WOODLAND towns! life in the sticks. Crime, Poverty and beauty

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  • Опубліковано 1 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 95

  • @ukexplored
    @ukexplored  Рік тому +5

    Hope you enjoyed this video! If you have any feedback or comments, we'd love to hear them!
    Do you live in the Forest of Dean? Are you familiar with any of these areas? Do you know what causes towns to become rundown?
    Your feedback is valuable to the audience, please share.
    NB - Hello Lloyd, no offense buddy!

    • @Budgiearmy
      @Budgiearmy Рік тому +1

      You have inspired me to post vids thank you So much!

    • @ukexplored
      @ukexplored  Рік тому +2

      @@Budgiearmy awesome, I subbed and will keep an eye out!

    • @Budgiearmy
      @Budgiearmy Рік тому +2

      @@ukexplored Thank you so Much

    • @Theunknownmoniker
      @Theunknownmoniker Рік тому +1

      I know i have commented else where but i missed this pinned comment.
      Another reason for the deprivation in the forest of dean was the shuttering of the Rank Xerox plant in Mitcheldean which at its peak in the during the 60s & employed over 5k & averages over 3k for 4 decades, you can't throw a stone in the forest of dean with out hitting some one who either worked at Xerox or who had a family member or friend that user to work there.
      The seconds largest employer in the forest of dean was Glaxo Smith Kline, making Ribena & lucozade, im not sure of the figures but im pretty sure they employed over 1k people at its peak but due to automation the 56 acre site & plant now only employs a 3rd of that workforce.

    • @Keaton_scoots2024
      @Keaton_scoots2024 Рік тому

      Sadly someone got got stabbed about a month ago and I live in cinderford

  • @fatbloke2285
    @fatbloke2285 Рік тому +7

    I am from the second place on your list of decline and deprivation. Lydney. The reason why it is so bad now is because i left the area when i was just 8 yrs old. I am now 61. One day i will return and sort this shit out.

    • @ukexplored
      @ukexplored  Рік тому

      Now that would be an epic story if you returned and sorted it out! Let me know when you're going to do it!

    • @fatbloke2285
      @fatbloke2285 Рік тому +2

      @@ukexplored Well don't get to anxious waiting dude. Upon my return the difference will speak for itself. There will be '' old Rosie '' in abundance and more sugar in the pop. And that's just to start with.

    • @MikeWellington-x9y
      @MikeWellington-x9y 2 місяці тому +1

      I hope you succeed mate! Cheers!

  • @kippersniffer3699
    @kippersniffer3699 Рік тому +5

    Good video and the stats were a welcome extra mile 👍

    • @ukexplored
      @ukexplored  Рік тому

      Appreciate you taking the time to say that, cheers!

  • @anokata-kd8oc
    @anokata-kd8oc Рік тому +4

    The dog jumping on the trampoline has a good time though.

  • @electronicearnings
    @electronicearnings Рік тому +3

    I got married in the Forest of Dean. It's a lovely place. I'm AMAZED to see some of these areas you have highlighted. Coleford also has many lovely cafes. Great Video! I'll try and be more careful and aware if I ever go back!

  • @peterengland6153
    @peterengland6153 Рік тому +2

    Brought back memories, grew up in Newland went to school in Coleford. Even back in the sixties still had drug problems, lack of things for kids to do. We had to play football in the church graveyard, headstones made good goal posts.

  • @Titot182
    @Titot182 Рік тому +1

    I grew up in North West London before moving to Gloucestershire about 15 years ago, before settling in Lydney 5 years ago (previous to that, I was in Coopers Edge). Yes, there's some well known establishments in town where you can consider them as your neighbourhood unlicenced dispensary and whilst the main high street looks drab and run down, it's probably more successful than Chepstow 8 miles down the road, where it's mostly coffee shops and charity shops.
    Lydney's expansion has stepped on the toes of true Foresters since you've got a lot of folk coming in with Bristol and London money that want the outdoor lifestyle on the new developments on the top of Lydney, which prices the indigenous out of Lydney whilst simultaneously driving the house and rental prices up and limiting the housing stock. The same can also apply to Coleford and Cinderford - a lot of new houses being built along the A48 and A40 without having the supporting services and infrastructure. All you need to do is go onto the Forest of Dean Roadwatch and see the dire situation we're in. But, for the demographic which I'm relating to i.e. your work-from-home profressionals, the aforementioned towns don't really tally up with the skewed reality.
    Most of Lydney's appeal is the surrounding FoD - We're not quite in the statuatory forest, but heading along to Parkend and Mallards Pike and you know exactly why you chose to relocate to the forest. To have some of the best MTB trails at your doorstep is why quite a few of us moved from the cities to live in the FoD. What I love about living in the Forest is you always know somebody that knows somebody that you know. It took a while for the locals to get used to an oriental chap with a combined Queen's English, Cockney and Roadman accent. Wife voulnteers with one of the Rainbows and Brownies units and we both represent the Forest of Dean Lions (The community requests we get reflect the sort of situation folk find themselves in).

