Diary Log
20/11/10, The Pod, Quinton.
The dog walker.
As we were decorating the exterior and interior of ‘The pod’ the dog walker approached us and engaged in a conversation about our intentions about the space. After talking to him as a local resident, issues arose concerning youth centres and children learning from outdoor activities. He reminisced about the boy scouts and doing activities such as canoeing and other vital outdoor activities. We expressed the importance of outdoor learning and giving children opportunities to explore nature. He was enthusiastic about our plans and encouraged us while at the same time warning us about the stupidity of public insurance and how this affects school trips. Laws and policies seem to be stopping these school trips for fear of accidents, heightened by the media. Is this over protection necessary?
27/12/10, Nostalgia Tea Rooms, Southport.
The opinionated old lady and her daughter.
Today, as we sat drinking a nice cup of Earl Grey we got chatting to two customers about the history of Southport and the changes to its landscape, council policies, environment, employment, trade and transport. Issues were discussed and comments exchanged. The elderly lady, who was 84 years old, gave us some information about the history of her heritage and her family trade which was weaving. She also discussed people and families and connections between the town’s local people. Interesting conversations about things closing down arose such as the only museum and the botanical gardens which are important tourist attractions and special to the local people. She was reflective and quite sad about the changes to its landscape. Discussing England as a nation and its public transport system was also interesting. She stated that other European countries had a secure, well run system while ours was archaic and poorly run. She laughed at how ironic this was considering we were the ones who brought the railway system into foreign countries. The conversation then turned to Art and they both mentioned a sculpture that had been built at the end of one of the piers which looked out of place and ‘like a cowshed’, making the pier look ugly and unconnected to anything. She also stated that the builders were not doing a great job in refurbishing the Art gallery. Many views were exchanged and she said she felt upset and saddened to know that the place she was born in and where her heritage lies is changing for the worse. She put this down to the council and politicians who had diverted Southport’s money into Liverpool and there was therefore no funds left for Southport. She also mentioned that when Southport was forced out of Lancashire council and into Sefton/Merseyside council there was a particular councillor who took a lot of Southport’s money and placed it into her own pocket. Yet another political thief! We discussed that the problems are too big and that we feel helpless to change these issues. For us however we feel as though we can discuss, highlight and feed these issues through our work and highlight these issues to make people aware.
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