Duchess talks about life on the estate

Ian Wylie

August 14, 2009

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Duchess of York in Wythenshawe filming ITV's The Duchess On The Estate

THE Duchess of York has spoken out about her personal crusade on a Manchester housing estate.

Sarah Ferguson made several visits to Northern Moor, Wythenshawe this year to film a two part ITV1 documentary called The Duchess On The Estate.

Critics fear the films will portray a damaging depiction of the area, undermining good work already being done.

But today the Duchess came out in defence of both the programme and the estate, saying: "In fact, it's not so deprived.

Strong

"There's lots of really strong, wonderful mothers that wanted to get pride back in the local area.

"So they got in touch with us to say, 'Can you come up and help?' It's really about all the local people gathering together.

"It's a very, very nice estate."

The first film, to be screened on Tuesday, sees her recruiting a 'mums' army' to tackle problems of 'crime, drugs and a lack of community spirit' and open a community centre.

The Duchess maintained her mission to mend 'broken Britain' involved her inspiring and empowering local people to make a difference.

"I've always wanted to bring community spirit back to Britain," she said. She said her 'posh' background was not a barrier.

"I am Fergie first and foremost and I am a mum," she said.

Viewers will see her raising cash to open the Woodville Community Centre and securing the use of the building from owners Manchester Council.

There's lots of really strong, wonderful mothers that wanted to get pride back in the local area.
The Duchess of York

"I think Northern Moor is a great example for the whole of Britain, that they've actually clubbed together and have done something about changing, and that's what's so exciting," she added. The aim of the centre was to 'bridge the gap' between young people wandering the streets and older residents who lived in fear of them, said the Dutchess.

"They just need to talk to each other," she added. In her first week, the Duchess swapped her luxurious Manhattan apartment for a local bed and breakfast hotel.

One of the issues raised in her Northern Moor project is the lack of fathers to guide youngsters.

"There need to be a few more dads around," she said.

Former royal Sarah has just returned from a family holiday in Portugal with ex-husband Prince Andrew and their two children, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

"One of the key core values I stand for is co-parenting, communication, compromise and compassion," she said.

"Say what you have to say, even when you're really angry. But say it and then compromise.

"And then say, 'I've got it off my chest now. OK, big hug, let's go forward.' I think Beatrice and Eugenie are great examples of good co-parents. Andrew and I totally believe in communication."

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Councillor Glyn Evans talks about the Duchess' views
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Local residents discuss the Duchess of York's visit
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Zimmerman, manchester (14/08/2009 at 11:14)

Wasnt wythenshaw the first housing estate with shops with armour glass to protect their shop assistants. I used to do a lot of repairs (A mobile car engineer)around the estate for years and i never had a problem and the residents always paid ontime and i found them great,but i beleive things have changed over the last few years?

hodie, wiltshire (14/08/2009 at 11:29)

Of course she would be an expert on deprivation poverty with her background. She needs to try living on the breadline for a few years not dabble miles away from her comfortable southen mansion for a few weeks.However it does keep her in the public eye. I just doubt her real motivation.

Trevor, who lives in the bin, The Young Ones House (14/08/2009 at 11:35)

A royal visit huh? I was wondering why a bullet proof roller was up on house bricks in the community centre car park.

Ron, Gorton (14/08/2009 at 11:36)

That's right hodie. Maybe she should not even try to help. When the people of Northern Moor wrote to her maybe she should have written back saying that she would not be seen dead on their easte and she should have insulted their backgrounds. Then you would have been happy wouldn't you?

Prejuduce works both ways, as she said on tv this morning.

As for her background well what was that? Her father served in the Army, she has a failed marriage behind her, has been publicly ridiculed by the media, was broke, was ostrasised by her in-laws, raised two children and had a string of other failed relationships. Yes, what an easy life!

Esso Blue., Manchester (14/08/2009 at 12:39)

Wythenshawe is a big area and Northern Moor is just a small part of that big area. I have some friends in Northern Moor in it is quite a good area with many many many many many many many many many many many good people many.

