West resort battles against poor image
But this month the North Somerset town came under fire from Cotswold-based comedian Dom Joly and, perhaps more importantly, its most famous son – Monty Python star John Cleese.
Joly slammed the place as “Weston-not-so-super-Mare” saying it was a “destination of the desperate.”
While Cleese, who grew up in Weston-super-Mare, commented that it was not what it used to be and had gone downhill.
He said he much preferred the beautiful area of Clifton in Bristol.
Now residents have hit out at the comments saying their hometown is a fantastic place to live.
Several online groups have been set up to recognise how great Weston-super-Mare is and they have attracted hundreds of members from across the country.
Town council leader Keith Morris has defended his town.
He said: “I am very disappointed that he should make such disparaging remarks about his home town. I wonder just how much time he spent walking around Weston, I suspect very little. “There are, of course, many current problems affecting the town, especially the essential works to the sea front which, when completed, will greatly improve the appearance of the area as well as protecting many thousands of properties from flooding.”
The town is currently undergoing a revamp, whereby tens of thousands of pounds are being ploughed into giving the old Birnbeck Pier a much needed facelift.
There is also a £30m development project under way at the former Tropicana site, which will see it reopening as a hotel, restaurant, cinema and swimming pool. Despite this, the town has struggled to shift its image as a humdrum resort.
During his visit to nearby Bristol this month, Cleese, who now lives in the United States, was heard to say: “I was very disappointed. It's really not very beautiful any more. There used to be bits of it that were lovely.”
Cleese's comments come just weeks after fellow West comedian Dom Joly slated the town.
The former Trigger Happy TV star dedicated his national newspaper column to insulting the Weston after spending a day filming a golf DVD.
During his time in the town he saw a mud rescue and suggested the teenagers who got stuck were heading towards Wales and said their tears were probably due to the fact that they were made to go back to Weston.
He then moved on to attacking the town's teenagers, mocking their attempts at free-running in the park and describing them as “feral”.
Residents have hit back at the claims, saying they love living in the town.
A group set up on the social networking site Facebook entitled We love Weston-super-Mare has attracted almost 1,500 members and reams of comments praising the town.
Louis Macrides, who grew up in Weston Mare in the 70s and 80s, said: “I loved Weston as a kid. It was one big adventure. The pier, the woods, the Winter Gardens and the seafront.”
One thing's for sure – the summer months are bustling in Weston. Charlotte Smith added: “Only true Westoners know how amazing this place is.”
Weston-super-Mare is home to the International Sand Sculpture festival. Fans also point to the annual T4 on the Beach festival which took place earlier this month.
More than 40,000 revellers flocked to the town from across the country. Organisers say the resort is the perfect location.
Later on in the year the town hosts the Weston Beach Race and the carnival, in which more than 100 floats parade through the streets at night in a spectacular display.
A Weston-super-Mare tourism spokesman said: “The wide sweep of Weston Bay has miles of clean sandy beach, traditional seaside attractions and beautiful countryside.
“Revisit your childhood, let your hair down and introduce your children to a great British tradition – a trip to the seaside at Weston.”
The Wurzels concur: “I'm off to sunny Weston-super-Mare. They say you'll always find a welcome way down there. From this lovely sandy bay. I'll walk along the promenade. Forget that country lane. Just write and tell the folks back home. I won't be back again.”
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