I Can't Sugar Coat This, Bolton Town Centre Made me Sad

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I went to Bolton Town Centre.
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Welcome to my Channel,
My name is James and I live full time in my tiny van, however this is not just a van life channel. I enjoy travel, food and drink and making videos 🙂
When I turned 50 I decided I’d had enough of the rat race and working long hours just to pay rent and bills, life was passing me by and I needed a drastic change.
FAQ
Where is Helen?
Helen has a responsible full time job and two children so unfortunately she can’t join me on every trip. I really wish she could.
What equipment do you use?
My vlogging camera is a GoPro Hero 9 but I also use my pixel 6a phone and Lumix G80 camera for other footage
For editing, I used Premiere Pro on an old laptop but I’m saving to buy a more powerful computer.
Do you have children?
Yes I have a 6yr old daughter who lives with her mum but I see her quite a lot. I don’t usually put her on the vlogs and if I do, I block out her face for privacy reasons. I also have a grown up son.
How do you fund your lifestyle?
I don’t need as much to live these days since going full time van life but I receive a small percentage of income from the ads that RU-vid put on the videos.
Why the sponsored videos?
I only accept sponsorship from companies I use and trust, this is my fulltime job and my income, it’s how I support my family. (I have Patreon if you prefer videos with no ads).
How do I contact you?
Please contact me here: james@bythecurb.co.uk

Опубликовано:

20 янв 2024

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Комментарии : 795

@joannehill606 4 месяца назад

My husband used to work with Fred and went all over the country taking his steam engine to shows. Your vlog bought a tear to his eye. X

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

Wow, he must have some stories 🙂

@lukeslife6471 4 месяца назад

Rip Fred Dibnah. Still creating joy even after his passing.

@user-cz1lt5hm7i 2 дня назад

My grand parents were born and raised in Bolton and worked in the mills --- they emigrated to Fallriver ,Mass, in1926 -- so thankyou for your honest portrayal of Bolton as it is now

@billgreen8966 4 месяца назад

James, my wife and I were in the UK last October (we live in Perth, Australia) and we were shocked at the number and placement of Vape shops seemingly everywhere. Vaping is clearly out of control in the UK, and is largely targeting kids with flavours designed to look like sweets. But there is hope, after establishing that most disposable vapes sold in Oz are aimed at children and contain nicotine (against the existing laws), by next year all vapes will be banned in Oz unless they are supported by a doctors prescription. Good I say, the greedy vape retailers have brought this on themselves.

@pathfinder303 4 месяца назад

Born and bred in Bolton, left for Skipton 24 years ago and a new life building canal boats and then camper vans.

@pathfinder303 2 месяца назад

@@NormanCollier-nf7nu Hope not !

@neilmorley7022 4 месяца назад

I would like to give you 2 a massive thanks for yours vids, at the moment im flighting cancer, i watch your vids over & over again plz keep them coming they always put a huge smile on my face 😊😊😊😊

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Sending you lots of love ❤️

@Ripquorthorn 2 месяца назад

Wish you the best, fight the fight

@guyarrowsmith5077 4 месяца назад

Well done James!! A truly honest, down to earth, and accurate portrayal of Bolton today!! From birth in 1961, until leaving the area for the Lake District in 1983. I lived around the Bolton area. St Helens Road, Horwich, and Farnworth. I studied at Bolton technical college. Worked for Rumbelows, on Manchester road. Met my wife, currently of 38 years at Maxwells Plum nightclub in Bolton! And to be honest, apart from Walsh’s pasty shop, the whole town is a tragic shell of its former self! Am I ashamed to tell people I am from Bolton? NO! Definitely Not! Would I return to my roots? Sadly no. R.I.P Fred❤ keep doing all what you do so naturally well James and Helen!!!! Cheers Xx

@53Indian 4 месяца назад

Well said, echos my own feelings and brought back some memories - I was more of a Scamps guy myself!

@guyarrowsmith5077 4 месяца назад

@@53Indian Scamps was my wife’s favourite haunt, from 78-81! But fortunately for me, not exclusively!!

