[Billcat]

Gayle, I'd give you karma if I could, but will have to make do with praising your attitude!

I'll chime in with an outsider's view, as I visited Ossy this summer and plan to return. BTW, I to live in New Jersey, so I know a lot about living in a place with image problems (of course, some of our major highways run through the uglier parts of the state, and that is a more-than-slightly skewed view that many outsider have of this state). Funny, though, how so many Canadians love our sandy beaches!

When marketing your area to the rest of the world, of course you need to emphasize the positive. If the residents don't like the place, why would someone choose Hyndburn when there are many places that do a great job marketing their attractions?

Even among yourselves, a realistic but positive attitude is probably best. When you want a desired behavior from animals, positive reinforcement is the best tool. Same holds true for humans, although far too many folks attempt the negative "kick in the trousers" approach. Recognizing what's good and making a fuss over it generally will get you more of the same. Moaning over what's wrong just gets you a case of the blues. Not suggesting that you can fix all problems, but you can certainly look at them and make a start on something. As you make progress, it will surely alter your outlook. Sort of a "What's there to feel good about and what can I help change to feel even better" approach to life.

Is Hyndburn the most enchanting place I've ever visited? No. But, as Gayle points out, there are a number of things that are good. Okay, a lot of places in the UK have football, but Accrington Stanley is still a community asset (especially if you have football fans visiting). The place is better off with it than without it. You have some nice pubs, a big attraction for this Yank. I enjoyed the market in Accrington, the local cheeses, visiting the nearby Pendle Hills, going to a Church & Oswaldtwistle cricket match with someone who bothered to explain the game. I enjoyed being able to get to Ossy by train, as here in the USA, the places one can get to by train are pretty limited.

I also enjoyed a walk by the canal in Church. At one turn in the canal is a really interesting but abandoned Canal warehouse. Not a huge eyesore, but some unused potential, IMHO. Here in the USA, we'd have developers fighting one another to redevelop that diamond-in-the-very-rough! There was also another old warehouse across the road that seemed to have potential.

Well, this is one post that is way too long. But one other thing I enjoyed when I visited Hyndburn - the people I met!