8.5- Place Studies

Question 1

What is our ‘near’ place?

Answer 1

Rossett Ward, Harrogate

Question 2

Describe the location of Harrogate

Answer 2

Spa town in North Yorkshire, England and nearby is the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Nidderdale AONB. Harrogate is approximately 17 Miles north of Leeds and 16 miles from York

Question 3

Describe Harrogate’s locale

Answer 3

• Harrogate grew out of two smaller settlements, High Harrogate and Low Harrogate in the 17th century
• Harrogate spa contains iron, sulphur and common salt
• town became known as ‘The English Spa’ in the Georgian era after its waters were discovered in the 16th century
• in 17th and 18th centuries its ‘chalybeate’ waters were a popular health treatment and the influx of wealthy but sick visitors contributed significantly to the wealth of the town
• population grew after the arrival of the railway and Harrogate has, more recently, developed conference functions and more tourist events- very recently it hosted the Tour de France and subsequently the successful Tour de Yorkshire cycling events= economic success therefore based on service, tertiary activities rather than manufacturing
• since 2013 it has been voted “happiest place to live” in Britain but in 2017 dropped to 3rd place

Question 4

Describe age in Harrogate regarding demographic characteristics (from census 2011)

Answer 4

• higher proportion of 60+ age groups than national average in 2011
• Rossett Ward, 29% of total population were 60+
• across Harrogate a significant part of the population is approaching, or, in retirement age

Question 5

Describe ethnicity in Harrogate regarding demographic characteristics (from census 2011)

Answer 5

• higher proportion of white British residents than the national average in 2011
• ethnicity of residents in Rossett Ward: 92% white British, 4% from black and minority and ethnic groups and 4% from other other white backgrounds

Question 6

Describe Harrogate’s economic characteristics

Answer 6

• unemployment in Harrogate in 2011 was 2.6% and was 2.1% in Rossett Ward which is less than half of the England unemployment rate of 4.4%
• many are employed in traditionally higher paid jobs. In 2011 16% of Rossett Ward residents were employed as managers, directors or senior officers (Harrogate 14%)
• in 2017 average house price in HG2 postcode was £397,000 (UK average house price was £220,000)

Question 7

Describe Harrogate’s social characteristics and inequalities

Answer 7

• relative to the national average, Harrogate District is a prosperous area ranking 283 out of 326 local authorities (where 1= most deprived and 326= least deprived). However, there are pockets of deprivation and one particular area within the ward of Woodfield is ranked within the 20% most deprived in England. Areas in the Rossett Ward are in the least deprived 10% in England and there has been little change in deprivation levels as it was also in the 10% least deprived in 2010 (IMD data, 2015)
• schools in Harrogate are high performing- 4/5 secondary schools rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted
• Harrogate very safe place to live, with crime falling between 2016-2017

Question 8

What’s an example of art that is a representation of Harrogate (place)?

Answer 8

Claire Baxter’s collection entitled ‘The Beauty of Harrogate’ includes cartoon-like paintings of characters enjoying famous attractions and landmarks around Harrogate including Betty’s, the Valley Gardens, the cenotaph and Hoopers Department store. Her paintings are all named and include titles such as: “Bring the sunshine”, “Dancing in the rain” and “Tea lovers”. In reference to this collection, Claire says: “these paintings are all set in Harrogate; many of the, are based on events, songs, memories, stories and all sorts of things swimming around in my head”

Question 9

Explain media representations of Harrogate regarding representations of place

Answer 9

• Harrogate’s introduction in the Lonely Planet for England:” The quintessential Victorian spa town, prim and pretty Harrogate has long been associated with a certain kind of old-fashioned Englishness- the kind that seems the preserve of retired army majors who take the Daily Telgraph and always vote Tory” went on to say “while it’s undoubtably true that Harrogate remains a firm favourite of visitors in their golden years, the town has plenty of smart hotels and trendy eateries catering to the boom in Harrogate’s newest trade- conferences. All those dynamic, young sales-and-marketing guns have to eat and sleep somewhere”
• Metro article “10 reasons Harrogate is the happiest place to live in the UK where article presents a romanticised view of Harrogate as a place of tea lovers, designer shoppers, friendly folk and low crime which coincides with BBC article: Harrogate named as the happiest place to live in Britain” which Harrogate won 3 years in a row

