Inhabitants of Shetland have hit back at claims by a Midland academic that the islands are plagued by high rates of depression.
And they also took a dig at Birmingham, claiming parts of it were beset with gun crime, high unemployment and racial tension.
The islanders reacted with anger after The Birmingham Post containing comments by Warwick University's Roger Casemore was posted to a resident by a relative.
In the article, Mr Casemore - who helped set up a counselling course at Shetland College - blamed a decline of traditional industries, a sense of isolation and a failure to talk about problems for contributing to low moods on the island.
The Post story also alluded to "high rates of suicide, alcoholism, drug abuse and domestic violence".
Such was the intensity of fury provoked that it prompted a two-page defence in the Shetland Times.
POST COMMENT Last month The Birmingham Post published an article that painted a rather bleak picture of Shetland. Carrying the headline "The most depressing place in British Isles", it suggested the Scottish outpost was more grim than "Tipton on a cold, wet and windy winter's day". It was bound to provoke reaction. Surprisingly, it was not from the inhabitants of Tipton but those in the Shetland Islands. It is, of course, pleasing to know The Post is read in such a far-off corner of the British Isles. But what is even more striking about the response is the strength of feeling it has invoked. Unlike the inhabitants of Tipton, the Shetlanders have risen in passionate defence of their territory. Our article prompted a double page spread in The Shetland Times. But the paper's journalists also point out the islands' faults such as their nine months of winter, which may not be to everyone's liking. The Shetlands' strong sense of identity and vigorous defence of their locality suggests the islands are far from the most depressing place in our country. Further research has indeed opened our eyes to the charms of one of the "most unique natural environments in the world". Just as, no doubt, further research by our friends on the The Shetland Times may have revealed that Tipton and Dudley are not in Birmingham. Both are examples of misunderstandings that can exist between different parts of the country. With fears of the far-right gaining influence in this week's local elections, it is perhaps also a timely reminder of how misinformation can breed hatred within different sections of the community. And so in the spirit of friendship, we offer our apologies for any offence we may have caused to the people of Shetland. |
Mark Wylie, whose Midland-based sister-in-law Kate Bond sent him our original story, criticised the picture painted of his community.
"I can't imagine Shetland is that bad. It definitely does have problems with drugs. It is an alcohol culture and the rate of suicides is quite high for the population. But is Shetland any worse than anywhere else?" he said.
He highlighted the island's "superb education, fantastic leisure facilities... spectacular views, wildlife and a safer environment for children".
Mr Wylie also suggested the island was a better place to live than Birmingham.
"Compare that to where The Birmingham Post is based and you think about their gun culture, the shootings you hear about on the news," he added.
The Post article followed an interview with Mr Casemore who is director of counselling and psychotherapy at the University of Warwick.
Islanders objected to our description of Shetland as a "bleak windswept outpost".
Claiming The Post's article to be "riddled" with inaccuracies, The Shetland Times retaliated by attacking Birmingham's "industrial suburbs like Tipton and Dudley" as beset by racial tension, high unemployment, low wages and social deprivation.
Neither Tipton or Dudley are part of Birmingham - the former is part of Sandwell and the latter a Black Country town in its own right.
The islanders also questioned findings of a 1999 Health and Lifestyle survey used in the article claiming more than a quarter of them exhibit symptoms associated with mental illness that "might benefit from further investigations".
The island's health chief Sarah Taylor claimed the most recent census showed inhabitants enjoyed better health than the rest of Scotland.
However, she admitted alcohol abuse was a problem.
Jonathan Lee, editor of the Shetland Times, said: ""Noone is trying to pretend that Shetland doesn't have its problems, like anywhere else. But it's certainly not all gloom and doom.
"As well as the obvious attractions of the outdoor life, including some stunning beaches and world-renowned wildlife sites, we also have superb sports facilities and an excellent education system.
"I can think of far worse places to live in the UK."
