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September 2008 Archives

The Secret's Out

Posted by Martin Williams on September 17, 2008 11:31 AM

"We are not down and outs. We are just trying to make Rhyl better."
The words of Geraldine Hughes during last Tuesday's Secret Millionaire rang true for many people in the struggling seaside town, particularly those who've lived in the West End for more than five minutes.
As a man who grew up in Rhyl, went to school in Rhyl and until last week was sat editing the Visitor from Rhyl High Street, I have written many times about its problems, as well as the wonderful people who work hard to make it a better place.
But watching this Channel Four programme left a bitter taste in the mouth.
Millionaire Gavin Wheeldon hopped off the train and was met by two closed pubs - Costigans and the Bee and Station.
He was then accosted by a group of lads with Manchester accents, who complained about not being able to find a job.
What struck me was the girl on a bicycle, who rather than get off it and help hard-working Geraldine with the new community house, slated the town and told poor Gavin to "sort it out".
Before "sorting out" the dilapidated buildings, empty properties and boarded-up buildings, we should perhaps address Rhyl's fundamental problem - the people.
Watching Secret Millionaire was frustrating, with the millionaire in question only managing to find a handful of individuals he could help. Over past weeks, the other millionaires visit equally run-down communities but there were an abundance of groups and organisations, striving to make their lives better.
We don't have that in Rhyl. There are some, a few diamonds among the rough - the likes of Jack Baker, Lee Barlow and Tony Cheetham - but they are few and far between.
Instead, Rhyl is cursed with those who refuse to work, drink for most of the day and complain about their lot.
I am in no way xenophobic or closed-minded but it's been well-documented that the area has been overrun by newcomers from the Midlands and North West, here for the cheap rent. They see Denbighshire County Council as a soft touch - they may be right.
Why would they want to join a community group and better the place? They have no affinity with Rhyl. It's a horrible place, why should they bother?
Many of them move to this resort, and then resort to crime.
While I was, on the whole, proud of what I watched last Tuesday - proud of the likes of Geraldine and Jack - I was overwhelmed and emotional at how my town - our town - has fallen so greatly.
I just hope local town and county councillors were watching, especially as it was up to Gavin to point West Rhyl Community Group in the direction of Lottery funding.
He was amazed at how a quarter of the properties in the West End were empty, yet Rhyl has a problem with homelessness.
He's right, and I admired the fact he was no easy mark. He wasn't going to waste his money on those who refuse to help themselves.
I was delighted to see the guys at the Labour Club - a club my own grandad used to run - strive to keep it going, and the young girl who wants to go to college and better her life. Good for her, I wish her every success.
I'm proud to be from Rhyl. If everyone in the town was equally proud it may start moving in the right direction.
Hopefully the Secret Millionaire was the straw that broke the council's back. I pray they give the town the support it needs so Rhyl can welcome a new era and we can put the last 15 years behind us."

Booting Wellington

Posted by Martin Williams on September 3, 2008 11:25 AM

"DON'T forget about us."
That's the cry of business owners in Rhyl's West End, who are tired of being ignored by shoppers, tourists and, most importantly, council bosses.
There are dozens of shops along Wellington Road and its surrounding streets, but very few people know about them.
On strolling down Bedford Street the other day I found a cake shop, a barber, a record store, conveniences and a dog grooming service.
If you just stroll between KFC and Aldi you'll find dozens of stores, the occasional pub, food outlet and hairdresser.
These outlets are struggling to survive because there is no signage to support them, and footfall is low. There is nowhere to park - unless you have a Blue Badge of course - and the area looks like hell, if hell had overgrown seagulls and a traffic warden.
The punters do not walk through this area of Rhyl unless they have to, and it's a pity, particularly when you stroll down Rhyl High Street and glance at your reflection in several empty shop windows.
With millions being pumped onto West Parade, perhaps a little cash could be syphoned-off and spent on sprucing up these West End properties with plants and flowers, maybe the odd lick of paint or grants to help them revamp the fascias and fronts of their ailing properties.
I met with several of these entrepreneurs recently and was amazed at the diversity of products on sale, and how they stick together and battle to survive.
It's admirable, and they deserve your support. Next time you're out shopping, go and take a look.

This page contains an archive of all entries posted to The Day to Day in the September 2008. They are listed from oldest to newest.

August 2008 is the previous archive.October 2008 is the next archive.

Many more can be found on the home page or by looking through the archives.