The UK needs a real Conservative government to ensure people like him are not necessary. Unfortunately we have a woke Green Tory party pushing the WEF/UN agenda to pauperise and control us all.
I don't agree. In reality the guy who's a cuts hair next door is right it's efecting his business of course he's mad i would be to. If you give something away for free there's always people who will gladly take it and the little money they have can go on whatever vice they have.
@@bristol2002 Either you're not aware of what things were like or you don't realise how bad things have gotten to say that. The last decade, even the last five or so years have seen a rapid decline to standards never seen before.
Another interesting vlog - so sad how the country is being lead. So many good people trying to help whilst the government just look after the wealthy establishment.
@@alidabotes6264 look after hordes of migrants!!! No they don’t - sorry but that is a moronic comment. This government looks after no one but the wealthy - don’t look down for people to blame look up at the top.
all they have is money and greed and nothing else ,these people are empty of compastion for other people , the establishment is a criminal institution led by mass murderers and other very evil people that belive they are gods but realy they are just a pile of dirt that annoys all good people.
We stay in St Austell on holiday and while we have seen the poverty and issues with street drinking and drugs we do love it there.. The people are so friendly and decent... We will pop into the community kitchen with a donation when we are next there such Stirling work they are doing, great video yet again xx
@@Valhalla-vk7hfsimilar problems here , the answer is not to give them money but give them food and shelter and some skills training to make them employable. No one really wants to be a druggy and will kick the habit with help.
I moved to St Austell from Coventry 3 years ago and really enjoy living here! The area is not without problems, but as somebody who has lived in a city up north, I sometimes feel I need to show people life up there for a reality check! St Austell really isn't that bad, the city centre is suffering the same issues as every centre around the country. Love your videos Wendall, keep up the good work
@@seangarylewis Lol at flum arguing pointlessly (standard UA-cam nonsense) A large percentage of humans complain about what they have no matter how much they have. You can't change them, easier just to live a positive life and leave them to wallow in self-pity. Have a cool day in a beautiful part of England.
Barber shop guy is a a top lad too. He’s paying tax business rates and rent whilst next door don’t. If it wasn’t for him their would be no community kitchen
wendall that man at Stack is a angel in disguise i appreciate all you do to bring to the forefront of what is really happening in Cornwall i have elderly family in Redruth who are really struggling
That man feeding the vulnerable, is a seriously incredible person. I want to personally tell him he’s amazing! Kudos. This channel is so good. You have a great personality in drawing in even the most difficult of folk. Thanks 🙏 for doing this. I can’t get out as much as I used to. Due to to many rescue dogs but you help keep me in the loop. I’m in Bath so enjoy all the places you go.
Thanks in order again Olli for giving people a voice, and for showing us such amazing people who give back to the community We really appreciate your kindness and support for the less fortunate Looking forward to you taking us on your next adventure ❤
Yes, but the Real damage was Blair, until him we had borders and were basically able to keep control of our streets by community belief and pressure of acceptable behaviour, but now all that has gone and British streets are now opened up to the Jungle and no sense of moral compass !
I highly recommend you speak to the lady that runs a similar place that sells all sorts of s/h clothes, furniture and collects food etc next to the Pannier Market at the top of the hill in Bideford, Devon. I was blown away with some of the stories she told me about people in the same position and how she helped them turn their life around. Very inspirational to hear!
If these people swapped their home town for a 6 month stint in Blackburn they would beg to go home. On are more positive note the guy at "STAK" needs a knighthood, communities need more people like this, the guys an angel.
The establishment keeps the top honours for themselves. Useless MP’s who’ve never done a real day’s work in their cosseted lives get all the enrichments that people like this guy miss out on.
Great vlog. Both sides of the story summed up well by the owner of STAK and the barbers next door. The drug/alcohol users need to be stopped and that might mean some strong intervention from a well thought out policy by central government. Sadly, that won’t happen due to the way the political class is so out of touch.
I came to your channel from Backpacker Ben, you filmed with him in Torquay. Really depressing to see these areas, I never realised they are so rundown. Thx for your time. Stu
Great video again, Oli! But still really sad. I have only been to the train station in St. Austell, and this video was an eye opener. You are doing a good job telling these stories.
Hi im from northern ireland and i use to live in st austell. I actually really liked it there people where lovely but i did find that there was alot of people strugling. We moved back to northern ireland last year and i miss cornwall so much! But we couldnt afford to buy a home there and i feel terible for any cornish who cant afford to buy a home where there from. I would move back there tomorrow if i could ❤
I worked in Cornwall for 5 years in the early 2000's. Like you, I absolutely loved it but ended up back in the Belfast rain as well. House prices were a problem for the locals back then, I can't imagine how bad it has got nearly 25 years later.
We holiday in Cornwall most years for a week or so but our main family holiday is always abroad. We stay on a caravan park about 2 miles away from St Austell and it is beautiful, clean, and quiet… and I didn’t realise what it is like in St Austell until I saw this video. When we are down there again next year I will definitely drop in a donation to that support kitchen…what a man that guy is 👍
I've seen a few of your videos now and feel.they are well put together, so thank you for sharing them. The towns seem to have many caring, sociable people. It makes me wonder what those who criticise the town actually want from their town. They have shops and cafes plus the advantage of a seaside. What else is it they want. I wonder whether they'revunfairly blaming the town when they're not happy with their own lives. Perhaps they don't have family or friends, or they don't have hobbies or interests, didn't enjoy school..whatever it is, I wonder whether it's really the town's fault.
Why are youths so more anti social May,be thrybthink there's no future because of the horrorbdtories from the climate change doorsteps. I know climate change is real butntonssy theveorldvwillnend in 12byears I don't believe that but the youngsters probably do
I work for Cornwall council in the front line trying to help rough sleepers/homeless people in north east Cornwall. In st Austell, Bodmin, liskeard, saltash, Launceston. And it can be wild, alot of people have undiagnosed conditions, compounded trauma, childhood trauma, drug use, violence, county lines. some clients i have helped to accommodate and get off the streets, back on the straight and narrow. But half of the work has to come from them, and im very clear about this with clients. Great work and great video, would be great to have you as a guest on my podcast!
Yeah it's desperately sad. I can see where he's coming from, imagine running a small business next door to a property which intentionally attracts vagrants etc. As he said it'll drive away his customers which will literally take food out of his family's mouths. On the flip side the community kitchen is doing incredible work and he's clearly compassionate - I'm a little surprised @Wendall didn't try and get a paypal link or similar given the views this channel gets. Overall poverty doesn't serve anyone well, it's all good if you're hidden in your ivory tower but that's hardly sustainable.
@paulmitchell Must be exhausting being so naive, too, right? Did you listen to anything the guy actually said? All fair points. By its very nature, a drop-in kitchen for the homeless will attract people with mental health issues and addiction issues. People shouting abuse in the street will indeed drive away customers.
I’m from Penzance and have seen a similar pattern happening here over the last twenty years or so, it’s very sad to see. My children have both worked from an early age and so are fortunate in that respect but they still struggle with affordable housing over half their income is spent on rent alone, they will never own a house, they can barely afford to run a car . Yet the government managed to find millions of pounds to build a dual carriage road so the holiday makers can get to West Cornwall half an hour quicker.
