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3. Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
Town visited: Coleford, pop 8,000.
Hidden among the ancient woodland of Gloucestershire's Forest of Dean, Coleford feels like a glimpse into childhood's past. With a Victorian town centre largely untouched by chain stores and traffic, it has an enclosed community spirit that protects its youngsters.
Project worker Dawn Vaughan and her engineer husband Mark let six-year-old Molly play in the street. “We know she won't fall in with a bad crowd,” says Dawn. “Parents and kids have got their heads screwed on round here.” The Forest of Dean is one of five areas in our top ten with the lowest burglary rate.
“My son Alex and daughter Sam were born in the Forest and it gave them a tremendous sense of identity,” says Sandi McDonagh of the local comprehen-sive Lakers School. “I've taught the mums and dads of many of my pupils. There's real continuity and pride.”
The Forest of Dean has some 27 conservation areas, canoeing, horse-riding and abundant wildlife. “Molly loves the woodland trails,” says Dawn. For jobs, most people commute to Gloucester, Cheltenham or Bristol. “We're well placed,” says playwright David Pownall, who moved to the area from Guildford with his wife Alex and son Max, 17. “I can be in London in just over two hours.”
The Forest of Dean is a safe haven for Dawn and Mark Vaughan, with Molly six, outside their home in Coleford
Photographed by Andy Sewell |
4. Vale of Glamorgan, Wales
Town visited: Penarth, pop 22,000.
Three miles south of Cardiff Bay, Penarth enjoys all the benefits of the Welsh capital's economic boom without the disadvantages of big-city living. After a 15-minute train journey commuters return each evening to an independent, well-ordered, elegant seaside town.
Assistant shop manager Pauline Pine relocated her family to the area from central Cardiff nine years ago. “It was the best thing I did,” she says. “I was so eager for my eldest, Anthony, to attend St Cyres, one of the two comprehensives here, that I'd been sending him by taxi before we moved.” The Vale of Glamorgan as a whole scored high marks for education. Anthony, now 20, and Pauline's daughter Leanne, 19, are both at the University of Wales. “I don't think they'd have done as well if we'd stayed where we were,” says Pauline.
The desire to nurture children extends to all the residents. “Shopkeepers get to know kids,” says housewife Jude Woodhouse. “My 11-year-old son Tom can go out shopping by himself and learn adult skills.” Crime rates in Penarth are significantly lower than in the rest of the area. In addition, there is easy access to the Welsh countryside, cliff-top walks, junior sports clubs and watersports. “It's full of the activities I want Tom to be doing,” says Jude.
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