@christianschofield577 4 месяца назад

I live in Bolton, and I too feel sad when I go into the town centre. It used to be so vibrant, but places like Middlebrook and the Trafford Centre have taken people away. I'm sure this is happening all over. What you need to do if you're ever back over in this neck of the woods is to take Helen up Rivington. Some great walks and views up there and you could always end up in the Rivington Brewery for a pint or three. Fantastic place, right up your street!

@gavinparry5426 4 месяца назад

Nice tribute to a true Legend James. Shame to see no flowers on his grave. Fred a true one off character.

@Zephyrines 4 месяца назад

Very interesting video James, I think many of us live in or have a town nearby that has had the heart ripped out of it by retail chains and poor planning decisions. That high street could have been anywhere ... north, south, east or west it's just copy and paste or the same poor planning. Having said all that it was lovely to see the Fred Dibnah legacy and the original architecture of Bolton. All the best, David

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

Thank you David

@andrewrobinson987 4 месяца назад

Living 30 mins away from Bolton, we used to go regular on a Saturday morning. We haven’t been for over 5 years as we concluded it was exactly like you describe…..DEPRESSING!!!! Cheers Andy

@neeveshannon5062 4 месяца назад

I went to college in Bolton in the late sixties and it was a wonderful vibrant town. 😮We used to regularly go to the octagon theatre. What a great town in those days.

@garrygaggles1160 2 дня назад

A mate of mine bought a house in Halliwell, and we used to walk into Bolton cos it was thriving with activity and life, good shopping centre, good boozers, Yates Wine Lodge, clubs etc.. now this was back in 1983/4. What strikes me, James, is that over the last 40 years, it has fallen behind vastly. How have they just let this fine town deteriorate so much? I remember being impressed with the lack of litter there too. A bin every 10 yards !

@nicnak4475 4 месяца назад

"Did ya like that" ? What a legend Fred was ! There will be even more boarded up shops, once they get their congestion charge in place !

@stevev238 13 дней назад

It was us residents in Bokton and Bury who primarily voted that down the first time... So now they bypass democracy like the evil Khan in London. Left in 2017 for work in China. Now living happily in Thailand, but sad to see how everything is being rub down back home.

@tracybush8115 4 месяца назад

This style of reporting (historical buildings in the town & Fred's house, cemetery) suits you best. This was really fascinating. It is a very sad state to see beautiful historical buildings looking so poorly maintained. Too many business owners today take no pride in their storefronts but the market was very nice - lovely to see these still exist. Thank you for the video because it was truly interesting although sad.

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

Thank you, much more to come

@simonwelford6202 4 месяца назад

No real men like Fred anymore, same as you James every now and again I watch Fred , what a grafter he was , huge respect for him From a fellow Barnsley lad keep it going you two 👍

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

Thanks mate, I love watching Fred on RU-vid

@siouxsiesiouxwilson7247 4 месяца назад

Grew up in Darton nr Barnsley SYorks

@simonwelford6202 4 месяца назад

@@siouxsiesiouxwilson7247 I went to Darton high myself🤣👍

@blackbob3358 4 месяца назад

Think you we're all doomed, mr Welford ? Lighten up will ya. Are you just joining in with the presumed concensus ?

@nigelwatson2750 4 месяца назад

They were only able to destroy the town once they changed the people; not just the demographics, but also what's inside people's heads; their mindset and values. People have allowed themselves to become too dependent on mummy government and have stopped thinking for themselves.

@samandjennysambrook 4 месяца назад

Thanks for the walkabout James,The precincts and high streets are the same everywhere these days...The meat market took us back to the castle market in Sheffield, all gone now, demolished and moved down the moor, but it's not a patch on the original place... Thanks for posting James, brilliant as usual mate.✅👍💞

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

Thank you, I loved the castle market

@masonfreeparty 4 месяца назад

yeah fred dibnah what a legend..respect. I broke down in oldham once in my van and the locals did me a bacon sandwich and brought me drinks..the friendliest ive known

@vallanceellis7569 4 месяца назад

Sames happening in Wigan just down the road.I feel sick at times.