Question 10

Explain “lived experience” in the representation of Harrogate

Answer 10

• Harrogate-based lifestyle bloggers such as “Harrogate mama” share stories, tips, reviews and ideas about things to do around Harrogate, and in doing so, they champion local independent businesses which they feel are at the heart of what makes Harrogate such a special place
• issues relating to ‘NIMBYISM’- been a lot in press this year regarding opposition to proposed new housing developments around Harrogate including on the edge of Rossett Ward in Burn Bridge. ‘Duchy Residents Association Facebook page and often in local press opposing housing developments off Harlow Moor
• can refer to any conflict points

Question 11

Describe demographic change in Harrogate

Answer 11

Ageing population- Harrogate’s population is ageing. In 1981, 17% of population was 65+ and by 2011 this had increased to 19%. By 2035 it is predicted that 1 in 3 residents will be aged 65+, higher than national average of 1 in 4- Harrogate District profile 2016 (NYCC)

Question 12

What are the impacts of Harrogate’s ageing population?

Answer 12

• changes to services being trialled and planned to manage the increase in elderly people and meet their needs. Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust is to trial a new scheme to allow for more patients to be treated in their own homes- Harrogate CCG (clinical commissioning group) is stepping up measures to diagnose and intervene earlier with dementia patients, cutting waiting times and keeping people out of a hospital setting
• ageing population is reflected in the number of people who are registered in nursing homes. There are specialist dementia care homes and also many retirement and sheltered housing complexes plus a dementia estate/village in Pannal= INVESTMENT FLOW LEADING TO DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIAL CHANGE
• government policy of building low cost housing for first-time buyers, means HBC is promoting this policy and property developers are investing money building e.g. Harlow Hill/Duchy Area = EXAMPLE OF INVESTMENT FLOW AGAIN as likely to reduce age profile in these areas
• many social activities for over 60s including university of the third age, singing, dancing and ageing well projects

Question 13

Describe the change in the ethnic mix of Harrogate

Answer 13

• ethnic mix of Harrogate has changed in recent years which is linked to migration, particularly from Eastern Europe. 9% of the Harrogate district’s population were born outside of the UK and 5.3% arrived between 2001 and 2011
• in Low Harrogate Ward areas of the town, 3% of the population’s first language was Polish in 2011 (second largest percentage after English)
• Harrogate District is predominantly white (96%) but this has shown a 3% decrease from 2001
• most of migrants in Harrogate are of working age (15-34)= increasingly important in providing labour for the farming, care, hospitality and construction industries. But, as workers are often employed in low-paid jobs, finding affordable housing in Harrogate can be a problem

Question 14

What are the impacts of the change in the ethnic mix of Harrogate?

Answer 14

• most of the migrants in Harrogate are of working age (15-34 years). They are increasingly important in providing labour for the farming, care, hospitality and construction industries. As workers are often employed in low paid jobs, finding affordable housing in Harrogate can be a problem
• NYCC provides ESOL (English to speakers of other languages) courses
• ethnic mix also reflected in local services such as shops providing groceries for the local polish population (in the frame of the CBD) e.g. faith groups in the district have reported an increase in membership from ethnic minority groups

Question 15

Describe the location of Brick Lane

Answer 15

Brick Lane is in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and runs from Swanfield Street in the northern part of Bethnal Green

Question 16

Describe the Locale of Brick Lane

Answer 16

• renamed because locale earth used by Brick manufacturers in the 15th century
• by the 17th century it became a popular location for its Breweries
• Guidebooks says it it THE place to go for a curry
• has a Huguenot church, Methodist chapel, Jewish synagogue and Muslim mosque amongst traditional and new shops, restaurants, markets and homes
• it has developed a vibrant art and fashion scene- the Old Truman Brewery has transformed its vacant and derelict buildings into office, retail, leisure and event spaces

Question 17

Regarding demographic characteristics describe the overall population of Brick Lane

Answer 17

At the time of the 2011 census, the population for Spitalfields and Banglatown was 12,578 which accounted for almost 5% if the total population of Tower Hamlets- the population density in this ward was 145 people led hectare, higher than the Borough average of 129 people per hectare

Question 18

Regarding demographic characteristics, describe the age of Brick Lane

Answer 18

Notably high proportion of population in 20-40 year bracket (similar to inner London areas, because of the range of jobs available)