Cornwall, like many places across Britain, is being run into the ground by landlords plus the local and main council like Cornwall Council. The high car parking charges, which seem to deliberately target car usage, and in doing so, have destroyed many town centres. I've lived in Cornwall for 36 years. The changes to towns across Cornwall are significant. Falmouth used to be a fantastic town. Busy and full of independent shops, then the students arrived with the combined university, plus a number of well-known shops left, including the biggest draw, M&S. Truro is not looking too healthy either. So many businesses have gone. What gets replaced is estate agents, charity shops, hairdressers, and phone shops. Back in 2001, Cornwall had one of the largest funding schemes for the economy of Cornwall called Objective One. Multi-millions of pounds worth of funding. Then, 6 years later, vertually all of that money had disappeared down a blackhole, never to be seen again. Half of it was squandered on private companies who lined their own pockets with cash and lucrative contracts, and blew it on paperwork and paying higher and lower level staff plenty of cash. The stuff that went on was awful. Nothing has changed for Cornwall. It just seems like other parts of the country are going Cornwall's way. Just look at Bristol, Wales, and even parts of the South East. It's all about sustainability and green objectives now. Limit human resources and think about worshipping the Earth.
The UK population has increased by 10 million people in the last 15 years and the internet has destroyed the town centres with the assistance of private landlords and government's refusal to lower business rates.
Agree with everything you said. I came from St Austell. All I would ever hear there since I was a kid was how boring it is and nothing to do constantly when I lived there. It was making me feel depressed listening to the constant put downs of the place. As you pointed out councils are starting to do same crafty things everywhere now. Quietly slipping money in there pockets on half arsed projects nobody asked for or wanted.
I agree with everything you've said except that about Falmouth. It still has the most independent shops of anywhere I know in Cornwall. There's a youthfulness, an art scene, and an obvious sign of money and opportunity, caused by likely spurred by student cash flowing. Students obviously put a strain on housing which definitely needs to be worked on. Not pretending it doesn't come without some issues, but simply in terms of the town centres I'd say its the most successful in Cornwall, as it's not entirely seasonal or completely dead like most other places.
Great vid Oli, your content is always good but loving the deep dives in to actual Cornish life, format and editing spot on, informative and fair insights, we’ll done buddy. Enjoy the emmet free😂 Cornish Sunshine ☀️
Like a huge amount of our seaside towns, full of good intentions and trying their best, but let down by central government and ignored for far too long, used as a dumping ground of people with problems. This town like many others could once again be a vibrant happy place, if only industry and infrastructure were promoted, to get it back on it's feet. Good intentions need a massive helping hand!!!
Reminds me of my town, St Alban's ,one of the richest town and highest property prices,but high homelessness and poverty.A number of food banks,few community kitchens,but a very visible street life which shows the two tales of my city.Underlying substance abuse,mental health,and over stretched community backed projects to offer shelter,where the local and national government can't cope. Please come and visit
The real problem is its avery expensive country to live in, the minimum wage just isnt enough. Plus wealthy people who dont live in Cornwall ,buying houses for holidays or air b&b pushing up house prices so it becomes impossible for young locals to buy a house, causing homelessness and they then fall into drugs.
My first thoughts were that the comunity kitchen run by Dave, and the shop giving sleeping bags run by his wife, were only attracting the low life to the area, and only making things worse. Then I started reading the comments, and that changed my mind. An awful lot of the homeless people are homeless because of the unafordable housing in Cornwall, and the fact that there is no industry there creating any useful employment for a moderately skilled to unskilled workforce. Hardly suprising the drug pushers have moved in to help appease the unsufferable life of the locals. Videos like this should be shown countrywide to bring it to everyones attention. I doubt very much if King Charles could give a toss for the locals, unless they are contributing to his corrupt way of life.
Yes the ' Duchy of Cornwall. Hah. Carry on up the main Rd to Lostwithiel. Duchy Nurseries and ever extending posh( expensive) cafe there. Used to be just a shed with pasties not that long ago. Out of my pocket now and the plants, oh la la, beautiful but costly.
We only give tents/sleeping bags to those who have had a background check from the council.We check everyone and keep it all under control. We no longer support anyone sleeping/begging in shop doorways,it's just as much our priority to keep our town safe. Unfortunately we can't do anything about people hanging around the churchyard,that's the job of the security guys. I love your comment,it means alot,huge thankyou 😊
Another great video from you, highlighting the poverty situation in the SW. The UK has a big problem ignoring rural and coastal poverty in favour of urban stories, because the newsmakers can't seemingly get beyond the M25. It would be great to see you do a video on Coventry if you haven't already.
People are not taught to appreciate their ancestors and their history instead are taught to hate themselves and their ancestors. That’s the reason for the despair in these communities.
It's called divide and conquer! Pit each other against each other. They've been doing this for a long time.... Marxist education! To destroy the fabric of your culture and history.. So we have no pride in our Christian Anglo saxon heritage.... England was founded on Christianity! King Alfred the great a devout follower of Jesus Christ... We were once one people, one faith One community.. The English race.. Whom those in power hate.... And denegrate us at every turn.... With chants of racist, nazi, etc, etc.. The anti fascists are the Facists (communists).. Every thing is equal, but some are more equal than others.. Pure communism!! Most don't even know it.. Liberalism is a cancer!!! Stands for nothing!! And everything! They kicked God out of the schools, and the public domain.... We don't need the commandments of God... Because we are modern men!! Fools in paradise!!! Hell is real!! Stupid people full of arrogance and pride... Only Jesus Christ can save!! Turn away from God at your own peril.... God bless!!
let's be honest, UK's history and culture has not be very good is it really? UK's has a long history of looting from poor defenceless nations, natives of North Amarika and Australia were totally genocided, and in recent times, the Irak war lies, Blair was even knighted having murdered >1m innocent Irakis. Perhaps this is the comeuppence for ALL the atrocities UK has committed all over the world and are still committing and please don't say it's all for "freedom and democracy", just look around you. I didn't make this up, it is what it is.
Poverty is an understatement...it collapsed years ago...drunks and drug addicts placed there by the authorities...in all the large houses surrounding the town......
Repeat after me, Olli. Car LIE un Bay, not Carleon Bay 😀 St Austell is a pretty town, but like so many towns in Cornwall it has a real drug problem. I'm not even sure it's fixable anymore. There's no money.
Trouble is, with the Tories allowing so many water authorities to dump millions of tons of raw sewage into the sea and the general decay of the UK after 13 years of the worst government in my living memory it's not surprising there is so much decay & despondency in the UK.
Wendall you are doing a good job so many people need to see this , i know its countrywide too.All the drunk and drugged people have no way in life any more, no way at present are they able to care for themselves because they became so desperate they started to take drugs and drink as a mental numbing, they can no longer fit into society by getting a job, somewhere to live ect,. Some do ,but not enough. To me its heart breaking that these people have succumbed to todays pressure of living/existing, and that there is so many of them now.The people need to get land and housing for the ones that can help themselves and let them have space to grow food and barter for the rest of their needs,they need responsibility, help and guidance, shelter, good honest companionship, to be a human again, a reset, until they back on their feet and strong,good home grown food.The land in Cornwall would and should be available for its own people, instead of rewilding vast areas for wild life, being sold off to unknown consortiums, farms being defunked, people moved off to else where, what is this government doing i wonder,but, this is the result of how our government is administerd, we are i think being sold down the pan, our government is being controlled by a larger force, and things are getting worse, our government is no longer fit for perpose.
I've been watching all your videos over the last couple of days, and i have to say that as an american, it's fascinating. I think the work you do is SUPER important to bring attention to problems but also the positive and community as well! Great work, mate! These videos are fantastic. Great people who are doing great work to help others!!
