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'Seedy and sedate' resort in new guide
WEYMOUTH is alternately seedy and sedate' and plays second fiddle to Bournemouth' according to a travel book.
Rough Guide, which publishes books popular with backpackers and holidaymakers, reviewed the region in the latest edition of their Rough Guide to England.
It says the Jubilee Clock is garish' and Portland is stark, wind-battered and treeless'.
It included positive accounts of the area and its attractions, mentioning the dignified' Esplanade and graceful' bay.
Borough mayor David Harris feels perceptions of the area are changing. He said: "Weymouth used to be known only for its bucket and spade image but it is changing rapidly.
"Although it is continuing to attract the families to enjoy the beach it is also appealing to yachting men and women and the market for second homes.
"This encourages a growth in quality restaurants and entertainment, and you only have to visit the Portland Spa to see how change is taking over."
Weymouth is introduced in the guide with King George III's visits to the resort, saying it is uncertain whether his passion for sea bathing was a symptom of his eventual madness.
It also recounts the theory an unloading cargo ship introduced the Black Death to England at Weymouth in 1348.
In a more positive slant, the guide describes the intimate quayside of the Old Harbour' and a summary of attractions including the Sea Life Park, the Deep Sea Adventure, the Timewalk and the Nothe Fort.
Portland Castle, Pennsylvania Castle, Church Ope Cove and Portland Museum are detailed in a section on the island, while Chesil Beach is described as an uncommercialised, appealing antidote to the resorts.
Custodian of Portland Museum, Susie Simmons, believes the description of stark, wind-battered and treeless' can be taken positively.
She said: "That's what makes Portland special and unique, and although it is historically described as treeless I can see at least 40 from the window.
"The island can look bleak when it's cold and wet, but when the weather's nice it's one of the most stunning places."
12:13pm Wednesday 14th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: maximus, Weymouth on 12:57pm Wed 14 May 08
Long live sedate
Posted by: Positron, Scirbbage Hill on 1:28pm Wed 14 May 08
That should sort out the casual back-packer, does anyone know who else reads 'Rough Guides'?
We don't have to feel offended about one persons opinion of our lovely borough, these aren't the sentiments of lots of people I know who have visited Weymouth time after time.
That should sort out the casual back-packer, does anyone know who else reads 'Rough Guides'?
We don't have to feel offended about one persons opinion of our lovely borough, these aren't the sentiments of lots of people I know who have visited Weymouth time after time.
Posted by: John Holmes, Weymouth on 2:08pm Wed 14 May 08
[quote][bold]Positron[/bold] wrote:
That should sort out the casual back-packer, does anyone know who else reads 'Rough Guides'? We don't have to feel offended about one persons opinion of our lovely borough, these aren't the sentiments of lots of people I know who have visited Weymouth time after time. [/quote] "Does anyone know who else reads 'Rough Guides'?"
Umm... yes actually -quite a few. Although I must say the write-up on Weymouth has been the same for years now and definitely needs updating as it does not portray the area in a very positive light!
Positron wrote:
That should sort out the casual back-packer, does anyone know who else reads 'Rough Guides'? We don't have to feel offended about one persons opinion of our lovely borough, these aren't the sentiments of lots of people I know who have visited Weymouth time after time.
"Does anyone know who else reads 'Rough Guides'?"
Umm... yes actually -quite a few. Although I must say the write-up on Weymouth has been the same for years now and definitely needs updating as it does not portray the area in a very positive light!
Posted by: CoogarUK, Dorchester on 2:11pm Wed 14 May 08
Presumably the reviewer didn't go out in Weymouth on a s Saturday night!
Presumably the reviewer didn't go out in Weymouth on a s Saturday night!
Posted by: Tru Belle, purbeck on 2:15pm Wed 14 May 08
What is wrong with a bucket and spade image ? Bournemouth tried to get away from bucket and spades and safe reliable places for families etc- the resort has succumbed to clubs cafes booze galore, and an Imax, ugly as stink,and frightened the majority of nice families and good clean holiday makers of all ages away from the town in the evening and the beaches though beautiful, are full of pickpockets and drunkards and loud music.
Keep Weymouth special- and stuff these rough guides.
What is wrong with a bucket and spade image ? Bournemouth tried to get away from bucket and spades and safe reliable places for families etc- the resort has succumbed to clubs cafes booze galore, and an Imax, ugly as stink,and frightened the majority of nice families and good clean holiday makers of all ages away from the town in the evening and the beaches though beautiful, are full of pickpockets and drunkards and loud music.