  • @Jo-hc8pm
    @Jo-hc8pm 5 місяців тому +1

    I've lived in the forest all my life, first in Yorkley but now currently in lydney. As you mentioned in this video the pharmacy in lydney has been broken into on several occasions. The co op (next to that pharmacy) had the cash machine taken out of the side of the building going back several years ago by a digger. A jewellers in town has been broken into in the past. The pubs are terrible looking especially from the outside. I've not been to any of them in years. If i could move from here i would. Also, if you ask people who have lived in the forest for a long time what's the worst place here, most would say Cinderford. The only people who tell you that it isn't a terrible place to live is the people who actually live there. Also, too many potholes in the roads in the forest. I don't understand how people want to come here on holiday. Theres nothing worth seeing.

  • @Sundayletsplay
    @Sundayletsplay Рік тому +5

    Saw my house on your video, mines one with a nice garden! 😂 yeah it’s not the best but I’d still live here over any city in the uk

    • @ukexplored
      @ukexplored  Рік тому

      That's awesome, ha, as long as you're happy where you are, that's all that matters - I'm starting to think I'd take the forest life over the city!

  • @chrisamies2141
    @chrisamies2141 Рік тому +7

    I stayed in Lydney and had a day on the Dean Forest Railway, which is presumably its no.1 tourist draw - once again, a way of getting out of the town rather than staying in it. I do like that you don't trash places and say 'look how terrible this is!' but point out that there has been practically no investment in the place for years. Lydney is technically on the main line railway also but the station is quite a distance from the centre - they could do with a Stourbridge-type shuttle along the preserved railway from the station to the town centre, but given the lack of investment again, this is unliikely to happen.

    • @ukexplored
      @ukexplored  Рік тому +2

      Yeah, we’re not trying to dump on or shame any areas. I know a lot of hard working people that live in the areas we cover; they’re being let down by higher powers.
      We’d cover some of the train services and stations if we cover the good points of the forest, they do some good touristy things.

  • @Theunknownmoniker
    @Theunknownmoniker Рік тому +3

    Good video, as an outsider who has been around the forest of dean, especially Coleford since the mid 00s, while its not perfect its definitely on the up, I've lived here for 5 years now, having grown up 20 mins away in a pretty affluent village & have seen a marked improvement in the town centre & investment into the town. From a large skate park in bells field on lords hill, to the refurbishment or a couple of pubs to new restaurants & a deli.
    When looking for a place to purchase over 5 years ago, Coleford was even then by far and away the best choice.

    • @ukexplored
      @ukexplored  Рік тому +3

      Thanks for your insights. I agree, although the topic of this video was highlighting the worst areas in the forest based on crime and deprivation stats, these areas - and Coleford in particular- are far from dangerous or bad places to live compared to many areas in the country. I’d happily live in Coleford myself, I’m becoming tired of big city life!😀

    • @Theunknownmoniker
      @Theunknownmoniker Рік тому +2

      @@ukexplored Oh yeah completely understand where you were going with the vid, growing up where I did when i was younger i though the whole of the forest of dean was really rough!
      I find Coleford a bit weird because on the outside unless you visit some of the rough estates most people wouldn't think that the deprivation rates are so high here. I think its because Coleford is spread out more than people think & the outlying villages are apart of the civil parish of Coleford. That being Milkwal, Colway, Broadwll, Mile end & berry hill.
      Town life is great, close to the country side, just enough to amenities & if I want something more I just book a hotel at any city & have a nice city break.

  • @emcdt1461
    @emcdt1461 Рік тому +1

    I grew up near the Forest and so I know it pretty well. This video was a good and fair summary. The FoD towns have their share of problems, that's for sure

  • @MikeWellington-x9y
    @MikeWellington-x9y 2 місяці тому

    I lived and enjoyed living in he Forest of Dean, Littledean, and attended East Dean Grammar School. I enjoyed living in the Forest and now, where I live in Rushworth in Australia, where there are so many similarities, I still look back to the Forest of Dean. What a great place for a young bloke to grow up in!