Went there with my wife rented a luxury flat saw lots of young people with no work nothing to do ,homelessness while we were renting a luxury flat while the Cornish are treated like shit ,similar to London except most of the properties are owned by foreign investment the local inhabitants can’t afford the London rents and still have to live with their families but unlike Cornwall London still has work especially if your a tradesman and you’ve got a chance of getting out of the rut and buy a cheaper property in Kent or Essex and out price the locals . It’s just a vicious circle.Unless your an illegal the local councils will rehouse you and your tribe get your benefit’s etc.LETS TAKE CARE OF OUR BRITISH BORN FIRST AND ONLY THOSE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO ASSIMILATE TO OUR CULTURE AND WAY OF LIFE
Totally agree, utter treason by the government, all WEF members trying to destroy England, Ireland and Wales. We must stand together in solidarity against these fascists.
Lots of causes and conditions for towns that are struggling. Years of cuts to local authority budget, cuts in mental health services, drugs laws that dont work, closed thinking by governments and of course the high cost of everything. Cornwall is poor with ridiculous house prices. Your doing good video mate and not making poverty porn.
Well done my friend for drawing attention to this issue i am ignorant as i believed Cornwall was an beautiful affluent area i didn't realize there was so much poverty i pray for these people thank you sir keep up the good work
Is there anywhere in the UK where you won't find these issues? Living in inner-city Birmingham, it seems odd to hear people describe places as terrible when they are holiday locations for people elsewhere.
lived in tough areas (Benchill Manchesher) and posh areas too. Now live in St Austell. It's not rough at all.The town is like most towns where shops are shutting. There are a few homeless people but really not bad at all. The surrounding areas are of the most beautiful in the country. A lovely place to bring up kids if you can.
Come to Pool, Camborne and Redruth then. I live there and a lot of people have stories of being jumped and having to fight or run. Arson is a big issue in Camborne that Camborne School, Redruth School and Pool Academy have arson posters dotted around their schools. Druggies everywhere. I think there is a bedsit next door to me with druggies. Stabbings are also pretty frequent. My Ex Father was jumped and almost had his van stolen. He had to fight back against people with knives.
Hey mate, as a born and bread, just wanted drop in that just like your Grimsby video, English China Clay was a massive employer of the people of St Austell. The decline of the clay industry, like so many great industrial towns in our beautiful nation, was the decline of another town in my beautiful Dutchy. Great work you do man, keep it up, big love from Kernow, Andy Kent
You dont get money for taking in native homeless...While migrants make you thousands per month, you should see Ireland, every town has hotels full of them, everywhere...Greedy people making serious money while all around them is folding...
I thought it was worse 20 years ago. Carlyon bay was an eyesore thanks to Ampersand! Used to be the place to go back in the 60's-80's with the Colosseum. The precinct has been redeveloped some 15yrs ago and town due for more redevelopment. Beautiful places nearby such as Charlestown (tall ships) and Mevagissey harbour. Lost gardens and Eden also nearby! It's not all bad!
I grew up in this town, and I watched it decline before I left for good. It's a very sad thing to see and a textbook case of how not to do things. I remember late 90s people saying that the writing was on the wall with the disappearance of all the toy shops, because it meant people weren't having children. I didn't put much stock in that at the time but looking back now that was just as the houses started getting expensive. Before that St Austell used to be that magic mix of a "cheap" area with good paying jobs, and so in the 80s and 90s the boomers and gen-xers had a lot of kids. It was also one of the few parts of Cornwall you could still widely hear Cornish accents, which was an attraction for some but there were those who disliked this. Generally apart from the coast the area and its people were looked down on, especially the rural Cornish who did "distasteful" things like wearing Caterpillar boots, driving a 4x4, planting Leylandii hedges, and owning German Shepherds. That was where the "St Awful" name came from, basically a racist anti-Cornish term at that time. But if you weren't a snob it was wonderful and you felt like you fit in, everyone was very friendly for the most part. The town centre used to be absolutely buzzing especially on a nice weekend, you used to be able to get everything you could possibly need and make a whole day of it. Even back then people started to notice that the rot was setting in, money wasn't as good and the town was starting to look a little more tired and less looked after. There were calls for the council to "do something about it", the town needed a plan to carry it forward but there just wasn't one, nobody consulted best practice. Rising cost of living and fewer good paying jobs meant fewer people with disposable income in their pocket, and St Austell was finding it had a hard time standing out against Truro or Plymouth. Council felt the pinch and started getting up to some dirty tricks, there were a few scandals where councillors were caught taking bribes and swindling the taxpayer, they imported a load of scum from up country such as parolees and council housing waiting lists. Locals objected to this but the council had become extremely arrogant and had stopped listening to people. They lost the next election but by then it was too late, what they'd done couldn't be reversed. The one and only response to all the complaints the council had to offer was the town centre redevelopment, and by my estimation that was what really killed the town, because when it finally opened nobody could afford the rents. By that time people had gotten used to going elsewhere for their shopping, and people (rightly) saw no reason to come back. Once again throughout the entire process the council had ignored the wishes of the local people who'd asked for a glass roof over the streets, and had favoured a different town design than the one that was picked. The council had actually owned the town centre at the time and so many people implored them to lower the rent so that businesses could move back, but the council seemed to not want those businesses, preferring to invite brand name franchises instead, who naturally refused due to lack of footfall in the town. Then the staggering decision was taken to sell off the entire town centre to a private company, and I think that was the council deciding to wash their hands of the matter. The company bought it for a song compared to what it'd cost to build and so were in no rush to fill the empty units. Alongside the redevelopment the china clay industry reduced their staff over time, and in what was left of the town you saw in real time the clay industry money stop coming through the doors. When I was a child the clay works employed around 6000, by the time I was almost old enough to work they were down to 2400, and then in 2008 they laid off 800. Now they're just above 500 employees. Each round of layoffs you saw one or two shops close, and the existing shops struggle a little more. Eden Cafe closed up and there was just less and less reason for anyone to go there. What's left now is in my opinion mostly a bedroom community. Instead of taking a stroll into the centre, those with any money to spend get in their car and take it elsewhere. The centre is just left to those who are trapped with nowhere else to go, hence it feels a bit desperate and sad. It's crying out for revival and there are people who are trying to make it into an opportunity, but there's just no leadership, no willpower, and it appears no money to make it really happen. The council is now completely out of touch with reality, putting up silly statues and flags that nobody asked for or wanted. I'm not sure what it will take to get it back to what it once was, if that's even possible anymore.
St austells posh to where I moved from. been here 4 years. The only thing that is wrong is the wasters being dumped down here. I know this coz I talk to the locals. is rather here x10 then where I come from, north of London.. THEY KNOW NOTHING....YET You could've done better and walked into the town itself.
A valuable (if dismal ) piece of social history, well presented and probably only a fraction of the total scene. Meanwhile in Kensington and Chelsea ...
It look really tidy and clean, perhaps it should accommodate for holiday makers, however for the prosperity to change, the people of that area need to be looked after, the homeless need somewhere to shelter, this is all down to the council and unfortunately, the illegal migrants will be looked after first.
It's the same here in coastal Suffolk. The villages are like ghost towns during the winter and then the place fills up with Range Rovers around April to September. Property is outrageously expensive now and the last person you're likely to meet is an old Suffolk boi. I overheard one of the ex-London tw@ts complain last year that the area needed more diversity because she didn't like "the whiteness"
STAK kitchen is a beautiful place. Thanks guys. Lived in St Hostile for 4 long horrible years. Abuse, hate and ignorance is par for the course. Met a few nice locals but all the decent people are from somewhere else.
