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Catching up with the Sunday newspapers (as one does when one's leg is in plaster) before putting them out for recycling, I came across the two-page feature "Broke" in The Sunday Times News Review (21.04.13) by David Boyle, a long extract from his book "Broke: Who Killed the Middle Classes?", to be published by Fourth Estate on April 25.
It's an interesting analysis of the plight of the struggling British Middle Classes, of a profound shift in society.
I was puzzled by a couple of his comments. Apart from London, he says, "Dorset and Wiltshire are the least affordable places in the UK".
David Boyle suggests that "the middle classes need to be at the heart of a movement that uses local assets...to rebuild production and some measure of independence...It can be done. Bridport in Dorset is an unlikely place to chose as the capital of a resurgent entrepreneurial culture, but Dorset has one of the highest levels of self-employment anywhere in the country- plus the Wessex Reinvestment Trust, designed to use local savings to lend to local businesses. Go to Bridport and you will find a bustling town centre with market stalls, tea shops and butchers, delicatessens and bakers. It is no clone town but home to successful food companies such as Dorset Cereals, Organix and Olives."
Dorset Cereals is in fact based in Poundbury, Dorchester, about 14 miles away. Organix appears to be based in Bournemouth, and if he is referring to Olives Et Al, it is based in Sturminster Newton.
Is Bridport really the model town for the younger generation to emulate? Maybe. There are some excellent literary festivals, which probably attract older age-groups. The Bridport Prize has an international reputation. The music scene is much better than it was when my mother lived there, although I have heard that P J Harvey has moved to London. There is a regular vinyl record fair, and there are gallery venues such as Sladers Yard. "Broadchurch" was largely filmed in and around West Bay (Bridport Harbour). But market stalls aren't going to generate lots of local production, as so much of what is sold is recycled or second-hand. They do generate a measure of independence, to be sure. The Saturday market is a great attraction. Bridport is a wonderful town.
David Boyle predicts that "a political battle lies ahead" as the middle classes can "no longer trust their existing institutions, political or financial, to look after their interests".
Even if he is wrong about the home-town of Dorset Cereals, the book appears to contain much food for thought.
See you down at Bridport market!
Note: The Wessex Reinvestment Trust (pdf file)
David Boyle website
Electric Palace, Bridport
Bridport Arts Centre
Bridport-Gundry:
From "Bridport-Netting, A history of the Staple Trade of the Borough" (undated leaflet, no printing information, possibly Bridport-Gundry?)
Bridport doesn't have Dorset Cereals, but there are many small businesses based around Bridport with an online presence spreading their reach. Meaning that people are more self-reliant, and are not dependent on national employers for employment.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. Bridport does have a great tradition of entrepreneurial activity, from ship-building to rope-making and net-making, but it could benefit from more developments such as can be found in Dorchester (a railway station and good communications, some higher education facilities, a modern cinema complex, an M&S), but it has some great small shops and an admirable spirit of creativity and self-reliance. Plus the Coast!
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