I AM as guilty as anyone at looking back at a time when Pilks, Beechams and the mines provided thousands of blue collar workers with wages decent enough to spend in a bustling and tidy town centre. 


I am not sure what will get us that investment back but I know moaning and saying how rubbish St Helens is won’t do it.


Why can’t we start selling the town and be more positive about not only our industrial history, but the things we are still doing well, say sports wise and in arts and entertainment.


Can I suggest one small step to bring our whole town together.

August 18 is the feast day of St Helen. Could we start doing something to mark that date every year to build a celebration of the positive things we do in town?


We could make that an event in the park – one not involving a fair ground and overpaid stars – but where talented local musicians get up on stage. 


Local dance groups and gymnasts could show their routines and we could have junior sports teams playing five aside football and seven aside rugby.


Any other suggestions? There is plenty that volunteers and community groups do in town to make it a better place and help our people develop. 


Why don’t we celebrate those and try and feel better about ourselves rather than sitting about moaning about not having a Primark.


Mike, 
via sthelensstar.co.uk