Yeah I worked there in 1980's when some of the garths were there - really tight knit "salt of the earth community " the housing clearance has destroyed this - .... we move on maybe to City of Culture with its financial and development opportunities. But we need a successful premiership football team
Some people don't recognise working class culture as culture unfortunately. The same applies to people in Hull. The City of Culture has done wonders for us. Thousands of visitors, local people finding out about the history of their City. Its surprising just how much people from Hull have contributed over the years, including a few imports from other Cities like Philip Larkin. In one way you beat us hands down. The public art (some may call it graffiti, I wouldn't) along the sea front and the river is very impressive.
City Of Culture has been brilliant for Hull, it's not arty-farty at all, there's been some brilliant stuff on in the city centre (with a lot more to come), visitor numbers are off the scale, the whole city centre has been revamped and it's gone a long way to reversing the negative stereotypes of the city. The organisers managed to raise £32m to fund the events (mainly from local businesses) and there's been another £25m spent on renovating the city centre, there's also additional legacy developments like a 3,800 capacity purpose built music venue opening next year. If you get it, you'll be amazed by how much of an effect it has on local pride and the city as a whole.
A few underpasses in Sunderland (Washington - graffiti art - looks good imo but as you say many object for some reason ... mind does'nt make underpasses safer
There's the wind shelter on the promenade with the Alice paintings as well. I was well impressed. Some people don't like bright colours, god knows why.
I find the notion of a "city of culture" to be odd. Especially given the cities that win it. It's like winning a dunce hat!
My gran lived there when I was a boy - handy retreat after match on the "hallowed turf that was Roker Park - reflect&discuss game, tea then get over to Grindon an hour or so later - streets still clogged with traffic - good memories not always successful but committed players and similar managerial problems as now -
Don't get down to seaburn much but maybe people feel unsafe with the decoration or have sight problems - but good job we aren't all the same - no colourful diasagreements then -
Ive been down roker and seaburn this morning. Was ****ing freezing. If this culture thing can improve the seafront it can only be a good thing. Cracking beaches **** weather and **** all there.
I agree with sentiment - pity its not temperature friendly city of culture bid - use the money to send us all to hot sunny places. Roker & Seaburn used to be heaving with people when I was a carefree youngster , not quite I was a Sunderland fan developing emotional coping skills
Sunderland has problem same now as 10 years ago and from talking to many local it seems always. Sunderland has for many talented young people who do Sunderland University and move away to other city, i read statistic that Sunderland have top-5 university graduate ratio for population in UK. Problem is same as before, no job to make stay, if you have degree no good to have Nissan and Call Centre (both job respectable, no offensive meaning) so you have to go. Sunderland need for starting more industries, also more small business from local person, all can make Sunderland better, dont wait for Council.. if you think it now, please open business, coffee shop, build cabinet, boxing club, chef school, anything, all feeds for making better Sunderland.
Toppa antiques shop on RBR - and a Roker pie shop - but not the same neck tingling feel walking along RBR as our old citadel no longer there
