LETTER: The Rotherham Story (A Christmas Carol)
Rotherham Pioneers are businesses and leaders who champion The Rotherham Story, advocating for Rotherham. They regularly meet to share developments, encourage local trading as well as sharing positive stories about Rotherham, business and people.
Jackie Freeborn, who is the Custodian of The Rotherham Story, says she wrote this little Christmas ditty for a recent Pioneer meeting, based on a well known Christmas story with a positive and hopeful message
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Ebenezer Rotherham…well what can I say?
A miserable old bugger who had just lost his way
Once a very proud man with steel in his bones
All that was left was just bah humbug and moans
He only saw baron where once there was steel
Stuck in the past – refusing to heal
Whilst those all around him tried so hard to lift
Deep rooted bar humbug was just too heavy to shift
And when Christmas arrived his mood just got worse
Sneering and whining, as he gripped onto his purse
“When I was kid ‘twas a much better place
Hot molten metal – men worked at t’coal face “
Festivities and goodies… he refused to partake
No rum Christmas pud, not even iced cake
No message of hope and warm Christmas cheer
Nothing but humbug for the coming new year
This spread to the people - no potential or hope
For growth and investment, just how would they cope
Well….
Last Christmas Eve… a visitor came by…
Offered him a sherry and a Rotherham mince pie
“Ebenezer growled “Get lost, Bar humbug, you’ve no place with me”
Stranger replied “Well I’m staying to tell you about The Rotherham Storee (Story)”
“You’re stuck in the past your eyes just can’t see
So get your warm coat …yer coming with me..
Allow me to introduce, Engineering Excellence is my name
I come here to show you that things aren’t the same
But that’s good and it great, not wicked or bad
You need to feel joy and get rid of the sad”
“From our industrial past comes progression and new
Rolls Royce, Mclaren to name but a few
It’s our people, our passion our pride and our skills
That’s replacing the mines and traditional mills”
Then a tap on the shoulder …who next to share
“I’m Living Green…come breathe in fresh air
Look all around you – 70 per cent is green space
History and woodland – an amazing great place!
Wentworth and Clifton, lakes and much more
Wildlife and forests and meadows galore “
Next a bright light crashed through his locked door
“I’m Pushing Boundaries, let me show you some more
It’s all in the mind-set – you’ve got stuck in the dark
Stroll with me Ebenezer, let’s go for a walk”
She showed him the beauty – the things he’d not seen
Engineering Excellence and Living so Green
Pushing Boundaries – being courageous and proud
Ambitious for the future, to stand out from the crowd.
She told him of people of hope and the light
She asked him to help her, join in the plight
Of Pioneers, great business who champion and cheer
Investments and visitors...they’re all welcome here
“So join us Ebenezer to become great once again
Progressive and positive, we want fortune and fame”
Morning arose, and Ebenezer did smile
To ambition and hope …It’d been missing a while
This Christmas morning he shared just great news
Smiling and championing instead of the blues
“The Rotherham Story is here” he shouted to all
We’ve much to be proud of…just give us a call
So raise your glasses, Pioneers join me in a cheer
Very merry Christmas, and a hopeful and prosperous and successful new year “