A bit of respect for our towns
Lately I have seen a lot of really bad press about the towns of Rhyl and Colwyn Bay. Whether it be in the national papers, or regional tv news shows, all painting the towns and the people who live in them in an extremely bad light.
The people who are behind these articles have obviously never lived here and probably have never even visited the places because there perception of Rhyl and Colwyn bay seems so far away from reality
I have spent the majority of my life in both these towns, and yes I agree both places are not the holiday resorts they once were, but they are certainly not the dumps the media is trying to portray either, I think all uk seaside resorts have suffered over the last 20 or so years, not just Colwyn Bay and Rhyl,
Both towns are trying their best to make things better, the new harbor bridge, and the regeneration of west Rhyl to name but a few.
But even more worrying is the way some of the residents are being portrayed, according to media reports it seems we are full of dangerous drug addicts and gangs of hoodies terrorizing the streets. I quite often walk around these streets with my partner and our 3 young children, yes we do come across gangs of young people hanging around and doing what young people do, and always as we walk past them, they immediately stop swearing, and move out the way for us with a smile, also as we walk past the pub doorways, everyone outside smoking, automatically seem to put their hand behind their back with their cigarettes until we have passed. It’s the same on public transport, the young ones give up their seats instantly and without fuss for the elderly and people with prams.
Never have I felt in the slightest bit worried or intimidated for myself, partner or children, everyone is respectful and well mannered and not at all like the papers would have you believe, of course there will always be the odd exception, but I bet we would compare favorably against any other town in the UK.
These are just a few instances of regular occurrences, so to all the people writing the articles I suggest next time, you take a wider view, or better still visit for a few days, enjoy our hospitality, our beaches our promenades or skate parks, or our 3d cinema, swimming pools and countryside take a walk up our clean and safe high streets and take the time to actually talk to the locals and you will find that both towns still have a great deal to offer, and the people of Colwyn Bay and Rhyl really are the most friendliest, kind hearted and loyal people I have ever come across and I am proud of both towns, and I am more than happy to see my children grow up here,
Carl Abbott
Comments