Town seems spilt over a subtle change of name

Cricklade Town Councillor Ian Back proposed the name change at a town council meeting in a bid to help promote the town as a tourist destination.

Last month, Adrian Swift from the Environment Agency, outlined how the community could capitalise from being the first town on the Thames by improving signage to the river.

At the annual town meeting, Mr Swift explained how Lechlade had changed its name to Lechlade on Thames to attract more visitors to the town.

Coun Back said: "Nothing has been decided about changing the name.

"The idea is likely to be resurrected in the future.

"Of course there will have to be a referendum of people in the town before anything happens."

But people in the town are divided.

During the town council meeting on Monday, Clive Wilce, chairman of the town council, said: "I think Cricklade is absolutely fine.

"Lechlade on Thames I can understand but Cricklade on Thames, I think it's a con. It would be better to say we are the first town on the Thames. We have got to be realistic."

The town council is not taking any action on the issue at the moment.

High bailiff Reginald Coole, said: "We have been Cricklade for many centuries and I think it is a bit late in the day to change our name."

But Arthur Cole, 82, of Calcutt Street, who has been a Cricklade resident for 31 years, disagreed and thought a name change would be a good idea.

He said: "I heard the Lechlade traders say it has been wonderful for them and it could do wonders for Cricklade. It could bring more visitors to the town and enhance our reputation."

Tracey Whittam, is the landlady of the Red Lion Inn and grew up in the town.

She said: "We get a lot of Thames walkers through the town. Changing the name to Cricklade on Thames might bring extra visitors, which would be good for all businesses, not just the licence trade."

Ron Holmes, 58, of Abingdon Court Lane, moved to Cricklade four months ago.

He said: "I think it is a great idea. Cricklade on Thames befits the town."