Quite recently on tv there were some documentary type progs on tv (sorry don't know channel) featuring a group of people with learning difficulties.

In effect they all lived together and 'run' the comminity themselves. I think that it was a type of halfway house before they were placed out in the community to live.

My husband caught the end of one of these programmes and he is pretty sure that he knows one of the characters featured and would like to do some research but we can't for the life of us remember the title of the programme.

It is only a couple of weeks since the last one was on so hopefully somebody might remember it.

*Mo has fingers crossed*

Hi Mo,
Yeah I remember that programme, cant remember what it was called though. Wasn't it just named after the village that the people lived in?

I shall try and remember for you.

Theres actually a thread somewhere on this forum all about it - I think the village was called Botton? . . .

'The strangest village in britain'.

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49805&highlight=botton

Was it this you was looking for? Botton (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49805) :D

Originally posted by Lestat
Theres actually a thread somewhere on this forum all about it - I think the village was called Botton? . . .

'The strangest village in britain'.

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49805&highlight=botton Lestat i think we posted this at the same time :hihi:

Ah, I was beaten to it.

That is right though.

Thanks so much for your replies.

Yes this was the programme.

We were in Whitby this week and saw Barry wandering through the streets.

I heard him speaking to people as he wandered aimlessly around. He did actually sound an intelligent chap from what I heard. He met a French family and was conversing with them in French.

I felt really quite sad for him as he attracted the stares of passing visitors. He did have an air of wildness about him as his hair had grown and he looked so unkempt and uncared for.

I can imagine that he would have a hard time of it when the bus loads of Geordies come down at the weekends for their booze ups. :(

Originally posted by Mo

I can imagine that he would have a hard time of it when the bus loads of Geordies come down at the weekends for their booze ups. :( [/B]
Why 'Geordies'? bit of a strange assumption there.

Originally posted by 40summat
Why 'Geordies'? bit of a strange assumption there.

Have you ever been in Whitby on Saturday nights?

Perhaps not strictly Geordies, more Middlesbro' folk.

Swamped with them it is. :D

Sure iv'e been on a saturday night, i fish from Whitby all seasons can't emagine why you think Geordies are that bad, i've had many a good night in their company, they are certainly no worse than any other large groups of visitors.
just thought it a bit unfair for you to assume they might give barry stick.
What were you doing while 'passing visitors' were staring at him, same thing by the sound of it if you got close enough to eavesdrop on his conversations.
He might be a character but he's not a tourist attraction to be gawped at.

Originally posted by 40summat
Sure iv'e been on a saturday night, i fish from Whitby all seasons can't emagine why you think Geordies are that bad, i've had many a good night in their company, they are certainly no worse than any other large groups of visitors.
just thought it a bit unfair for you to assume they might give barry stick.
What were you doing while 'passing visitors' were staring at him, same thing by the sound of it if you got close enough to eavesdrop on his conversations.
He might be a character but he's not a tourist attraction to be gawped at.

Well actually I was standing at the bottom of the abbey steps waiting for my family to come down. The conversation went on about a foot away from me. What do you think I should have done walked away?

Don't be so rude. I was certainly not gawping at him so don't judge me in that way.

It's not rocket science to work out that a character like Barry will attract undesirable attention from the alcohol fueled revellers who frequent Whitby at weekends. It happens that a large proportion of them happen to be from the NE. That is not an opinion but a fact.

I have spent many weekends in Whitby and witnessed the not so attractive sights after throwing out time.

You are right Mo i have been rude i apologize for that, iguess i was getting a bit defensive as my family hail from the NE, i should'nt have let it needle me.
I'm sure Barry is ok though in his own way, folks do look out for him and is not off the radar as far as social services are concerned.
anyway sorry again i did'nt mean to be so offensive. :)

That ok 40summat no offence taken.

I was upset that you thought that I was in some way ridiculing Barry. Not at all. I was so concerned for his well being that my husband emailed the village at Botton and sought reassurance that his interests were being looked after. He does have a social worker so hopefully they will keep an eye on him.

It must be so difficult for him making the move out into the wider world but it was his choice.

I truly hope that he gets the back up and support that he deserves and not what we are coming to recognise as 'no' care in the community.

Thanks Mo,
It's good to see people care enough to take the effort to ensure he has the support he may need.
We could do with a lot more of this attitude towards people less fortunate than ourselves.