Inevitable really.
I left in 1987 to go to University and discovered that the world isn't, contrary to Barrovian belief, flat.

I occasionally go back to visit family and on one of my visits I saw a prominent local businessman (the bloke who owns Jeffersons and the pub next door that used to be The Hartington) allow his spavined German Shepherd to curl out a mighty turd right in front of the bandstand in the shopping centre, then walk away.

Sums the place up quite eloquently.

And yes, perhaps the Evening Mail ought to be directed to this thread. It'd give them a better headline than "Newbarns man hits thumb with hammer - reported to be quite cross."
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 29 Oct 2009, 21:34, 1 reply)

Not about this thread
But certainly proves my point!

www.nwemail.co.uk/news/fury_at_slur_on_barrow_1_630951?referrerPath=news
(Cloudane, Sat 31 Oct 2009, 18:36, closed)

Absolutely
The place isn't absolutely grim.

It's got a relatively low crime rate, it is in a superb location, there are many redeeming features.

There is, however, a pervading attitude of insularity and parochialism - almost a seige mentality - which seems to be used as a cloak against advancement.

I've not read the FT article but I rather expect that it is this attitude that has alienated the author - therefore his reaction has enraged the local rag.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Sat 31 Oct 2009, 23:19, closed)

I didn't read the article *properly*
But what I did read, was actually a good report. They just picked all the negative soundbites out of it and made it sound like the author was slagging the place off.

When it comes to slagging the place off I did a far better job :) To be fair, it's not "that bad", there are a few chavs but it's not the sort of crime centre you see elsewhere etc. As I've iterated a few times, leave the damn place alone for 5 minutes (well, and cull a few of the kamikaze pigeons) and it might flourish.

(I did comment there. My last name begins with L.)
(Cloudane, Sun 1 Nov 2009, 1:21, closed)