Year's End

One of the better signs that has emerged in these last few difficult years, has been the recognition of open space, green space and just plain old 'open air' that enhances our shared lives. It's been encouraging to see how well used the City Stadium this has been this year, and hopefully more possibilities to come, for families, residents and wildlife. A new notice board that highlights local events, facilities and artists and makers is another welcome sign of that recognition. All of this is a long way from threats that once seemed poised to snatch this precious green space away and cover it with tarmac!

So, here's to the future!

Seasons Greetings to one and all and a Happy New Year 2024

The Vale in Snow

White Bridge, White Water

When did it start to rain? When will it stop? Everywhere is sodden it seems. Down to the Vale and on to the White Bridge. There, a huge willow brought down by Storm Arwen in distant 2021 has remained in place barely trimmed, and now dams the Ouseburn. The volume of water that struggles to bypass the trunk has built up and overflows into a 'new' old channel looping around the obstacle – water always finds a way – and torrents over the weir beneath a sorry looking White Bridge.

However, it was, in a small way, a spectacle on a very dull day, when the colours of the autumn lightened the mood of winding down towards the year's Shortest Day, and recalling the exciting way nature can never be taken for granted, even here in the heart of a city.

Album of photographs here (off site link)

Slugtown

Slugtown is a gallery and workspce on Wreatham Place, Shieldfield. I have only just become aware of Slugtown, for which apologies.

Slugtown is another welcome sign that there is a spirit of enterprise and connection building across the district, from the Star and Shadow, Biscuit studios and bars and venues on Shieldfield Lane, a slowly building community of talented souls.

Their latest show, Faces, Faces by Ki Yoong is exceptional. A series of compelling portraits beautifully displayed. A must see.

Images are copyright. Used by permission.

Faces, Faces Ki Yoong On view until 21 October 2023 Open Thursday – Saturday, 11 – 5pm, and by appointment Faces, Faces continues until 21 October 2023.  Ki Yoong’s debut solo exhibition seeks to challenge the relationship between observer and the observed in a series of highly rendered, technically virtuosic works.   Full documentation of Faces, Faces and accompanying text are available on our website.   For all enquiries, please email: contact.slugtown@gmail.com Read more → Evening Colours (Opal) Oil on board, copper 30 x 24.5 x 3.5cm 2023 Enquire about this work → Cameo Watercolour on paper 34 x 29.5cm (framed) 2023 Enquire about this work → Sunday Morning Oil on board, copper 30 x 24.5 x 3.5cm 2023 Enquire about this work → Copyright (C) 2023 Slugtown. All rights reserved.

Greening Shieldfield

Shieldfield Street

Once an extensive manufacturing and transport district, Shieldfield has few signs of these past activities to show today. Plans to build over demolished factory sites – offices (for whom?) or apartments, finalised on student housing blocks while Shieldfield experienced the usual infamies of 60s town planning, styles from fashionable architects of the day re-heated for social housing. 

Happily for today, the associated tree planting phase – possibly to soften bleakness or alienating spaces created by T-square wielding 'shared spaces facilitators' – has come into its own. Trees that made it past the pole stage, are now a feature that does much more than soften an edge or blank space. A striking aspect of walking through Shieldfield now are the spreading branches and groves created by a what was once thought little more than a 'detail'.

Sorbus spp. A fine crop of berries

In a world facing climate change, increasing pressures on movement, the contemporary drive to keep, enhance or use green space in our towns and cities is a welcome initiative rolling out around the globe. Shieldfield has had a head start.

I define Shieldfield by the centre pinned to Wretham Place, bounded by Shieldfield Green, Portland Road and Shieldfield Lane cum Clarence Street.

A photographic gallery of my recent walk here (off site page).

Summertime

 Flower bed outside Star & Shadow, Warwick Street. Great show!

For those with a good memory, June was sunny. Over battlefield the flowers bloomed and the bees buzzed to good effect. Then July cam along and while southern Europe and even 'the south' grew hotter, grey skies and much rain was the order of the day. Global warming seemed a cruel rumour. Warm clothing was dug out of cupboards.

It might seem an academic past time to read about coming fears of extreme weather when the Summer in the north lived up to recent, damp, history. But the likelihood is that the seasons will change for all in time. Choosing the Precautionary Principle (if bad can happen it will happen) some thinkers are urging more green space in our cities across the world. Shade from trees works, areas of plantings or grasses help dissipate heat – further – they make being outside a more pleasant experience than heated concrete and tar mac.

Damp afternoon 27th July 2023

We must think about adapting with the added plus that this expands that gain from the recent Covid 19 quarantine periods, when so many discovered the psychological support that comes from public open spaces and our city parks and gardens warding against feelings of isolation and disjunction. More would be no bad thing. Cities are going to have to change.

Here is a portfolio (off site link) of the seasonal offering from the Battlefield (a.k.a. City Stadium) including, as a finale, the regrown cherry trees, cut back wantonly along Portland Road; spot them amongst the huge buddleia!