Councillor's challenge to Top Gear: put me in your reasonably priced car and I'll show you Christchurch isn't just for old people (From Thisisdorset)
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Councillor's challenge to Top Gear: put me in your reasonably priced car and I'll show you Christchurch isn't just for old people
11:44am Thursday 28th February 2013 in News
Councillor's challenge to Top Gear: put me in your reasonably priced car and I'll show you Christchurch isn't just for old people
AN episode of Top Gear filmed in Christchurch was criticised by borough councillors, insisting Christchurch was not just full of old people.
Presenters Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond were in the historic borough famed for its elderly population, designing a car especially tailored for older people.
The show went out on Sunday night and featured three pensioners from Sunrise Senior Living of Southbourne, in Bournemouth.
Cllr Ray Nottage, leader of the council, questioned at a meeting of the full council on Tuesday, why Christchurch was portrayed as “some sort of extension to a massive old people's home.”
He also invited the cheeky pair to put a councillor in a reasonably priced car.
Addressing the Mayor of Christchurch, Cllr Peter Hall, he said: “If you experienced as I did the BBC presentation of Christchurch on Top Gear on Sunday evening, you as I am sure, would wonder why this dynamic, vibrant community is constantly described as some sort of extension to a massive old people's home.
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“So just by way of advice I wonder if you agree with me that our audit and scrutiny committee should call Clarkson and Hammond before them so that they can better appreciate our young people, our dynamic economy, brilliant schools and great community, indeed all the fantastic attributes of this borough in a much more balanced way.
“It could be that we could ask Top Gear to put a councillor in a reasonably priced car.
“I did see that Clarkson had to journey to Bournemouth to find some delightful, and I have to say, elderly ladies and why he did not display his infamous and as he describes aphrodisiac hand brake turn while they luxuriated in the back seat of his vehicle.”
The show saw the car fanatics transform a Fiat Multipla into a car fit for elderly people, painting it the same colour as a hearing aid, installing comfy armchairs in the back, with a cat cage on the roof.
The transformed vehicle was then driven around the borough and up to Westbourne to the bingo hall there as well.
Comments(42)
Hessenford
says...
12:18pm Thu 28 Feb 13
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Really, have you ever tried to get into a post office on a Monday morning, cant move for wrinklies.
skydriver
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12:19pm Thu 28 Feb 13
mmmmmmm wrote:Em maybe, although he is one of those the programme spoke of.
Is Mr Nottage a reptillian overlord?
Over the hill, comes to mind.
master plan
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12:22pm Thu 28 Feb 13
HRH of Boscombe
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12:22pm Thu 28 Feb 13
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Who on Earth would be interested in seeing a councillor on Top Gear? Last week Lewis Hamilton this week some old nugget from Christchurch! Great.
skydriver
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12:30pm Thu 28 Feb 13
HRH of Boscombe wrote:Well said, this man really thinks a lot of himself, trouble is he thinks he does a great job.......
Hardly a spring chicken himself. Christchurch is Gods waiting room. It's nice though when you want somewhere quiet and peaceful.
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Who on Earth would be interested in seeing a councillor on Top Gear? Last week Lewis Hamilton this week some old nugget from Christchurch! Great.
AD2007
says...
12:33pm Thu 28 Feb 13
Top Gear is a bit of fun, it could have been worse they could have been building a boy racer car for the Westover Circuit!
Telscombe Cliffy
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12:34pm Thu 28 Feb 13
richt
says...
12:41pm Thu 28 Feb 13
point--of--view
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12:50pm Thu 28 Feb 13
Telscombe Cliffy wrote:It’s ironic that Christchurch Hospital is in the process of being sold off to build yet more expensive OAP homes. Another 156 in total.
The town is what it is, a retirement town. Industry and jobs for younger people have diminished over the years. Christchurch also acts as a centre for retired people in Highcliffe and Barton etc. Even the tourists it attracts now are mainly older as family attractions have dissappeared such as Tucktonia and Pontins. Both replaced by guess what -housing occupied by again mainly older people. Permissions for these changes must have been made by the Council so you reap what you sow as they say. What is the average age of decision making councillors I wonder?
MJD
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1:04pm Thu 28 Feb 13
Bambamthe1st
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1:19pm Thu 28 Feb 13
speedy231278
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1:20pm Thu 28 Feb 13
Highway Engineer
says...
1:33pm Thu 28 Feb 13
Telscombe Cliffy
says...
