I used to occasionally detour through the Consett area, on the way to games ... ... can't do it these days, too sad.
Thanks for sharing mate. It is a reminder of some grim times and like you say areas have never had the chance to recover. I remember the consett steelworks with huge affection. I remember we would drive past at night and they were all lit up and they would take shape out of the darkness and I always thought they were otherwordly. I have some great memories as a kid, but also some tear jerking ones knowing how little some in our area had. We didnt have loads ourselves, but we did better than a lot. I have been in the midlands now for 30 odd years, and there are some very similar places haunted by the memories of a once prosperous time. I think the article is right when it says some towns were left to die, but the spirit of people is stronger than that. Community is the essence of this country, or it was, and we need to go back somehow to that principle.
Interesting but very sad. Like the article says , the pit villages were created or grew to accomodate the mining industry, and so now have nothing to offer and are being left to rot. I live in Annfield Plain and I got our MP to ask Durham County Council what plans for investment, regeneration, repair or anything nice they had for us wether under normal budget, levelling up , high street improvement or whatever. Their response was that they have just demolished the old bakery and turned it into a car park ( an empty disused building that should have gone donkies years ago- the car park at least is good for the school run of the adjoining school and therefore the nearby residents) and secondly they have improved access to the little car park ( never seen more than 4 cars on it and most of time empty-- the improved access refers to the tarmaccing of 20 yards of pavement between the main road and car park). Thirdly -- oh there is no third, making a big thing about two small past events shows their is no commitment or intention to doing anything in the future. We don't even have a bench to sit on in the middle of AP, never get even one hanging basket, road signage is left broken or non existant ..... I could go on
Yes very sad, I'm from just along the road from you, Catchgate. It's really sad to see the demise of the area
I was up at Consett a few months ago Smug, however much neglect it has suffered, it's no where near as much as Stanley has. It's heartbreaking for the entire area
When I say AP, I include Catchgate, New Kyo. DCC don't give a toss. I intend to get back to Kevan Jones - I'll let you know any further info.
The "desolate wastelands of North East England " carefully and deliberately designed by Margaret Thatcher.
Whilst we all know the impact Thatcher had on our little corner of the world, the original plan to categorise pit villages and towns was taken in 1951. I think it was more a Durham County Council plan but I am not sure how much govt influence was involved. I think Labour were in power (Atlee?). The policy was to cut off investment to cat d towns and villages so they would simply die off. Some did, some communities fought on. It was 1977 when the approach was scrapped by the council and Thatcher arrived in 79. I find it an interesting topic to look back on. We have the challenge of levelling up now because of economic hardship. The same challenge appeared to exist in 1951. The plan then seemed quite brutal - that area is no longer economically viable so we will let it whither and move people out. I have long thought folk are resilient and if given agency will use the knowledge and experience they have to reinvent their own communities and towns around new economic opportunities. Some mining communities seem to be ones that had any chance of that blocked. Shameful really.
Levelling up- I can’t see any of that happening. As stated , DCC aren’t interested in pit villages even if they have money . The govt rejected DCC application for levelling funds( believe they waited for application to arrive then said it was no good because criteria had changed) Seen nothing to suggest govt said reapply , or anything from DCC to say they will be doing so
A Tory MP has been exposed, by the Times, as someone who's defrauded his constituents, lied to the party, met strangers on Gay date website and regularly denounced everyone but himself as being dishonest ... ... sorry if that doesn't narrow it down He's being investigated by the police if that helps, probably not tbh.
Despite incredible competition I have to say David TC Davies is by far the worst person I've ever seen on Question Time ... ... wow, he's an absolute liability, how did they ever allow him to be on QT
Or get one of their donors to pay for it. All above board of course, said donor would have been given a peerage anyway.
I am sure a lot of ordinary people would be willing to chip in if Bonko, Rishi, Cruella, Hancock and their mates were sent on a one way trip out of the UK.
Just imagine you are on a flight and you are sat between Lineker and Starmer! I would pay my upgrade immediately rather than listen to those two drone like bloody Statler and Waldorf, without the punchline
