What's your unpopular opinion about Barnsley?

I’m not pretending their aren’t those who have no intentions of anything other than living off the state, but I refuse to generalise and certainly think a little deeper about how come someone is in a situation they are in, that makes it sound like the upper classes old adage that it is the fault of the poor and needy that they are poor and needy.

 

That’s fair comment, It’s just we find ourselves having to defend against unfair descriptions and generalisations about Barnsley from locals and non-locals alike. I do not wear rose-tinted specs about the Town/area but I will defend any unwarranted criticisms and generalisation about it.

 

That's fair.

It is completely possible for two people to live just streets apart and have completely different lived experiences and form different opinions of the same place, even if those individuals outlooks are very similar.

And then we have the variances of those people, different likes and dislikes. As well as different family and social constructs. All lead rise to different perceptions and views.

Some of the experiences and observations people will say are just that. If someone prefers something else, there isn't anything wrong with that. Its just preference of what they've come to know.

There are also plenty of places we may have never been, and might like more than where we were born, either for commerce, for opportunity, for environment, lifestyle or solace. Some for short spells, some more permanent, some close, some further away.

I do suspect Barnsley as a town has been parodied for years and has a reputation thats likely been passed on through perception and minimal experience or just from afar. Maybe that can add sensitivity to some degree, encountering what are seen as unfair slights or obvious tropes. Sadly I think we all make sweeping generalisations about places, people, sections of society. I know I'll be guilty of that at time, however unintentional. And instead we should be clearer that its from an experience and not everyone is the same. But it can feel like that is all or mostly what is seen in a small sample.

I think if that's also the case, slights of other places shouldn't occur either.

But at the end of the day, nowhere is perfect. Everyone should be able to live their lives and enjoy what they enjoy safely. Where ever they choose to do so.

 

I live in Pompey and have also lived all over the UK, if the UK had a ar5e crack then Pompey would be it, it may be down south ( stereotypical attitude of the south) but I would move back home in a heart beat

 

I think that Hoyland Common, Tankersley and Birdwell is turning into a right mess with all the new developments. It looks awful, just roads, sheds, chain outlets and little boxes sprawling everywhere.

 

Barnsley’s great. That’s my unpopular opinion.

Towns a lot better now they’ve done it out, plenty of nice places to eat & drink. Trans pennine trails great for me, people in general are friendly. Nearly everyone speaks when you pass them on the trails. Others might agree or disagree but for me the Metrodome’s great, cannon hall & the parks great, lots of other nice parks, Hoyle mill, worsbrough, manvers (ok might be classed as Rotherham but near enough). It’s a handy location, between Sheffield & Leeds, York & Manchester not that far away. Either coast in 2 hours, 4 airports within just over an hour. And for me a great set of friends & family.

I think ultimately though if you’ve got a good set of friends & family nearby you’ll be happy wherever you live.

 

I haven't lived in Barnsley for over 30 years. One of the first things I tell people though, is that I grew up there & support the team. It's still my identity though & I'm proud of where I grew up.

 

Unpopular Opinion- the roundabout that was in the market was crap. I used to hate going on it, getting spun round whilst being able to smell the fish market is one of the most unpleasant memories from childhood….

I moved away for uni when I was 18. Have recently moved back with my wife and kid who aren’t from the area. It’s a great place, for the most part with very friendly people, some nice areas to go on walks, the new town centre buildings are seriously impressive.

I used to describe the town as a **** hole but the older I’ve got the more I see it’s charm.

 

I'm not sure who this is aimed at, hopefully not me as I am still proud as owt to come from Barnsley and my wife still remarks about it but it still has a lot of issues as a town that I don't believe anyone should be criticised for airing.

I haven't lived in Barnsley properly since 2010 when I went to university, that's over a third of my life outside of the town now and I've travelled around the country quite a bit in that time. The problem you have with the people in Barnsley is that they don't travel. They live there all their lives, as did their parents and as do all of their social circle. This creates some extremely insular viewpoints, some of which I held before I travelled to new places. The best thing I ever did was move out of Barnsley, it gave me a much more rounded view of the world and you can see a massive difference between my friends that left (some returned) and those that never left at all.

This thread is always going to be full of generalisations and you'll find loads of exceptions, including your good self, but in general a large proportion of Barnsley people will discriminate or comment on those that:
- Go to university
- Go to private school
- Do office jobs for more money than physical jobs earn
- Shop in M&S and Waitrose
- Women that put careers before children (at least chronologically)
- Live in big houses
- Talk 'posh'

You'll see the link in that list, Barnsley people suffer from reverse snobbery and don't like people that do well for themselves. Look at how Dickie Bird is treated in this town.

There's also a massive racism problem, caused by insular views and re-affirmation by their social circle.

 

Early September, i was in the north to help my mum move home and I came back south through J36. I didn't recognise that area at all (though it was a fair few years since I'd last been on that stretch of dual carriageway). Agree that it felt quite soul destroying and have to worry that a lot of green belt land is going to get swallowed up and concreted in the name of progress and commerce.

 

I stand by every word I've posted on this thread.

 

Me too.

 

I dislike people who leave Barnsley, but are quite happy to offer up self righteous condescension against those who are quite happy to stay. I simply don't recognise those comments you make towards the people of this town and surrounding area. When such comments are made, they're directed at everyone of us.
There are issues with the town, as there are in every town and city. Perhaps I ought to become an ignorant, racist bigot, as that seems to be the norm for Barnsley apparently. Snobbery is snobbery, no matter how others try to dress it up as one version is acceptable and practised, but any other isn't.

 

You don’t sound proud to come from Tarn to me on that post .
Barnsley has no more issues than any other equivalent place and lots of the people are still community spirited than a lot of places .
You come across a snob whether you think are or not .

 

Well I’ve never been called a snob before so that’s a new one!!

I have personally had experience of some of them examples and personally know people that have experienced all of the others (some from Barnsley, some from people that have moved to Barnsley).

I love the town and would 100% have moved back a few years ago if it wasn’t for a commute to Leeds every day. I only live in Wakefield now, hardly a place to be snobbish from.

This thread was called unpopular opinion for a reason…

 

I must admit if I hear anyone from Barnsley talking on the TV I cringe, because I know if my pompey family or mates are listening I will get crucified for being a thick lovely person ( banter), does anybody else when asked by a stranger where you are from and you say Barnsley get a instant reply of " Barnsleeeeeeh'

 

I bow to your superiority, out of interest would you kindly inform us where you live. I am well travelled and will have probably been there.
We can then have a thread on that place with the same theme, the M&S, Waitrose comment is hilarious.

The M&S, Waitrose comment is a classic, the only part of your list either myself or friends & family don't do is the talk posh bit.

 

Things as you point out happen in every village , town , city in England yet you only focus on the town you’ve left!
There are issues in Barnsley no ones denying that and a lot of them caused by Tory Austere as in most Labour voting areas .
The Dickie Bird example you used is immaculate to say the least ! Just because you’ve read a couple of posters on here doesn’t make it universal , Dickies on record with how much esteem he holds the Town and People.
Of course there’s a few rotten apple examples of the town as I’ve said happens everywhere ,
But just for balance I’ve met loads of people that speaks good things of the Barnsley people they’ve met and how friendly Barnsley people are .
I’ve been to places where people look at you gone out if you say hello .
Yes we have issues but it’s mostly a minority of people that have moved away that pills the Yown down as worse than anywhere else .
I mean we have a ex tarner from London that thinks Barnsley had a massive racism problem !
Coming from London that’s more than a bit rich don’t you think?

 

That says more about your family and friends than the accent imo.