The place called stak is no more. It shut it doors at the end of 2022, they were meant to be moving into a new building. And the huy who is the paid manager. He's not what he came across as. He was on a power trip when he was manager. Now he's more interested in opening his second hand furniture shop. ( i feel sorry for the lady who started stak over 20 yr ago.) ITS A shame 😢😢😢
The cafe owner is great but the hairdresser has a point too, the government are relying on people like the cafe owner too pick up the slack but what are we being taxed so much for if the government cannot do basic things correctly to sort these problems out?
@@WendallExplores The govt needs billions for the hundreds of hotels for the 1,000s of illegal migrants being housed in 4/5 * hotels across the country
I loved St Austell such a central place to the rest of Cornwall. Loved visiting family there in the 90s. Like anywhere little investment and shops closing. Still stay there when going on holiday. ❤
Before you judge other people who are less fortunate than yourselves, remember, the average person/family is three mortgage payments away from being homeless. Massive respect to this guy who doesn't judge but tries to be part of the solution, instead of just moaning about the problem. He's getting out there and changing what he can.
I was homeless for a year in 1999 in Eastbourne and there was no help at all bk then . It was horrible and the only way I got out of that situation was a long prison sentence with parole. I got parole and a flat on release and I’ve never looked bk . I have a 18 year old son now and a lot of good friends. But I never forget my homeless days cos it can happen to anyone in a day . Never complacent and never forget who I am ! Great work wendall you really are helping we need more people like you !!! 😇🙏👍🏻
Seaside towns, especially in high demand areas have been bought out by London financiers, second homes for the occasional visit leaves local shops without regular trade and high streets are crumbling.
Yea great stuff pal it's becoming same all over uk towns even really nice places like bakewell matlock derbyshire it's a bloody mess I am 52 years old and I felt loads safer in the 1980s and the 1990s
Hairdressers as well. There shouldn't be so many allowed so close together. There is no greengrocer for miles around where I live except one. There's always too many coffee shops, charity shops, takeaway restaurants, or hairdressers in one suburban shopping area. In Penarth in South Wales there are over six charity shops on the main shopping streets while independent shops are pushed into side streets.
Remember, a few years ago, going into a pub in Ramsgate...a half-cut Scottish guy walked up to me and threatened to 'tear my head off'...I only popped in for a quiet pint ! I heard the pub sold good beer...a shame... I had a summer job in Ramsgate... I was only there for 3 weeks...it quickly became apparent that there is a lot of alkies in Ramsgate... since my visit I've heard that a massive Wetherspoons pub opened there... perfect !🤣 Why do alkies and druggies gravitate to sea-side towns ?
So many people living beyond their means just blind themselves to the fact they are prime candidates to fall off the edge.homeless and addiction ravaged people do not choose to live like this
This is the first video of yours I’ve watched. I’ve been to a few places in Cornwall, but never St Austell. I’m mostly struck by the lack of people through out the town! I mean, where is everybody!?!
The guy who owns the community kitchen is doing a great job. The UK needs more people like him.
I just wonder how he can make a wage at end of day to pay all his own bills....3. Course meal £1.50 that couldn't pay for all ingredients
The UK needs a real Conservative government to ensure people like him are not necessary. Unfortunately we have a woke Green Tory party pushing the WEF/UN agenda to pauperise and control us all.
@@Thanksforbeinere know what you mean. Guessing cheap meals mean more people… more money.
I don't agree. In reality the guy who's a cuts hair next door is right it's efecting his business of course he's mad i would be to. If you give something away for free there's always people who will gladly take it and the little money they have can go on whatever vice they have.
God bless him,people like that are real humans.
Wow !!!
A small town like this is a concentrated version of what's happening in quite a few towns and cities regardless of size.
its like this every where has been for over 40 years
@@bristol2002 Either you're not aware of what things were like or you don't realise how bad things have gotten to say that. The last decade, even the last five or so years have seen a rapid decline to standards never seen before.
Another interesting vlog - so sad how the country is being lead. So many good people trying to help whilst the government just look after the wealthy establishment.
The community kitchen,,what a nice fella,,,but it shows how this country has gone,,,food banks ,,ect,,very sad, it will get full of immigrants soon.
They also look after the hordes of migrants.
@@alidabotes6264 look after hordes of migrants!!! No they don’t - sorry but that is a moronic comment. This government looks after no one but the wealthy - don’t look down for people to blame look up at the top.
all they have is money and greed and nothing else ,these people are empty of compastion for other people , the establishment is a criminal institution led by mass murderers and other very evil people that belive they are gods but realy they are just a pile of dirt that annoys all good people.
it's up to the individual to help themselves , not sit around for drug money ;;; we can't blame the government for peoples behavior
We stay in St Austell on holiday and while we have seen the poverty and issues with street drinking and drugs we do love it there.. The people are so friendly and decent... We will pop into the community kitchen with a donation when we are next there such Stirling work they are doing, great video yet again xx
🙏
@@Valhalla-vk7hfsimilar problems here , the answer is not to give them money but give them food and shelter and some skills training to make them employable.
No one really wants to be a druggy and will kick the habit with help.
Legend
I moved to St Austell from Coventry 3 years ago and really enjoy living here! The area is not without problems, but as somebody who has lived in a city up north, I sometimes feel I need to show people life up there for a reality check! St Austell really isn't that bad, the city centre is suffering the same issues as every centre around the country.
Love your videos Wendall, keep up the good work
It's a town, not a city.
@@flumpaustin1994 my point still stands
@@seangarylewis Lol at flum arguing pointlessly (standard UA-cam nonsense) A large percentage of humans complain about what they have no matter how much they have. You can't change them, easier just to live a positive life and leave them to wallow in self-pity. Have a cool day in a beautiful part of England.
I also moved to St Austell from Cov
@@Emzinton😂me too
Massive respect to the owner of STAK kitchen in St Austell - if only there were more people like him 👏👍
Great guy.
Barber shop guy is a a top lad too.
He’s paying tax business rates and rent whilst next door don’t.
If it wasn’t for him their would be no community kitchen
Ciao Hi from Milan have just seen the video....
They should give this man and his wife a medal ,what great people are they .🥰
wendall that man at Stack is a angel in disguise i appreciate all you do to bring to the forefront of what is really happening in Cornwall i have elderly family in Redruth who are really struggling
That man feeding the vulnerable, is a seriously incredible person. I want to personally tell him he’s amazing! Kudos. This channel is so good. You have a great personality in drawing in even the most difficult of folk. Thanks 🙏 for doing this. I can’t get out as much as I used to. Due to to many rescue dogs but you help keep me in the loop. I’m in Bath so enjoy all the places you go.
Bless you for not looking down on people 😢
🙏
Thanks in order again Olli for giving people a voice, and for showing us such amazing people who give back to the community We really appreciate your kindness and support for the less fortunate Looking forward to you taking us on your next adventure ❤
Thank you for appreciating the videos 🙏
The youth are not appreciating a town where you can get a good meal for £1.50.
There are loads of places full of poverty in the South West.
You can find misery everywhere in this country now.Well done Blair,Brown,Cameron,May,Johnson and the clown now.
Yes, but the Real damage was Blair, until him we had borders and were basically able to keep control of our streets by community belief and pressure of acceptable behaviour, but now all that has gone and British streets are now opened up to the Jungle and no sense of moral compass !
Your analysis with the aforementioned names above is spot on - because every single one of them is to blame 👏👍
Local Councils aren't entirely innocent.
May is flying up my chart of contempt, and nearly nudging Blair off top spot for certain agreements she signed off!
exactly
The biggest problem for St Austell is Giles and Jacintha from Surrey, not homeless people!