Keep Weymouth special- and stuff these rough guides.
Posted by: Local, Weymouth on 2:37pm Wed 14 May 08
Bournemouth runs the full gamut from sleazy, through skanky, via s----y, to scuzzy. It is a complete dump and only idiots would consider it a better resort than Weymouth
Bournemouth runs the full gamut from sleazy, through skanky, via s----y, to scuzzy. It is a complete dump and only idiots would consider it a better resort than Weymouth
Posted by: Portland nipper, Portland, Underhill on 7:14pm Wed 14 May 08
No Trees on Portland? Just another reveiw from someone who has never visited Portland, and feel they are in position to comment.
No Trees on Portland? Just another reveiw from someone who has never visited Portland, and feel they are in position to comment.
Posted by: Fabian, Weymouth on 10:18pm Wed 14 May 08
[quote]It also recounts the theory an unloading cargo ship introduced the Black Death to England at Weymouth in 1348.[/quote]
Wasn't it actually Ringstead that did this?
It also recounts the theory an unloading cargo ship introduced the Black Death to England at Weymouth in 1348.
Wasn't it actually Ringstead that did this?
Posted by: laura, weymouth on 12:33am Thu 15 May 08
I actually think that Portland is stunning even when it is cold, windy & wet.
When you stand by the light house & watch the waves crashing against the cliffs, it's truly amazing.
I have family who come down for there holidays & we always visit Portland as it is such a Unique place, Rain or sunshine!
I actually think that Portland is stunning even when it is cold, windy & wet.
When you stand by the light house & watch the waves crashing against the cliffs, it's truly amazing.
I have family who come down for there holidays & we always visit Portland as it is such a Unique place, Rain or sunshine!
Posted by: kevinfullbrook, Reading,Berkshire on 5:19pm Thu 15 May 08
i come to weymouth every year for my holidays.went to bournemouth for the day once.what an absolute dump with no charm whatsoever.couldn,t wait to jump on the train back to weymouth.
i come to weymouth every year for my holidays.went to bournemouth for the day once.what an absolute dump with no charm whatsoever.couldn,t wait to jump on the train back to weymouth.
Posted by: nige, dorchester on 10:40am Sun 18 May 08
[quote]This encourages a growth in quality restaurants and entertainment[/quote] ....Hmmmmmm. where are the quality restaurants? How many Michelin starred restaurants are there in Weymouth?
This encourages a growth in quality restaurants and entertainment
....Hmmmmmm. where are the quality restaurants? How many Michelin starred restaurants are there in Weymouth?
Posted by: anneofportland, Portland on 7:48pm Sun 18 May 08
....Hmmmmmm. where are the quality restaurants? How many Michelin starred restaurants are there in Weymouth?
None because few people have money to waste. But if you want a good meal go to the Portland Heights, there chef Jerry is a star. The afternoob teas are good too.
....Hmmmmmm. where are the quality restaurants? How many Michelin starred restaurants are there in Weymouth?
None because few people have money to waste. But if you want a good meal go to the Portland Heights, there chef Jerry is a star. The afternoob teas are good too.
Posted by: Tim Weymouth Boy, Weymouth on 5:55pm Tue 20 May 08
Weymouth has stunning views and landscapes but it is a shame it is wasted on the people of Weymouth. We could have such a interesting place with good restaurants, cafes, and generally nice places to go. All we have are Chaves, litter and fat fish and chip eating tourists (which are even starting to thin out). Weymouth is spiraling into a pit of DOOM!! With tourists numbers decreasing each year we either have too change with the times or become a deserted seaside resort. I used to care and try and help Weymouth but when you get it thrown back into your face all the time by comments like “We don’t need this” and “What’s the point in that”. When in fact people do know the pros but they don’t want Weymouth to change.
What we should do is build a 30m wall around Weymouth and throw all negative ***** in there. 
Weymouth has stunning views and landscapes but it is a shame it is wasted on the people of Weymouth. We could have such a interesting place with good restaurants, cafes, and generally nice places to go. All we have are Chaves, litter and fat fish and chip eating tourists (which are even starting to thin out). Weymouth is spiraling into a pit of DOOM!! With tourists numbers decreasing each year we either have too change with the times or become a deserted seaside resort. I used to care and try and help Weymouth but when you get it thrown back into your face all the time by comments like “We don’t need this” and “What’s the point in that”. When in fact people do know the pros but they don’t want Weymouth to change.
What we should do is build a 30m wall around Weymouth and throw all negative ***** in there. 
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