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Stone me! East Cheam becomes a tourist mecca
4:55pm Friday 27th June 2008
Comments (3)It is unclear whether tourism chiefs were having a laugh when they compiled the latest guide to holiday destinations around Britain.
But backpackers seeking to shun well-travelled routes and sample the famous British sense of humour are being offered weekend breaks in Cheam.
"Tony Hancock, one of the funniest men to draw breath, was a Cheam Conservative. We’re really pleased Cheam has been recognised as a place to visit, especially given its cultural significance.”
Tory councillor Graham Whitham
The suburb has been listed among 150 "funny spots" because 23 Railway Cuttings, East Cheam, was the fictional setting for Hancock's Half Hour.
Slough, the drab location of Ricky Gervais's The office, and Billericay in Essex, home of Gavin and Stacey, are among other sitcom holidays suggested by VisitBritain as part of ComedyEngland.
The national tourism agency, which last year promoted "set-jetting" tours of film locations, claims that 40 per cent of all visits to Britain are inspired by screen magic.
This week community leaders in Cheam insisted sightseers would be rewarded by following the unlikely tourist trail. Graham Whitham, the Tory ward councillor, was particularly pleased at the recognition 40 years after the death of the East Cheam sage.
He said: "Tony Hancock, one of the funniest men to draw breath, was a Cheam Conservative - and treasurer of the darts team.
"We're really pleased Cheam has been recognised as a place to visit, especially given its cultural significance."
Laurence Bresh, of VisitBritain, said: "England is renowned for producing some of the best comedy in the world and our sense of humour is a trait we are famous for.
"Comedy is part of our heritage and the ComedyEngland campaign will encourage visitors to explore some of the regions, locations and attractions which have contributed to this and further increase the 100 million trips Brits take in their own country each year."
For more locations, go to ComedyEngland.com.
Your Say YourStreatham Guardian
Bob, Cheam says...
10:45am Mon 30 Jun 08
Pete wrote:Pete, you are incorrect, West Sutton is not a lovely area to live, it's chav central.
Hmm. Isn\'t \"East Cheam\" just another name for \"West Sutton\"? If not, then I don\'t see the distinction between \"East Cheam\" and just \"Cheam\".
I\'m sure it\'s a lovely area to live in, but its main attraction seems to be Seears Park. Apart from that, it\'s just suburban residential back streets!
Still, Cheam village itself is fairly quaint, but if I was coming in for a holiday in Surrey from outside the area, I think I\'d prefer somewhere in the Surrey Hills AONB.
Marcus, Sutton says...
12:17am Tue 1 Jul 08
And yes, Tony Hancock was very funny and very clever.
Hancock's last Hour: Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock immortalised Cheam. Credit: British Film Institute
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Pete, Surbiton says...
9:37pm Fri 27 Jun 08
I'm sure it's a lovely area to live in, but its main attraction seems to be Seears Park. Apart from that, it's just suburban residential back streets!
Still, Cheam village itself is fairly quaint, but if I was coming in for a holiday in Surrey from outside the area, I think I'd prefer somewhere in the Surrey Hills AONB.