Correct
And yet they have soft lens black and white photo portraits of grizzly old Cornish fishermen mending nets and smoking a pipe
Hellooo Giles, just bought our 9th property in St. Austell... when we visit least we have property for each of our doggies to stay in
Who sold them in the first place the Cornish.
@@hermanthetosser4219lol! Savage!
I highly recommend you speak to the lady that runs a similar place that sells all sorts of s/h clothes, furniture and collects food etc next to the Pannier Market at the top of the hill in Bideford, Devon. I was blown away with some of the stories she told me about people in the same position and how she helped them turn their life around. Very inspirational to hear!
I hope Wendall see's this comment.
If these people swapped their home town for a 6 month stint in Blackburn they would beg to go home. On are more positive note the guy at "STAK" needs a knighthood, communities need more people like this, the guys an angel.
Guess I better make a film in Blackburn
And then there are true sh1th0l€s like Southend, Croydon, Dagenham
Burnley too
@@WendallExplores can't wait
The establishment keeps the top honours for themselves. Useless MP’s who’ve never done a real day’s work in their cosseted lives get all the enrichments that people like this guy miss out on.
Great vlog. Both sides of the story summed up well by the owner of STAK and the barbers next door. The drug/alcohol users need to be stopped and that might mean some strong intervention from a well thought out policy by central government. Sadly, that won’t happen due to the way the political class is so out of touch.
Thank you for appreciating I tried to show both sides 🙏
Managed to punch down. Well done 🤨
I came to your channel from Backpacker Ben, you filmed with him in Torquay. Really depressing to see these areas, I never realised they are so rundown. Thx for your time. Stu
Thanks for watching my channel 🙏
What a top bloke. The world needs more good people like him in it
Great video again, Oli! But still really sad. I have only been to the train station in St. Austell, and this video was an eye opener. You are doing a good job telling these stories.
Hi im from northern ireland and i use to live in st austell. I actually really liked it there people where lovely but i did find that there was alot of people strugling.
We moved back to northern ireland last year and i miss cornwall so much! But we couldnt afford to buy a home there and i feel terible for any cornish who cant afford to buy a home where there from.
I would move back there tomorrow if i could ❤
Irish people also wish you settlers, invaders would go back tomorrow too. Give back the land you occupy and annexed.
I worked in Cornwall for 5 years in the early 2000's. Like you, I absolutely loved it but ended up back in the Belfast rain as well. House prices were a problem for the locals back then, I can't imagine how bad it has got nearly 25 years later.
This dual way of living rich/poor living side by side is becoming more common. It is turning the clock back hundreds of years.
We holiday in Cornwall most years for a week or so but our main family holiday is always abroad. We stay on a caravan park about 2 miles away from St Austell and it is beautiful, clean, and quiet… and I didn’t realise what it is like in St Austell until I saw this video. When we are down there again next year I will definitely drop in a donation to that support kitchen…what a man that guy is 👍
Thank you for these videos they really do make me appreciate what I have and I am very blessed and lucky
I've seen a few of your videos now and feel.they are well put together, so thank you for sharing them. The towns seem to have many caring, sociable people. It makes me wonder what those who criticise the town actually want from their town. They have shops and cafes plus the advantage of a seaside. What else is it they want. I wonder whether they'revunfairly blaming the town when they're not happy with their own lives. Perhaps they don't have family or friends, or they don't have hobbies or interests, didn't enjoy school..whatever it is, I wonder whether it's really the town's fault.
We’re having the same issues here in Queensland. Youth crime, drugs and homelessness is destroying our costal towns in paradise
I might be down under later this year to document the broken Aussie dream 🇦🇺
@@WendallExplores TBH, it’s still better than other places. But it’s getting rough, especially financially.
Generally coastal regions suffer during recessions because of less tourism Money coming in
Why are youths so more anti social
May,be thrybthink there's no future because of the horrorbdtories from the climate change doorsteps. I know climate change is real butntonssy theveorldvwillnend in 12byears
I don't believe that but the youngsters probably do
I meant doom mongers phone changed my word didn't notice thrybshould be told thst people are taking action because they are
I work for Cornwall council in the front line trying to help rough sleepers/homeless people in north east Cornwall. In st Austell, Bodmin, liskeard, saltash, Launceston. And it can be wild, alot of people have undiagnosed conditions, compounded trauma, childhood trauma, drug use, violence, county lines. some clients i have helped to accommodate and get off the streets, back on the straight and narrow. But half of the work has to come from them, and im very clear about this with clients. Great work and great video, would be great to have you as a guest on my podcast!
Drop me an email, happy to come on the podcast
Imagine being mad at someone for looking out for and feeding other humans. Must be exhausting being so hateful
Agree totally.
Well said
Yeah it's desperately sad. I can see where he's coming from, imagine running a small business next door to a property which intentionally attracts vagrants etc. As he said it'll drive away his customers which will literally take food out of his family's mouths. On the flip side the community kitchen is doing incredible work and he's clearly compassionate - I'm a little surprised @Wendall didn't try and get a paypal link or similar given the views this channel gets. Overall poverty doesn't serve anyone well, it's all good if you're hidden in your ivory tower but that's hardly sustainable.
@paulmitchell Must be exhausting being so naive, too, right? Did you listen to anything the guy actually said? All fair points. By its very nature, a drop-in kitchen for the homeless will attract people with mental health issues and addiction issues. People shouting abuse in the street will indeed drive away customers.
@@Philthy_UK not sure if that’s a response to me? If so did you read my post? I was reflecting understanding of both owners.
Heading down to West Cornwall this week so got this on my list to say hello ❤
Interesting video. The widening gap between rich and poor is crippling the country. Social inbalance removes hope for so many.
I’m from Penzance and have seen a similar pattern happening here over the last twenty years or so, it’s very sad to see.
My children have both worked from an early age and so are fortunate in that respect but they still struggle with affordable housing over half their income is spent on rent alone, they will never own a house, they can barely afford to run a car .
Yet the government managed to find millions of pounds to build a dual carriage road so the holiday makers can get to West Cornwall half an hour quicker.
Totally agree.
The Government found it because the taxpayers gave them the money.
Cornwall, like many places across Britain, is being run into the ground by landlords plus the local and main council like Cornwall Council. The high car parking charges, which seem to deliberately target car usage, and in doing so, have destroyed many town centres. I've lived in Cornwall for 36 years. The changes to towns across Cornwall are significant. Falmouth used to be a fantastic town. Busy and full of independent shops, then the students arrived with the combined university, plus a number of well-known shops left, including the biggest draw, M&S. Truro is not looking too healthy either. So many businesses have gone. What gets replaced is estate agents, charity shops, hairdressers, and phone shops. Back in 2001, Cornwall had one of the largest funding schemes for the economy of Cornwall called Objective One. Multi-millions of pounds worth of funding. Then, 6 years later, vertually all of that money had disappeared down a blackhole, never to be seen again. Half of it was squandered on private companies who lined their own pockets with cash and lucrative contracts, and blew it on paperwork and paying higher and lower level staff plenty of cash. The stuff that went on was awful. Nothing has changed for Cornwall. It just seems like other parts of the country are going Cornwall's way. Just look at Bristol, Wales, and even parts of the South East. It's all about sustainability and green objectives now. Limit human resources and think about worshipping the Earth.
The UK population has increased by 10 million people in the last 15 years and the internet has destroyed the town centres with the assistance of private landlords and government's refusal to lower business rates.
