'Benefits, heroin and alcoholism': The article about Swansea

A Plymouth University student posted an article claiming Swansea was an awful city known only for 'drugs, drugs, drugs'

It doesn’t sound like the Swansea we know and love... but everyone’s entitled to their opinion.

And one student has sparked anger in the seaside city (and probably beyond) after writing a scathing article claiming Swansea is best known for benefits, heroin and alcoholism.

An article for The Tab, Plymouth University’s student website, claims that when people think of Swansea, they think of “drugs, drugs, drugs”.

“If you like long walks on the beach, rainbows and learning about the world then Swansea is the place for you,” she wrote.

“Wait, let me rephrase that. If you like long walks on the beach trying to avoid rusted cans of Stella, rainbows in the ocean caused by run-off from the steel works and nutters shouting at you at the bus stop, then Swansea is the place for you.

The Pretty ****** City was once a thriving working class metropolis, producing some of the finest raw materials in the world – then Thatcher did her thing and it all went to ****.

“The mines were closed and replaced by benefits, heroin and alcoholism.

“Now, Swansea is home to the most notorious street in Europe: Wind Street.

“What a lot of people don’t know is Wind Street is one of the few places the blitz didn’t destroy in the city.

“But instead of keeping the street as the banking quarter or the beautiful buildings as part of Swansea’s pre-war heritage, the gorgeous architecture has been taken over by tacky, chavvy, scummy, ****y nightclubs.

“The Valleys bints and their cohorts line the streets with pavement pizza every Friday and Saturday night without the faintest idea of the wonder that used to evolve from the buildings they’re in.”

Unsurprisingly, it has not gone down well in Swansea.

The piece, headlined "Swansea: the worst home town ever", has been labelled “offensive”, while the author, Kay Smythe, was accused of being “small-minded” and “vitriolic”.

But, wait, there’s more.

The author, who lists herself on social media as being from Swansea, California and Plymouth, goes on: “The only part of Swansea where perfect property could have been kept is Townhill. The views of the bay with the Mumbles headland in the distance are some of the most beautiful in the world.

“Instead of building properties to benefit from these views, the council decided to coat the entire hillside in council homes.”

“When people think of Swansea, they rarely think of the great minds like Dylan Thomas who once walked the streets.

“They think of drugs. Drugs drugs drugs. All Swansea does is drugs.

“To the outsider, Swansea could quite happily be twinned with Mordor. To the local, it’s an escape.

“The real world doesn’t impact on Swansea because Swansea Jacks don’t give a **** about anything further than Port Talbot.

“For those that have managed to escape, Swansea is a tool for success. We pray that we never go back, we work extra hard to ensure our beloved families can leave with us, we even shy away from watching the football matches if they’re a home game.

“Despite this, only people from Swansea can say how ******* awful it is.”

People are not happy.

Commenting on Facebook. Paula Tonkin wrote: “You’re such a sad person! If - as some one has suggested - you’re actually from Swansea, you should be ashamed of yourself and if you’re not, you obviously either haven’t been to Swansea or have not seen the real Swansea.

“It’s not actually like Twin Town, that was just a movie - you know, made up! As a media ‘person’, you should have been taught the difference.”

Charlie Richards tweeted: “Your article about Swansea is absolutely awful, you’ve offended practically everyone who lives here! Your (sic) very small minded.”

Alison James wrote: “Swansea is one of the loveliest places to live, how dare you say we are all druggies and chavs, you sound like a gutter snob!!”

Quality journalism

Take a single comment one at a time and it suggests she is correct in her observations. The truth hurts sometimes.

The truth does hurt. what a terrible hole that place is

Sounds like a family feud

Awesome sums Swansea up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIbpt1aDFqM&spfreload=10

Check out this link, shows the same thing.

Very sad...

'Valley bints and their cohorts' ......

Her boyfriend left her for a gorseinon girl perhaps

She should post on here, she makes me sound unbitter and balanced!!!

She does know that Swansea is far more than just the city centre right ? Perhaps if she got a better job she could afford to live down the Gower and appreciate Swansea for its sometimes breathtaking natural beauty instead of picking out one small part.
Can find absolute shit holes anywhere .
Although i cannot argue with her observations at all , But like i said Swansea is so much more than the Shity centre .

She does know that Swansea is far more than just the city centre right ? Perhaps if she got a better job she could afford to live down the Gower and appreciate Swansea for its sometimes breathtaking natural beauty instead of picking out one small part.
Can find absolute shit holes anywhere .
Although i cannot argue with her observations at all , But like i said Swansea is so much more than the Shity centre .

In fairness to her Gowers not Swansea is it?
Plymouth is a right shithole too mind.

She does know that Swansea is far more than just the city centre right ? Perhaps if she got a better job she could afford to live down the Gower and appreciate Swansea for its sometimes breathtaking natural beauty instead of picking out one small part.
Can find absolute shit holes anywhere .
Although i cannot argue with her observations at all , But like i said Swansea is so much more than the Shity centre .

Is the Gower part of Swansea, anymore than the Vale of Glamorgan is part of Cardiff? I don't think so.
The centre of Swansea is a planners/council disgrace. How can people be paid to make such a mess?

Fair play she's hit the nail right on the head