I Think We're In Didsbury

It’s time to open the door to my life just a touch wider, dear reader, so that you can take more of a peek into my life.

You can probably guess that I live in Manchester – but which part?

Well I’ll tell you.

I live in a suburb about 4.5 miles south of the city, called Didsbury. In reality it comprises Didsbury Village, West Didsbury and East Didsbury. I live close to Didsbury Village, an area of shops and pubs that is dissected by Wilmslow Road, one of the main arteries out of the city centre.

Why am I telling you this?

Because I have discovered an entertaining video that shows the world what Didsbury is like.

Well sort of…

Actually, it takes the piss out of people who live there.

Didsbury is considered a nice area to live and the house prices reflect this. Mrs PM and I moved here 10 years ago and were lucky enough to get our house just before the housing market exploded. We couldn’t afford to buy a house here now, that’s for sure.

A former work colleague, who has now retired, has lived in Didsbury for years and he bought a massive house for a relatively cheap price a couple of decades ago before the place became so popular; and now his house is worth a small fortune. And he moans about the number of German cars that are appearing on his street and the fact that his neighbours are solicitors and doctors.

That is the perception of Didsbury; that it is full of posh, well-to-do Yuppy-type people, who eat brie and rocket sandwiches. Of course, there are some people like that and you do see them, but most of the residents of our little suburb are perfectly normal.

There have been a few famous people living here, though. For example, John Thomson, seen here hosting Jazz Club on The Fast Show:

I’ve seen him a few times strolling around the village.

Also, comedian John Bishop lives here – and I’ve seen him enjoying a coffee in one of the village establishments:

The video was made by a mate of a friend of mine at work and it has been viewed enough times to make the local newspaper.

It is a mickey take of people, like me, who live in Didsbury and there seems to be a feeling that people who live here will not like it because it contains a few “home-truths”.

For example, according to the video, there are no real men in Didsbury and most people are shallow high-flying yuppies who drink cappuccino in pubs, go on protest marches and spend what little free time they have at yoga classes.

Am I offended?

Absolutely not; on the contrary, I find it hilarious.

I am not like that at all.

What’s more, all of the people mentioned in the video actually exist in one form or another. And that’s what’s most funny about it.

So sit back, relax and watch “I Think We’re in Didsbury”. There are photos of the village, West Didsbury and some of my favourite shops and pubs, just to give you a flavour of where I live.

I hope you enjoy it as much as Mrs PM and I did. Beware - it has a swear word in it.

By the way – I do not make patchwork quilts and have never used moisturiser in my life.

My yoga teacher advised me against such pursuits.