Shetlands - the case for the defence
Richard Lindsay, Lerwick: "This is class 1A's opinion of your article. We're very insulted. You've obviously never been here. We're not depressed. We lead fabulous lives. This is a safe place to live. The weather is usually good. Who cares if we don't have trees. We've got beautiful scenery and at least we can see it. We're not stuck in the past and lots of people have jobs. Nobody has to sleep on the streets. By the way, you need a dictionary because it's spelt Up Helly Aa and who walks on a beach in a force eight gale when it's snowing? Roger, Erdington:"I've just heard about the hoo-ha over the Shetland Isles - whether they are or are not depressing. I've lived in Erdington since 1981, and we went to Shetland for our holiday last year. "We thought it was terrific - I would recommend it to anyone who loves beautiful scenery, hill walking and bird-watching. You don't see many people though, and there wasn't much in the way of night life, so it wouldn't suit everyone." David Holbeck, Birmingham: "If the Shetland Isles really is such a terrific place, why is the local college starting a new course to train professional counsellors in the first place?" Esther Black, Edinburgh: "Shetland over Birmingham any day - and even more so now. You have done your city a disservice. Get with it." Geoff Hutton, Lerwick, Shetland:"And what exactly does Birmingham have on offer? I have visited the city on several occasions and your city can't exactly be crowned the jewel of England. Your apology will not be greeted well in Lerwick. Your journalist should be sacked!" Sarah McBurnie, Unst, Shetland:"Let me tell you some facts about Shetland. Living in a place that feels as if you've turned the clock back 40 years is no bad thing. You don't need to lock your front door or your car. Nobody here burgles people's houses. "We have had no murders in the last 13 years, in fact it could be 20 or more years. Our old or vulnerable people have care facilities second to none. No one dies here and isn't found until the smell is unbearable. All children are given the opportunity in school to learn to play a musical instrument of their choice and then lent the instrument until they leave. "We have eight swimming pools in leisure centres, three of them on outer islands. Shetland has just hosted the Island Games. Drugs problems don't translate into robberies, drive-by shootings or crime waves generally. Crime clear-up rates are so high it's a wonder there is any 'cos we all know if we do something wrong it's only a matter of time before we are found out. We have one-and-a-half hours less daylight at midwinter (9am to 3.30pm) than Birmingham. "We can see all the stars in the sky and the Northern Lights. It doesn't get dark at all either side of Midsummer's day, golfing at midnight is a 'must do' by visitors. I have never felt threatened or at risk in my 13 years here, have always managed to find employment and would never think of moving back to mainland Britain." Jo Tonkinson, Sandness, Shetland:"As someone who escaped Birmingham's rising crime and filthy streets over 16 years ago to a much better life in Shetland, it makes me very sad when The Post prints untruths about the place, written by someone who has never even been here. "I think they take the comments of Roger Casemore out of context. If being able to leave your door unlocked, leaving the keys in your car, leaving the kids free to roam and play is living in a time warp, I'll drink to that (as it seems we all have a drink problem too!). Most of us who live here like the isolation, we love the wild scenery; the wild weather in winter leaves you knowing you are alive. "I do not think your statistics on mental health are accurate, and at worst the whole article is a bit too light on such a serious subject. I would like to see a serious article about the islands written by someone who knows them well and knows the people and area." Leona Phillips, Dunrossness, Shetland:"I am outraged by the narrow-minded article needlessly published about our lifestyle in Shetland, that I felt a few things should be mentioned. How can Mr Naqvi have the nerve to print what he did, and on the back of it, admit he'd never set foot on the island? He's right - he probably would get skelped straight back off! And as for Roger Casemore - no-one told him to walk along the beach in the middle of a force eight gale. "Does he think we're in the middle of the Pacific? We might not have that many trees but we do - believe it or not - have sunlight . . . every day! We're on top of the Earth's axis - so what do you expect when the seasons change? We may be a bit behind the times but at least we have a safe place to bring up our children who don't have guns, don't hear about killings, rape or robberies every day or have the misfortune of hearing regular emergency sirens." Ivan Mouat, Cumberland St, Glasgow:"I am from Shetland and I think that your excuse for a report on the'Shetland Life' is complete rubbish. You can't give an opinion on the true Shetland life if you haven't been introduced to it. You obviously need another trip up to see the beautiful place it is. Get a grip." |