@paulross2914 4 месяца назад

I remember watching the original Fred Dibnah series with my Dad years ago, we always loved his programs. My Dad even took on Fred's saying when a chimney came down "Did yer like that" Thanks for bringing back good memories James

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

You're welcome 😊

@MarkyMark1668 4 месяца назад

Love Fred Dibnah, used to watch his programmes in fascination and respect for the Steeplejack work and his friendly knowledgable views. An engineer at heart I think. All around Top Man from a rare breed of yesteryear, respect, community and a lost way of life of honourability amongst our modern world. RIP

@SianRussell 4 месяца назад

Hi James we're watching this in our campervan whilst sheltering from storm Isha in Hebden Bridge. We live in a market town 12 miles north of Cardiff which has been overlooked for years shame cos its got a beautiful park and a lot of history. It's the same story all over unfortunately 😢

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

Hope you survivd the storm ok

@graemepatterson 4 месяца назад

So many places going to shite lately. I was out at a local seaside town today and there are tonnes of empty shops and small businesses that used to do well but clearly struggle now because there's nobody about.

@simonhulber6713 4 месяца назад

Interviewed Fred in '96 or '97 at his home for a Land Rover magazine I worked for. One of the most down to earth, easy going people I ever met in 30 years of speaking with all kinds of interesting folk.

@denzil040709 4 месяца назад

Nicely done, James. Fred was truly the epitome of a different time where honour, truth and looking after people was the norm. What would he have made of how we live now? I'm sure Helen would have found many headstones, plaques and historic information for you.😄❤

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

Haha absolutely

@SheilaSmedley 4 месяца назад

It's even more sad when you grew up in Bolton and remember there was a lot more to the fish market and outdoor stalls there you could get almost anything and people used to come in coach loads from like Oldham and many Lancashire towns to visit Bolton market you couldn't walk threw Iike you just did James u had to squeeze your way threw no matter what time of day it was packed I think helen would have loved the cockles muscles crab sticks ? And a pint of Guinness all under one roof just round corner from we're pecky blinders happy valley and coronation st were filmed recently Netflix always filming in Bolton as sad and depressing as Bolton really has gone to live here and see it for urself how everything has changed for thr worse is really really sad rip bolton town center and most of the roads leading out off it thanks james for the vlog

@fredcooper6725 4 месяца назад

As a Northern lad, James, I'm surprised you didn't recognise cow's tripe on the counter of the butchers' stalls in the market.

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

I've never had it. Maybe we was a bit posh 😂

@FissionChips 4 месяца назад

Helen would have known for sure!

@philsmith9274 4 месяца назад

😢 sad ol Britain...great work James and Helen loving the vids. Loved dibbers great character. I moved to Thailand 2 years ago seriously couldn't take London anymore...keep up the good work mate

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

Thanks :-)

@claireleamy3168 4 месяца назад

Love the blend of your videos James. Really professionally produced. You have learnt so much since your early days. And you are so warm and personable, great company as you take us alongside you in your adventures. Love the fact you always do your research on a place. Keep them coming.😊

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

Thank you Claire :-)

@Tony-tourette 4 месяца назад

It’s funny how the world is a small place I used to know a man who was in the next hospital bed to Fred and even then he refused to take off his hat , he did survive prostate cancer unfortunately Fred didn’t 😢 legend tho 😊

@TheChodax 4 месяца назад

Funny you watch Fred, I've been hooked on his videos for years. I used to watch his programs in the 1980s with my dad when I was just a kid and was always absolutely fascinated.

