Breathing   S  p  a  c  e  s

Thanks to Dominique for bringing Pomona to our attention (see #TreeStory 4), and forwarding these links: And: http://www.theskyliner.org/pomona-palace/ This article from 2014 suggests optimistically that it could be the future Eden of the north, a beautiful biosphere righ there in the city centre, but it iseems that is not is destiny. https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/aug/07/pomona-lost-island-manchester-dockland-wasteland-oasis

Each day this week, at work, in my place of work, a large, 5-storey, open plan, still new, glass-fronted building, I've taken a five minute awake siesta. In Spain siestas are traditionally talked about as short breaks from work. They can be taken in the workplace, or at home, in public parks, on walls. They're often used for sleeping. Each day this week, at work, I've taken mine sitting down or standing up, with my eyes closed. Not asleep, just resting my eyes. I'm listening

Sacred spaces mean different things to different people. This project is about Manchester's Quiet Spaces, but during the project people have talked about the importance of green spaces b r e a t h i n g s p a c e s and sacred spaces There is a relationship between these different types of spaces. What does a sacred space mean to you? For some people it might mean the quiet stillness of being in a church, or maybe a circle of trees or standing stones, it could be an altar wh

On the Today program, radio 4, Friday 2nd March Englands Chief Medical Officer Prof Dame Sally Davies said the impact of air, light and noise pollution was well recognised in the environment. But she said its role in terms of health was yet to be fully understood. Dame Sally added there was enough evidence to suggest action had to be taken. In her annual report, which is essentially a public health report, she said the NHS could lead the way in cutting pollution levels saying

Lent oblige... I'm giving Tree-spotting - in films, that is - a miss. Link (Gracie Fields singing TREES) https://archive.org/details/GracieFieldsTreesRex8636A

#treestory 14 Who knew there were that many Tree songs... Well, I must confess (Lent oblige - part 2) that I sort of did... courtesy of Paul Robeson, one of Manchester's best friends. Link (Paul Robeson singing TREES) https://youtu.be/FSSFI7k4LHA

A promise to myself that this year I will take time out to draw. Time out of the ordinary, noisy activities of the day to be quiet and still, and to live in the moment. Elizabeth Gaskell House and Garden is a quiet space in which there is a history and tradition of reading and writing, of thinking and reflecting - perhaps not so quiet then, but now it is and as such is very welcome. And the cafe is great too.