Listen to Wayne (Need help?)I've lived in Clive Street since 1976. I run a newsagent, off license and a general store, which I've done for the last seventeen years. Believe it or not, the shop is like a community centre down here. The people will come in just for a chat and talk about day to day things. It's like a barber shop - Grangetown's version of the Desmond's.
I most like the friendly atmosphere we have down here, or we used to have I should say. There's a lot of new people who've come in to Grangetown, and they just don't seem like the kind of people I grew up.
When I came to Grangetown there was a neighbour who lived a couple of doors away from here. She used to organise days out for the kids who lived around this area. Those were fond memories. People were just friendly.
What I don't like personally is that there's not enough police in the area. That is my main concern for Grangetown now. There's not enough police patrolling the area to observe the activities going on.
Another problem is that the back lane behind Clive Street used to be a designated play area for the kids. I used to play there when I was a kid. Now there's a load of vehicles driving up and down the lane.
It's not safe for the kids to play there anymore. They should do something for children. I don't know whether it's a youth club or community centre, but they need to do something to get the kids off the street.
your comments
Shuaib Said from Grangetown
I agree with Wayne aswell in the back lane there is no cameras or lights. People set off fires and it is not safe to go there at night. So I think there should be more police around.
Mike McGhan
I grew up in that lane and it's part of Grangetown - it's nice.
Sihaam from Grangetown
I agree with Wayne - there is not a lot of police in this area so it is not safe for children to be walking alone.There should be a youth club for children and teenagers to just hang out together to meet more people. A lot of people are kind but we cant get to know them properly because there are not enough police so their parents won't let them play alone.
Chezzy da Grass, Oakley bra !
Wayne is right , Every time I Grassed someone they was allways in da lane doing wrong , LOL !!!
Aaron Davenport from Grangetown
I also live in Grangetown and I totally agree on Wayne's points. They really do need a comunity centre or something down here because a lot of the teenagers and adults are now doing drugs around here. They are also hanging around in gangs waiting for someone that basically they can just pick on and I hope they do something about it all.
Mandy, Grangetown
I agree - Clive Lane is a waste of land. The council I'm sure could turn it into a more community focused area. They should get planners in to design maybe parkland/gardens that would be locked to stop fly tipping. It can't be pleasant for the people of Clive Street and it's a shame as most of the houses seem to have improved greatly in the last couple of years. As Mary says, people need to be involved and ask for improvements and lobby councillors and MPs.
Sagal Arwo from Grangetown
I agree with Wayne as well. There is not enough for us guys as teens to do. There used to be a homely community atmosphere yet all that has changed now. It has become more like a retailing mega store. I myself am 1 of 5 children under 18 and there is too much crime and not enough safety nor police patrols. There needs to be more activities and youth clubs set up. I also agree about the back lane in Clive Street - it's the pits and there is always cars wizzin up and down. I believe that the government needs to put more attention onto Grangetown and return the homely atmosphere.
Mary from Grangetown
I've lived in Grangetown for just over three years now, having moved from Roath. I must say that it does not feel so safe walking home from work on the dark evenings, but with regard the awful fly tipping in Clive Lane I reported it to the council a few months ago and they cleaned it up within the week (although its now a mess again, so I've reported it again, so fingers crossed!) - maybe if we all made a bit more of a fuss about it more would be done?
Mo from grange
I agree whole heartedly about not enough presence of police in grangetown!! The community has gone, years ago you could leave your door open all day and night. Theres also not enough activities for the children.
Taylor Bevan from Grangetown
i think hes right that there needs to be more police patrolling the area. he is also right about the lane at the back of clive street. it is very dirty and disgusting. i myself as a teenager and a big sister to two little girls aged 5 and 6 would not like the thought of me or my little sisters playing there.there are a numborous amout of car garages there now and is dangours just to walk down there let alone play.
hes also right about grangetown. it is full of lovely people and also people that you wouldnt like to call 'friends' so to speak. but because of these people you dont really get to see all the lovely people as they are too scared to come outside their own homes. im glad that i was able to live my childhood in grangetown. its a nice town and there is lots of great people.
Gabriel from Grangetown
He's perfectly right. For such a busy neighbourhood I've never see any police patrols in the six months I've lived here, and the lane he mentions has started to get very ragged. I wouldn't like the thought of my kids (not that I have any!) playing down there now. It's not being snobby, it's just not always safe with the cars and debris that's there.
He's also right about Grangetown. It's a great place full of friendly characters. You just get the impression it's not as tight-knit a community as it used to be. Same as everywhere else these days I guess? I'm glad I moved here though, great part of town, great people.
