Our town gets compared to nuclear disaster zone Chernobyl…we’re fighting to tear down eyesores but we'd never leave | The Sun
ANGRY residents have hit back after their quiet, leafy town was compared to the nuclear disaster city of Chernobyl.
Mitcheldean in rural Gloucestershire was described as a "low-key dump" by online urban explorers Turdtowns, who seek out Britain's worst places to live.
But residents of Mitcheldean say every day is a holiday and people cycle 30 miles to visit the tiny town with its row of Tudor-style houses and medieval church.
The Turdtown video focuses on two buildings, the former George Hotel, now just a pile of rubble, and a rundown unoccupied residence opposite.
Residents have launched a petition to put pressure on council planners to remove the eyesores which are damaging the town’s reputation.
Mitcheldean stands to the West of the River Severn, 12 miles from Gloucester and at the entrance to the Forest of Dean where people still live a simple country life.
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On the other side of the river, but still in Gloucestershire, are the Cotswolds – home to royalty, film stars and celebrities including David and Victoria Beckham.
Mitcheldean's only claim to fame is it was once home to a Rank Xerox photocopier factory which, at its peak, employed 5,000 people.
The video presenter says: "You've probably never heard of it because it's a low-key kind of dump that usually goes under the radar for this sort of thing.
"It's so jarring, run down and ugly. It's the a******e of nowhere, we felt genuinely depressed here and couldn't wait to leave."
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Locals accused the Turdtown team of spending just 10 minutes in the town and doing zero research.
The urban explorers admit they went to Mitcheldean by mistake but ended up giving it top spot in the league of the worst places to live in Gloucestershire.
Sun Online spent a day in the crime-free town and didn’t spot a single scrap of litter in the entire high street as its 2,776 residents went about their daily business.
District nurse Megan Blewitt, 36, said: “The biggest issue here is the pile of rubble that used to be the George Hotel and the derelict building opposite.
“If they sorted them out it would improve things, but I’ve lived here all my life and I love it.
“You can wave to anyone in the village and they’ll wave back at you.”
Mum-of-three Megan, is chairperson of Mitcheldean Early Learners which gained an “outstanding” rating in a recent OFSTED report.
“Both schools here are excellent,” she said. “It’s an amazing place to live.”
CHERNOBYL INSULT'
Security officer David Hardy, 65 said: "Technically Mitcheldean is a town but I always think of it as a village.
"We've all seen this video and it's disrespectful, they were probably only here for 10 minutes."
School lollipop lady Anne Sysum(CORR), 64, said: “The site of the old George Hotel is an eyesore but you can’t judge the whole town on that.
“Everyone’s talking about this YouTube video slating the town but it’s got a lot going for it.
“Saying it’s like Chernobyl is an insult.”
The market town has a butcher who delivered to old folk during lockdown, two pubs, a library, two supermarkets and a couple of takeaways.
Retired engineer Patrick Price, 69, said: “Our problem is what is left of the village pub and what they are going to do about it.
“Plans keep getting put forward but the council block them. They need to sort it out.
“But I’ve lived here for 30 years – it’s a thriving community and nothing like the video on the internet.”
Retired engineering company public relations executive Richard Mortimer, 71, said: “I’ve lived here 30 years, it’s a lovely place with lots going on.
“I think this video of the town is a kind of internet trolling – it’s nonsense, they've not done any research."
Estate agent Dan Smith, 31, said: “The first impression is that Mitcheldean is a bit run down but that’s only because of two buildings in the centre of town.
“It’s a lovely place to live and people want to move here. It’s great for young families.”
Businessman Pat Lock, 59, runs a small cider making operation in the former Rank Xerox factory.
He said: “When I first came to Mitcheldean it was like every day was a holiday.
“The people who came here to make the video saw a couple of rundown buildings and thought that was it.
“But we had an event for the Coronation in the village and people cycled 30 miles to get here.”
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Mum-of-two Sam Harris, 34, said: "I've seen the video and it's sad that these things are being said about Mitcheldean. I've been here 31 years – it's a lovely place to live."
Mitchedean beat Newent, Kingswood in Bristol, Stroud, Cinderford and Gloucester to the title of top "Turd Town" in Gloucestershire.
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