I Can't Sugar Coat This, Bolton Town Centre Made me Sad
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- Опубліковано 20 січ 2024
- I went to Bolton Town Centre.
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Welcome to my Channel,
My name is James and I live full time in my tiny van, however this is not just a van life channel. I enjoy travel, food and drink and making videos 🙂
When I turned 50 I decided I’d had enough of the rat race and working long hours just to pay rent and bills, life was passing me by and I needed a drastic change.
FAQ
Where is Helen?
Helen has a responsible full time job and two children so unfortunately she can’t join me on every trip. I really wish she could.
What equipment do you use?
My vlogging camera is a GoPro Hero 9 but I also use my pixel 6a phone and Lumix G80 camera for other footage
For editing, I used Premiere Pro on an old laptop but I’m saving to buy a more powerful computer.
Do you have children?
Yes I have a 6yr old daughter who lives with her mum but I see her quite a lot. I don’t usually put her on the vlogs and if I do, I block out her face for privacy reasons. I also have a grown up son.
How do you fund your lifestyle?
I don’t need as much to live these days since going full time van life but I receive a small percentage of income from the ads that UA-cam put on the videos.
Why the sponsored videos?
I only accept sponsorship from companies I use and trust, this is my fulltime job and my income, it’s how I support my family. (I have Patreon if you prefer videos with no ads).
How do I contact you?
Please contact me here: james@bythecurb.co.uk
Rip Fred Dibnah. Still creating joy even after his passing.
My husband used to work with Fred and went all over the country taking his steam engine to shows. Your vlog bought a tear to his eye. X
Wow, he must have some stories 🙂
James, my wife and I were in the UK last October (we live in Perth, Australia) and we were shocked at the number and placement of Vape shops seemingly everywhere. Vaping is clearly out of control in the UK, and is largely targeting kids with flavours designed to look like sweets. But there is hope, after establishing that most disposable vapes sold in Oz are aimed at children and contain nicotine (against the existing laws), by next year all vapes will be banned in Oz unless they are supported by a doctors prescription. Good I say, the greedy vape retailers have brought this on themselves.
Born and bred in Bolton, left for Skipton 24 years ago and a new life building canal boats and then camper vans.
@@NormanCollier-nf7nu Hope not !
Well done James!! A truly honest, down to earth, and accurate portrayal of Bolton today!! From birth in 1961, until leaving the area for the Lake District in 1983. I lived around the Bolton area. St Helens Road, Horwich, and Farnworth. I studied at Bolton technical college. Worked for Rumbelows, on Manchester road. Met my wife, currently of 38 years at Maxwells Plum nightclub in Bolton! And to be honest, apart from Walsh’s pasty shop, the whole town is a tragic shell of its former self! Am I ashamed to tell people I am from Bolton? NO! Definitely Not! Would I return to my roots? Sadly no. R.I.P Fred❤ keep doing all what you do so naturally well James and Helen!!!! Cheers Xx
Well said, echos my own feelings and brought back some memories - I was more of a Scamps guy myself!
@@53Indian Scamps was my wife’s favourite haunt, from 78-81! But fortunately for me, not exclusively!!
Nice tribute to a true Legend James.
Shame to see no flowers on his grave. Fred a true one off character.
I would like to give you 2 a massive thanks for yours vids, at the moment im flighting cancer, i watch your vids over & over again plz keep them coming they always put a huge smile on my face 😊😊😊😊
Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Sending you lots of love ❤️
Wish you the best, fight the fight
I live in Bolton, and I too feel sad when I go into the town centre.
It used to be so vibrant, but places like Middlebrook and the Trafford Centre have taken people away.
I'm sure this is happening all over.
What you need to do if you're ever back over in this neck of the woods is to take Helen up Rivington. Some great walks and views up there and you could always end up in the Rivington Brewery for a pint or three. Fantastic place, right up your street!
No real men like Fred anymore, same as you James every now and again I watch Fred , what a grafter he was , huge respect for him
From a fellow Barnsley lad keep it going you two 👍
Thanks mate, I love watching Fred on UA-cam
Grew up in Darton nr Barnsley SYorks
@@siouxsiesiouxwilson7247
I went to Darton high myself🤣👍
Think you we're all doomed, mr Welford ? Lighten up will ya. Are you just joining in with the presumed concensus ?
They were only able to destroy the town once they changed the people; not just the demographics, but also what's inside people's heads; their mindset and values. People have allowed themselves to become too dependent on mummy government and have stopped thinking for themselves.
