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Sir Bob Geldof brands Kent as 'inexcusably ugly'
Last updated at 12:13pm on 21.01.08
Sir Bob Geldof said Kent was 'ugly' and 'worn at the edges'
The Live Aid campaigner, who lives in the quaint area of Faversham, criticised the seaside town in a feature written for a Kent County Council newspaper.
He said: "It's a mad mystery, the battle of the ugliness of Margate against the charm of the beaches."
He also slammed Kent as a whole saying: "I know it's a bit scruffy and worn at the edges and some of its ugliness is inexcusable, but some of it is cute and some of it is so sublimely beautiful it's ridiculous."
The comments angered Andy Somers, principal of Margate's Hartsdown Technology College who said the interview was "ill-considered".
He said: "This is just another slap for the kids of Margate, to be told by somebody they respect that their home is ugly.
"His statement is a knock to the self-esteem that we work so hard to help them develop as teenagers."
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Sir Bob Geldof condemned 'the ugliness of Margate'
It's not the first time the Irish man's comments have provoked controversy. Last year he shocked do-gooders everywhere when he said all charity shops should be shut down.
He made his comments when describing the small town in Kent where he lives on Radio 4's Start the Week programme.
"We saw the ubiquitous charity shops sprouting everywhere, which is the first sign of decline," he said.
"If there was zero tolerance in policing then they would immediately raid charity shops and close them down."
Reader views (3)
Well, I would just like to offer an invitation to Sir Bob. I, and several of my friends, are putting on a small exhibition, to open on St Valentine's Day, called 'Love Letters to Margate'
Whilst this exhibition was conceived of before I heard about Sir Bob's cantankerous rant, I think that we perhaps should dedicate it to Sir Bob.
I understand he might have been trying, somewhere in there, to produce a balanced argument. However, I'm not sure that 'cute' counts as balance...
However, if anyone fancies dropping in, the exhibition opens February 14th, at Sandy-Wiches in Cliftonville. It supports local artists by displaying art on a regular basis.
So, Sir Bob, see you there?
- Kate Limond, Margate, Kent
Grew up in or around Margate, and I can't really argue with the man. It's only the people who were too stupid to leave who'll be upset. Still - Faversham? Surely he could afford Whitstable?
- Joe Carter, London, formerly Thanet
If he's looking for 'ugly' he needs only to look in a mirror!
- Paul Wilson, London, UK
