Saturday, January 10, 2009

RAMSEY WHAT A WASTE OF SPACE!

Jacob's ladder maybe?


If you are here for skywatch it is the post below. I always like to have a reality check with the images. Pretty skies need to be balanced withe cold light of day photos. One from the socio economic pile- in other words the crappy side of life. 

Stairway to heaven, hell no

This is about as downtown as it gets. It's the harbour, West Quay a big chunk of nothing. I have no idea what used to be there and no idea if there are any plans for this space now. It is just there. The last thing we need here is more designer flats/ apartments that won't sell due to the economic downturn. We already have a pile of those empty quayside. What we could do with in this space is affordable accommodation mini market/cafe/fishmongers/grocers... anything but an empty space.  As for the ladder it was there for days just propped up against the wall.  I'm clueless about that too but it sort of suits the image, senseless, aimless, going nowhere.  Roll up with those metaphors and analogises.

Road to nowhere?

What is the oddest of all about this is the cleanliness of the place. Usually a space like this has graffiti scrawled over it, beers cans and chip wrappers discarded. Look at it. Almost as  if someone has swept it and washed the walls down.  To be honest I find that a little freaky.  In keeping with the sort of spooky scene I overexposed the sky just to have cast that white blast over the scene to give it an unsophisticated look. It reminds me of '60s British cinema( when we made proper films) when the working class found a voice and we recognised not everyone lives in London wears a bowler hat or is a chimney sweep. Well it would do if it wasn't so freaky clean, er like a film set.

Wish you were here?

Any suggestions what you think this Ramsey waste of space should be maybe like a drop in centre for addicted to toadstools(?) Manx Fairies then do have your say and I'll be sure to put it to tender. 

Read between the lines

Is there anybody out there? Just doing it My way.  Whatever that is.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

The title made me jump, the image mad me sad. Plain lazy not to create new business. Douglas cherry picks. You are sailing close to the wind with this post. Well said, but expect a backlash.

Debbie Courson Smith said...

You've planted the seeds...and issued the challenge!

Anonymous said...

LB,

Boston is swelling with this kind of wasteland scene. Tell it like it is girl.

Anonymous said...

Fu.

George said...

Ramsey isn't the only place with spaces like that. Over here they are usually not that clean. But they are usually a prelude to something that is not needed.

gogouci said...

Salem is becoming notorious for erecting drive through coffee shacks in what seems to be every vacant level area around town.

CrazyCow said...

How about re-claiming it for Mother Nature?

So... a beautiful garden with pathways, bird feeders and a bench or two, where one can escape from the crazyness of the world and re-connect with one's inner self.

Since we can't afford to spend at the moment, we could benefit from being encouraged to slow down a little and just take contemplate.

Just a thought.

chrome3d said...

It´s a scene Joseph Losey could have had in one of his "proper" films. There must be a hidden secret in it´s emptiness. There always is in the movies.

Maria Verivaki said...

maybe it looks better in colour...

laxeylass said...

It will be another 10 years before this is renovated. I agree missed opportunity.

Anonymous said...

A memorial garden might be nice.

Jane Hards Photography said...

Crazy cow- Of course a better idea in this economic climate, back to mother nature. Nice thought.

magiceye said...

indeed a very mysterious image! lovely!

Tanya Breese said...

Plow it down and plant a garden :)
The picture goes perfectly with the gloomy post.

Anonymous said...

The truth falls on deaf in on the island.

Anonymous said...

The truth falls on deaf in on the island.

Dragonstar said...

It's strange, I agree. We have a gap on Main Street where a small building was removed, but it's not as neat as this.

Saretta said...

Is space ever wasted, Babooshka? Why not just let it be? Appreciate it for its very openness, the void? It gave you a great photo, what more do you want from it? ;-)

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Thanks for the visit Babooshka. I'm with Brad. Boston IS a wasteland. But give it a couple of years with reduced or no refuse collection and it will be full of crap and rats. Unless....I have an idea..... Why not build flats and a nice shopping precinct!

Virginia said...

I'm for markets or a city garden. May be a dumb idea since I don't know much about your area. We need to see photos from the other side. I have one waiting that will jar you B.
V

Jane Hards Photography said...

Saretta - In this case it is very wasted space. Ramsey is too small a town with little amenities for us not to utilise the town area. We have plenty os sea beach, parks, nature reserves, loads open area but without a susatainable economy, no one will be able to live here and appreciate the abundance of natural space we do have. It is town that is dying and we need this issue needs adressing.

V- The other side is the one and only high St. Guess what an empty shop. As I said a waste of space. As you know I'm all for the good space I have now, but with no economy...

Unknown said...

Perhaps the council are going to put up a statue of you there, as you're now the most famous Manx!

Jane Hards Photography said...

Gail's Man- No chance I'm a Brummie not Manx. I won't stop them though if they want to take up the idea. Sarcastic me?

Anonymous said...

I'd love to see the concrete taken up and it turned into a little garden. You could do a lot with a space like that.

roentare said...

This is such a joy to read your story and view the pic

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