@gelgoborn1378 4 месяца назад

corrupted council have run it into the ground. a series on northern industrial towns is a fantastic idea. You want to try Wigan there`s a pub called John bull chop house go in there for a pint but take Helen she would love it

@uk-martin4905 4 месяца назад

Corruption in central government and corruption in local government are responsible. It will soon be exposed. I used to visit Bolton regularly when I lived in Blackpool but haven't been back since Covid when trains weren't running. Have since heard gloomy reports about the town and your video confirms my fears. I won't be returning although I live quite close in Manchester. It is tragic to see what has become of the town.

@fistfulofgamepad 2 месяца назад

Used to drive by Fred’s house everyday on my way to work. Growing up we used to go to Bolton nearly every week to look round all the shops, it was buzzing and bustling, today it’s a shadow of what it was, it’s a dead town now.

@wendypearce8799 4 месяца назад

Thanks for highlighting Bolton town Centre, I'm not from there but not a million miles away. You're so right some of the towns up north are really depressing. You should send this vlog to the politicians in Westminster to see it. They need to see ... Only the Fred statue made me smile👍

@kizzull 21 день назад

Send the vlog to politicians? Please wise up. Everything is going according to plan at the behest of NGOs.

@davidheller3998 4 месяца назад

Top class video James, your cinematography has really improved, keep up the good work, Dave 👍

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

Thanks Dave

@perculiar_daughter 4 месяца назад

The way you felt after that tour of Bolton is exactly the way it makes me feel on the odd occasion I visit the place. There is a palpable dourness and the energy of the place seems to stick with me for hours after leaving. One of my family members lives there, they are not exactly beacons of happiness, they never smile and have that "hard done to" demeanor to them, everything is wrong and nothings right type of attitude. They were not like that before they moved there. It has that affect on some people. I avoid it like the plague. I didnt know there was a massacre, that could possibly explain the awful energy that hangs over the place. Its becoming a disease of most northern towns sadly, but some are going down hill quicker than others. Great video 👍

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

Thank you, I felt pretty down after the trip

@ronniechambers2555 4 месяца назад

To be fair James, Bolton probably not the best place to visit so soon after Tenerife and in the first couple of weeks of January. I reckon anywhere would've been a tough gig, but Bolton ?@@bythecurb

@johnavery15 4 месяца назад

Love the opening sequence once again. You’re getting good at this malarkey James!

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

Thank you 😊

@doffchitty1875 4 месяца назад

Fireplaces and wooden floors just beautiful and outside the garden and back of the house really lovely. Loved the architecture of Bolton too. Such an interesting vlog James. Thank you .

@JamesWilliam70 4 месяца назад

Olde trip to Jerusalem was an old pub/inn 1189 AD, (part built into the sandstone caves at the foot of Nottingham Castle). I painted it when i was a signwriter back in 1987 so i always remembered the date.

@KeithWebb-cl1ld 4 месяца назад

Southampton is no different.The internet has killed the high street.

@tonyalgar4886 4 месяца назад

Shopping area looks so quiet, makes you wonder how the shops pay their rent and rates ! Hardly any business.

@ali5on 4 месяца назад

Love your intros. I was born in Bolton, my name is Alison...…I was named after one of Fred's steam engines!!!! I live in Cyprus now, have not been to Bolton for 25 years. Even Primark couldn't be bothered to put a display. Fish market still as good ever. But the rest? What country are we in? So sad.

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

It's very sad

@jjcd39 4 месяца назад

Love the Fred bit one of my hero’s , did yah like that !! Brilliant keep up the good work,,

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

Haha loved that 😊

@jjcd39 4 месяца назад

@@bythecurb a proper character, Fred

@karlos55555 4 месяца назад

I felt the same last week after a little shopping trip with the missus to Bangor whilst on holiday to Caernarfon it was sorrowful with the majority of the shops and boozers gone, we had such fond memories of visiting Bangor but now they're all but forgotten. Online shopping, cost of living, sky high rents and cutthroat capitalism are killing our town centres and the local councils more interested in vanity projects than actually doing something worthwhile with the budgets. It's grim up North and unless you're in a big City or town where tourism feeds growth forget it, just stay in and shut your curtains.

