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This article paints a vivid picture of the deep challenges facing Horden, a former mining village in County Durham, illustrating the social, economic, and political struggles in the area:
– **Environmental issues:** On hot summer days, cannabis smell drifting from nearby properties prevents children from playing outside at Cotsford Primary School, highlighting problematic local residential conditions.
– **School response:** Staff are adapting to adversity by encouraging children to take on responsibilities like helping in the library or acting as maths mentors, with a formal application and interview process to prepare them for future opportunities.
– **Community decline:** Once a thriving mining community with 15,000 people in 1951, Horden’s population has halved since the mines closed nearly 40 years ago. Child poverty is now double the national average, and many houses are boarded up, often owned by absentee landlords.
– **Political shifts:** Long a Labour stronghold due to mining heritage, the area has shifted politically. Brexit was supported nearly a decade ago as a sign of frustration. Most recently, Reform UK gained significant support, winning the majority of local council seats as traditional parties lose favor.
– **Societal issues:** The area attracts families relocated by London councils seeking cheap housing, as well as ex-prisoners, contributing to a sense of displacement and disconnection among long-term residents.
– **Residents’ feelings:** Locals express a mix of attachment and frustration. People like Kiah want to raise families here but worry about neglected properties and newcomers who don’t invest in the community. Others feel a sense of abandonment, with little hope for near-term improvement.
– **Economic decline:** The Castle Dene shopping center and nearby tower blocks stand in disrepair, symbolizing broader economic stagnation and lack of investment or regeneration.
Overall, the story captures a community caught in a vicious cycle of deprivation, neglect, and political disillusionment, reflecting the broader challenges of “left behind” post-industrial towns in the UK. The article underlines the complexity of socioeconomic regeneration and political realignment in such areas, underscoring the need for focused government and local action to rebuild opportunities and community cohesion
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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