Question 19

Regarding demographic characteristics describe the ethnicity in Brick Lane

Answer 19

Now the heart of London’s Bangladeshi-Sylheti community: known as ‘Banglatown’. 41% Bangladeshi origin (higher than Borough average). Rich ethnic and religious mix as a result of migration

Question 20

Describe social characteristics and inequalities in Tower Hamlets

Answer 20

• Deprivation is widespread in Tower Hamlets- one of the most deprived areas in the country- reason= gentrification = poorer people have moved to the outskirts for lower housing costs and rents
• Spitalfields and Banglatown we’re ranked as most deprived Lower Super Output Area (LSOA) in all London in 2010 but relative improve,net since then- in 2015 it was in the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in the country, however even within the area, there is considerable variation
• children in poverty = 39.0% (England = 18.6%)

Question 21

How has art represented Brick Lane?

Answer 21

• cartographer Adam Dant’s map of Spitalfields (gives historic background)- pocket-sized map is the perfect companion for walking through the streets of Spitalfields, with fifty portraits of the people who make Spitalfields distinctive. Adam Dant said “we hope this map may assist te cartographic aesthetic to leap forward beyond the homogeneity of computerised rendering” = strong sense of place
• when Stik first made inroads on the London graffiti scene in 2003, he was homeless. 12 years later, the street artist has amassed a global portfolio and been touted as ‘the new Banksy’- with just 6 lines and 2 dots, Stick brings to life the walls of the city and tells the story of the people who live there e.g. on the underpass for the East cross Route in Hackney Wick is a family of stick figures which Stick said “it was a picture of all the people I knew, so it’s a depiction of us all in this really abandoned derelict space, because I wanted to show that people were living there- we were all squatting there, in abandoned buildings and this mural was a sign that it was our home

Question 22

How does the media represent Brick Lane?

Answer 22

Refer to conflict articles

Question 23

How does ‘lived experience’ represent Brick Lane?

Answer 23

• Local poet= Sally Flood’s the Brick Lane I see 1980

- 2011 personal well-being surgery- happiness increased as time goes on (refer to screenshot)

Question 24

How has the demographic and cultural characteristics of Brick Lane changed over time?

Answer 24

• 17th century influx French Huguenots (driven out of France) became famous for tailoring and weaving- haven for immigrants escaping persecution
• 19th and 20th centuries known for Irish and Jewish population
• more recently, a popular place for immigrants from Bangladesh and this has changed Brick Lane significantly: “Banglatown” e.g. Bengalis from Sylheti region (weekly Bangladeshi paper, Sylheter Dak has an office there)
• gentrification = EXAMPLE OF INVESTMENT FLOWS LEADING TO DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIAL CHANGE- many established restaurants in Brick Lane closed down due to high rates
• a local resident “ it was the Bangladeshis that made Brick Lane famous but soon it won’t be Brick Lane anymore if they keep moving out”
• previous immigrants like Huguenots and Jews chose to move out of their own accord when their fortunes improved- this isn’t the case for the Bangladeshis
• gentrification also having an impact on art, culture, and community. A local charity worker and resident said “art and culture and community is being flattened by money making machines. London is becoming a luxury business and commuter city without soul. Rich people bring money but they don’t bring anything else with them- no art, culture, no community spirit

Question 25

What conflicts have arisen in Brick Lane?

Answer 25

• anti-gentrification

- conflict between local Asian residents and neo-fascist groups

Question 26

What was source and date of anti-gentrification article?

Answer 26

The Guardian, September 2015

Question 27

Summarise the anti-gentrification article

Answer 27

• cereal killer cafe has made news for being attacked by protestors who saw it was a sign of over-gentrification
• demonstrators from class war threw paint at the shop and daubed graffiti on the windows- one of protestors said that Brick Lane demonstration was respinse to “the brutality of gentrification that is destroying the lives and demolishing the homes of London’s most vulnerable people”
• Bangladeshi community made Brick Lane famous for its curries is at risk of being torn apart- but while gentrification is usually blamed on the forces of capitalism, in this case, the driving force is an independent hospitality service
• Harnett and Pope’s (a locally designed fashion shop, open for 2 years) owner, Antony Pope says he would be very unhappy if protestors targeted him as he said doing business ethically is something he’s interested in- he applauds cereal killer cage,describing it as a great addition because it has attracted “the middle classes from Knightsbridge”, but he fears independent shops will be killed off by property development creep demonstrated by Boris Johnson’s decisions to intervene in the plans for seven luxury tower blocks abutting Brick Lane- Hackney’s mayor said he was disgusted by Johnson’s move in which he showed disregard for local businesses and residents
• nearby a local bakery’s owner thinks that gentrification is fantastic:”it was a bad area, very rough, now it is marvellous”
• assistant manager of local vintage store recognises the conflicts in the area (economic and socio-demographic) - “it’s a weird melting pot; you can see the poverty, people’s problem with alcohol, but it’s massively gentrified and that’s really jarring”- store employs bouncers at the weekend because there are so many people of all ages “wired”

Question 28

What was the source and date of Asian residents and neo-fascist groups conflict article?