Guten Tag, Manchester (14/08/2009 at 12:40)

I used to date a girl in Bench Hill. I could go on about some of the things I'd witnessed, but I won't. Yes, there are a load of 'strong, wonderful mothers', but they are undermined by a load of weak willed mothers who let their children run riot from evening to morning. And the Duchess is probably right about missing father figures. Wythenshawe is such a large sprawling estate with so many good characters that it's a shame the minority bring the place down. Too many unemployed with nothing to channel their energy through.

zoomer, The Moon (14/08/2009 at 12:53)

Guten Tag, Manchester
Youve got it bang on they have nothing to do all day exept doss about.they should be made to sign for their benefits every day and turn up at 8-30am to work in the community,clean up etc.

Brock, Hulme (14/08/2009 at 13:03)

The Duchess of York has a lot in common with the residents of northern moor, she like lots of them is a single working mother and she also lives on an estate (Ok a country estate) and is part of a family so disfuntional that it could keep jeremy kyle in programs for months. Many of her family live there lives on state hand outs, binge drink, use drugs, have exra marital affairs, whats so differant with the people fergie will be meeting on northern moor? O yes, and camilla for Queen!

Steve an alternative view (14/08/2009 at 13:31)

Of course "It's a very, very nice estate." I make a point every morning of driving round it, instead of through it just to avoid the millions of really nice law abiding hard working people who are stampeding into it each day looking for homes they can buy.
And can I volunteer to be a stand in dad to the poor lost soles who’s natural daddies have left to work away or the nasty GMP have taken to stay at Happylands Strangeways for a jolly holly paid for by me and my mates at work.
How about we set up an exchange thingy. Fergie can come and live on the estate for a year and I’ll look after her Manhattan flat for her.

Reality TV at its best!

Jan Elliott (14/08/2009 at 13:51)

Well said Ron, Gorton! A good unbiased, balanced view, not the usual knee-jerk reaction. It takes a lot more than money to make a person happy, I personally have known misery in luxury, and now true happiness in a 'cosy' home with less money. It's the people you surround yourself with who matter, and life is what you make it!

arthur sixpence, wythenshawe (14/08/2009 at 14:46)

northern moor is not at all bad compared to some areas of wythenshawe - the point i would like to make is why all these tv shows (secret millionaire for one which is not unlike this fergie garbage ) nearly always based in the north ? i have travelled all over the uk and without doubt some of the most unsafe areas i have seen have been in an around cental london (camden and holloway to name but 2 ) -however these rarely or ever appear on our screens .

vox populi, eccles (14/08/2009 at 15:07)

So, after several visits this former state sponger is now an expert on people living on the breadline and is now on a crusade to highlight poverty and hardship in her documentary. Pass me the sick-bag.
This woman, after sympathizing and showing a bit of pathos will drown her sorrows by opening a bottle of champers to-night which cost her more than some people have to live on! How condecending of her to rough it for a few minutes. It sums up this country in a nutshell! My blood is boiling,so best to stop now..........

Thomas The Tank, Rusholme (14/08/2009 at 15:40)

"HOW PATRONISING?"

john davis, Broughton, Salford (14/08/2009 at 16:17)

She is a complete joke with her armed guards, bullet proof range rover. why doesn't she live on the estate for 12 months on income support, this will make her see what real Britain is about, when they were filming her I have been told roads were closed , Police on every corner, she is 1000000000000000 more false than an MP, even Blears is better

Mad Welsh Scotsman, Cadishead (14/08/2009 at 16:22)

I always thought Northern Moor was a posh area????

Colin Viljoen's Banjo String (14/08/2009 at 16:30)

vox populi, that's right, how dare somebody like her come in and try to help. Who does she think she is trying to help out other people. She should be selfish and only look after herself. And as you say she isn't even from the area or a similar neighbourhood.