  • @johntimbrell
    @johntimbrell Рік тому +3

    It's the bottom line folks. The council is the biggest criminal in the area. They have a cabinet who regularly break the law by refusing to allow important matters involving huge sums to be discussed at the full council. They regularly break the planning laws. If I challenge the councillors I get such replies as "Well you know what it's like John. You cannot fight the system" What that really means is that I am a coward and anyway my expenses are up there with the minimum wage. Oh! and if you complain to the corrupt police about the criminal council, they reply, "We do not think it appropriate to prosecute in this case". Yet they are very diligent in prosecuting people speaking their mind as allowed by our common law. Guess what folks. It's YOU who is at fault. You allow the corruption to continue by your silence.
    Re. Mr. Wilding and his illegal building. He could have escaped imprisonment if he had learned that the notices served on him were unlawful but his selfish attitude to his neighbours was repeated when advice was offered to him. His ears were closed.

  • @guypritchard8259
    @guypritchard8259 3 місяці тому +1

    Nothing for youths to do- apart from all the green spaces the forest offers, the local gyms, rugby/ football clubs, the river wye / kayak rapids, the country's best mountain bike trail centre, Cinderford indoor climbing centre, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, parkruns, fishing lakes, independent cinemas, independent pubs, 2 go ape centres, army/navy / raf cadets, scout groups, martial arts clubs, Coleford music festival, illegal raves, a few skateparks, forest of dean college, amatuer dramatics groups ect ect

  • @Budgiearmy
    @Budgiearmy Рік тому +3

    As always this vid is great 👍 also I have put you in my friends tab on my channel.

  • @Maggi56789
    @Maggi56789 10 місяців тому +2

    Wrong on many accounts. Visit any council run estates and you will find unkempt gardens. You didn’t go near the nice parts of Lydney and Coleford. I would agree with you about the abomination that is Cinderford, it’s horrible.

  • @extremepoker75
    @extremepoker75 3 місяці тому +1

    Lydney' s a lovely place an extremely safe place to live

  • @andrewwigham3026
    @andrewwigham3026 Рік тому +4

    House prices down south are a joke lmao
    I live in the North East in a town that borders a forest and you can get a 3 bed terrace house shown in these shots for like 80k - and if you want a normal sized nice dethatched home (3 bed) its like 180k and a large detached home 4-6 bed ranges from 230k-400k.
    No wonder so many people move up here.

    • @ukexplored
      @ukexplored  Рік тому +1

      Yeah with remote working and some other factors it’s hard to resist getting so much more for your money now. If you’re not paying crazy prices in some places you’re paying crazy rent.

    • @andrewwigham3026
      @andrewwigham3026 Рік тому +1

      @@ukexplored I genuinely feel like the North of England is the last bastion of normality in this country, the rest seems absolutely insane - I grew up in a well off background, my dad earned 15k a month - and I still couldn't imagine living down south and paying those prices, god help people who genuinely work normal jobs down there.
      Do they have any other option than renting? Damn.

    • @Theunknownmoniker
      @Theunknownmoniker Рік тому

      Houses prices in the forest, especially those located closest to Bristol, saw a massive jump once the seven bridge toll was removed, property prices jump almost 20% overnight.

  • @andym.6141
    @andym.6141 7 місяців тому +3

    ‘Body parts in a suitcase’…..they were brought into the area by someone from Coventry, FFS.

  • @robertosborne7542
    @robertosborne7542 11 місяців тому

    Lived in Coalway,moved to Bream,school in Coleford-great to be there as a kid but had to leave to see the world.Would go back now tho,love the walks etc.
    3:33 Cinderford has always been a dump,nothing new there,Lydney to a certain extent too but Coleford was always a cut above.
    PS a lot of those council houses are privately owned these days.

  • @debsmith5520
    @debsmith5520 Рік тому +7

    Appreciate the work of channels like yours and '#turdtowns', you are both highlighting areas of the UK out of the public eye and overlooked, and unfortunately neglected.

    • @ukexplored
      @ukexplored  Рік тому +2

      Thanks, Deb, it’s scary how quickly the rich poor divide and social problems are accelerating now, too.

  • @davewhittles
    @davewhittles Рік тому +3

    at least it has a nice forrest nearby although you might want to be careful in case the locals are roaming there in the evening

    • @ukexplored
      @ukexplored  Рік тому +2

      🎶If you go down in the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise…🎶

  • @StuartCameronMSW
    @StuartCameronMSW Рік тому +3

    Even the skateboard was scuffed!

