Great Yarmouth – where I was for some of the time on the stag do – is an interesting town. I suspect that it was grand – and deserving of the name Great – at some point in its history. There are certainly some impressive buildings. The beach seemed impressive and wasn’t crowded, even on a hot Sunday afternoon. Yet, somehow, it was a little sad. Amusement arcade and fun-pubs, clashed along the main drag with theme-pubs and entertainment centres. The side streets were blocked by tourists looking at shops selling cheap, gimmicky tourist gifts (not far removed from a Kiss Me Quick hat). It was all so-similar and without imagination. I don’t object to any of the items listed above (don’t take me for a snob) it was the sheer repetitiveness of it all that I found a little depressing.
Take the lovely looking beach. Hidden from the coast-road by a collection of buildings obscuring the view. Admittedly, the pier and the Winter Gardens weren’t ugly buildings but they still blocked the sight of the sea (and, surely, isn’t that why you go to the seaside?). The leisure centre and Sealife Centre were, however, ugly concrete buildings with little to make you stop and gasp in awe at the view. It’s such a shame we’ve done similar things with many of our great coastal resorts.
The attitude was also interesting. During the day it was certainly family-driven and seemed friendly. The night air, however was filled with the feint menace of the alcohol fuelled British lout.
Admittedly, I was in a group of 15 lads that could have seemed threatening had we not walked in small groups and mingled in the pubs and bars we visited.
The truth is, of course, that we encountered no trouble and had no cause for concern at any point in the whole evening. In fact, it was a great place to be but, like many English towns, there is an edge to the atmosphere that makes you think twice about looking at a stranger.
With all the families in town it’s a real shame the family-friendly atmosphere of some of the towns abroad can not be fostered – perhaps it’s time some of those seaside theme pubs were re-invented as something new.
On this day…
- 2005: Boston Legal
- 2004: Flash Floods
- 2004: Should I Mention The Olympics?
- 2003: Stag
- 2002: In Short, Things Are Grim