AS MOST people in our hospitality industry are aware now, I’ve used the last month visiting as many of our town’s businesses as I possibly could.

I’ve always believed that we have a thriving economy, staffed by hard working and dedicated employees from almost every conceivable part of our global community - one world one people.

Where language was once a barrier, an aptitude and willingness to work combined with their smiling natures, has helped me communicate with those, whose mother tongue is perhaps not English.

I dined from 7am, sampling breakfasts, strong tea, latte, cakes and snacks.

Hot water served in cups, takeaway cartons, or served with a flourish on a tray, like a glass of the finest wine.

On a few occasions I have been out till 3am, so that I can be totally aware of how much our town operates on a 24/7 basis.

Even when every place is closed, there will still be taxi drivers working, police cars patrolling our streets, ambulances out and about, doctors and paramedics quietly going about their business, and fire engines and crews, ready to leap into action, at the sound of an incoming emergency phone call.

As night turns into day, window cleaners arrive in town, along with post men, delivery drivers, paper boys, council workers, buses pull into the bus station, while early morning trains take passengers on to Salisbury and London. The roads and our pavements are washed and swept and the well utilized litter bins, are emptied.

By 7am, the first customers needing a breakfast are seen to, by 8am the Chantry Centre is open. You then have a choice of four places to choose a hot drink from.

By 9am, the town is fully functioning with shops, businesses, and all manner of catering establishments operational, conversely, those out and about during the day, may not necessarily be those that are out at night.

Early morning parishioners rarely encounter late night revellers, yet both sections of our community are catered for, as well of course the elderly the newly retired, those with young families, the unemployed and employed plus everything in between.

An eye-opener for an early bird like me to be out till 3am, but it has only proved to me what a truly lovely multinational community we do actually have here.