Jaywick: We still like living here! (From Gazette)

Jaywick: We still like living here!

2:41pm Wednesday 19th December 2007

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RESIDENTS in a resort listed as the third most deprived in the country have defended their community.

The Brooklands and Grasslands estates in Jaywick have gone from 102nd to 3rd in the Government deprivation table based on statistics such as income, health and employment.

"The statistics don’t tell the whole story. The majority of people live here because they choose to live here."

Mick Masterson, chairman of Friends of Brooklands

But people who live in the resort have hit back at the statistics.

Ian Burrit, chairman of the Brooklands Residents' Representatives, said: "I'm annoyed with statistics like this and the way people are always putting Jaywick down.

"We are more than happy living here."

Mick Masterson, chairman of Friends of Brooklands, added: "It is nothing we didn't know.

"In 1971, we were the sixth most deprived in the country so we have only dropped three places.

"But the statistics don't tell the whole story. The majority of people live here because they choose to live here.

"I could live in Canary Wharf if I wanted to but I love Jaywick's community."

Mr Burrit said the figures probably do not include the £1 million-plus invested in the ward recently.

In Jaywick, the Tendring Council-run Interaction Partnership Board has used the cash for extra CCTV cameras, upgrades at Frobisher Primary School, extensions to Brooklands Resource Centre and plans for an all-weather sports court on the seafront.

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