@julieryan1616 4 месяца назад

Totally agree with your comment,,,we also went to Bangor whilst on holiday what a shock not very good 😢

@karlos55555 4 месяца назад

@@julieryan1616 yeah, a real shame.

@nickwhitnall 4 месяца назад

Thanks James, I appreciate your honesty.

@WORCESTERTHATCH 4 месяца назад

That was well interesting James, obviously, the Fred Dibnah touch was great. But also Earl of Derby, Civil War info was really worth the watch. Your content, video quality, and sound are 10 out of 10. You have brought home the state of our town centres, so sad. More like this mate, brilliant 👍

@user-wb8qe1kg9q 3 месяца назад

Just like to say James , my wife and I really look forward to your blogs, you and Helen are a good team. Helen make us laugh when she keeps stopping and reading everything, your face, bless you all the best mate keep on blogging. Andy and Pat Norfolk.

@bythecurb 3 месяца назад

Thank you Andy & Pat :-)

@Jennifer-ep1sr 4 месяца назад

We love your honesty James. Everyone will have a different point of view on any subject. As for visiting requested places, my brother-in-law came from Chorley, and my husband had g/parents from Pocklington in Yorkshire. Thanks for the history lesson as well. ❤🇦🇺

@tracyfun6918 4 месяца назад

Watched him demolish the old power station towers when I lived in Eccles ,over Barton bridge when I was a kit.was like a day out with some of my sisters.also used to see him going to the steam fairs day out things at local fairs days out and talked to him a few times.he lover old vehicles and loved going to these places to talk about them and to show people.he was a really nice fella,took the time to chat bless him.fearless too.seen him lots ,I was only a kid as said, he was such a nice bloke,just normal not full of himself like many other famous people xx

@deltaman1804 4 месяца назад

Thank goodness for Levelling up!! just imagine how bad it could have been. It is the same all across the North. thanks for the video next time take Helen she would improve anywhere.

@sophie02222 4 месяца назад

Hi mate ! Your video are seriously pro these days! Your ace at editing / adding the right music in the right places … Giving us interesting info about places we don’t go! Absolutely well done on the growth of this channel

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

Thank you 😊

@rachelshonahague5718 4 месяца назад

Just a terrible shame Fred's amazing steam and engineering yard couldn't have been preserved intact.

@michaelmarsh-bl9mg 4 месяца назад

So much for levelling up James!

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

Yep. Good point

@thesolidsnakealpha 4 месяца назад

You can't level up the third world

@J0nny61 4 месяца назад

What a legend Fred was. I have watched every program that was ever made as far a I know.

@helenmorton8718 4 месяца назад

This was great James. Loved Fred. My dad was like him. Little bloke always had his work clothes and cap on (except Sunday)would try his hand at any job. I miss him😢

@FissionChips 4 месяца назад

Respect!

@helenmorton8718 4 месяца назад

@@FissionChips Thank You 😊

@elizabethcotton4659 2 месяца назад

Sounds like you have fab memories of him ❤

@helenmorton8718 2 месяца назад

@@elizabethcotton4659 Yes, he was a lovely dad and I know I'm lucky to have such good memories of him. 😊

@andyg4546 4 месяца назад

Love your videos mate. Benidorm to Bolton they're great. Keep up the great work. Love your travels in your van!👍

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

Thanks mate, glad you like them

@sandrapaterson8678 4 месяца назад

Good to see you back home safely. I grew up watching Fred the legend, watched a documentary about his house. Helen would have been in her element in that market lol. Hope youre somewhere safe and hunkered down for this storm James!

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

We're in a pub in Morecambe 😊

@ianhardy2662 4 месяца назад

@bythecurb hope you find Morecambe less depressing

@TheNOGGS 4 месяца назад

@@bythecurbnot much better than Bolton then?! 🙈

@nigelwatson2750 4 месяца назад

Morecambe is brilliant. The government and local politicians can't destroy nature and a beautiful view! @@bythecurb

@karlhunakonahollis 4 месяца назад

Really enjoyed this one. Thanks for the information.

