The Modern Domesday Book 2010
The Modern Domesday Book
Regular readers will be aware of the oft quoted Domesday Book of 1086 but today we turn to the up to date version.
We can now see what has changed since 1977
A census is obviously useful to governments and the like but I also think it has real potential for those, like myself, who are interested in human behaviour and what makes us tick.
How do we think and how do those thought patterns change with environment and the times in which we live.
As much around us is shaped by our behaviour this Domesday Survey, when compared with one over 30 years ago, should give an indication as to our social situation.
Here’s an example:
-
There was an 1150% increase in Lap Dancing clubs
But there are 196 fewer Public Libraries
That must tell us something, at the end of the day libraries tend to close due to lack of use and businesses can only survive and expand due to increased demand.
There are 1,270 more Betting Shops
Whereas the number of Post Offices is down by 7,500
Other things which increased in numbers are:
Fast food outlets, large supermarkets, Casinos and charity shops (thrift shops)
Those which have fallen in number:
Pubs, swimming pools, public toilets, petrol stations and sports and social clubs.
It’s clear this does reflect a change in society, supply and demand will ever win out. Clearly though the fabric of the country is changing.
Note the loss of Post Offices, pubs and social clubs. If you live in a rural or smaller area that can decimate your environment in social terms.
Also worth noting in these cases - nothing comes in to replace those facilities !
The relentless rise of the big supermarket chains also leave their fingerprints I suspect.
Small shops, butchers, greengrocers and petrol stations are surely more often than not the victim of a new huge supermarket ?
Times change and indeed they should but one would hope they change generally for the better.
Some things come and go which again is only natural but it must be kept in proportion.
Think not so much where we are but where we are headed !
What will be left the next time this survey is done ?
Am I right to think this shows a real shift in society and a turn for the worse ?
Is it the Doomsday Book rather than the Domesday Book ?
All the best
Rod
And just to show you that some things thankfully remain here is a picture I took the other day of a place 10 minutes away from the Goldeneye Pile ~ Irby Dales
Irby Valley in Winter
Jordan said,
February 22, 2010 @ 3:14 pm
RC
For one minute i thought i had clicked onto the wrong site, no semi-naked women for such a long time. We have informative, interesting articles.
Have you had a fall? Banged your head? Become a Eunuch?
Worried
Jordan
Cid said,
February 22, 2010 @ 3:29 pm
Jordan,
Yes, what a transformation, I couldn’t agree more…. and have you met Neville yet? I love the way he joins in with my little diversions even though he must be a very busy man…. sometimes we get a sonnet. Something of a learned ladies man no doubt (obviously a complete contrast to our dear host
)
Cid
chris keyworth said,
February 22, 2010 @ 5:06 pm
sorry i think i had somthing to do with rods historical adventures….
regards
chris
Cid said,
February 22, 2010 @ 5:36 pm
Chris,
You are very likely at the sharp end of all Rod’s little historical meanderings…… marvelous finds he been getting due to your kind assistance no doubt, plus it keeps him out of trouble, something we’re all deeply grateful for
Cid
Rod said,
February 22, 2010 @ 5:54 pm
Jordan,
the times they are a changin’
Things have changed quite a bit and the balancing act of what to do is harder than ever.
That said, I’m personally much happier with what’s going on and it’s more stimulating - if you’ll forgive the pun !
I hope it’s not too dull for you though ?
All the best
Rod
Rod said,
February 22, 2010 @ 5:56 pm
Chris,
I wonder if that should be historical misadventures
Cheers
rod
Little Brother said,
February 22, 2010 @ 5:56 pm
Rod,
Very interesting that. Out with the old and in with the new? You could argue that in some cases it’s out with the new and in with the old. There are more and more instances of us going backwards in certain aspects of our everyday lives as we ’streamline’ in our personal and professional lives.
Personally I pay more than I ever did for public services and have to wait longer for them than I ever did, professionally I’ve never had so few staff and restaurants across the country are ‘dumbing down’ the food and service they provide. So here’s another service industry which will, by and large charge much the same if not more for less.
Refuse collection is a perfect example, household waste emptied once every two weeks and only if you leave the bin (on wheels) outside your house and only if it isn’t full (modern day lifting equipment obviously can’t lift a domestic bin) So we pay twice as much for half the service my Father would have had in the 1930’s.
Once you let the rot in it won’t go away.
LB
Rod said,
February 22, 2010 @ 6:00 pm
LB
you’ve hit on a theory I’ve had for some time and those you know me will recall how often I’ve predicted we shall really go back in time.
It’s worth a post on its own but here’s one example. In town this Saturday there were 4 outlets all offering to buy gold for cash !
Cheers
Rod
Conrad said,
February 22, 2010 @ 8:25 pm
Does anyone know where I can find the source of these figures, as I saw the same numbers in the Daily Mail, and I know that a few are way off.
Donald ( South Australia ) said,
February 23, 2010 @ 12:07 am
Hi Rod,
Interesting observations.
It must be a worldwide phenomenom - here in rural Australia, where one may not associate village living with the typical “Aussie” lifestyle, the same things have happened.
The nearest little ‘town’, some miles away, no longer has any shop, petrol station and post office, and people meet less frequently as chance encounters at those facilities can no longer occur.
Far longer drives to regional, and less personal, centres are now necessary.
Drink-driving laws have had a huge effect, too. Certainly it is good to know a drunk is less likely to wipe you out, but the worry of being just over the limit ( 0.05) causes constant reassessment of your ’state’ at functions and visits, and certainly makes a visit to a pub (involving say, 20 miles of driving ) out of the question. The younger blades now carry their own sleeping swags to parties on the backs of ‘utes’, which helps reduce the road toll, but probably contributes to binge sessions.
Trying to converse with just the pet ‘roo and a GnT in hand on the verandah of this far pavilion lacks a certain something..
Time for a party,
Donald.
Rod said,
February 23, 2010 @ 7:58 am
Hi Conrad,
thanks for the comment and welcome to the site
I got the figures from UK press releases so I cannot help I’m afraid, presumably they’re government based ?!?
All the best
Rod
Rod said,
February 23, 2010 @ 8:03 am
Donald,
thanks for a completely different perspective - very interesting.
Drink driving damaged a lot of rural pubs here in the UK although many were saved subsequently by the move over to pub meals which made many of them popular venus.
The rapid decline in pubs here seems to have been exascerbated by the smoking ban and the losss of their steady regular trade.
The pub nearest me looks dead but for meal times yet the manager of the local shop tells me he’s never sold so much beer !
Cost and no smoking being cited, people will always drink - the question is where.
Cheers
Rod