I live in Switzerland now because of work. I can safely say that the standard of life and the surroundings are, in my opinion, much higher where I now live versus Barnsley. I miss some things about Barnsley. My friends, my family, the football club, the convenience of UK retailers and the fact that it is and always will be my home. However, having experienced life elsewhere I wouldn't want to return to live in Barnsley again. Not because Barnsley is sh*t and not because the people are sh*t, but just because I simply prefer it elsewhere. I am proud to be from Barnsley. I tell people (from all over the world) that I'm from Barnsley. I never insult the town but I'm honest about it's issues and problems (most of which are down to the shocking mis-management and lack of business nous shown by the council over the years, which have failed to capitalise in any way on the supreme strategic business location of Barnsley on a national scale). My only gripe with Barnsley is that fact that it could and should be a thriving hub of UK and possibly international business, but sadly has failed to find it's way. Which is why I had to leave for work abroad. Given the choice, I wouldn't come back but at some point in the future that choice may be forced upon me, and if so I'll gladly return to my home town to cotinue my life. Just because I love my life abroad, it doesn't mean that I would ever insult my home town - in fact I do everything I can to sell it's virtues where I can.
Interesting you blame the local council. When the towns industries have been ravaged by Central Government.
Re: EH??? It could be about anywhere else, I completely agree. At least we don't have all the stabbings and shootings that other places have now. For me it comes from when I was a kid, had to go to a sh*t school because I was too far away from a good one, had to contend with teachers finding it impossible to teach because no one (apart from myself and maybe two other people) wanting to listen, and people having no ambition and being happy just sitting at home not working and having kids at age 16. Every older person that I've met have been brilliantly friendly though, which I love about this town.
I'm not making it a political debate, just interesting that the council take the blame for something they've little control over. Where do you live in Switzerland?
Fair enough, it was something of a sweeping statement as my mind was on the OP's subject matter at the time but let's not get in to it at this time of night! I live in Geneva, which is about as 'un' Swiss as you can get, but I like the blend of cultures and nationalities that I encounter on a daily basis, as well as the fact I live at the foot of mountain in beautiful countryside, just 20 minutes from the city centre. It's great, but I know I won't be here forever.
I'm not an economist so I can only give my non-scientific view, but Geneva is seemingly awash with money and the presence of so many global companies in such a geographically small city would suggest that it does. I couldn't comment on the rest of Switzerland though.
Be a pioneer; get it on a low loader and then transfer it to that bit of cut off Twibell Street - you'll only be a **** stride away from t'Well then
I left for University when I was 18 but have NEVER slagged off my hometown - in fact I've always defended it against anyone who saw fit to criticise it or the people who live there. Which was quite difficult for me in 1984/5 during the strike, (living as I still do) in South Derbyshire.
Re: I left for University when I was 18 Walking around the town centre on a weekday is a very depressing experience as there are just so many ***** folk around. It's not society's fault, it's not Call Me Dave's fault and unfortunately it's not even Thatcher's fault. For some reason people are just happy to be worthless scum and they seem to be multiplying all the time.
Re: I left for University when I was 18 its the same sort of people that lived here for years,unfortunately for some reason (as you've negated all the obvious answers) the town isn't in fiull employment as it was a few years ago when barnsley bus station was a hive of activity at 5am with people going to work. but don't you worry yourself over that you just blame those that have had the hope taken away from them, in the past as politicians have hidden them in statistics to get re-elected.
I've just moved to Luton yesterday for a year. Seems a bit rough but I'm sure it's exactly the same as anywhere else. Lived in Hull for 2 years which everyone says is the arsehole of the humber but I've loved my time there. Lived on a pretty dodgy street but didn't have one ounce of trouble at all, locals are friendly and keep themselves to each other. What they do in their private time is their choice.
Re: I left for University when I was 18 Sorry but that's codswallop. You're just giving them an easy excuse. Times are hard but that's no justification for sitting on your arse doing nowt all day. I got made redundant but I didn't sit in Peel Square in my worst tracky being pissed up and useless. The problem these people have is that they have made themselves unemployable and that is entirely of their own making.
Re: I left for University when I was 18 your just picking on the ones who hang about the bus station etc they are in a minority. theres hundreds of youngsters who don't but still have no hope i'm sure theres plenty of people in barnsley who could tell you how hard it is for their offspring or relatives to get on. as for me making it an easy excuse for them well theres nothing easier than an i'm allright jack pointing his finger at those less fortunate.
Re: I left for University when I was 18 It's not just the young ones though. Barnsley town centre has the cast of dawn of the dead walking through it most days. It's not nice. And less fortunate? Right okay.
Re: I left for University when I was 18 If people dont like Barnsley on a morning then I suggest you try places like Bury, Rhyl, Middlesbro`, Colchester, Peterbro`, most of London boroughs, just a few places I have been this year and are no better and in most cases a bloody sight worse!!
Re: I left for University when I was 18 Of course I am. They're the people that I have a problem with. It might be a minority but unfortunately it's a significant minority.
Re: I left for University when I was 18 Exactly, you have to put it in perspective, in South London there's stabbings every week, take the last month: 12 June: http://www.slp.co.uk/News.cfm?id=20631&headline=Two%20teens%20in%20hospital%20following%20double%20stabbing 14 June: http://www.slp.co.uk/News.cfm?id=21327&headline=Boy%20stabbed%20multiple%20times%20in%20Bermondsey Yesterday: http://www.slp.co.uk/News.cfm?id=24012&headline=%E2%80%98Help%20police%20to%20find%20%20the%20killer%20of%20our%20son%E2%80%99 Not that Barnsley will be any different in 10-20 years thanks to this board's beloved Labour's immigration policies.