@davidclemmett4372 13 дней назад

Welcome to sunny Bolton, apologies for the town centre, it used to be such a great place to live

@raymorey4709 4 месяца назад

Hi James loved the holiday video,just watching Bolton video Fred's grave bringing back what a great show it was loved him he was a one of great one of Bolton .always lived in Kent before moving to Spain 8yrs ago keep the videos coming, have a great day James love to helen👍👍

@Bessie66 2 месяца назад

Bolton is a mirror image of so many towns now 😢

@Sashalouise111 4 месяца назад

Enjoyed the story of Fred. Especially the house. Love architecture. 5 years ago I was ashamed of the state Barnsley town had become. Now look at it. Wonderful again. Nice to look round other towns and city’s thank you There’s not much in howarth but I like to go walking and the Brontë museum snd church.

@silverdash1 4 месяца назад

Bolton was once a bustling town ,i started working in market hall ,blame bolton clowsil Bolton market was one of the best in north west could buy anything sadly its all gone Go to bury market Wednesday Friday Saturday buzzing chorley Tuesday all busy ,love the videos your helen is bonkers in a brilliant way 😁

@PeteJohnson-nu7wv 4 месяца назад

Thankyou for an honest down to earth review of Bolton Town centre James. I haven't been for donkeys years but I can see its been on the slippery slope of gradual non existence. You are 100% correct about the lovely people there and was good to see the market is still trading but hardly thriving ! You do get the feeling the people of Bolton have been let down and I'm guessing the council is more interested in unnecessary street furniture and speeding cameras everywhere. Keep up the great work James and ill Sithee.

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

Thank you Sithee

@cultfiction3865 4 месяца назад

When I lived down that way years ago, I actually found people in Rochdale friendlier than people in Bolton.

@AndrewSmith-el5fs 4 месяца назад

Great varied content as ever James, nice to remember Fred. Your intros are becoming so slick it feels as if the commercials are still running, quite the pro !

@alfiekay4808 Месяц назад

Well filmed. Your opinions are actually flattering to the town. Wish I lived elsewhere. It's knackered ' like Rotherham'.

@MarkHughes-hn8yc 4 месяца назад

Beautiful pub jud.....been in it years ago.... great vlog pal...keep m coming 🎉🎉

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

Thanks mate

@dellyboot2703 4 месяца назад

Loved Fred! I remember avidly watching an absolute load of repeats, don't know what the hell it was about him, but he was a great watch! x

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

True, I'm always watching Fred

@pierreleroux2441 Месяц назад

Simply the best and legendary steeplejack. R. I. P. Legend.

@joannedibben2352 4 месяца назад

Loved this james thanks for the tour i could watch you and helen all day❤

@andrewmay6218 4 месяца назад

Im down here in mouldy Cornwall and all our towns are dying thanks to the extortionate rates and badly run councils.we deserve better.

@user-ob4xh4gs7r 4 месяца назад

Very interesting blog. Thankyou James.

@filmingdownsouthuk 4 месяца назад

What a character Fred was!…I still enjoy watching his videos!…..I thought it was a great video James!

@theabandonedhunter3604 4 месяца назад

Very true assessment James. So many of these towns and cities are like this now! I’m midlands based so I’m speaking from what I find…. Some local authorities put nothing into the local areas and just tell people what they want to hear ….. Smithy

@Simon-fr4ts 4 месяца назад

Absolutely loved this video. I instantly knew that Fred Dibnah would be be the one as soon as you started talking! As a 52 year old Yorkshireman, I grew up watching Fred on TV and still love him as you do. It's so sad seeing town centres like they are today. I miss how things were back in the 70's and 80's when I was growing up, especially around Christmas. Town centres were full of all kinds of shops, busy, always open. I loved it when you bought a rum truffle! I have not had one for so many years and like you, I did not know that they were still sold. I loved them. I am going to see if I can find somewhere that sells them. Unfortunately 'diversity' has also ruined everything and our city centres are no longer safe and often feel like third world countries. I am lucky to live in Cornwall, so at the moment things are ok. It's only a matter of time though when we will end up like this. Who's been eating your steering wheel by the way! When you said you need to detox and visit a somewhere nice next, for some reason I thought Ripon and you said it. It really freaked me out.

