'We need to make the town as attractive and welcoming as possible' - Deputy leader of Boston Borough Council doing his bit to help town look its best
The deputy leader of Boston Borough Council has been doing his bit to help the town look its best, throwing on some overhauls and getting handy with a paintbrush.
Visitors to the town centre may have seen Coun Mike Gilbert sprucing up parts of the town centre.
He and a neighbour started with the historic lampposts from Trinity Street to Irby Street last year as part of a council-approved project. This was supported through funding by the Witham Central Neighbourhood Group.
Since then, the work has moved on to bollards and fingerposts, such as the one by St Botolph’s Bridge (which is where The Standard spotted him and stopped for a quick chat and a photo).
Going into more detail later on email, he said the effort was designed to help Boston make the most of its heritage.
“Boston needs to be recognised as having made an important contribution to the development of human freedom and exploration from the 17th century onwards,” he said.
“From Thomas Cromwell to chroniclers like John Foxe and Herbert Ingram, and most significantly of all the Puritans who founded the Massachusetts colony in 1630.
“There is also the link to the pioneering Sir Joseph Banks via his friendship with the Fydells of Fydell House.
“In my opinion Boston’s contribution to Western culture has been unmatched by any other small town. We need to put Boston on par with places like Stratford Upon Avon. Places that represent achievement on a global scale.
“To achieve that we need to ensure that we make the town as attractive and welcoming as possible, which is why you will find me and other teams of volunteers putting our labour and enthusiasm into making our town look cared for, and well maintained and not neglected and unloved.”