Karl

Jul 14, 08 - 11:15 AM

Splott

I grew up there but hadn't been back there for a few years. I had cause to go there on Saturday and I was absolutely shocked at what a shithole it's become.

The once decent shops on Splott Rd are now decimated. The Star Centre looks ripe for demolition even though it's barely 25 years old. The housing stock especially the western side of Splott Road is in a huge state of disrepair. Terraces have been decimated by pebble dashing and really awful infill developments that bear absolutely no relationship to the surrounding properties. And the inhabitants? Fat and rough looking would be the kindest description.

It was an utterly depressing experience and I simply can't believe how an area has nose dived so much in so little time. I wondered if it was a case of rose tinted spectacles looking back at a great childhood playing in the streets, over the park etc but I really don't think it is. Splott was never architecturally interesting apart from a few gems like the Grosvenor and Moorlands pub, the biscuit factory, the University building etc but it used to have a cared for appearance, clean streets etc

Not any more. Walking around put me in mind of news reports of grim northern towns waiting for demolition. Am I being too harsh? Maybe but I was absolutely flabbergasted but just what a hole it was, saddened by it's apparent demise. All this just a mile or so from our shiny, lovely city centre. It was even better, I'd go as far as to say, when it was covered in green, sulphorous crap from the steel works than it was on Saturday.

Very, very sad. If anyone tells you what a great, modern, vibrant city Cardiff is take them for a walk through Splott. Scratch underneath the surface and it's a very different proposition. Perhaps the city is a bit 'fur coat and no knickers'?

James

Jul 14th, 2008 - 4:13 PM

Re: Splott

I think you're being a bit harsh. Splott (and Adamsdown) never has, and never will be the most glamorous or expensive part of Cardiff, but I don't think the place is that bad at all. It has it's bad areas, it's pockets of deprivation, and like many working class communities in the UK, has suffered from a somewhat fractured and disengaged community spirit in the last 20 years or so, but I still feel it's a decent community.

House prices have risen a lot there, and there is increasing gentrification. Whether that is a good or bad thing is debatable, but it does bring a bit more money to the area and guarantees a lack of vacant housing, which is very prominent in some northern town and cities (for a huge contrast in a city centre and some of it's suburbs, then try Liverpool). I think there is also an increasingly student population, as the universities expand.

Some investment is occuring there too. Clifton street is getting a massive make over, being made one-way, new shops and all, and Splott Road is also seeing some improvements. The Star centre is ugly, I agree, but it is functional, and given that some communities have no such facility, it can only really be seen in a positive light.

Chin up Karl I say!

Karl

Jul 14th, 2008 - 4:32 PM

Re: Splott

James

I spent the first 20 years of my life there, all my family are from there or thereabouts. I know the area intimately - or at least I did - and just a few short years ago the place was as it has always been. That is a traditional working class area with a great community spirit, not that pretty on the eye, but well cared for with decent housing and a proper commercial heart.

I haven't been there for a few years because my family has one by one left the area amidst dark rumblings that it is not what it was. I didn't really take any notice because when people get older things never seem to appear as good as they were.

What I saw on saturday shocked me. I don't use that word for effect and it's not hyperbole. I was shocked by just how degraded the place was, the fabric was shot to pieces. It was menacing walking around there in the middle of the afternoon. It looked dirty. It looked like a shanty town.

With respect James I'm on home turf here and I'm able to make proper and meaningful comparison between now and previous years. There is no comparison. I searched my memory banks to see if I really am remembering things as they were or how I thought they were and I really don't think I've put on the rose tited specs. I spoke to my cousin on Sunday who three years ago moved from Splott after living there for all of his previous 33 years. His version of what Splott has become accords exactly with the impression I gained on Saturday. He told me that he couldn't wait to leave and has not been back since except for a few pints at St Albans rugby Club (which is in Tremorfa and is - if anything - an even bigger shithole than Splott these days and far removed from the idyllic garden suburb that it once was.

That's very depressing.