Answer 28

Independent, 1999

Question 29

Summarise the Asian residents and neo-fascist groups conflict article

Answer 29

• for over 20 years, Brick Lane has been the scene of conflict between local Asian residents and neo-fascist groups, although in recent years, far-right extremists have only made sporadic attempts to recruit disenchanted white youth into the area
• “Brick Lane and its surrounding streets house some of the poorest people in Britain, yet within a few hundred yards to the West lies the city of London- the richest area of the UK”
• been signs of economic regeneration through tourism and around £10m of EU from European Parliament (NGO)- despite the gentrification attempts, Brick Lain remains exclusively Asian
• BRUTAL STABBING OF A 25 Y/O MACHINIST ALTAB ALI IN LATE SEVENTIES IN WHITECHAPEL was the catalyst for the beginning of a fightback from the Asian community
• area has always been haven for persecuted minorities and destination for newly arrived immigrants = ‘Banglatown’- council still fits flats with fire-proof letter boxes to prevent arson attack on Bangladeshi homes
• in May 1978, 7000 people marched behind his coffin to Downing Street to demand police protection; by end of the year, after a campaign of sit-down protestors, the National Front (far-right and fascist political party) was forced to leave its HQ in the area near Brick Lane
• Anti-Nazi league movement was born out of these events leading to splits with the National Front, then the dominant racist group
• emergence of new militancy among Asian youth dillusioned with they saw as ‘passivity’ of older generations

Question 30

What conflicts have arisen in Harrogate?

Answer 30

• proposed housing development

- reduction in Harrogate’s transport services

Question 31

What is the nature of conflict, the source and the date of proposed housing development article?

Answer 31

• nature= HBC proposed 277 houses to be built over ‘special landscape area’
• source= www.savecrimplevalley.org.uk
• date= Feb 2018

Question 32

Summarise the proposed housing development article

Answer 32

• Special Landscape Area that separates Pannal from Harrogate is yet again (since 2016) under threat of becoming Harrogate’s latest housing estate
• The Environment Agency have devised a flood risk map which indicates that part of the area identified for development is at high risk of flooding already and so this would be made worse with development of area due to increase in impermeable surfaces
• traffic already common on A61 going through Pannal- 227 house’s means approx 400 extra cars; people driving through Harrogate will find this commute intolerable = even harder to attract employment and tourists into the area
• Tourism- Crimple Valley forms a picturesque backdrop for those entering Harrogate on the main road and this links into town; proposed developments would significantly impact character and appearance of this landscape, to the detriment of both local residents and local tourism industry
• main argument= should HBC stop the policy of cramming in houses when a gap appears and start to plan the district’s growth in a more suitable well-thought out manner with more sensitivity- there comes a time when a village becomes full and loses its character and sense of place = placelessness

Question 33

What is the nature of conflict, source and date of article about reduction in Harrogate’s transport services

Answer 33

• nature= reduction in timetable of 24 bus from Harrogate to Pateley Bridge
• source= Harrogate advertiser
• date= July 2017

Question 34

Summarise article about article about reduction in Harrogate’s transport services

Answer 34

• Sunday buses scrapped and last Saturday bus was 6:40 now 5:30 and earliest weekday bus was 7:00 now 7:40
• parish council in hampsthwaite have raised concerns over access to public transport within this area-“it will make getting to work or travelling to Pateley Bridge much harder, while traders in the area will also be losing out as people visiting this area will find it difficult to
• raised concern also regarding inc car usage as a result = make congestion issue worse!
• on the last day of full, original timetable there was sit-down protest of commuters refusing to depart the bus but Harrogate Bus company still went ahead
• HBC attempted to justify cuts by stating that “the 24 route will be serviced by newly refurbished buses with free WiFi and USB charging sockets on board