.

I came across a short mantra recently that I think St Helens would do well to adopt: Accept what is, let go of what was and have faith in what will be.


John Tabern, St Helens