MY short piece a couple of weeks ago, about overhearing a visitor express surprise that Bolton was not as bad as she had presumed, provoked different and interesting reactions.

A number of friends responded by telling me that, in their opinion, the town is a “dump” and evidently in decline — a view often expressed in readers’ letters.

There has also been a conversation about my item on the Forum section of the Bolton News website.

One correspondent said he had friends in York who “adored” Bolton town centre and the shops that surround it, but he wondered if they would think the same if they lived here.

Another contributor referred to “chavs, asylum seekers and heroin addicts loitering about”.

Someone else pointed out that it is generally the case that the grass is always greener elsewhere and acknowledged that, although he loved visiting York, he did not see or ignored the downsides there.

Another opinion, widely held, I believe, was that motorists feel discouraged and prefer to go to the Trafford Centre or Middlebrook.

I can see that all the people making these observations have a point — there should be more free parking, it would be better if undesirables were less visible and the “shopping experience” would be enhanced if there were fewer charity and pound shops.

Having said that, I wonder if too many locals see a glass that is half empty rather than one that is half full.

Recently, I noticed boarded-up shop windows at the Manchester Road end of Bradshawgate — and a beautiful display of flowers around the lawn areas in Nelson Square.

The latter image stayed in my mind longer than the first.

Then, a week last Saturday, I was part of the crowd mesmerised by the astonishing skills of the Black Eagles acrobatic team at the Oxford Road end of Victoria Square — entertainment provided by the council.

It was warm in the spring sunshine and I later found myself admiring the magnificent cherry blossom on the tree near the Deansgate corner.

A few days later, Mrs C met an old school friend who lives in Preston and who has never been to Bolton.

They had an enjoyable day that included a coffee, sampling the “continental” atmosphere of the Costa establishment facing Victoria Square, lunch in Henry’s in Mawdsley Street and visits to shops including Marks and Spencer and Whitakers.

This visitor was genuinely impressed with Bolton, particularly the pedestrian areas, and intends to come here again.

I repeat what I said a couple of weeks ago, that critical locals might benefit from knowing how others see us.

Yes, there are visible problems and the solutions are not obvious in an economic downturn, but maybe there is a case for looking on the bright side occasionally.

Columnists are not generally known for this kind of thing, but surely it is better to look for the positives rather than the negatives.