Community: Real Life

Beach bummer


Sena Agboola

Sena, 17, is studying for her A-levels. She aspires to be a fashion journalist as she is passionate about style, but insists she won't buy something hideous just because a magazine says so. She loves to read books and enjoys creative writing.

Sena feels nostalgic about her childhood haunts and wonders why her favourite seaside resort has gone to the dogs.

Things just aren't what they use to be. It's a statement that you probably associate with the older generation, but it's true. The places that I treasured in my childhood are now unrecognisable. What is there for children and teenagers today that doesn't involve some sort of funding? Organisations and companies are too often money-making machines. Their motto seems to be "why give for free when we can charge money". From ordinary parks to theme parks, local attractions have changed for the worst.

The pet's corner I loved at my local park is now a mound of rubble and rubbish, a lake strewn with shopping trolleys and whatever else the public sees fit to dump in there. It used to be a family favourite where I fed the chickens and the goats, it was great. The animals lived there happily and there was no question of animal cruelty as it didn't even cross our minds. These days all we have is a small play area and even if you attend the one decent event in the area, an annual fireworks display, then you are greeted with signs saying "thieves in the area". Could it be any less welcoming?

Another place in my neighbourhood that hasn't stood the test of time is Southport pleasure beach. I still remember the sounds of people laughing and the screeches from the thrill of the big rides; it was a place for all the family. When I was growing up, my family and I went to Southport up to four times a year. It used to be a treat to look forward to. You can imagine my shock when the pleasure beach closed its gates. I couldn't understand why; as far as I was aware people were flooding through the gates. Then two years ago there was a big publicity drive. Southport had once again re-opened to the public with a promise of over 50 rides described on the TV and in the papers. I could hardly contain my excitement.

"Our eventual return to the pleasure beach was on a day full of disappointment. Not only was it raining in July, but I could probably count the number of rides on my hands."

Our eventual return to the pleasure beach was on a day full of disappointment. Not only was it raining in July, but I could probably count the number of rides on my hands (so much for over 50). There were hardly any staff, we had to wait for rides and even ended up walking away from some of them. There were no white knuckle-rides like you'd expect to see at a theme park, but rather waltzers from travelling fairs. We asked a young girl: "What the hell has happened to Southport?" She said that it was no longer a pleasure beach as Blackpool had taken all the rides and that some guy now owned the land; people simply brought their rides and stalls there.

Yet another favourite place of mine was ruined and just a shadow of its former self. Things really aren't what they used to be.

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