Very interesting video James, I think many of us live in or have a town nearby that has had the heart ripped out of it by retail chains and poor planning decisions. That high street could have been anywhere ... north, south, east or west it's just copy and paste or the same poor planning. Having said all that it was lovely to see the Fred Dibnah legacy and the original architecture of Bolton. All the best, David
Thank you David
This style of reporting (historical buildings in the town & Fred's house, cemetery) suits you best. This was really fascinating. It is a very sad state to see beautiful historical buildings looking so poorly maintained. Too many business owners today take no pride in their storefronts but the market was very nice - lovely to see these still exist. Thank you for the video because it was truly interesting although sad.
Thank you, much more to come
I went to college in Bolton in the late sixties and it was a wonderful vibrant town. 😮We used to regularly go to the octagon theatre. What a great town in those days.
Living 30 mins away from Bolton, we used to go regular on a Saturday morning.
We haven’t been for over 5 years as we concluded it was exactly like you describe…..DEPRESSING!!!!
Cheers
Andy
Thanks for the walkabout James,The precincts and high streets are the same everywhere these days...The meat market took us back to the castle market in Sheffield, all gone now, demolished and moved down the moor, but it's not a patch on the original place... Thanks for posting James, brilliant as usual mate.✅👍💞
Thank you, I loved the castle market
Fireplaces and wooden floors just beautiful and outside the garden and back of the house really lovely. Loved the architecture of Bolton too. Such an interesting vlog James. Thank you .
That was well interesting James, obviously, the Fred Dibnah touch was great. But also Earl of Derby, Civil War info was really worth the watch. Your content, video quality, and sound are 10 out of 10. You have brought home the state of our town centres, so sad. More like this mate, brilliant 👍
Thanks James, I appreciate your honesty.
Top class video James, your cinematography has really improved, keep up the good work, Dave 👍
Thanks Dave
Loved this james thanks for the tour i could watch you and helen all day❤
Love the blend of your videos James. Really professionally produced. You have learnt so much since your early days. And you are so warm and personable, great company as you take us alongside you in your adventures. Love the fact you always do your research on a place. Keep them coming.😊
Thank you Claire :-)
"Did ya like that" ? What a legend Fred was ! There will be even more boarded up shops, once they get their congestion charge in place !
We love your honesty James. Everyone will have a different point of view on any subject. As for visiting requested places, my brother-in-law came from Chorley, and my husband had g/parents from Pocklington in Yorkshire. Thanks for the history lesson as well. ❤🇦🇺
Funny you watch Fred, I've been hooked on his videos for years. I used to watch his programs in the 1980s with my dad when I was just a kid and was always absolutely fascinated.
Great varied content as ever James, nice to remember Fred. Your intros are becoming so slick it feels as if the commercials are still running, quite the pro !
Love Fred Dibnah, used to watch his programmes in fascination and respect for the Steeplejack work and his friendly knowledgable views. An engineer at heart I think. All around Top Man from a rare breed of yesteryear, respect, community and a lost way of life of honourability amongst our modern world. RIP
yeah fred dibnah what a legend..respect. I broke down in oldham once in my van and the locals did me a bacon sandwich and brought me drinks..the friendliest ive known
I remember watching the original Fred Dibnah series with my Dad years ago, we always loved his programs. My Dad even took on Fred's saying when a chimney came down "Did yer like that"
Thanks for bringing back good memories James
You're welcome 😊
Sames happening in Wigan just down the road.I feel sick at times.
Hi James loved the holiday video,just watching Bolton video Fred's grave bringing back what a great show it was loved him he was a one of great one of Bolton .always lived in Kent before moving to Spain 8yrs ago keep the videos coming, have a great day James love to helen👍👍
Nicely done, James. Fred was truly the epitome of a different time where honour, truth and looking after people was the norm. What would he have made of how we live now? I'm sure Helen would have found many headstones, plaques and historic information for you.😄❤
Haha absolutely
It's even more sad when you grew up in Bolton and remember there was a lot more to the fish market and outdoor stalls there you could get almost anything and people used to come in coach loads from like Oldham and many Lancashire towns to visit Bolton market you couldn't walk threw Iike you just did James u had to squeeze your way threw no matter what time of day it was packed I think helen would have loved the cockles muscles crab sticks ? And a pint of Guinness all under one roof just round corner from we're pecky blinders happy valley and coronation st were filmed recently Netflix always filming in Bolton as sad and depressing as Bolton really has gone to live here and see it for urself how everything has changed for thr worse is really really sad rip bolton town center and most of the roads leading out off it thanks james for the vlog
Love your videos mate. Benidorm to Bolton they're great. Keep up the great work. Love your travels in your van!👍
Thanks mate, glad you like them
Really enjoyed this one. Thanks for the information.
