General Discussion

Everybody knocks Dawlish the people pubs etc yet this website keeps ticking by. it may be boring and need new threads but hey look for a Teignmouth or Exeter forum you wont find one.
Lets hope it continues to give us as much entertainment in 2008.
I am off home to Aussie tomorrow for a couple of months taking my loyal laptop with me so I can plug in.

Sounds good Boomerang, can I please come with you?

I have to say that since I've been living here I have noticed that there does seem to be a bit of a problem with self image and Dawlish. I am forever hearing "chip on the shoulder comments" about the schools, the town centre and the rivalry with Teignmouth etc.

Like others I have chosen to live here. Much preferring Dawlish to Teignmouth, Dawlish Community College to Teignmouth Community College. Perhaps us incomers see things the rest of you don't.

Its just that many born here are not very uk/worldwise and do not know better. They do not appreciate what they have though you do what you have found. Welcome.. but please dont call yourself an 'incomer'.

Well what should I use instead of incomer then?

You have 'relocated' or simply moved here.
The West Country is obsessed with the term 'incomer' or 'outsider', move to any other part of the UK the words are not used.

Can someone help me out the terms incomer newcome and outsider is used a lot yet 3/4 of the people I know do not come from Devon

Perhaps us incomers see things the rest of you don't.

OK Incomer (internal immigrant) What do you see that we don't?

See comments about preferring Dawlish the town to Teignmouth and the community college here as opposed to the one in Teignmouth. As I said before I am constantly hearing from members of longstanding Dawlish families 'chip on the shoulder' type comments about themselves, the schools here and Dawlish itself.

Why?

If people think so little of the town they live in its up to them to change it become involved i.e parent teacher ass.Lobby the council get together and form something like Dare but without their self interest

a2z - not that I'm disagreeing with your sentiments but why do you have to have a knock at DARE? (I'm not a member by the way).

The problem that some of us 'incomers', 'internal migrants', 'relocated' have is that if we try to get involved and get things changed then we get accused of taking over by those whose families have been living here for generations.

Equally if we do nothing then that is wrong. It can feel like a no win situation sometimes.

Let's start again. If we are knocking Dawlish then what is it that we would say to advertise the merits of the place. It seems that no-one can put their finger on the best qualities of the area, and we need to do that to bring visitors (money) in to keep the shops alive.
So, please start your list.

Walks along the river and the sea. Ideal for a break from the PC.

1. Has own rail station which is on mainline and situated in the centre of the town (not all are).
2. Has leisure centre that has swimming pool.
3. On the coast
4. Has small secondary school (believe me compared to some of the urban monsters DCC is small).
5. Has Sandy Lane playing fields which, from the crest of the hill, have beautiful views across to Exmouth one way and to Berry Head the other.
6. Surrounded by fields.
7. By being in Devon is handy for Cornwall.
8. Has its own theatre - (but it would be nice if it had its own cinema)
9.Has a slower, friendlier (on the whole) atmosphere than cities.
10.Has The Lawn and The Brook.

So...there's 10 for starters.

I have lived in Devon all my life and have been in Dawlish for 30 years.There is nothing wrong with people moving here and I never hear locals complaining its usually people that have moved in from other parts of the country they dont want change as they bought into a certain way of life this is usually the older generation who have retired for a quite life.
Having the theatre is great its a shame it isnt used more, my daughter lives in a little town with one and they have bands cinema etc as well as plays.
I get involved in the town as much as possible but I have a disability

Oh, and I forgot to say that it is near to but at the same time nicely far enough away from, the M5.

The town needs updating and bringing into the 21st century. It is in a perfect position to become really nice but the whole lot needs doing.

I understand Dawlish Community Trust are involved with group of consultants about how to revamp Dawlish town centre. Results should be out next month/month after?

Will be interesting to see what is suggested.

Did it mention the cost to Dawlish taxpayer?