@jennifer1872 4 месяца назад

It’s nice to see its James , I’ve never been there either can’t see me ever getting back to see it so I’m just delighted to see wherever you take us 😊

@Steve-Cross 4 месяца назад

Not only are the big out of town, shopping centres killing the high streets, but also online shopping. It is a great shame. 😢

@kevindrinkell9729 4 месяца назад

Bolton town centre has been so badly managed that a metrpolitan area of 295k people has even lost its town centre Marks and Spencers.The shops and even the football club have moved 6 miles west to a retail park.Hundreds of flats are currenlty being built in the town centre which i expect will be for low income families ie the plan for the town centre is to turn it into a council estate

@user-rp5vs1xs8q 4 месяца назад

Thank you, James for showing us Fred Denmore‘s grave. I also are a fan of all his videos watched him time after time. No health and safety there. You just carried on working hard he deserves the statue in Bolton. I can’t believe you’re walking round in ice and snow when a few few days ago, you were in shorts and T-shirts, and sliding down waterslides in Tenerife, great video

@paulcooper1387 4 месяца назад

I was born in Bolton, but moved to California when I was young--mind you, this was 50 years ago.. We used to go back to Bolton for holidays and the downtown was bustling with lovely pubs and great places to get a meal. The gem was the Market Hall--which was taken down and converted to that soul less place that you showed. I think you can trace the start of the decline to that decision to shut down the Market Hall. I went back a few years ago to show my daughters and was literally depressed at how bad it was. Even areas like Smithhills that used to be great places are now closed down. Very sad. what the leadership of Bolton did to that town......

@nigelwatson2750 4 месяца назад

Same thing happened to Rochdale ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-DANHaC7VuXM.html

@hayleypreston2792 4 месяца назад

We used to go to bolton every so often mainly because our fave thai takeaway was on the way home! The market is great but my absolute favourite thing to see was the little aquarium that was under the museum, its so unusual and free too! Please try clitheroe (beer shack, Holmes Mill, jungle) you and Helen will love it x

@fionabutler-kg7sv 4 месяца назад

Yes RIP Fred, great guy could watch his programme all the time, no one like Fred, pity no flowers on his grave like someone mentioned, nice you went to visit, 👍

@jasonbarnesbefuddledprofessor 4 месяца назад

Met Fred at the Moorgreen Show back in the day he had pint in his hand A Real Gentleman loved to entertain i grew up watching him on Tele blowing things up proper times. A Real Historian Fred was he will live on through his passions in life. ❤❤❤❤

@sallyhobbit1956 4 месяца назад

Honest review! You tell it how it is!

@pdriwsteve 4 месяца назад

Bolton town hall, almost identical to Portsmouth Guildhall which is where I grew up.Last visited Bolton 55 years ago.

@user-eo7np9lh2i 4 месяца назад

A good vlog James , a lovely tribute to Fred Dibnah too me & my late dad used to love watching his program's, as for the town well it was like a ghost town but it's like many cities these days including Sheffield many shops have closed down

@johnwyatt3327 4 месяца назад

As usual James a great video but like you we felt sad seeing such a soulless town .No doubt Helen will put a smile on your face soon .A great watch ❤

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

Everywhere is upbeat when Im with Helen :-)

@DannyHarris-vc4ct 4 месяца назад

You should get in touch with Wandering Turnip he's a Yorkshire Lad too and has a channel on here where he goes around towns and cities looking at closed down shops hotels and pubs on the high streets.

@bunnylovesbostons 4 месяца назад

what a gorgeous old pub! that pastie looked so good! didn't know you eat those there either. hello from Michigan

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

Hello Michigan

@markplenty2631 4 месяца назад

It’s not just Bolton, many towns across the South west are similar, internet commerce and big named chains have become the dominant industry. I’d always like to go and buy something from a person and have a chat. These days it’s just self service checkouts and remote deliveries..