Love the opening sequence once again. You’re getting good at this malarkey James!
Thank you 😊
Hi James we're watching this in our campervan whilst sheltering from storm Isha in Hebden Bridge.
We live in a market town 12 miles north of Cardiff which has been overlooked for years shame cos its got a beautiful park and a lot of history. It's the same story all over unfortunately 😢
Hope you survivd the storm ok
Hi James - Used to watch Fred loads of times - Loved to Watch Him - Thanks For the Upload
Hi mate ! Your video are seriously pro these days! Your ace at editing / adding the right music in the right places … Giving us interesting info about places we don’t go! Absolutely well done on the growth of this channel
Thank you 😊
Enjoyed the story of Fred. Especially the house. Love architecture. 5 years ago I was ashamed of the state Barnsley town had become. Now look at it. Wonderful again. Nice to look round other towns and city’s thank you
There’s not much in howarth but I like to go walking and the Brontë museum snd church.
A good vlog James , a lovely tribute to Fred Dibnah too me & my late dad used to love watching his program's, as for the town well it was like a ghost town but it's like many cities these days including Sheffield many shops have closed down
😢 sad ol Britain...great work James and Helen loving the vids. Loved dibbers great character. I moved to Thailand 2 years ago seriously couldn't take London anymore...keep up the good work mate
Thanks :-)
Thank goodness for Levelling up!! just imagine how bad it could have been. It is the same all across the North. thanks for the video next time take Helen she would improve anywhere.
Hey up James. Sadly it seems to be a recurring theme in many places these days. I'm a Hull lad and i also enjoyed your walk around my city and I'm glad you had a better experience round our end. When you come back make sure you pick a nice day and hit the Humber Bridge area. Nice walks and a great pub for you. You'll love it.
Nice going...
So many places going to shite lately. I was out at a local seaside town today and there are tonnes of empty shops and small businesses that used to do well but clearly struggle now because there's nobody about.
Bolton was once a bustling town ,i started working in market hall ,blame bolton clowsil Bolton market was one of the best in north west could buy anything sadly its all gone
Go to bury market Wednesday Friday Saturday buzzing chorley Tuesday all busy ,love the videos your helen is bonkers in a brilliant way 😁
Yes RIP Fred, great guy could watch his programme all the time, no one like Fred, pity no flowers on his grave like someone mentioned, nice you went to visit, 👍
What a legend Fred was. I have watched every program that was ever made as far a I know.
We used to go to bolton every so often mainly because our fave thai takeaway was on the way home! The market is great but my absolute favourite thing to see was the little aquarium that was under the museum, its so unusual and free too!
Please try clitheroe (beer shack, Holmes Mill, jungle) you and Helen will love it x
Love the Fred bit one of my hero’s , did yah like that !! Brilliant keep up the good work,,
Haha loved that 😊
@@bythecurb a proper character, Fred
Thankyou for an honest down to earth review of Bolton Town centre James. I haven't been for donkeys years but I can see its been on the slippery slope of gradual non existence. You are 100% correct about the lovely people there and was good to see the market is still trading but hardly thriving ! You do get the feeling the people of Bolton have been let down and I'm guessing the council is more interested in unnecessary street furniture and speeding cameras everywhere. Keep up the great work James and ill Sithee.
Thank you Sithee
When I lived down that way years ago, I actually found people in Rochdale friendlier than people in Bolton.
I'm from Bolton now live in Derby (7 years ago moved) and you hit the nail on the head. Some beautiful buildings im proud of. I actually miss the pasties fron Ye Olde Pasty Shop thats what i miss most. A good video 👍🏻
The way you felt after that tour of Bolton is exactly the way it makes me feel on the odd occasion I visit the place. There is a palpable dourness and the energy of the place seems to stick with me for hours after leaving. One of my family members lives there, they are not exactly beacons of happiness, they never smile and have that "hard done to" demeanor to them, everything is wrong and nothings right type of attitude. They were not like that before they moved there. It has that affect on some people. I avoid it like the plague. I didnt know there was a massacre, that could possibly explain the awful energy that hangs over the place. Its becoming a disease of most northern towns sadly, but some are going down hill quicker than others. Great video 👍
Thank you, I felt pretty down after the trip
To be fair James, Bolton probably not the best place to visit so soon after Tenerife and in the first couple of weeks of January. I reckon anywhere would've been a tough gig, but Bolton ?@@bythecurb
Honest review! You tell it how it is!
