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April 19, 2007
You can't be serious!
It's hard to take some of the surveys that seem to appear almost daily seriously anymore.
Take for example the latest one published this week by the Reader's Digest which names the 'worst' places in Britain to bring up a family.
Reading (408th) tops the list as the worst place and not far behind comes Hillingdon in 398th place below neighbouring boroughs of Harrow (156) and Ealing (319) with Oxford in 399th place.
The survey was based on asking parents to list the things that make for a family-friendly environment taking into account crime rates, good local hospitals and affordable housing.
One really has to question this latest survey because while Hillingdon may have its faults it certainly is not one of the worst places in the country to live in. I can think of far worst places, like Stranraer and Plymouth to name a few, although perhaps they have improved since I last visited!
I was equally staggered that Reading topped the list. Having previously been editor of the Reading Chronicle I have considerable knowledge of the town which sits in the affluent Thames Valley commuter belt and, in my opinion, has some excellent family orientated facilities, not to mention two universities and a rapidly rising football team (although that may have nothing to do with the survey otherwise I suppose Manchester might be the best place to live in).
We will certainly be getting plenty of local reaction to Hillingdon's 'poor performance' in the survey and covering it in detail in next week's Gazette.
One person who I know will have plenty to say on the matter is our regular Gazette columnist Cathy Ranson, who is also editor of Sunshine Magazine, the local community magazine for families living in Hillingdon.
I suspect she may have more rants than raves in next week's paper.
For those interested the Scottish district of East Dunbartonshire was named the best place to live in.
Ruislip Lido, one of many popular family attractions in the borough.
Posted by aseal at April 19, 2007 7:55 AM
Comments...
Ruilsip Lido looks nice these days. Pity I wont be able to read Cathy Ransons Rants & Raves as you dont put it in your on-line version.
Why is that please?
Comment posted by: Noeline at May 2, 2007 12:58 AM
Some of Cathy's Rants and Raves are posted on the site under the columnists section. I look will look into make sure they go on more regularly. Yes, Ruislip Lido is a real jewel in the crown for the borough.
Comment posted by: adrian at May 2, 2007 7:33 AM