THE residents of Barcelona have revealed how it feels like living in the British city 1,000 miles away from Spain.
The tiny hamlet, located just two miles from Looe in Cornwall, is home to just a handful of residents who say getting parcels delivered is a nightmare.
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And despite sharing its name with the Spanish city, Barcelona will be rooting for the Three Lions when they take on the Spaniards in the Euro 2024 final.
Residents say if Gareth Southgate’s men can win the trophy then the festivities will rival any seen on Las Ramblas.
Football-mad builder Ian Puckey, 65, moved into one of Barcelona’s two semi-detached homes two years ago with his wife Patty Prachunkhong, 47.
The lifelong Chelsea fan said: “I’ll be cheering on England from Barcelona and if we win Barcelona will be rocking.
“I haven’t missed a game yet. It’s been annoying at times with the late substitutions and I think we’ve got lucky at times but I’m hoping we get lucky again.”
The history of Cornwall’s Barcelona dates back to 1740 when local landowner Bishop Jonathan Trelawny renamed the land in memory of his son who perished in a shipwreck while he was returning from Spain.
The unusual name occasionally draws tourists who want to take photos of Ian’s sign and has caused issues for posties on their parcel deliveries.
Despite this, Ian says he loves living there.
He said: “We get people taking pictures of the signs, if they stop and ask then we try to explain the history but I don’t think anybody knows the true history.
“Sometimes when we order things people question whether it’s in England but I don’t mind.
“I love this place, I love being by the coast. I’ve been to Spain a lot but never the other Barcelona. I’ve been probably every other year with my children or playing golf with my mates and I worked out there for three months.”
Patty backs England to win the tournament, saying: “Both of us were screaming like hell when Watkins scored.
“People have been so negative but I am 100% behind the team, it’s coming home. It’s coming to Barcelona but it’s coming to our Barcelona. Come on England!”
There are a number of homages to the Spanish city in the hamlet.
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A nearby football pitch used by Pelynt FC was named New Camp after FC Barcelona’s world-famous Camp Nou stadium.
Next to the world-famous Barceloneta Beach, there is a bus station called Trelawny and a Carrer de Trelawny – which means Trelawny Street.
Unlike its cosmopolitan Spanish namesake, Barcelona has no shops, restaurants or cathedrals. Its sole building once housed the Trelawny estate manager.
Margaret Langsford, 89, who has lived in Barcelona for her entire life, is also cheering for Gareth Southgate’s men.
She said: “I definitely want England to win. I might stay up to watch it and see how England does. It’s lovely how well they have done and I really hope they can go all the way.
“I love this place, I was born in this house and I’m not going anywhere.”
How did Barcelona get its name?
IT is thought the name Barcelona comes from the ancient Iberian word ‘Barkeno’.
Classical sources all refer to the site with similar names, with the Romans using Barcino, Barcilonum, and Barcecona.
During the Medieval period, the city was known as Barchinona, Barçalona, Barchelonaa, and Barchenona.
That name made its way to Cornwall in 1740 when local landowner Bishop Jonathan Trelawny renamed the land in memory of his son who perished in a shipwreck while he was returning from Spain.
Trelawney’s son died defending the Catalan city during the War of the Spanish Succession.
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