Have You Moved To Chester?

Now here’s my first post in a new blog category called “Moved To Chester?” The category is self explanatory really. I was having an interesting conversation with David from David Jamieson Coaching earlier today. David happened to mention how difficult it often is for some people who move to Chester from outside the area. I did mention that it was a topic I had envisaged introducing to my website at some stage in due course. However, as David pointed out some of the difficulties in practical terms, the time seems right. As so does the need to do so. So, have you moved to Chester? If so, we would like to hear from you.

Have You Moved To Chester?

Have You Moved To Chester- my Mum and Dad did. I include this photo as my unashamed tribute to them both.

It may be that you have moved to Chester for only a few months. For instance you could be on a student exchange from another country. Or, you have relocated here permanently for employment reasons. Maybe, you are a student who stayed on after the completion of your course? There are a variety of reasons and circumstances as to why you have arrived here.

So, what does this mean in terms of a change to your personal lifestyle and enjoyment amongst other things. Have you taken to the change like a duck to water and embraced the city and it’s culture and people without any fuss?

Or are you struggling to cope with the change?

Are you homesick? Do you wish that there were groups, clubs or organisations of like minded people you could meet up with?

You may have difficulty in communicating? As far as English is such a widely spoken language, we shouldn’t be so naive to think that everyone automatically speaks it. On a lighter note…..merely shouting and speaking slower to someone who doesn’t speak English doesn’t work. It may be difficult for you, but imagine how much more difficult it is for a non-English speaking resident.

From Personal Experience

I know from personal experience how difficult it can be for someone to move to the UK from abroad. My family background is Polish and both my parents came over to the UK back in the 1940’s.

NB: A romantic footnote. My Mum and Dad did not know each other in Poland. They met over here. The circumstances as to how they arrived here during and soon after WWII are different. Very interesting and very sad as well (for my Mum mainly). Anyway, I digress.

While my “soon to be parents” were resident in a hall of residence housing many Polish refugees, it so happened my late father was a keen musician. He wrote some of his own songs and during the evenings he would strum and sing a variety of songs for fellow residents.

Cue some starry-eyed attraction from a young, lonely Polish woman who was bewildered by her new home country and her surroundings. Obviously her fluttering (come on ladies you do all flutter when you have a new beau in mind don’t you?) was having an effect. My future father’s strumming and crooning “knocked her bandy” as Del Boy would say.

Clearly my Dad was equally impressed wasn’t he. Of course he was, how else do you think I got here!! And the rest as they say is history.

Anyway, back to the main point of the post of have you moved to Chester. Neither of my parents could speak English when they arrived. They had to teach themselves. One of my earliest memories of my Dad was when he announced that “we were guests in this country”

Following on from that he went on to say, in effect, ‘when in Rome….etc…etc’. He held that belief throughout the rest of his days.

What’s A Poland Mum?

To be precise this is how I found out we were “different”.

When I was about 6 or 7 I encountered my first experience of racism. Of course I didn’t realise it at the time. I was in a ‘fight’ (more handbags really) with a neighbour and he ran into his house crying. In a flash, another neighbour dashed out of her house, grabbed me and slapped me across my legs (you could do that in those days!!). In doing so she blurted out, “why don’t you and your family go back to Poland!!”

Hence my skulking off back home with my tail between my legs (and stinging legs) to ask my Mum, “What’s a Poland Mum?”

It was at this point my Mum and Dad said we have to tell you something. The announcement of course was that they weren’t from the UK. They were from Poland. Shock!!…..Horror!! Of course it all went over my head then. But in later life I realised how tough my parents had it.

In short, they found it difficult. No internet in those days. We didn’t have a car either. Or a phone. Oh for the opportunity of being able to reach out to like-minded residents in a similar situation. They couldn’t, but needless to say in the passing of time they adjusted as best they could.

Also in time they more than adjusted and made their own marks on our local community. It helped that we had some great, welcoming neighbours (apart from the lady who slapped my legs that is!!!). 

Helping Others To Settle In

So, back to the original question. Have you moved to Chester?

Are you finding it difficult to settle?

What do you like about our beautiful city?

In what circumstances did you move to Chester?

What don’t you like?

Would you like to meet some like-minded people but don’t know how to?

This of course is not exhaustive but I think you get the drift. If any of the above tick any boxes then stick around and bookmark this website.

Remember, you don’t have had to have moved here from another country. You may have relocated from another part of the UK.

Have you moved to Chester may of course relate to people who moved to Chester and moved away again. If you fit into that category, let us know what you think, or thought, of Chester……cue Russ and Betty!!!

If you have moved to Chester it is the aim of this website to give you guys a platform in which you can integrate more easily. Or, if you just want to have a rant, then have a rant in here. What exactly do you want to discuss in here?

I am hoping that this “Have You Moved to Chester” category takes off. I don’t see why it shouldn’t.

For More Information on Chester and Chester Lifestyle

If you wish to know more about the beautiful city of Chester and Chester Lifestyle – click HERE.

I mentioned a conversation I had earlier with David Jamieson. Have you visited his website? If not, you can find it HERE.

Chester Lifestyle Wall Art

As this is a Chester related website, you may be looking for the ideal Chester related gift for your loved ones. If so, then have a look at my Chester section of my new Etsy store. You can find out more about my Etsy store HERE.

Plenty of originally created downloadable digital artwork for you to have a look at HERE. And, as I say, a variety of Chester related products to choose from. Go on….you know you want to!!

Simple instantly downloadable images – an ideal gift for any occasion…..

Gifts like……an instantly downloadable image of Eastgate Street as seen from the Eastgate Clock. And there’s more.

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