Author	Comment
Karl Jul 14, 08 - 11:15 AM	Splott I grew up there but hadn't been back there for a few years. I had cause to go there on Saturday and I was absolutely shocked at what a shithole it's become. The once decent shops on Splott Rd are now decimated. The Star Centre looks ripe for demolition even though it's barely 25 years old. The housing stock especially the western side of Splott Road is in a huge state of disrepair. Terraces have been decimated by pebble dashing and really awful infill developments that bear absolutely no relationship to the surrounding properties. And the inhabitants? Fat and rough looking would be the kindest description. It was an utterly depressing experience and I simply can't believe how an area has nose dived so much in so little time. I wondered if it was a case of rose tinted spectacles looking back at a great childhood playing in the streets, over the park etc but I really don't think it is. Splott was never architecturally interesting apart from a few gems like the Grosvenor and Moorlands pub, the biscuit factory, the University building etc but it used to have a cared for appearance, clean streets etc Not any more. Walking around put me in mind of news reports of grim northern towns waiting for demolition. Am I being too harsh? Maybe but I was absolutely flabbergasted but just what a hole it was, saddened by it's apparent demise. All this just a mile or so from our shiny, lovely city centre. It was even better, I'd go as far as to say, when it was covered in green, sulphorous crap from the steel works than it was on Saturday. Very, very sad. If anyone tells you what a great, modern, vibrant city Cardiff is take them for a walk through Splott. Scratch underneath the surface and it's a very different proposition. Perhaps the city is a bit 'fur coat and no knickers'? Email: thomask1969@hotmail.com
James Jul 14th, 2008 - 4:13 PM	Re: Splott I think you're being a bit harsh. Splott (and Adamsdown) never has, and never will be the most glamorous or expensive part of Cardiff, but I don't think the place is that bad at all. It has it's bad areas, it's pockets of deprivation, and like many working class communities in the UK, has suffered from a somewhat fractured and disengaged community spirit in the last 20 years or so, but I still feel it's a decent community. House prices have risen a lot there, and there is increasing gentrification. Whether that is a good or bad thing is debatable, but it does bring a bit more money to the area and guarantees a lack of vacant housing, which is very prominent in some northern town and cities (for a huge contrast in a city centre and some of it's suburbs, then try Liverpool). I think there is also an increasingly student population, as the universities expand. Some investment is occuring there too. Clifton street is getting a massive make over, being made one-way, new shops and all, and Splott Road is also seeing some improvements. The Star centre is ugly, I agree, but it is functional, and given that some communities have no such facility, it can only really be seen in a positive light. Chin up Karl I say! Email: jat_moore@yahoo.co.uk
Karl Jul 14th, 2008 - 4:32 PM	Re: Splott James I spent the first 20 years of my life there, all my family are from there or thereabouts. I know the area intimately - or at least I did - and just a few short years ago the place was as it has always been. That is a traditional working class area with a great community spirit, not that pretty on the eye, but well cared for with decent housing and a proper commercial heart. I haven't been there for a few years because my family has one by one left the area amidst dark rumblings that it is not what it was. I didn't really take any notice because when people get older things never seem to appear as good as they were. What I saw on saturday shocked me. I don't use that word for effect and it's not hyperbole. I was shocked by just how degraded the place was, the fabric was shot to pieces. It was menacing walking around there in the middle of the afternoon. It looked dirty. It looked like a shanty town. With respect James I'm on home turf here and I'm able to make proper and meaningful comparison between now and previous years. There is no comparison. I searched my memory banks to see if I really am remembering things as they were or how I thought they were and I really don't think I've put on the rose tited specs. I spoke to my cousin on Sunday who three years ago moved from Splott after living there for all of his previous 33 years. His version of what Splott has become accords exactly with the impression I gained on Saturday. He told me that he couldn't wait to leave and has not been back since except for a few pints at St Albans rugby Club (which is in Tremorfa and is - if anything - an even bigger shithole than Splott these days and far removed from the idyllic garden suburb that it once was. That's very depressing. Email: thomask1969@hotmail.com