Two weeks ago I was stood at a local bar drinking my 18th alcoholic unit of the week (by no means excessive, but this is a good week) when the guitarist onstage took advantage of a break between songs to ask.. "So, what's it like living in Preston?
There followed a conglomerate groan from the audience, comprising like-minded adjectives such lines as 'boring', 'dull' and rubbish (or raw-bish, in northern phonetics).
Now, I've lived in Preston for seven years; three as a student, four as a songwriter, five as a heavy-drinking singleton and two as a devoted boyfriend. Admittedly, this doesn't add up to seven - but there is a certain degree of overlapping.
Either way, I have lived here long enough to know that the place is anything but boring or dull.
Discontent
Preston is a charming town steeped heavily in Lancastrian tradition. It centres around a beautiful old museum overlooking an old-fashioned flagmarket leading to a rustic covered market left behind by the days of mining, milling and industrialism.
On hearing the collective discontent regarding the surrounding town, I waited a few seconds before mumbling the words "miserable bastards" under my breath, (or baargh-studs, in London phonetics) much to the amusement, and agreement, of those within earshot.
Since that moment, however, I have realised that my aforementioned reaction was somewhat hypocritical.
Originally, I hail from Barnet, North London; well inside the M25 and 20 minutes on the train from the city centre. Quite famously, London is one of the most picturesque, interesting and historical cities in the world - yet i spent my first few years in Preston describing my home city with the same word - shithole!
Landmarks
Last weekend, I returned home for the weekend and spent a few days wandering around the Square Mile reminding myself just how many stunning landmarks lay within walking distance of one another.
Rediscovering the tacky billboard haven of Piccadilly Circus, the pure Britishness of the museums and oversized bronze lions at Trafalgar Square and the magical Dickensian backstreets around Borough Market, it's easy to see that London is spectacular.
Appreciate
Yet as a youngster years ago, clouded by crowds and disillusioned by the stress of the rush hour and the underground, I still to came to the same conclusion about London that many Prestonians have of their hometown.
I guess if you grow up somewhere it's easy to think of even the best sights and monuments as just part of the surroundings. People say that you only really appreciate your hometown on your return.
Maybe it's true that familiarity breeds contempt or absence makes the heart grow fonder or something like that.
All this said, one thing is for sure... but for all the roadworks, Preston still has the capacity to be a charming little market town. Well, that and the fact that I certainly won't be referring to London in the same breath as 'shithole' again.
