READING last week’s edition of this august publication, The Knutsfordian was reminded of the hard work done by the late Laurie Burton in campaigning for our town and services.

The Knutsfordian is hard-pressed to think of a suitable permanent memorial to Mr Burton.

However, his friends lobbying for a tribute should consider asking what has happened to the Knutsford Town Plan.

It’s getting on for five years since the findings of the original town-wide survey were presented to Knutsfordians.

The Knutsfordian acknowledges the hard work done by the Town Plan volunteers to achieve certain successes but wonders why everything has gone quiet on one of the biggest schemes they are championing, the King Street shared space scheme.

In July 2013 there was much trumpeting of the enhancement scheme when Knutsford Town Council and Cheshire East both pledged £15,000 to take the plans to the next stage. Since then there has been no update.

Meanwhile King Street’s historic architecture and well-presented shops, bars and cafes are increasingly let down by the crumbling road surface, the broken kerbstones and tatty pavements.

This is not helped by the pedestrians who mucky the street up with their fag ends, beer bottles and other unmentionables.

Perhaps the tribute Laurie Burton deserves is for this key scheme to go ahead and beautify our beloved King Street?

Perhaps the Town Plan team has taken a vow of non-disclosure championed by our Town Council who last week took the bizarre decision to exclude the press and public from its discussion over the future of the Artisan Market.

The Knutsfordian was sad to read of the business break-up of the dynamic duo Denise Valente and Vicky Jackson who had created the Artisan Market and brought it to Knutsford a year ago.

He was, however, delighted to hear the market would continue as the pair had ‘carved up’ the various markets they run between them, with Vicky continuing in Knutsford.

As this was public knowledge before the events committee meeting last Tuesday, why didn’t committee members hold their discussion in public? As Knutsfordians have made a significant financial contribution to the running of these markets, and continue to make a contribution, the press and public should have been allowed to hear the discussion.

PS The Knutsfordian looks forward to seeing the Crowning Glory a exhibition marking 150 years of Knutsford Royal May Day which opens at the Heritage Centre on Saturday. 150 years is a big achievement.

PPS Because The Knutsfordian is always ‘happy’, he enjoyed dancing along to the Kids Allowed video celebrating the childcare centre’s sixth birthday. Staff, children and parents bop along to Pharrell Williams ‘Happy’ hit song in ways guaranteed to make the grumpiest Knutsfordian smile. Watch it on the Knutsford Guardian’s website.