@JulieBrooks66 4 месяца назад

What a market 😮😮best one I've ever seen by miles 🎉🎉

@El-Tel63-Terry. 4 месяца назад

Fred was the best, can watch his programs over and over.

@bythecurb 4 месяца назад

Me too

@NealePinkney-td2cn 4 месяца назад

I totally agree James, so depressing, all that land for pedestrions and no one there, years ago like Hull was busy all day every day cars parked near shops ,the atmosphere of the people all doing there own thing, all gone because of idiots in charge, Internet impact also, but we need the transport back into them wich means people spending, thanks for highlighting the ghost 👻 towns and its depressing state, you right to feel what we see

@ronniechambers2555 4 месяца назад

To be fair, people are just as much to blame as those in charge ( remember who put them in charge ) by choosing to use cars instead of buses, buying online instead of in the High Street, drinking at home rather than going to the pub etc etc, Use it or lose it as they say, but people are often lazy and selfish and do what makes life easier for them as individuals.

@NealePinkney-td2cn 4 месяца назад

@@ronniechambers2555 it all ran ok before they messed with it now they have ghost towns ,with no atmosphere ,that's not an invite to go out, closed shops everywhere, pedestrianised areas with no one on them, since horse and carriage it worked, over priced beer in pubs with no atmosphere as people are depressed , people can't afford to die never mind live, open the streets and get the people back into the towns or keep looking at empty buildings till they rot,, cars and buses use to run through Hull, lots of people about everyday, no now ,Beverley town centre halved his car parking for a stupid sit out side cafe area to cold to sit in,stopping people again from bringing shoppers spending money, it's all wrong, do councils realise what they haven't achieved,

@NealePinkney-td2cn 4 месяца назад

James ,you hit the nail on the head ,you said you wouldn't return with Helen as the place was dead ,empty ,closed shops, basically no atmosphere, not welcoming at all , having to park long distance away just to explore a ghost town, shame we don't have before and after footage, pics ,, busses, trams horses carts , happy shopper with transport near the shops , maybe worth highlighting this when you travel again

@karenemm179 4 месяца назад

Hi James - Used to watch Fred loads of times - Loved to Watch Him - Thanks For the Upload

@lcfcgrayforeverafox3603 4 месяца назад

Great tribute to a great man very hard working down to earth man fred was remember him fondly from bbc 2 😎👍

@hedgerowsandzeros 4 месяца назад

Fred gave me a cheery wave and a thumbs up after being stuck behind his friends 1914 traction engine here in the Lakes. His mate was Dick Ransome (Swallow and the Amazon's author cousin) who lived in Torver and was another "steam head". For 20 years Dick was chief engineer on Coniston steam launch Gondola. Didn't think Bolton looked that bad on film to be honest but I wasn't there. Thinking about the "vape n sweets" it's pretty similar to having tobacconists shops of old selling sweets n cigs. 😊

@fionabutler-kg7sv 4 месяца назад

I go to the steam rally in Chelford, where he used to bring his steam engines, it’s a great show in August

@tonyalgar4886 4 месяца назад

Labour council needs to introduce a congestion charge, that way they can drive the remainder of the shops out of business, shopping area looks no busier than the cemetery !!!!!!!!

@kevinmulligan6858 4 месяца назад

A lot of these inner city towns are like this James and it will be the rent that has forced them out. You need to get to Llandudno, main shopping area is MOSTYN STREET, find the old Barclays Bank and go down Market street. There is a pub called THE COTTAGE LOAF.. You and Helen will love it. Great video and welcome home.

@thisbananaistop 4 месяца назад

I'm from Bolton now live in Derby (7 years ago moved) and you hit the nail on the head. Some beautiful buildings im proud of. I actually miss the pasties fron Ye Olde Pasty Shop thats what i miss most. A good video 👍🏻