Agree with everything you said. I came from St Austell. All I would ever hear there since I was a kid was how boring it is and nothing to do constantly when I lived there. It was making me feel depressed listening to the constant put downs of the place. As you pointed out councils are starting to do same crafty things everywhere now. Quietly slipping money in there pockets on half arsed projects nobody asked for or wanted.
I agree with everything you've said except that about Falmouth. It still has the most independent shops of anywhere I know in Cornwall. There's a youthfulness, an art scene, and an obvious sign of money and opportunity, caused by likely spurred by student cash flowing. Students obviously put a strain on housing which definitely needs to be worked on. Not pretending it doesn't come without some issues, but simply in terms of the town centres I'd say its the most successful in Cornwall, as it's not entirely seasonal or completely dead like most other places.
Great vid Oli, your content is always good but loving the deep dives in to actual Cornish life, format and editing spot on, informative and fair insights, we’ll done buddy. Enjoy the emmet free😂 Cornish Sunshine ☀️
Thank you Mick 🙏
Hey, even those security guys were super friendly and talkative, what a surprise!
Nice lads
if you talk to people nice you usually get a nice response you must have a bad attitude with people
Like a huge amount of our seaside towns, full of good intentions and trying their best, but let down by central government and ignored for far too long, used as a dumping ground of people with problems. This town like many others could once again be a vibrant happy place, if only industry and infrastructure were promoted, to get it back on it's feet. Good intentions need a massive helping hand!!!
Since when was St Austell a seaside town ? (St Austell born and bred)
Cornwall council are pretty dynamic. It's the influx of second home owners that have destroyed the local economy and communities.
There was the China clay works that employed people.
As a wheelchair user I come in contact with a lot of homeless people. Most are decent and ready to help me if I need it.
The barber is spot on with what he said about facilitating peoples behaviours
Reminds me of my town, St Alban's ,one of the richest town and highest property prices,but high homelessness and poverty.A number of food banks,few community kitchens,but a very visible street life which shows the two tales of my city.Underlying substance abuse,mental health,and over stretched community backed projects to offer shelter,where the local and national government can't cope. Please come and visit
The real problem is its avery expensive country to live in, the minimum wage just isnt enough.
Plus wealthy people who dont live in Cornwall ,buying houses for holidays or air b&b pushing up house prices so it becomes impossible for young locals to buy a house, causing homelessness and they then fall into drugs.
My first thoughts were that the comunity kitchen run by Dave, and the shop giving sleeping bags run by his wife, were only attracting the low life to the area, and only making things worse. Then I started reading the comments, and that changed my mind. An awful lot of the homeless people are homeless because of the unafordable housing in Cornwall, and the fact that there is no industry there creating any useful employment for a moderately skilled to unskilled workforce. Hardly suprising the drug pushers have moved in to help appease the unsufferable life of the locals. Videos like this should be shown countrywide to bring it to everyones attention. I doubt very much if King Charles could give a toss for the locals, unless they are contributing to his corrupt way of life.
Yes the ' Duchy of Cornwall. Hah. Carry on up the main Rd to Lostwithiel. Duchy Nurseries and ever extending posh( expensive) cafe there. Used to be just a shed with pasties not that long ago. Out of my pocket now and the plants, oh la la, beautiful but costly.
We only give tents/sleeping bags to those who have had a background check from the council.We check everyone and keep it all under control.
We no longer support anyone sleeping/begging in shop doorways,it's just as much our priority to keep our town safe.
Unfortunately we can't do anything about people hanging around the churchyard,that's the job of the security guys.
I love your comment,it means alot,huge thankyou 😊
Seems like the E U killed the fishing industry in Cornwall.
@@williamcarrington61 Seems like the English killed Cornwall.
What kind of people do not like community kitchens ? Unbelievable. Those people providing help to the vulnerable are the real Pride of Britain.
Clothes are so important. If I hadn't been able to go to interviews in smart clothes I would never have been able to get out of my situation
Tattoos and facial piercings don't help either.
Another great video from you, highlighting the poverty situation in the SW. The UK has a big problem ignoring rural and coastal poverty in favour of urban stories, because the newsmakers can't seemingly get beyond the M25.
It would be great to see you do a video on Coventry if you haven't already.
People are not taught to appreciate their ancestors and their history instead are taught to hate themselves and their ancestors. That’s the reason for the despair in these communities.
And "Wendall" isn't doing himself or Cornwall OR ANYBODY any favors by "hating tourists" while giving tourists NO REASON TO VISIT CORNWALL.
Keep the faith and teach the old ways to the young. The answer to sheep is not wolves, but shepherds.
@@deme9873
It's called divide and conquer!
Pit each other against each other. They've been doing this for a long time....
Marxist education! To destroy the fabric of your culture and history..
So we have no pride in our Christian Anglo saxon heritage....
England was founded on Christianity! King Alfred the great a devout follower of Jesus Christ...
We were once one people, one faith
One community.. The English race..
Whom those in power hate....
And denegrate us at every turn.... With chants of racist, nazi, etc, etc..
The anti fascists are the Facists (communists)..
Every thing is equal, but some are more equal than others..
Pure communism!! Most don't even know it.. Liberalism is a cancer!!!
Stands for nothing!! And everything!
They kicked God out of the schools, and the public domain.... We don't need the commandments of God...
Because we are modern men!!
Fools in paradise!!! Hell is real!!
Stupid people full of arrogance and pride...
Only Jesus Christ can save!! Turn away from God at your own peril....
God bless!!
No jobs, no police,no transport,no services, healthcare sparse and not nearby ,lack of affordable housing to rent or buy probably. Many reasons.
let's be honest, UK's history and culture has not be very good is it really?
UK's has a long history of looting from poor defenceless nations, natives of North Amarika and Australia were totally genocided, and in recent times, the Irak war lies, Blair was even knighted having murdered >1m innocent Irakis.
Perhaps this is the comeuppence for ALL the atrocities UK has committed all over the world and are still committing and please don't say it's all for "freedom and democracy", just look around you.
I didn't make this up, it is what it is.
Poverty is an understatement...it collapsed years ago...drunks and drug addicts placed there by the authorities...in all the large houses surrounding the town......
This ^ I lived there and went to college in the 90’s. A lot of drugs then. Heroin and opiates .
Repeat after me, Olli. Car LIE un Bay, not Carleon Bay 😀
St Austell is a pretty town, but like so many towns in Cornwall it has a real drug problem. I'm not even sure it's fixable anymore. There's no money.
IIt doesn't seem to be called Crinnis much now.
I came to the comments specifically for this!!
Well there's obviously money to buy drugs.
Trouble is, with the Tories allowing so many water authorities to dump millions of tons of raw sewage into the sea and the general decay of the UK after 13 years of the worst government in my living memory it's not surprising there is so much decay & despondency in the UK.
They're also paying huge sums for the channel crossers, be nice if some of that money was spent on the UK homeless..
They say they care about the environment. The govts actions do not align with their so called net zero agenda. Doh!
Definitely! 💯
You're the problem labour boy...you think labour give a sh,,t? They're no different than the tories you despise
😂 Love it
I have a feeling places like that are about to get a hell of a lot worse, those youngsters don’t realise how lucky they’re.
Keep noticing an awful lot of Turkish Barbers popping up all over our Towns?
They are connecteed to moslem-linked organised crime' Money laundering, drugs and human trafficking.
