Let's merge these

lists of Boston achievers

The debate over Boston’s “Roll of Achievement” refuses to go away.
Despite claims that total spending would not exceed £500, latest estimates put the cost so far at more than £3,000.
And only last week Boston Borough Council took a half page advert in the Boston Target to promote the stunt – whatever that cost.
It’s not yet a month since this brainchild of council leader Richard Austin was launched, and so far it does not exactly seem to have set Boston alight – with just seven names in total.
Creating a roll of achievement has so far only served to highlight the incongruity that exists between it and other pre-existing ways that Bostonians living and dead are recognised.
For instance, the council already recognises the hard work put in by local people with an annual “Service to the Community awards” – although this is under review as a potential economy.
These awards are a good thing, and to lose them would be a reversal in community relations.
However, if rather less than £650 were spent on food and drink for an event where the scrolls given to nominees cost just £150, it might well be able to soldier on.
Perhaps the event could be sponsored, as the council seems to go to outside enterprise with its begging bowl much more often these days.
Then there is a section on the borough website entitled “Famous Bostonians.”
Unfortunately, this is divided into two sections – one for people “born in Boston” which has just six entries, and the other entitled “Boston Connections” - which has nine. You may as well add a third section -"people who have heard of Boston!"
Precisely how some of the nominees in “Famous Bostonians” differ much from those in the “Roll of Achievement,” is debatable .
In fact, some of those listed as “famous” tend to be of the variety usually referred to as legends in their own lunchtimes more than anything else.
Pishey Thompson, for example was probably famous as far as Mrs Pishey Thompson and the little Pishey Thompsons were concerned - but little known beyond that. Certainly, his diaries indicate a life devoted to unremitting tedium. And yes, we have read them!
Turning to the Roll of Achievement, the inclusion of such names as that of Alan Day - a second world war hero, local businessman and politician - extends the scope for adding names in a way that the addition of Ernest Bowser - who became prosperous through farming and knew a bit about drains - does not.
And if nothing else, it might help if the Roll of Achievement had some sort of structure – putting it in alphabetical order would be a good start. And the presentation is somewhat lacklustre at present.
We have already observed that - as an example - the name of Lynn Ellis should be on the roll but isn’t. And where are Len Medlock, Carmella Riddell, Geoff Moulder, Adrian Isaac, Martin Middlebrook and Dr Cyril Nyman – to name just a few from recent years alone?
With such confusion, it’s probably best to go back to basics.
The dictionary defines “famous” as “known to or recognized by many people; renowned.”
It declares “achievement” as “something that has been accomplished, especially by hard work, ability, or heroism.”
With those two definitions as starters, Boston Borough Council should merge its lists into a single roll of Bostonians whose lives have enhanced those of others by service or individual effort – or in some other way brought credit to the borough.
At the moment, we have two lists – one of not-very-famous people - and another of “achievers” … some of whom struggle to fill the definition.

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