h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hmmm... where to begin? Funny article, but it's a shame you detest Middlesborough with such bitterness.

I was born in Boro and lived here all my life apart from when I went away to Sheffield to study (and Sheffield isn't hugely better). Most of the people I knew at school have moved away, but I think that's a shame.

I'm not going to be all defensive about what you have written because a lot of it rings true, but in my opinion there are many skank holes down South too, and Billy Scally (or Billy Skank as I prefer) is a symptom in many places. My grandparents worked in heavy industry here and since that has disappeared, Boro has struggled to find its way, but that isn't necessarily its fault.

Boro people can be hard and downtrodden, but the economic situation here does that to them. I admire those that stay and try to make a life in Teesside rather than just leaving, and even here there are pockets of wealth, go to Marton or Yarm and see the big houses. If you don't turn into a skank, chances are you'd be the same person on Teesside that you would be anywhere.

As for good points about Boro, well the place is improving. The UGC is a great facility. Boro has a Forbidden Planet, which a lot of places don't. You can get most stuff cheaper here than down South. OK not big shakes but these elements are important to me. One thing about Teesside is that there is less competition, if you can grab an opportunity and are educated, you will probably go further, down South there's more ambition and more population! I also think the pace of life in Boro and the region is a bit more relaxed than in the South. You can slouch about without having to wear a suit etc. As for jobs, once again if you aren't a skank you probably have MORE opportunities than in a prosperous region.

All my friends (apart from two) have jobs I would describe as "non-menial". We also have the coast. I think there's a certain bleak charm to the place. I don't live in Boro I live in Saltburn but here in Redcar and East Cleveland the crime rate is below the national average and the towns are often quaint and pretty. Every foreigner you get in Saltburn seems to rave about the place.

Yes Boro has a drugs and crime problem but really everyone has to take responsibility for their community. It may sound naive to say it, but if you are concerned about people buying skag, it might be an idea to volunteer at drugs rehabilitation units, or pass on your education by assisting in literacy programmes. It's no good just moaning about a place and expecting someone else to sort it out.

So, I'm sure you're a good person, and Boro needs more people like you, and it needs people like you to have a bit of civic pride to turn the place around, and stay a resident, or Boro really will be Sodom and Gomorrah forever...

"Ask not what Boro can do for you, but what you can do for Boro".