Bradford. Stay Away (Bradford)

Member Name: davidso_99

Product:	Bradford
Date:	23/07/03 (104 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: absolutely none

Disadvantages: asbsolute

This site is an avenue through which opinions are passed. Why then do I read review after review lacking just that - opinion. Everybody wants to be too nice so as not to offend others. For instance on one of my ops regarding homelessness (shameless plug I know) and street begging, I launch an attack at the homeless, which though to most is quite harsh, is nevertheless my honest opinion. A few people rated it as merely 'useful' and I very much doubt this was for the quality of the review for this was one of my best reviews and I've received 100% 'very useful' ratings for far worse reviews. This was merely because people felt I was being harsh and thus disagreed with me. But surely disagreement is an inherent part of such writing. One thing in particular that I've noticed is that people tend only to write about places they like. I, however am going to tell you about a place I hate.

I do not like Bradford. In fact I loathe it with a passion to the extent that I am ashamed to have it as a neighbouring city to that in which I live, Leeds. If you hoped for a well thought out, well structured, balanced travel op then you are likely to be disappointed. This is going to be a very immature, spontaneous outburst describing my dislike, my hatred for the city. Hell, I doubt it should be even categorised as travel writing. Just thought I'd warn you.

Where shall we start? A bit of history maybe? I didn't bother with any research but I'll give it a go. Ok, throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Bradford was one of the main industrial towns in England and certainly the prime industrial town in Yorkshire. Wool was, at that time one of the country's staple industries. (I don?t believe I am writing about wool. I assure you, I am cool.) Bradford was central to the wool trade as the wool was in fact processed there. Result? A place littered with old industrial mills, most of which are listed so cannot be knocked down. Instead, a
lternative uses are found for them with
the exception of the Saltaire mill which houses many of David Hockney's works. However, there are many unnecessary buildings such as these ones, which serve to make the city ugly and bleak. The aerial view of the town is almost puke-worthy.

Aside from this, the people of the town generally seem to reflect the miserable place. The place and people alike are gloomy. Have you ever seen the 'Droopy' cartoons? You know, that dog with the permanent, nobody-loves-me-and-I-have-no-reason-to-live expression upon his face who speaks as if a speed limit has been placed on his discourse (3 words per hour). Well this dog would outshine the majority of the people of Bradford. Furthermore, this dog doesn?t share the bad attitude of the citizens. On my most recent visit (about 2 years ago), a small boy, no more than 10 years old approached me ?

'Scuze me mate. You got 10p you can lend me?' (Incidentally I did. I had a hell of a lot of change. Almost more than my pockets could handle and I really wanted to get rid of it).
'No. Sorry.'
'Tight bastard.'
How rude? Ok, I admit I was a erm, 'tight bastard' but he didn't know that. I wasn't surprised though. It was understandable within the context of such a city. God I hate this place.

The town presents itself as having a multicultural community. This seems to be true for there is a great mix of people. The place has high ethnic population so that there is almost an equal balance with those of origin closer to home. However , despite this great mix, the citizens, in fact, do not mix. The different parts of the city each seem to be predominantly populated with one race group. For instance, the Parkside area is predominantly occupied by afro-carribean/black people, the Wibsey area by white people, the Frizinghall area by those with Asian origin and so on. I find it very hard to think of an area with equal
representation. One may say that this occurs in almost every city. However, in most cities, the
division is somewhat natural as it is a division along the lines of wealth so that generally, the poor ethnic minorities occupy the inner city, and the wealthier, predominantly white population occupy the suburbs. In Bradford, this isn't necessarily the case. For one, there isn't such great contrast in the wealth of the people, as you would find in the prime cities such as London and Manchester. In Bradford, it would seem the people want to be divided. There is so much hatred. I mean did you see the scale of rioting in the city a couple of years ago? It is things such as this that have earned Bradford its bad reputation. Many of its inhabitants who (quite wisely) venture away from the city, on being asked where they are from simply say they live near Leeds, or as in my case, in Leeds.

It's weird though that such a horrible city boasts the National Museum of Film and Photography, the biggest cinema screen in the Europe, the Imax and the biggest church in England, The Abundant Life Centre, where myself and another boy you may have heard of, Gareth Gates (shameless name-dropping I know) used to attend regularly. However, disappointment is also inherent within these landmarks. The museum becomes boring very quickly, the cinema shows endless documentaries about space as opposed to blockbuster films which really seems a waste, similar to the mal-use of the old mills and the church, despite its size and status nevertheless seems quite ordinary. It is certainly not as populated as it should be. It seems the powers that be in the city are playing sick jokes.

Do not come, I mean do not go to Bradford.

Oh yeah, and you're all too nice.

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