Money laundering
The way 'ol' Wendell just showed the Turkish barbers without actually saying anything was telling 😂
Wendall you are doing a good job so many people need to see this , i know its countrywide too.All the drunk and drugged people have no way in life any more, no way at present are they able to care for themselves because they became so desperate they started to take drugs and drink as a mental numbing, they can no longer fit into society by getting a job, somewhere to live ect,. Some do ,but not enough. To me its heart breaking that these people have succumbed to todays pressure of living/existing, and that there is so many of them now.The people need to get land and housing for the ones that can help themselves and let them have space to grow food and barter for the rest of their needs,they need responsibility, help and guidance, shelter, good honest companionship, to be a human again, a reset, until they back on their feet and strong,good home grown food.The land in Cornwall would and should be available for its own people, instead of rewilding vast areas for wild life, being sold off to unknown consortiums, farms being defunked, people moved off to else where, what is this government doing i wonder,but, this is the result of how our government is administerd, we are i think being sold down the pan, our government is being controlled by a larger force, and things are getting worse, our government is no longer fit for perpose.
I've been watching all your videos over the last couple of days, and i have to say that as an american, it's fascinating. I think the work you do is SUPER important to bring attention to problems but also the positive and community as well! Great work, mate! These videos are fantastic. Great people who are doing great work to help others!!
Went there with my wife rented a luxury flat saw lots of young people with no work nothing to do ,homelessness while we were renting a luxury flat while the Cornish are treated like shit ,similar to London except most of the properties are owned by foreign investment the local inhabitants can’t afford the London rents and still have to live with their families but unlike Cornwall London still has work especially if your a tradesman and you’ve got a chance of getting out of the rut and buy a cheaper property in Kent or Essex and out price the locals .
It’s just a vicious circle.Unless your an illegal the local councils will rehouse you and your tribe get your benefit’s etc.LETS TAKE CARE OF OUR BRITISH BORN FIRST AND ONLY THOSE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO ASSIMILATE TO OUR CULTURE AND WAY OF LIFE
Totally agree, utter treason by the government, all WEF members trying to destroy England, Ireland and Wales. We must stand together in solidarity against these fascists.
Sunak is of the opinion that things are pretty good on the whole. He and his ministers need to come down from their ivory Towers and smell the coffee.
Lots of causes and conditions for towns that are struggling.
Years of cuts to local authority budget, cuts in mental health services, drugs laws that dont work, closed thinking by governments and of course the high cost of everything. Cornwall is poor with ridiculous house prices. Your doing good video mate and not making poverty porn.
Well done my friend for drawing attention to this issue i am ignorant as i believed Cornwall was an beautiful affluent area i didn't realize there was so much poverty i pray for these people thank you sir keep up the good work
You are my "NÚMERO UNO" Wnendall. Thank you very much for you great videos
Thank you 🙏
Such a shame, I remember camping nearby when I was little in the 70s & it was a lovely town & area.
Turkish barbers ,Eastern European mini marts ,Vietnamese nail bars all fronts for drug,illegal tobacco & cash laundering
Every town and city!
Is there anywhere in the UK where you won't find these issues? Living in inner-city Birmingham, it seems odd to hear people describe places as terrible when they are holiday locations for people elsewhere.
lived in tough areas (Benchill Manchesher) and posh areas too. Now live in St Austell. It's not rough at all.The town is like most towns where shops are shutting. There are a few homeless people but really not bad at all. The surrounding areas are of the most beautiful in the country. A lovely place to bring up kids if you can.
Salford born and bred..38 yrs there, 14 in Cornwall..Cornwall isn't rough in the slightest, run down in parts, yes...
Come to Pool, Camborne and Redruth then. I live there and a lot of people have stories of being jumped and having to fight or run. Arson is a big issue in Camborne that Camborne School, Redruth School and Pool Academy have arson posters dotted around their schools. Druggies everywhere. I think there is a bedsit next door to me with druggies. Stabbings are also pretty frequent. My Ex Father was jumped and almost had his van stolen. He had to fight back against people with knives.
Hey mate, as a born and bread, just wanted drop in that just like your Grimsby video, English China Clay was a massive employer of the people of St Austell. The decline of the clay industry, like so many great industrial towns in our beautiful nation, was the decline of another town in my beautiful Dutchy. Great work you do man, keep it up, big love from Kernow, Andy Kent
Our country is going to pot
100%
Sadly,in my opinion a large part of this country has already gone to pot and if we are not careful the rest will follow!
@@WendallExploresit's done maybe couple years left of being mostly British then it's done
I think the uk is the best country in the world
I read in the comments people saying this country has gone to pot but i still think this is the best country in the world
Another excellent, but sad video Wendall. Really hope things improve there. It does beg the question what does the police do about the drug situation?
why aren't these homeless being kept in 5* hotels ????
Because that doesn't fit the agenda
You dont get money for taking in native homeless...While migrants make you thousands per month, you should see Ireland, every town has hotels full of them, everywhere...Greedy people making serious money while all around them is folding...
Because they know the local area
They haven't said the magic words.
Because they're too busy paying benefits to your family.
Another good video showing us another part of life. And huge hats off off to the couple running the community kitchen and support.
I thought it was worse 20 years ago. Carlyon bay was an eyesore thanks to Ampersand! Used to be the place to go back in the 60's-80's with the Colosseum. The precinct has been redeveloped some 15yrs ago and town due for more redevelopment. Beautiful places nearby such as Charlestown (tall ships) and Mevagissey harbour. Lost gardens and Eden also nearby! It's not all bad!
I grew up in this town, and I watched it decline before I left for good. It's a very sad thing to see and a textbook case of how not to do things.
I remember late 90s people saying that the writing was on the wall with the disappearance of all the toy shops, because it meant people weren't having children. I didn't put much stock in that at the time but looking back now that was just as the houses started getting expensive. Before that St Austell used to be that magic mix of a "cheap" area with good paying jobs, and so in the 80s and 90s the boomers and gen-xers had a lot of kids. It was also one of the few parts of Cornwall you could still widely hear Cornish accents, which was an attraction for some but there were those who disliked this. Generally apart from the coast the area and its people were looked down on, especially the rural Cornish who did "distasteful" things like wearing Caterpillar boots, driving a 4x4, planting Leylandii hedges, and owning German Shepherds. That was where the "St Awful" name came from, basically a racist anti-Cornish term at that time. But if you weren't a snob it was wonderful and you felt like you fit in, everyone was very friendly for the most part. The town centre used to be absolutely buzzing especially on a nice weekend, you used to be able to get everything you could possibly need and make a whole day of it.
Even back then people started to notice that the rot was setting in, money wasn't as good and the town was starting to look a little more tired and less looked after. There were calls for the council to "do something about it", the town needed a plan to carry it forward but there just wasn't one, nobody consulted best practice. Rising cost of living and fewer good paying jobs meant fewer people with disposable income in their pocket, and St Austell was finding it had a hard time standing out against Truro or Plymouth. Council felt the pinch and started getting up to some dirty tricks, there were a few scandals where councillors were caught taking bribes and swindling the taxpayer, they imported a load of scum from up country such as parolees and council housing waiting lists. Locals objected to this but the council had become extremely arrogant and had stopped listening to people. They lost the next election but by then it was too late, what they'd done couldn't be reversed.
The one and only response to all the complaints the council had to offer was the town centre redevelopment, and by my estimation that was what really killed the town, because when it finally opened nobody could afford the rents. By that time people had gotten used to going elsewhere for their shopping, and people (rightly) saw no reason to come back. Once again throughout the entire process the council had ignored the wishes of the local people who'd asked for a glass roof over the streets, and had favoured a different town design than the one that was picked. The council had actually owned the town centre at the time and so many people implored them to lower the rent so that businesses could move back, but the council seemed to not want those businesses, preferring to invite brand name franchises instead, who naturally refused due to lack of footfall in the town. Then the staggering decision was taken to sell off the entire town centre to a private company, and I think that was the council deciding to wash their hands of the matter. The company bought it for a song compared to what it'd cost to build and so were in no rush to fill the empty units.
