As you approach this leafy farm town out in the far west edge of Oxfordshire, you would be forgiven to think that this pretty little market town would be a suitable area to rest your weary head during the out of hours from a busy hectic life. You would be forgiven, of course, because I made the same (admittedly) poor judgment of Faringdon.
The streets are lined with cottages and townhouses built from Cotswold Stone. The pubs are as traditional as they get. The cafe’s have also won awards for their cuisine. On the face of it, this place seems like country heaven, especially for a city worker who doesn’t mind the (almost) reasonable drive into London.
Once you have been through the processes of buying or renting a property, however, things take a slightly darker turn. During the day you would think you live in a painting of perfection, but as darkness descends over the Folly the little scroats descend into the marketplace and carpark ready to wreak havoc across every person brave enough to venture out into these cold, dark streets.
Yes, it sounds strange that such a haven for the retired and exhausted could become a nightmare, but once you have experienced the average Friday evening when you attempt to go to Budgens to get those items you forgot on your last big shop, you will understand. Nestling in the carpark adjacent to the entrance to the shop you will find a small handful of Chav Street Urchins that will heckle your every move and all you will see through the stock-issue Nike Hood is piercing eyes fixated back at you. As the darkness comes in, the small handful will gradually increase, as will the sound of top quality MP3′s being blasted like a tortured cat from each of their Mobile Phones until eventually they will be eating chips and spitting in droves at passers by.
Nothing ends the evening like a fight and an ambulance or police car, and Faringdon never fails to disappoint here – the sounds of sirens often spell the evening alarm for the local ‘youff’ telling them it is now time for curfew, but only before they have a good peer at what is happening and who will be carted away by either stretcher or cuff.
So, all you migratory city folk beware, Faringdon – as pretty as it is – has an ever increasing Chav population which you will only see at evenings – which is the down side – this is when you are home.
Have to say, aside from the content of this particular article, I’m slightly shocked by this website’s unashamed demonisation of working class kids. Seems like a wholly negative idea to me, even if people who love a bit of a bigoted whine every now and then are able to get their kicks here. Bet it gave you a right rush writing that little piece.
Well I blame you Pete,all that jumping up and down on stage doing windmills with your electric guitar and stuff ?out of your face with old Moon the Loon on speed,what kind of egzample do you think that sets ay?Bit hypocritical arent you?then there was that nasty buisness with your computer and little kiddies……say no more.
yes ok
Blasphemy!
Faringdon is simply historic market town which is being rapidly forced into expanding and modernising itself. The minority of troubled youths which inhabit the Budgens car park are harmless, even though largely frowned upon by the community. There is a sweeping generalisation targeted solely at the younger members of the Faringdon community, we will not be accepted into this derogatory sub-category of immaturity!
Madness!
I put it to you, sir/madam, that Faringdon Community College (www.fcc.oxon.sch.uk/) is recognised as an outstanding school via Ofsted. FCC has several awards in the last few years for its high achieving students. Many students who then return to Faringdon Sixth Form and then continue to some of the best universities in the country. These members of society (aged 11 – 18) are not the “Chav Street Urchins” you described.
Redemption!
As i mentioned earlier Faringdon is rapidly increasing in size, this doesn’t help when people under the age of 18 are turned away from the various venues within the community. Faringdon has recently started a youth centre, once this operation is in full swing this will greatly decrease the number of lost teens who currently have a limited number of places to go. On the creative side of the teen community, a local band of respectful and charming young men have recently took part in the raising of over £10,000 for the Help for Heros charity. This group, known as Hands Down, try to encourage local venues to accommodate events to allow people of all ages to integrate amongst themselves.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hands-Down/134428823247590
http://www.myspace.com/handsdown-uk
Regards
Lesse Hobie & Jewie Dilsdon
The “Anon” at the top, that was me who got put in hospital by that crazy fool. But back to the subject, Faringdon is not a bad place to live. I know for a fact that what you are saying is wildly exaggerated. Your shallow stereotypes are pathetic and, frankly, annoying. Also, fights are not a regular occurrence. I’m not saying they don’t happen, just that they don’t often happen, and that when they do its usually alcohol based which happens everywhere all over the world. People have disagreements, and through impulse often resort to violence. That is not just Faringdon.
I’ve lived here pretty much my whole life, I’m 16, and I like it here, so man up.
75% of it’s residents are not welcoming. They are only welcoming to those of the same age group. Anybody younger then 30 is considered common and not relevant. The old battle axe in the Bakery is proof of that. Prejudging everybody who walks into her shop. What about that area near the CostCutters? Or the Petrol station? No, they aren’t chavs at all. They all got pregnant at 14 by immaculate conception.
Oh, and didn’t I read somewhere that your ex-mayor rigged a pill-box which landed two 16 year olds in hospital? You stay classy, Faringdon. If the chavs don’t wreck the town the crazy old folk will.
The comments made here are actually pretty true. I myself have had the priviledge of going to Faringdon as my ex girlfriend used to live there, I myself am from down south. Most of the town is really lovely, as described the pubs, cafes, shops and housing and lovely. But the dark side of Faringdon is pretty much down to one key estate. One estate that has a huge reputation and one you wouldn’t dare go into at night. The ‘Leas’ estate. This is home to pretty much the whole population of chav culture in Faringdon. It’s territory that they defend with their lives. Unfortunately at nights the spill out into the beautiful town of Faringdon and cause a hell of a lot of trouble. I’ve been there 5 times and have already seen it happen. But overall this town is beautiful and 75% of residents are welcoming. If this estate didn’t exist i’m sure this town wouldn’t be on here.
This is outragous rubbish. It is a complete exaggeration. Yes, there are a bunch of diehard idiots who tend to hang around the back door of Budgens – they call themselves The Budgens Crue, no less
– and I’m not going to suggest you hug one of them and they will go away happy, but there are only a few. Ignore them.
Faringdon is full of people who do the best for it. People who organise the Arts Festival for example, and the town councillors who do what they can for the town for no pay. There are lots of organisations in the town which are run by volunteers – the community bus (not just for old people, by the way), the cycle club, the dramatic society to name just a few of them.
Faringdon is no worse than anywhere. Get it into perspective.