So... what era would you most like to go back to?

WE couldn’t resist sticking our proverbial tongues in our proverbial cheeks this week and having a bit of fun with the story about the Millennium Clock seemingly wanting to take us back in time.

It’s been interesting to see what readers have suggested they would like to go back to, if we were suddenly fortunate enough to have a town centre time machine, and to look back on some of the things they miss.

Suggestions flooded in. Longlost shops, pubs that have since closed, landmarks and structures that have been removed, events that have fallen off the calendar and even a few cheeky pleas for the Black’s Head sculpture at the Green Man. It was a very long list.

But as nice as it is to take an imaginary step back in time, we also need to think about Ashbourne’s future, especially now that we’ve had to weather the coronavirus storm.

Looking back reminds us of better times, with more shops, fields and summer celebrations - but, back to the future, for a moment, what lies ahead for Ashbourne needn’t be all bad news.

Of course, the high street is changing and more shops will close but it’s part of a steady national evolution; a change in shopping habits that has been accelerated by the pandemic.

How we emerge from this crisis is up to us. As our mayor Sean Clayton hinted this week, if the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the value of our independent shops.

And we now face an uncertain Christmas that looks set to be watered down by lockdown restrictions, our retailers will be worried about their survival.

But once the Covid saga has passed, once we’re allowed to wander the streets at will again, do remember to shop in the high street. Support your small, local businesses and, rather than yearn for the past, remember that we need to create a bright future for Ashbourne. And we can all play a part in that.