Alongside the redevelopment the china clay industry reduced their staff over time, and in what was left of the town you saw in real time the clay industry money stop coming through the doors. When I was a child the clay works employed around 6000, by the time I was almost old enough to work they were down to 2400, and then in 2008 they laid off 800. Now they're just above 500 employees. Each round of layoffs you saw one or two shops close, and the existing shops struggle a little more. Eden Cafe closed up and there was just less and less reason for anyone to go there.
What's left now is in my opinion mostly a bedroom community. Instead of taking a stroll into the centre, those with any money to spend get in their car and take it elsewhere. The centre is just left to those who are trapped with nowhere else to go, hence it feels a bit desperate and sad. It's crying out for revival and there are people who are trying to make it into an opportunity, but there's just no leadership, no willpower, and it appears no money to make it really happen. The council is now completely out of touch with reality, putting up silly statues and flags that nobody asked for or wanted. I'm not sure what it will take to get it back to what it once was, if that's even possible anymore.
The government provides the best hotels for illegal entrants and ignores our own. Well done the few.
👏
Raw materials you see
Good to see some light shining through that darkness well done folks.. x
St austells posh to where I moved from. been here 4 years. The only thing that is wrong is the wasters being dumped down here.
I know this coz I talk to the locals.
is rather here x10 then where I come from, north of London..
THEY KNOW NOTHING....YET
You could've done better and walked into the town itself.
A valuable (if dismal ) piece of social history, well presented and probably only a fraction of the total scene.
Meanwhile in Kensington and Chelsea ...
Yes! So sad to see this. I agree with the barber. Things have to change. Good luck with the Government that is in at the moment!! X Sara
It look really tidy and clean, perhaps it should accommodate for holiday makers, however for the prosperity to change, the people of that area need to be looked after, the homeless need somewhere to shelter, this is all down to the council and unfortunately, the illegal migrants will be looked after first.
Illegal migrants are not looked after first. Stop talking crap you obviously know nothing about.
hats off to you guys running the caff and the shop. people like you are the backbone of this withering country...
Probably a lot of people upset that their homes have been bought up by Giles and Jacintha from Surrey.
🤣🤣
Jealousy not a good look
@@SteveR-w1q jealous of who? Of clueless private school parasites? Don't make me laugh!
Why is someone fortunate enough to study at a private school a parasite? You need to look in the mirror.
It's the same here in coastal Suffolk. The villages are like ghost towns during the winter and then the place fills up with Range Rovers around April to September. Property is outrageously expensive now and the last person you're likely to meet is an old Suffolk boi.
I overheard one of the ex-London tw@ts complain last year that the area needed more diversity because she didn't like "the whiteness"
Thank you to STAK keep up the great work at least hes doing something positive.
Sad , bloody sad . Most of our seaside towns are really f..ked up .
STAK kitchen is a beautiful place.
Thanks guys.
Lived in St Hostile for 4 long horrible years. Abuse, hate and ignorance is par for the course.
Met a few nice locals but all the decent people are from somewhere else.
DRUGS are often the demise of these kinds of towns.
Couldn't agree more. Born and bred there. I'm a force out too. I live in Plymouth now.
Great video mate. I live in the U.S but I'm definitely going to donate to the soup kitchen you interviewed.
Looks like most town city centres to be fair
The place called stak is no more. It shut it doors at the end of 2022, they were meant to be moving into a new building. And the huy who is the paid manager. He's not what he came across as. He was on a power trip when he was manager. Now he's more interested in opening his second hand furniture shop. ( i feel sorry for the lady who started stak over 20 yr ago.) ITS A shame 😢😢😢
Turkish Barbers, sums it up
Flourishing is areas that are going downhill
I wonder why
Excellent vlog.. Well done to St. Austell Community Kitchen for all the work they do to help the needy and homeless.. 🙏
The cafe owner is great but the hairdresser has a point too, the government are relying on people like the cafe owner too pick up the slack but what are we being taxed so much for if the government cannot do basic things correctly to sort these problems out?
Good comment
The government don't care about anyone there the biggest gangsters in the world corrupt to the core
@@WendallExplores The govt needs billions for the hundreds of hotels for the 1,000s of illegal migrants being housed in 4/5 * hotels across the country
God bless you Wendall for highlighting these issues
I was born here but moved to Wiltshire when I was young. My family still lives here. My cousin is a policewoman in the town
I remember ya. You went to Penrice school. 😅 or I hope I'm right. I'm going of one profile pic here.
I loved St Austell such a central place to the rest of Cornwall. Loved visiting family there in the 90s. Like anywhere little investment and shops closing. Still stay there when going on holiday. ❤
Very nice charity shop too! ❤ we stayed at the white Hart Hotel lovely staff would still go visit!
Before you judge other people who are less fortunate than yourselves, remember, the average person/family is three mortgage payments away from being homeless. Massive respect to this guy who doesn't judge but tries to be part of the solution, instead of just moaning about the problem. He's getting out there and changing what he can.
And this is 2023..
Informative video
Thank you!
The country needs to get rid of all the dinghy doctors and there would be no need for community kitchens or food banks
Spot on 👍
I was homeless for a year in 1999 in Eastbourne and there was no help at all bk then . It was horrible and the only way I got out of that situation was a long prison sentence with parole. I got parole and a flat on release and I’ve never looked bk . I have a 18 year old son now and a lot of good friends. But I never forget my homeless days cos it can happen to anyone in a day . Never complacent and never forget who I am ! Great work wendall you really are helping we need more people like you !!! 😇🙏👍🏻
Seaside towns, especially in high demand areas have been bought out by London financiers, second homes for the occasional visit leaves local shops without regular trade and high streets are crumbling.
Yea great stuff pal it's becoming same all over uk towns even really nice places like bakewell matlock derbyshire it's a bloody mess I am 52 years old and I felt loads safer in the 1980s and the 1990s
The new 'barber shops' laundrettes .
Hairdressers as well. There shouldn't be so many allowed so close together. There is no greengrocer for miles around where I live except one. There's always too many coffee shops, charity shops, takeaway restaurants, or hairdressers in one suburban shopping area. In Penarth in South Wales there are over six charity shops on the main shopping streets while independent shops are pushed into side streets.
Nice one, Mate! Keep um coming!
Remember, a few years ago, going into a pub in Ramsgate...a half-cut Scottish guy walked up to me and threatened to 'tear my head off'...I only popped in for a quiet pint ! I heard the pub sold good beer...a shame... I had a summer job in Ramsgate... I was only there for 3 weeks...it quickly became apparent that there is a lot of alkies in Ramsgate... since my visit I've heard that a massive Wetherspoons pub opened there... perfect !🤣 Why do alkies and druggies gravitate to sea-side towns ?
It's all the bed and breakfast availability I think.
Maybe the sea-air helps with the hangovers.
Rhyl is the worst. I was last there in 2003. It must be even worse now.
Those roads look immaculate compared to the rest of England
So many people living beyond their means just blind themselves to the fact they are prime candidates to fall off the edge.homeless and addiction ravaged people do not choose to live like this
But many homeless people did not being homelessness on themselves
*bring*
This is the first video of yours I’ve watched. I’ve been to a few places in Cornwall, but never St Austell. I’m mostly struck by the lack of people through out the town! I mean, where is everybody!?!
At the supermarkets out of town.
Maybe he filmed on a Sunday at 6am.