  • @roryleigh7790
    @roryleigh7790 Рік тому +3

    I live in Mitcheldean, what did you think of that?

    • @ukexplored
      @ukexplored  Рік тому +1

      I haven’t been to Mitcheldean for many years or dug into the stats. Someone I know who lives in the forest have me this top 3 and it checked out when I looked through the reports.
      Im interested to know how you think Mitcheldean compares to these three towns as someone who lives there!

    • @roryleigh7790
      @roryleigh7790 Рік тому +1

      @@ukexplored it’s run down but nowhere near as much as the others in this video, nowhere near as much crime too

    • @ukexplored
      @ukexplored  Рік тому

      That’s good to hear! It’s awesome when rural areas thrive and have a good community spirit.

  • @BeaEss
    @BeaEss Місяць тому

    I live just outside of Cinderford and I've always felt extremely safe here. Unfortunately the opening of the college by Steam Mills has created a hotbed of idiots who hang about there. Gangs of lads, I've no idea where they came from, they don't speak English.

  • @xeviphract5894
    @xeviphract5894 Рік тому +4

    Lived in the Forest all my life. This video is a fair assessment. The order of towns is accurate. There's always been poverty and crime, but not everyone chooses to see it.

  • @martinnorth2680
    @martinnorth2680 Рік тому

    Worth a visit to Coventry....Wood End, Hillfields, Bell Green

  • @willswildanimals7256
    @willswildanimals7256 Рік тому +7

    You are making The forest look like a bad place I have lived in the forest my whole life I spend A lot of time in all three of those places they are very nice once in a blue moon, something happens but it’s better here then most places

    • @ukexplored
      @ukexplored  Рік тому

      Sorry you feel like that. We take an objective stance when covering areas and use factual data.
      You’re right though, the Forest of Dean has some huge pluses that are unique to the area, and I thought I said as much.
      It’s also nowhere near as bad as the cities we cover. Thanks for your comment.

    • @willswildanimals7256
      @willswildanimals7256 Рік тому +1

      No problem i wasn’t trying to be mean sorry if my comment annoyed you

    • @ukexplored
      @ukexplored  Рік тому +1

      That's fine, I didn't think you were - and I'm not annoyed 😀

  • @mattheweagles5123
    @mattheweagles5123 Рік тому +3

    Cinderford is a bit of a pit. Closed shops, limited jobs and not much to do. There is some investment with a college and now a hospital being built in town but it's a long way to go. Mitcheldean has also suffered from the loss of the Xerox factory and is gradually decaying. But other parts of the Forest have recovered from the loss of industry, it's just a slow process.

  • @Adam-cr8qe
    @Adam-cr8qe Рік тому +2

    I wouldnt live in these places if you paid me, looks like someone threw some sheds up and drove a combine harvester through them

  • @mrnemo1480
    @mrnemo1480 Рік тому +1

    The Forest of Dean is still a safer place to live than most city's...

    • @ukexplored
      @ukexplored  Рік тому

      Yeah, that's true. Some awesome areas to explore, too.

  • @benhart7469
    @benhart7469 4 місяці тому +1

    I live in lydney and from the forest. Ain't nothing wrong with it zurry. Just all the outsiders and do gooderz.

  • @antonywilliams5703
    @antonywilliams5703 7 місяців тому +1

    3 of the worst towns in the Forest of Dean? Can you name any other towns in the Forest of Dean?

    • @ukexplored
      @ukexplored  7 місяців тому

      Blakeney, Cinderford, Drybrook, English Bicknor, Huntley, Littledean, Longhope, Lydbrook, Lydney, Mitcheldean, Newnham and Newent are the main ones. There are more that sometimes get grouped into the general forest area.

    • @antonywilliams5703
      @antonywilliams5703 7 місяців тому

      @@ukexploredLydney and Cinderford are the only towns in that list. The rest of them are villages.

  • @allisonmcculloch3852
    @allisonmcculloch3852 Рік тому +2

    Yes, you have the towns in the right order.

    • @ukexplored
      @ukexplored  Рік тому

      Thanks, someone I know who grew up in the forest also agreed with the stats.

  • @FragrantVagrant69
    @FragrantVagrant69 Рік тому +1

    I don't know why this video didn't show up in my alerts, very annoying! Beautiful weather!

  • @Matthew-v7k5x
    @Matthew-v7k5x 6 днів тому

    Live in all three towns over the past 36 years and i can tell you many stories of the crimes that have gone on.

