BBC 2 - The Mighty Redcar

[Gathursty]

I watched it last week and this documentary is gripping. Plus there is plenty of 80s mus8c references and of course, lots of moving images of Pacers on the Saltburn branch!

Anyone else watching it?
What do you think?

 

[DarloRich]

I think it is pretty good.

 

[Condor7]

Saw the first episode last week and just watched episode 2 last night. Love it.

 

[DarloRich]

Got to say I was a bit worried it would be a hatchet job and a bit of thick, northern, poverty porn for metropolitan types to chortle over but it is actually really good showing decent people trying hard to make their lives better despite all the problems they face

 

[Typhoon]

I approached the programme with apprehension having read reviews of Benefits Street and Benefits By The Sea (and knowing something of the area where Benefits Street was filmed). I have seen the first three episodes and thought the individuals were dealt with fairly. I don't know the area (I've been to Hartlepool and Middlesbrough but not Redcar) but clearly the majority of the young people featured want to get on through their own effort and talent, even getting on a plane to look for work (to almost quote a former Minister). Also impressive were the adults who were willing to put in a real effort to help them. What was disappointing was that so many felt that their future lay elsewhere. I've walked the coast from Filey to Staithes so I know its a very attractive part of the world. I thought the Northern Powerhouse was supposed to tackle this problem; does it not stretch outside Leeds and Manchester (and the occasional other city); has it disappeared into a cloud of evening newspapers; are we too far from the next election? If these young people are even vaguely representative of the people of Redcar then the country is missing out on a great deal of determination, skill and character.

I wish these young people well - they deserve better!

 

[dievoyagerdie]

I thought it was good. Being from a council estate in a northern town not too far from Redcar I was expecting it to be full of those who suffer from the victim mentality where I come from.

People who expect success to be handed to them on a plate and who simply blame 'the Tories' for everything that's wrong in their lives. People who still whinge about the coal mines being closed (as if they'd last a day working in a mine if they did have the opportunity).

There was only a whiff of victimhood but a majority I thought was positive. People trying to better themselves and taking responsibility and action to make it in life. Good for them.

 

[AlterEgo]

I was appalled at the mother of the black girl who let those women raise all that money, helped her get a scholarship and was on the cusp of sending her to a magnificent school, before finally deciding the daily costs for her were too expensive.

Fancy dangling that opportunity in front of your daughter’s face and then yanking it away.

Why didn’t she do the maths before everyone pitched in to help?

 

[Puffing Devil]

I was appalled at the mother of the black girl who let those women raise all that money, helped her get a scholarship and was on the cusp of sending her to a magnificent school, before finally deciding the daily costs for her were too expensive.

Fancy dangling that opportunity in front of your daughter’s face and then yanking it away.

Why didn’t she do the maths before everyone pitched in to help?

To be fair, I think she knew it was not feasible from day one and the supporters got carried away in the moment to get their girl to the school. The supporters should have looked into the total cost, not just the fees. Watching the initial segments I thought the school was boarding, as the daily journey from Redcar to York would be punishing, even without the cost burden.