I'm visiting my parents in Barnsley this weekend.I haven't been to Barnsley for about a year and a half and i'd like to know if it is the same old place or if there have been any changes i should be made aware of.I don't want to be in for a shock, that's all, if i go back and it's all cleaned up for example! :D

I hate to disappoint you, but Barnsley is very much the same as it was a couple (hundred) years ago.

That sounds about right!For a while the paper's were saying that it was going to be transformed into a French Riviera type place,but maybe it was April Fool's Day when i read that. :D

Originally posted by sarah_d
That sounds about right!For a while the paper's were saying that it was going to be transformed into a French Riviera type place,but maybe it was April Fool's Day when i read that. :D

I can confirm that the local council have proposed the idea of a Italian Plaza in part of the town centre, just outside the Marks and Spencer. I have no idea how Italian they will go, but judging by the lack of culture in Barnsley it will probably consist of a Pizza Hut etc. :D

[I have no idea how Italian they will go, but judging by the lack of culture in Barnsley it will probably consist of a Pizza Hut etc. :D [/B][/QUOTE]
Why do you think i left?!There's not much hope left in Barnsley either which is why you have to get out, for a while at least, before you become trapped.I have to go and visit family though,just to let them know i'm still alive.:D

Originally posted by sarah_d
[I have no idea how Italian they will go, but judging by the lack of culture in Barnsley it will probably consist of a Pizza Hut etc. :D
Why do you think i left?!There's not much hope left in Barnsley either which is why you have to get out, for a while at least, before you become trapped.I have to go and visit family though,just to let them know i'm still alive.:D [/B][/QUOTE]

Uh, things you have to do to keep your family sweet :D

Has anyone noticed the mist that surrounds Barnsley and when you go through nothing has changed for centuries.

:loopy:

At least I know that Barnsley exists as I've been there and seen it, whereas although I've frequently seen signposts all around this area for Chapel-en-le Frith I've yet to find it. I suspect that it's as real as Eldorado or Atlantis.

Originally posted by sarah_d
I'm visiting my parents in Barnsley this weekend.I haven't been to Barnsley for about a year and a half and i'd like to know if it is the same old place or if there have been any changes i should be made aware of.I don't want to be in for a shock, that's all, if i go back and it's all cleaned up for example! :D

Nooooooooo don't do it - argh!!!!

I have driven thru Barnsley - that nautious feeling overcomes me and I have to close my eyes and imagine a nice warm safe place. It is even worse when I have to go back and see relatives...my sympathies..

Moon Maiden

who was it who said a man who is tired of Barnsley is tired of life. No wait.....it wasn't Barnsley.:rolleyes:

Barnsley folk are the salt of the earth,they are so friendly and another thing they know how to have a good time.
I recomend you guy's go down their at the weekend,the town centre is full of life and the pubs are so close togeather you can't go wrong.

Couple of people have said 'nothings changed' - Depends on your time scale, not that many miners there these days.
I find Barnsley town centre has a nice atmosphere, a good market, too.
I am only commenting as an occasional visitor.
I do understand people may want to get away from there home town. - I did - mine was Dewsbury:(

Stop dragging Barnsley down.

You all know your only doing it becase Barnsley is better than Sheffield.

The people there are the most friendly in the whole of Yorkshire and with out doubt it has the best town centre in the county.

Ive tried to write a "pro's" and "con's" type list about Barnsley and couldn't find anything to put in the "con's" section.

Sheffield should be greatful to Barnsley for being so close and allowing some of its common sense attitude to rub off on to Sheffield.

p.s. does that put the cat among the pidgeons or do I need to carry on a while longer?

Hello again!Thankyou for all your Barnsley comments, they have made me laugh,unfortunately it's all arranged so i can't back out now.The one good thing about going back (besides meeting the family)is that it makes me feel very lucky that i got out.

oh yes remember a Barnsley night out well...lots of old tarts in belts and guys in the smallest t shirts you can find so they can look 'ard...followed by the city centre being littered with take away papers, cans, bottles and glasses and remnants from the nights fights...usually started by the women.

Barnsley city centre was always a hive of activity from about 4am as the councils dedicated team of cleaners went about cleaning the streets after it all.

The markets are rubbish in comparison to how they used to be. Barnsley council have not only let the city centre markets die but have forced the out of town markets like - Wombwell and Hoyland - to close so the city centre can look better.

Barnsley was a very nice place to live in - but it gets a bit claustraphobic when you cannot go shopping without some aparent stranger asking how your great aunt dot is..urgh

Moon Maiden

Barnsley was a very nice place to live in - but it gets a bit claustraphobic when you cannot go shopping without some aparent stranger asking how your great aunt dot is..urgh

I didn't mind this too much 'cos it's just people being friendly.


Originally posted by Moon Maiden
oh yes remember a Barnsley night out well...lots of old tarts in belts and guys in the smallest t shirts you can find so they can look 'ard...followed by the city centre being littered with take away papers, cans, bottles and glasses and remnants from the nights fights...usually started by the women.

This is one of the reasons i left.I didn't fit in and didn't really want to,there's pressure to conform and i didn't want to turn out like that so i got away.
Some things about the place can be quaint and it can be perfect for some people,just not for me.I don't really want to have a go at Barnsley,i just want to know if it's changed at all.

P.S sorry about the messy quotes.

Fixed your quote boxes for ya ;)

I don't like particularly having a go at Barnsley either - but you have to be realistic...I know many people have a lot of similar things to say about Sheffield. I have lived all over the Barnsley area and despite being homeless I would not wish to go back there unless absolutely necessary.