  • @robinhughes8822
    @robinhughes8822 6 місяців тому

    I lived there for a few years ,the swan in lydney was supposed to be tough but to be be fair if your polite people are the same back , I found cinderford not aggressive but down trodden . I come from London so nothing shocks me ,but there is a massive lack of opportunities for young people and adults ,there is no industry apart from tourism and that’s weak ,most people have never even heard of the the Forest of Dean .The Foresters are a very loyal folk ,they hate the Welsh and the ENGLISH and consider themselves foresters ,but treat them ok and there ok ,me old butt

  • @ECPBigD
    @ECPBigD Рік тому +2

    TF sent me 👍

  • @Budgiearmy
    @Budgiearmy Рік тому +4

    if I were a child I would not want to live here

    • @willswildanimals7256
      @willswildanimals7256 Рік тому +2

      It’s actually really nice once in a blue moon something happens i am 13 it’s safer here then most places it’s really nice and chill most people here are really friendly

    • @Budgiearmy
      @Budgiearmy Рік тому

      K

    • @malcwhite
      @malcwhite Рік тому +1

      It's nowhere near as bad as this video paints it

    • @robertosborne7542
      @robertosborne7542 11 місяців тому

      Totally disagree-lived there til I was 17,instilled a sense of freedom,you can more or less walk where you want unlike other parts of England,and a life long love of walking.There were downsides,especially from 14 yrs on with not much to do,but very happy to have spent my formative years there.

  • @JohnNelmes-y4o
    @JohnNelmes-y4o 6 місяців тому

    You are picking out the ugly parts that every towns have.What about the good areas and all the nice attractions- Bathurst park ,Bathurst outdoor swimming pool,Harbour,Lydney park estate , Recreation ground ,Boating lake etc

  • @alisonjones9089
    @alisonjones9089 7 місяців тому

    What? Council mow the grass? Residents need to keep their own front gardens neat and have some standards.

  • @Korkakof
    @Korkakof Рік тому +1

    l live around all 3 of these and my friends play for colefords football team

    • @ukexplored
      @ukexplored  Рік тому +1

      Did I list them in the right order? Do remember that this was just the forest listing, I’m not comparing it to other areas, it’s nice in the forest overall!

  • @K61r
    @K61r Рік тому

    "The Forest" - Literally just destroyed humanized areas mixed with agriculture.

  • @waynegardner2495
    @waynegardner2495 6 місяців тому

    Considerate these houses are shit holes they are still worth quarter of 1 million what hope to people have to own there own homes

  • @harrisonhenschker1785
    @harrisonhenschker1785 Рік тому +3

    Made it sound shit I’ve lived here all my life and it’s nice … typed this before scunderford came up all that’s true

  • @hughsleggs2632
    @hughsleggs2632 Рік тому +4

    Lydney is not in the Forest of Dean 😂

    • @ukexplored
      @ukexplored  Рік тому +2

      How sure are you about that? I’ve read the wiki pages, Forest of Dean tourism pages, and I know someone who lives in Lydney. Everything and everyone says that Lydney is in the Forest of Dean.

    • @hughsleggs2632
      @hughsleggs2632 Рік тому +4

      Within the Council Boundary but not geographically. Tourist information will suggest Lydney is the gateway to the Fod. The county welcome to the Fod signposts exclude Lydney!!!

    • @ukexplored
      @ukexplored  Рік тому +2

      I’m not sure if that’s a good thing for Lydney or not! 😀

    • @hughsleggs2632
      @hughsleggs2632 Рік тому +3

      I'm bothered by your and other vlogs representing your opinions of destinations in the UK. What you show is representative of a large majority of towns in England and Wales where underinvestment and destruction of industry prevails. I'm particularly sad for the folk who live in these areas who may see your video, as largely they do not control their opportunities or underinvestment.

    • @ukexplored
      @ukexplored  Рік тому

      Yea, it’s been an eye opener travelling the UK. I had an idea things were ‘getting worse’ but things really do look bleak, especially in some areas.

  • @JohnNelmes-y4o
    @JohnNelmes-y4o 6 місяців тому +3

    You are picking out the ugly parts that every towns have.What about the good areas and all the nice attractions- Bathurst park ,Bathurst outdoor swimming pool,Harbour,Lydney park estate , Recreation ground ,Boating lake etc .

    • @jaystephenswood2170
      @jaystephenswood2170 25 днів тому

      I thought that too. But to be fair that's Lydney not Coleford and Cinders.