Wakefield – A city of choice

In the same survey by Travelodge which drubbed Bradford as ‘Dangerous, Ugly and Boring’, and top of people’s least favourite tourist destination, Wakefield came second, described as ‘Dull and Depressing’ We asked our twitter friends what they though! Charlie Wells of Wakefield based arts organisation Faceless Company, puts forward a passionate defence…

Someone asked me the other day why I felt the need to jump to the defence of my home town when it was called dull. I couldn’t answer right away; I had to think about it. The truth is, at 18 years old I would probably have agreed with you, I could barely wait to leave town and head for London in search of excitement! Now I’m, ehehum, hurtling towards thirty I’m really glad I’ve come home.

Wakefield is a city of choices, if you look beyond the town centre, which is currently undergoing some much needed regeneration work, there’s so much more on offer. From water sports and world class sculpture, to stately homes and castles, in fact, Wakefield’s leisure opportunities could read something like an I-phone advert.  If you want to go skiing, we’ve a place for that. If you want to experience life as an aristocrat, we’ve a place for that!

The thing with Wakefield is you have to look below the surface, there’s always something going on, we’re maybe just not that good at shouting about it. As an arts worker in my early twenties, if you had asked me about the arts scene in Wakefield, I would probably have looked at you with a slightly bemused expression, in fact when I returned to Yorkshire in my mid twenties, it was to Leeds that I looked for employment, not Wakefield. I knew vaguely about the sculpture park, and that there was a theatre in the centre of town, but I wasn’t aware of the sheer scope of the work that is happening in the cultural sector.  We have a theatre, an arts centre, and two major artists’ studios, The Arthouse & Westgate Studios, which are both fully accessible. Beam, a leading national public realm company are based in the beautiful Orangery, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park continues to develop its facilities and now the Hepworth, which is due to open in 2011, promises to be an exciting addition to the visual arts offer in Wakefield. Of course, I didn’t realise this until I started working for Faceless which is a leading outdoor & community Arts Company and happens to be based in this diverse and exciting city (and has been for all of its 20 years)!

Of course if culture isn’t your thing then you may be shouting “dull, dull, dull” so if it’s shopping you want then how about the designer outlet at Junction 32 or smaller independent shops like those found in surrounding areas like Horbury. If you prefer being active to being arty and want to go skiing on snow, or water then Wakefield and the five towns can cater to your needs. Finally, if you’re feeling a little more sedate, how about a trip to Sandal Castle or even Nostell Priory and Parkland for a picnic.

Yes, the city looks a bit unloved in part due to so much building & regeneration work. Yes, the transport infrastructure could do with some work, particularly in rural areas, and the second train station in the city leaves a lot to be desired, but this is an improving city and I truly believe, that whatever you want to do, you can find a place to do it within the Wakefield district, and if you can’t then you’re not looking hard enough!