1:44pm Thu 28 Feb 13
Highway Engineer wrote:Hope I've got a fine head of hair like that when I'm 70.
At over 70 (DoB reported at 1941) Cllr Ray Nottage is one of the old people of Christchurch
arti273
says...
1:53pm Thu 28 Feb 13
Either he just wants to get on the telly (do something worthwhile and that will happen) or have a drive around Dunsfold (available for £49). If he really insists on wasting anymore public funded time on this, then he should be challenging Executive Producer Andy Wilman. Andy will have mapped out much of the production plan and ideas for the feature and his line producer will have chosen Christchurch as a filming location. JC and Hammond just turn up and do two days filming as per their contract with BBC Worldwide. I've always found Andy's responses to this sort of critisism very interesting and measured.
Every part of the world has a reputation for something. Christchurch's could be a lot lot worse.
Lord Spring
says...
1:56pm Thu 28 Feb 13
Telscombe Cliffy wrote:Can you see the join.
Highway Engineer wrote:Hope I've got a fine head of hair like that when I'm 70.
At over 70 (DoB reported at 1941) Cllr Ray Nottage is one of the old people of Christchurch
skydriver
says...
1:56pm Thu 28 Feb 13
Highway Engineer wrote:Is that all he is!
At over 70 (DoB reported at 1941) Cllr Ray Nottage is one of the old people of Christchurch
BIGTONE
says...
1:57pm Thu 28 Feb 13
Telscombe Cliffy wrote:I can't see the join......
Highway Engineer wrote:Hope I've got a fine head of hair like that when I'm 70.
At over 70 (DoB reported at 1941) Cllr Ray Nottage is one of the old people of Christchurch
skydriver
says...
1:58pm Thu 28 Feb 13
Telscombe Cliffy wrote:At a guess 70 plus........unless they would to tell us otherwise.
The town is what it is, a retirement town. Industry and jobs for younger people have diminished over the years. Christchurch also acts as a centre for retired people in Highcliffe and Barton etc. Even the tourists it attracts now are mainly older as family attractions have dissappeared such as Tucktonia and Pontins. Both replaced by guess what -housing occupied by again mainly older people. Permissions for these changes must have been made by the Council so you reap what you sow as they say. What is the average age of decision making councillors I wonder?
HRH of Boscombe
says...
2:17pm Thu 28 Feb 13
AD2007 wrote:Lol I've worked in London 10yrs plus now. The opinion is generally the same even for Bmth. I keep trying to tell them it's a Uni town now but the opinion still remains.
Christchurch and Bournemouth has always been known as being full of oldies. Top Gear is a bit of fun, it could have been worse they could have been building a boy racer car for the Westover Circuit!
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Funny though I don't think anyone outside of Bmth would've heard of the Westover circuit.
HRH of Boscombe
says...
2:20pm Thu 28 Feb 13
Telscombe Cliffy wrote:OMG Tucktonia!! Now you have made me feel old.
The town is what it is, a retirement town. Industry and jobs for younger people have diminished over the years. Christchurch also acts as a centre for retired people in Highcliffe and Barton etc. Even the tourists it attracts now are mainly older as family attractions have dissappeared such as Tucktonia and Pontins. Both replaced by guess what -housing occupied by again mainly older people. Permissions for these changes must have been made by the Council so you reap what you sow as they say. What is the average age of decision making councillors I wonder?
WOC
says...
3:36pm Thu 28 Feb 13
hadvar
says...
3:51pm Thu 28 Feb 13
WOC wrote:More people would tune in to see that, than to see him do a lap.
I'd happily run him over in a reasonably priced car!
The Witch
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4:49pm Thu 28 Feb 13
Lord Spring
says...
5:33pm Thu 28 Feb 13
The Witch wrote:Are you old one, Hitler tried to get rid of with me when I was young, I am a wrinklie and enjoying life, join in it is fun
See once again the often repeated comments on here about wrinklies. We all will grow old one day, it is a fact of life. What would you have done with the oldens, have them put down at a certain age? Hitler lives on!!
Justin Black
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9:19pm Thu 28 Feb 13
Of course Christchurch is full of elderly people, the Census tells us that. There is nothing whatsoever in Christchurch for the younger generations. Clarkson and co. were just trying to put a bit of humour in this life where the current government don't care about old people, or anyone who is not a millionaire.
And why the hell would Top Gear wish to put a Councillor in a car round their test track, or is this a ploy to get oneself on TV again?
GAHmusic
says...