It's like that interfering Bob Geldof trying to help Africa. What does he know? He isn't African, he hasn't faced starvation or malaria. He should stay in his mansion.

Look at that Bill Gates too, thinking that he can just give away billions to help Africa. He is the world's richest man. What does he know about living in a drought ridden land and surviing on half a bowl of rice. These rich people should stay in their mansions and not poke their noses in.

Is this what you want? it seems your anger at Sarah Ferguson is based on inverted snobbery.

Angie33 , Manchester (14/08/2009 at 16:45)

As someone who has worked hard for over 10yrs trying to make a difference in the community,working with friends and neighbours to bring about change I am not surprised by the negative comments.Its all you hear on estates too.'youre wasting your time' and 'Dont let them get involved,they are the bad ones'. On and on they go,even when the proof of change maintained,maybe in a small area by residents is before their eyes.There are as many of these sorts of people as there are people willing to get involved.They exclude themselves from anything positive as their mindset seems to be stuck on negative.In the end ,to be honest,these are the people I would have wished to exclude completely!Moaning Minnies.Cant change wont change.And work extra hard to make sure no one else can too!Everything isnt about money.People can and do come together around many issues.Its maintaining that faithh and interest that is the hard work.And fending off the negative people.Be grateful someone is willing to care as many others dont .Comments here are typical.Shut it.

Lady Muffin, Work!! (14/08/2009 at 17:12)

Oh my word, she hardly needs to do this, she is obviously trying to help!! TUT some people!!!

John Reid (14/08/2009 at 17:20)

Looking back 50 yrs or so,there was'nt such an animal as "housing estates",possibly Wythenshawe was in it's infancy,but elsewhere around Manchester you had the Hulme's and the Gorton's,which were classed as working class area's.The slum clearances of the late 50's and 1960's and the distinctive "council"estates created,ended the community spirit which exsisted in the old slum area's,also there was almost full employment in the post-war years and beyond.There'll always be the posh area's and the less affluent-such is life. JDR-60+

The Droog, Wythenshawe (14/08/2009 at 17:26)

"Sarah Ferguson made several visits to Northern Moor, Wythenshawe this year to film a two part ITV1 documentary called The Duchess On The Estate".

Big deal. Didn't see her shopping at Civic or signing on for her pittance did we.
Wonder where she stay on her "VISITS", the Hilton ??
Suppose she could have afforded it on what she was getting paid, but have an inkling that she wouldn't of had to.

zoomer, The Moon (14/08/2009 at 17:34)

Give the woman a break,I dont see people queing up to help the people of wythenshaw,You should be glad that somebody is good enough to even have the time to try and help She dosnt have to do it.

levite-princess, Manchester (14/08/2009 at 18:07)

Ive heard along the grapevine that in todays washington post theres an aticle abnout NASA stealing the technology from an english citizen and the supreme court in America have rrules that the NASA star wars programme has been misued and was made into a gigantic laser instead of a food maker - that makes real food, like a microwave,it converts matter from anti -matter - phone them up.

vox populi, eccles (14/08/2009 at 18:15)

I've been called many things but an inverted snob is a definate first! I would have thought that the title "duchess on the estate" would be a slight giveaway as to where this lady was coming from,a few hours amongst the great unwashed.No doubt any profits this programme makes from the worldwide syndication it will enjoy will be given to the area and its people and not go towards the next bottle of "bolly". Now that would make a difference.....but i won't hold my breath.

Colin Viljoen's Banjo String (14/08/2009 at 18:44)

Vox Populi, do you know what I would do if I was her after hearing comments like yours? I would tell you where to shove it and never step foot in there again. Why bother?

It's like nurses isn't it. They don't really care about patients. There just after getting paid at the end of the month so they can spend money on things like food and just do it so they can look good to the outside world.

Pathetic.

Andanotherthing, Mcr (14/08/2009 at 20:01)

"HOW PATRONISING?"
Thomas The Tank, Rusholme

Indeed you are Thomas...Choo choo !

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