This was great James. Loved Fred. My dad was like him. Little bloke always had his work clothes and cap on (except Sunday)would try his hand at any job. I miss him😢
Respect!
@@FissionChips
Thank You 😊
Sounds like you have fab memories of him ❤
@@elizabethcotton4659
Yes, he was a lovely dad and I know I'm lucky to have such good memories of him. 😊
Beautiful pub jud.....been in it years ago.... great vlog pal...keep m coming 🎉🎉
Thanks mate
Top intro!! And some of the artistic moments made us smile. Another excellent walking blog!! Understandably the soulless nature was a bit of a mood hoover. Come to Leeds bud!! You can def bring Helen along. (Biased!!)
Great vlog mate and during the day it looks like a ghost town. I live not too far away in Manchester and I have to say that Bolton is great fun on a Saturday night out.
So much for levelling up James!
Yep. Good point
You can't level up the third world
I have to say James your camera work/ editing has really gone up a notch
i live 2 mins away up the hill from you in cemetery .walk down there frequently .its a
great calming place .decent green place .
Well done James, great video. I remember when Fred took his steam engine over the Forth Road Bridge, I didn’t speak to him, but know a few people who did, all they could say, he was a fantastic guy, a real gent and so down to earth. Bolton town centre is like many places now, looking ‘a bit sore’. I visited Bolton back in the 90’s, it looked a lot better and really good people 👍🍺
What a character Fred was!…I still enjoy watching his videos!…..I thought it was a great video James!
Thank you, James for showing us Fred Denmore‘s grave. I also are a fan of all his videos watched him time after time. No health and safety there. You just carried on working hard he deserves the statue in Bolton. I can’t believe you’re walking round in ice and snow when a few few days ago, you were in shorts and T-shirts, and sliding down waterslides in Tenerife, great video
Very interesting blog. Thankyou James.
Good to see you back home safely. I grew up watching Fred the legend, watched a documentary about his house. Helen would have been in her element in that market lol. Hope youre somewhere safe and hunkered down for this storm James!
We're in a pub in Morecambe 😊
@bythecurb hope you find Morecambe less depressing
@@bythecurbnot much better than Bolton then?! 🙈
Morecambe is brilliant. The government and local politicians can't destroy nature and a beautiful view! @@bythecurb
Great to see you back James , quite sad to see but so glad you gave a nod to Fred . X
A lot of these inner city towns are like this James and it will be the rent that has forced them out. You need to get to Llandudno, main shopping area is MOSTYN STREET, find the old Barclays Bank and go down Market street. There is a pub called THE COTTAGE LOAF.. You and Helen will love it. Great video and welcome home.
I use to go to Bolton in the mid to late 70s. It was a lovely place with straight forward people, very enjoyable.
I went back several times about 3 years ago. God it was a shock and very sad as you describe.
Unfortunately there seem to be quite a few places going the same way.
Nice video my friend, I love this type of coverage
It’s nice to see its James , I’ve never been there either can’t see me ever getting back to see it so I’m just delighted to see wherever you take us 😊
Brilliant video James,more please.
Just like to say James , my wife and I really look forward to your blogs, you and Helen are a good team. Helen make us laugh when she keeps stopping and reading everything, your face, bless you all the best mate keep on blogging. Andy and Pat Norfolk.
Thank you Andy & Pat :-)
Thanks for highlighting Bolton town Centre, I'm not from there but not a million miles away. You're so right some of the towns up north are really depressing. You should send this vlog to the politicians in Westminster to see it. They need to see ... Only the Fred statue made me smile👍
Send the vlog to politicians? Please wise up. Everything is going according to plan at the behest of NGOs.
Great tribute to a great man very hard working down to earth man fred was remember him fondly from bbc 2 😎👍
Hi,just like to say ,I love watching you both 😊also good idea about visiting northern towns,especially Rawtenstall which is between Blackburn and Burnley and also settle which is in North Yorkshire 😊take care
As usual James a great video but like you we felt sad seeing such a soulless town .No doubt Helen will put a smile on your face soon .A great watch ❤
Everywhere is upbeat when Im with Helen :-)
Interviewed Fred in '96 or '97 at his home for a Land Rover magazine I worked for. One of the most down to earth, easy going people I ever met in 30 years of speaking with all kinds of interesting folk.
