Crammy’s not crummy, Vera!
EPISODE OF VERA PAINTS TOWN IN POOR LIGHT
IT’S always exciting to see your home town on the telly.
But unfortunately, when places you know and love are starring in a popular crime drama, they may not always be looking their best.
That’s what Vera-loving Cramlington residents discovered when they tuned in to the first episode of the new series, on ITV on Sunday night.
While they enjoyed the drama, many noted it wasn’t exactly an advert for the Northumberland town. Several scenes were filmed in the streets of Cramlington, though in keeping with Vera’s general habit of re-naming places in the North East, the town went by a different name.
On Twitter, Cramlington-based photographer Karen Hudspith said: “Here was I getting excited about seeing my hometown on Vera. It’s just made it look like a s***hole. Cramlington thankfully is nothing like Crowley. It’s a lovely place to live... honest!!”
For good measure, she then shared a series of beautiful photos of the town sparkling under January frost to demonstrate how lovely it could be.
Another Twitter user added: “I know!... Windows boarded up and kids pushing trollies through the street!”
On a Cramlington Facebook group,
Pat Young said some might be “disappointed” by the locations showcased. She said: “They filmed around the back of the flats/shops at Dewley. Probably our least attractive spots. I don’t remember seeing posts about them being in the village or Barns Park.”
Still, she said she always enjoyed Vera and was excited to watch, but it would have been nice to “show the smarter bits” of the town.
Ruth Harding said she’d spotted the film cameras in “not the most salubrious” parts of town, but she was still looking forward to Cramlington’s appearance.
Many locals said they were “proud” to see their town staring in a TV show, and pointed out that with the likes of Vera-themed tours being planned, onscreen appearances, however grim, could only be a good thing.
And Lorraine Henderson pointed out: “Anyone who recognises the places filmed are going to be local so they will already know what Cramlington is like.” Generally, the episode, the first of the latest series starring Brenda Blethyn as the Northumberland detective, seemed to be well-received on Twitter. Twitter user Mike said: “Last night’s Vera was absolutely brilliant!” Lorraine Carter added: “Welcome back Vera brilliant episode and I did not have a clue who the murderer was!” And @jessjellyhead said: “Vera was brilliant!!! Brenda Blethyn was amazing looking forward to next Sunday!” Episode two airs on Sunday, 8.10pm, and episode one is on ITV Hub.