11:22pm Thu 28 Feb 13
Sadrojc
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12:21am Fri 1 Mar 13
miniminime
says...
7:36am Fri 1 Mar 13
Sadrojc wrote:Well said. The councillor is pathetic
Clarkson is clarkson, whatever he says he is going to upset somebody, and if you think he is going to say something that might get to you then don't watch him or let him in your town/country. I think he is a great presenter, for seven weeks at a time we get a break from months of X factor, dancing on ice, countless celebrity program's (with so called celebrities I have never heard of), Britons got talent, ect for just one hour a week where three guys have a laugh and a bit of fun. Don't take clarkson to seriously. WHAT'S THE PROBLEM? Keep it up guys love the show.
skydriver
says...
8:34am Fri 1 Mar 13
Justin Black wrote:I agree, he should quit but I doubt he will he is on a nice little earner, has a lot to say upsets lots of people, and a pocket full of expenses as well. It is some regret this man will not go until he is pushed..........roll on next election.
Councillor Nottage, isn't it time you did everyone a favour and let someone else take over as Leader.
Of course Christchurch is full of elderly people, the Census tells us that. There is nothing whatsoever in Christchurch for the younger generations. Clarkson and co. were just trying to put a bit of humour in this life where the current government don't care about old people, or anyone who is not a millionaire.
And why the hell would Top Gear wish to put a Councillor in a car round their test track, or is this a ploy to get oneself on TV again?
The Timelord
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9:11am Fri 1 Mar 13
woby_tide
says...
10:32am Fri 1 Mar 13
Justin Black wrote:It is worrying that the leader of the Council isn't even aware of the demographics he represents. Suggests he isn't fit for the job anymore if he is confounded by the statistics that prove he is wrong.
Councillor Nottage, isn't it time you did everyone a favour and let someone else take over as Leader.
Of course Christchurch is full of elderly people, the Census tells us that. There is nothing whatsoever in Christchurch for the younger generations. Clarkson and co. were just trying to put a bit of humour in this life where the current government don't care about old people, or anyone who is not a millionaire.
And why the hell would Top Gear wish to put a Councillor in a car round their test track, or is this a ploy to get oneself on TV again?
chiefwolf2
says...
1:29pm Fri 1 Mar 13
ch IS full of old people ... everybody knows that!!!!!!!! .....and more importantly.... so what if JC says something negative... everything he says is taken with a pinch of salt...... or digestion tablets... if you live in Christchurch! :)
ghvf
says...
2:22pm Fri 1 Mar 13
Sitting in the fast lane driving at 20mph because they are turning right a mile down the road....well th list goes on forever. However, we love them really !!
Keffect
says...
2:36pm Fri 1 Mar 13
Victor_Meldrew_ Jnr
says...
6:29pm Fri 1 Mar 13
Isn't it time you stopped being an embarrassment to Christchurch. Stop now before you do anymore damage to this Borough, or cause any further embarassment to your fellow Councillors, and the Borough.as a whole.
Yankee1
says...
11:21pm Fri 1 Mar 13
James May would applaud the fantastic choir at the Priory. James would love Christchurch.
The first two are merely making money by being offensive. That is their schtick. Both would retire here in a nanosecond.
Remember their words when they do.
Sins66
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12:55pm Sun 3 Mar 13
Yankee1
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11:37pm Sun 3 Mar 13
'Christchurch East'.
Even the main drag is called Christchurch Rd.
If all else fails, I understand property is cheap in Hull.
Victor_Meldrew_Lives!
says...
1:55pm Mon 4 Mar 13
Have you ever been to Sainsburys at lunchtime??
There is a word I could use to describe this but my nemesis would get offended by an innocuous word.
Loyal2AFCB
says...
4:23pm Mon 4 Mar 13
Telscombe Cliffy wrote:Quite right. Successive Councils over the years have actively marketed the town as a place to retire to (Where Time Is Pleasant) against the wishes of local people who wanted a living working town. The likes of Nottage are the problem, not the solution.
The town is what it is, a retirement town. Industry and jobs for younger people have diminished over the years. Christchurch also acts as a centre for retired people in Highcliffe and Barton etc. Even the tourists it attracts now are mainly older as family attractions have dissappeared such as Tucktonia and Pontins. Both replaced by guess what -housing occupied by again mainly older people. Permissions for these changes must have been made by the Council so you reap what you sow as they say. What is the average age of decision making councillors I wonder?
mmmmmmm says...
12:01pm Thu 28 Feb 13