Watched him demolish the old power station towers when I lived in Eccles ,over Barton bridge when I was a kit.was like a day out with some of my sisters.also used to see him going to the steam fairs day out things at local fairs days out and talked to him a few times.he lover old vehicles and loved going to these places to talk about them and to show people.he was a really nice fella,took the time to chat bless him.fearless too.seen him lots ,I was only a kid as said, he was such a nice bloke,just normal not full of himself like many other famous people xx
Nicely filmed and edited. Thanks.
Fred is a worldwide legend
.. bless his soul
Southampton is no different.The internet has killed the high street.
Great video so authentic loved it
Yes slightly depressing but I'm sure things will change
Nice film James. I paid my respects to Fred, back in 2018. It was a hot summers day then unlike your cold winters day! Love your visits abroad by the way! Maybe do some Capital cities abroad?
Thanks for the honesty James and the video content, I watched Fred all the time watched a true gent. Wigan Town centre is exactly the same. The councils are killing them all off.
corrupted council have run it into the ground. a series on northern industrial towns is a fantastic idea. You want to try Wigan there`s a pub called John bull chop house go in there for a pint but take Helen she would love it
Corruption in central government and corruption in local government are responsible. It will soon be exposed. I used to visit Bolton regularly when I lived in Blackpool but haven't been back since Covid when trains weren't running. Have since heard gloomy reports about the town and your video confirms my fears. I won't be returning although I live quite close in Manchester. It is tragic to see what has become of the town.
Great video love Fred Dibnah. Also Try towns like Dewsbury/Batley/Heckmondwike that’ll depress you.
Olde trip to Jerusalem was an old pub/inn 1189 AD, (part built into the sandstone caves at the foot of Nottingham Castle). I painted it when i was a signwriter back in 1987 so i always remembered the date.
I live in Bolton. You nailed it.
Met Fred at the Moorgreen Show back in the day he had pint in his hand A Real Gentleman loved to entertain i grew up watching him on Tele blowing things up proper times. A Real Historian Fred was he will live on through his passions in life. ❤❤❤❤
Great video again , you go the same places we would , mainly pubs 😂and saves me ever going Bolton 😢
What a market 😮😮best one I've ever seen by miles 🎉🎉
Hebden bridge, Lincoln, Canterbury, Richmond North Yorks,Carlisle, Kendal, Keswick, Salisbury. Portsmouth, Southampton, Oxford.
hI JAMES Loved the mini tribute to Fred Dibner a brilliant old school guy and craftsman, really enjoy your videos, with you & helen they are all very informative , interesting & genuine thanks keep them going, now i have got rid of my car i am visiting even more places with you & helen, at zero cost thanks again, done a bit of van life, but did not last long ! and you are right barnsley & bolton folk are always welcoming & down to earth and fred was a prime example ! and sadly missed by many but he left some brilliant memories via his documentaries archives , to which keeps on entertaining people year in year out, to which your videos are doing the same ! cheers chris h
I'm glad you went there James, it saved me from the disappointment of going there myself. It is sad when so many of our old towns fail to prosper with new investments. I was thinking of suggesting Ripon again just before you mentioned it in the vlog. Alternatively, Pocklington in East Yorkshire is quaint for a quick visit.
Yes I've heard good things about Pocklington
Great video, very interesting. Agree with your comments too.
Yes, good Idea to do more video's on northern towns, sounds interesting.
Beautiful intro my man 🔥🔥🔥
I would love to see more town reporting. I'm in Ontario, Canada and explore England towns on-line often. Include cemeteries and churches too if you happen upon them. Stories of the towns are fascinating.
Loved Fred! I remember avidly watching an absolute load of repeats, don't know what the hell it was about him, but he was a great watch! x
True, I'm always watching Fred
Glad you blogged my home town sorry it depressed you
I have recently subscribed to your channel. I am hooked already on your videos I've seen so far. Thank you
Thank you, glad you like them :-)
Absolutely loved this video. I instantly knew that Fred Dibnah would be be the one as soon as you started talking! As a 52 year old Yorkshireman, I grew up watching Fred on TV and still love him as you do. It's so sad seeing town centres like they are today. I miss how things were back in the 70's and 80's when I was growing up, especially around Christmas. Town centres were full of all kinds of shops, busy, always open.
I loved it when you bought a rum truffle! I have not had one for so many years and like you, I did not know that they were still sold. I loved them. I am going to see if I can find somewhere that sells them. Unfortunately 'diversity' has also ruined everything and our city centres are no longer safe and often feel like third world countries. I am lucky to live in Cornwall, so at the moment things are ok. It's only a matter of time though when we will end up like this.
Who's been eating your steering wheel by the way! When you said you need to detox and visit a somewhere nice next, for some reason I thought Ripon and you said it. It really freaked me out.