Changes are all around us
They are happening every day
Some are not very welcome
And other we’d like to stay.
Take Andover as an example
Once a small market place
But over the years it has grown so much
at such an overwhelming pace
Factories, roads , out of town shops
Have sprung up everywhere
Huge residential housing estates
On ground that was once bare
The High Street which was always bustling
With people ,buses and cars
Has now become pedestrianised
But is this a step too far?
The atmosphere Is missing
People don’t stop to chatter
They are far too busy rushing everywhere
And doing things that matter
Lots of shops are empty
Because the rates are far too high
It’s killing off local businesses
And others are “ just getting by”
Back in the sixties we had butchers
Greengrocers and bakers as well
Now we go to the out of town supermarkets
Cos whatever we need they sell!
The town has some beautiful buildings
The Globe and The Angel to name but a few
All with real local historical value
In the past Royalty stayed as they passed through
Over the years Andover has seen so much change
But it still has lots to give
And there’s nowhere else in this whole wide world
That I would rather live!!
By Carole Payne