Alot of my mates still live in Barnsley, hell some still live int' same village, but that wasn't for me.

Moon Maiden

I live in Barnsley ,have done for 25 years & still proud to be a Sheffielder,but Sheffield is nothing like it used to be when I lived there,totally different,the Heeley I lived in went years ago ,but what great memories of a great place & great mates & Barnsley people still don't know the difference from a T Cake & a Breadcake & Fishcakes,Rissoles.

Originally posted by hj dary

Ive tried to write a "pro's" and "con's" type list about Barnsley and couldn't find anything to put in the "con's" section.


Con #1: It exists.

I've lived in Barnsley. Its every bit as bad as the stereotype.

"Have you seen the engineer come to fix the pipes? Its a DARKIE!" is one quote I'll never forget.

Don't get me wrong, not everyone is like that of course. Just that the general level of intolerance and ignorance is astounding, but then to be fair - that reminds me of a lot of small towns in the UK.

I've been punched, kicked, beaten and stabbed living there. Hmm wonder why I left? :)

For the record, I'm not Sheffield's greatest fan but its a step up the ladder from Barnsley.

All IMHO of course.

Originally posted by Xtro
Con #1: It exists.

I've lived in Barnsley. Its every bit as bad as the stereotype.

"Have you seen the engineer come to fix the pipes? Its a DARKIE!" is one quote I'll never forget.

Don't get me wrong, not everyone is like that of course. Just that the general level of intolerance and ignorance is astounding, but then to be fair - that reminds me of a lot of small towns in the UK.

I've been punched, kicked, beaten and stabbed living there. Hmm wonder why I left? :)

For the record, I'm not Sheffield's greatest fan but its a step up the ladder from Barnsley.

All IMHO of course. Sorry too here you had bad experiences in Breadcake land,being a Sheffielder who has lived there for 25 yrs ,you just learn to ignore most of them.

Hello all,i am now in the grand old town of Barnsley and i wish i had taken Moon Maiden's advice.It is the just the same old dump and i'm glad i got away,however it does make me feel grateful that i escaped!:D I'll be back to work on Tuesday and can chat properly during my lunch break.Hope you are all well and enjoying your time better than i am.

Originally posted by Moon Maiden
oh yes remember a Barnsley night out well...lots of old tarts in belts and guys in the smallest t shirts you can find so they can look 'ard...followed by the city centre being littered with take away papers, cans, bottles and glasses and remnants from the nights fights...usually started by the women.

Barnsley city centre was always a hive of activity from about 4am as the councils dedicated team of cleaners went about cleaning the streets after it all.

The markets are rubbish in comparison to how they used to be. Barnsley council have not only let the city centre markets die but have forced the out of town markets like - Wombwell and Hoyland - to close so the city centre can look better.

Barnsley was a very nice place to live in - but it gets a bit claustraphobic when you cannot go shopping without some aparent stranger asking how your great aunt dot is..urgh

Moon Maiden Hoyland & Wombwell markets are not closed,Hoyland has just had £400.000 spent on it,total waste of money if you ask me.I live just down the road from Hoyland & the market used to be one of the best in Yorkshire years ago ,but not anymore ,the council have ripped off the traders with overpriced stalls & Wombwell is no better.The Hoyland market opens on Tuesday,Thursday(Boot Sale) & Saturday.Tuesday & Thursday are the best day,s.

Originally posted by Ned Ludd
...... whereas although I've frequently seen signposts all around this area for Chapel-en-le Frith I've yet to find it.

Just round the corner from Whaley Bridge & Buxton ;-)

I never treat people from there as 'real' if you know what I mean.
Having worked at a lot of places around there ,pits, miners welfares and Dixons in the town centre as a contractor I really thought they were being stupid on purpose, sort of like acting daft at school. But trust me its not acting, makes it very scary.
Proud to be a deedah.


Dragon

Don't do it sarah!!!

Didn't you watch 'Deliverance' for Christ's sake!!??

Originally posted by Ned Ludd
At least I know that Barnsley exists as I've been there and seen it, whereas although I've frequently seen signposts all around this area for Chapel-en-le Frith I've yet to find it. I suspect that it's as real as Eldorado or Atlantis.

My advice is not to bother. We had a week in the Peak District last March and sort of accidentally discoverd Chapel En Le Frith after driving from Castleton out through the Peaks. It stinks something terrible as there is some sort of cellophane factory there.

I think there is a good cafe In Chapel as you go down the hill, but that is about it. Full of butch lorry drivers, some of them women! in the big tippers that try and kill me when I cycle out to derbyshire, think bleached blond, roll ups, 4'6" tall with more attitude than brains.
Thats me splattered all over the A57 like a hedgehog then.

Dragon

Originally posted by markham
Don't do it sarah!!!

Didn't you watch 'Deliverance' for Christ's sake!!??
Thats stocksbridge

Originally posted by dragonsoup
I think there is a good cafe In Chapel as you go down the hill,

Dragon

We actually stopped for a coffee and a snack there, but couldn't even finish it. The stink of cellophane was everywhere. I expect you get used to it when you live there, but it's a bit overpowering for visitors.

Originally posted by Moon Maiden
oh yes remember a Barnsley night out well...lots of old tarts in belts and guys in the smallest t shirts you can find so they can look 'ard...followed by the city centre being littered with take away papers, cans, bottles and glasses and remnants from the nights fights...usually started by the women.

Moon Maiden

You mean like Sheffield City Centre on a Friday and Saturday night