Record-breaking smiles!

It's difficult to know where to start with this post.  So many lovely, happy, positive things have happened recently.  I probably should have written a list, but in all the fun I forgot.  Me.  I forgot to write a list.  Whatever is the world coming to?!

Well, apparently it's coming to a bright new shiny place, and it's all coming from people with big hearts, vivid imaginations, energy, drive and a love of the places and people who surround them.

A couple of hours ago I collapsed on the sofa at home with aching feet, a complaining back and a fabulous feeling that I know will stay with me for a long time to come.  Today was the day that Stockton on Tees attempted three world records.  That's three.  World records.  The sun shone, the crowds came and people stood up to be counted, just as their marshmallows and bounces were counted too.  Twice.  And filmed.  And photographed.  And cheered, chanted and clapped.

I can say hand on heart that my appetite for pizza, having watched so many people try to eat one as quickly as possible, has diminished substantially.  Having eaten a marshmallow from the leftovers, once everyone had finished their attempts to eat the most in one minute, I was relieved I didn't put my own name down for the challenge.  I could barely finish one.  How the day's record of 14 was achieved, I have no idea!  I can safely say that I've never had a burning desire to bounce on a spacehopper over a line as many times as I could in one minute, but congratulations to all who tried, especially for the couple who'd already speed-eaten a 12” pizza!  No, bouncing on a spacehopper isn't for me.  You can keep the spacehopper.

Stockton came close to having a record broken today, but for the moment it just isn't meant to be.  A little practice for next time and I'm certain someone will crack it!

So what about the rest of the fun and frolics?  Last night saw Preston Park stage a huge picnic, complete with Beatlemania (a great tribute band who actually made me appreciate their music more than I had previously), and the ever-energetic and infectious Wildcats of Kilkenny who stirred up the crowd into a dancing, bouncing, singing throng of happiness.  One of my friends commented on the way home that it was so lovely just to sit with a picnic, surrounded by so many other people doing the same, enjoying the pleasant weather, company and lovely food.  The music was a bonus; she would have been happy even without the music to entertain us.  I suspect, however, that my bouncing and dancing kept her plenty entertained!

When I think back to last night's picnic I realise I didn't, in a crowd of more than 1000 people, hear of or witness any problems.  No fights or arguments, no shows of ego or bravado, just enjoyment of the here and now with the people they love.  There were Stockman Pies from the mighty and mightily fine Matty's Bistro (the best my friend has tasted, no less!).  There was Oxbridge Wildcat Real Ale, I believe brewed especially for the event (but feel free to correct me).  There was even some swapping of home-baked pie and tart à la the Great British Bake Off!

It's safe to say the picnic was a huge success, and just added to the feeling that's brewing up in and around Stockton on Tees.  It's something positive and addictive, and I sense that the people who are inflicted with this fabulous shift of outlook are embracing it and passing it on to the people who surround them.

Myself, personally, I've had so many things for which I can be thankful.  It's easy to overlook the good and focus on the bad, to dwell on what we no longer have instead of enjoying what's right there in front of us and surrounding us in the here and now.  I'm as guilty of doing that as my next door neighbour, the bloke who takes my money for petrol, or even the optician who helped me choose my new glasses.  I know when negativity begins to take over, but now I'm better equipped to deal with those moments quickly.  I can do that in no small way thanks to friends, old and new.  They help to pick me up and to make me see what's fabulous in my life.  Most of the time they don't even realise they're doing it, but they are.

There was a time when I chose to only allow a few select people become close to me.  I was always a wallflower; a shy little thing who, when I was a child, was so scared of men that I would cry and run away if the opportunity presented itself.  One summer I even locked myself in a caravan because a man was taking a family photograph.  I never liked being the centre of attention, even on my wedding day, and I preferred my own company than that of others.  Looking back now I realise it was shyness and insecurity that made me feel that way.  Self preservation.

Now?  I'm fine with my own company, but it gets a bit old when that's all you have most of the time.  I love to be with people now, and I adore my new friends.  I can't remember ever being greeted with so many hugs, but now it's becoming the norm.  So much so, that I greeted an old friend with a hug today who obviously wasn't expecting it, and it was only afterwards it occurred to me that I probably haven't done that before.  Not with her.

I can't remember the last time I received so many birthday cards, and at times from unexpected places!  This year someone made me a birthday pavlova (because no one still dare make me a birthday cake!), and I can't remember the last time someone did anything like that for me.  It might have even been mum back in my teens.  I can't remember being so enthusiastic about making plans with such a large number of people at one time, and now I just soak it all up and enjoy the laughs and atmosphere, and revel in the new memories we're making together.

There are so many people I could thank for helping me to wake up, and for making sure my eyes remain open, but the list is too long and I'll forget someone.  You know who you are, you really, really do.  But for this wonderful bank holiday weekend there's a picnic with fabulous music, pies, ale and great company to thank, and there's a Summer Show where people gathered to attempt world records.  Both of the above are nothing without the people.  They came together and had fun, showed support and respect for each other, cheered each other on, swung each other round to a manic fiddler, and drove each other home, making sure they were safely in the door before driving away.  Because that's what we do.

Stockton on Tees does have record breakers but the achievements are immeasurable; enthusiasm, support, laughter and a desire to improve and enrich their lives and those people around them in the most imaginative, positive ways.

Right now my whole body hurts.  Each time I stand up it complains at me and tries to make me promise not to put it through this again, but I refuse to make promises I can't keep.  Physical pain passes; joy, laughter and an overwhelming feeling of belonging will stay with me so much longer.

I feel as though Stockton is trying to adopt me, and quite honestly I'm struggling to find reasons not to sign the paperwork.

Wildcats Picnic @ Preston Park

P.S.

While writing this post I discovered that a person who won a prize during the world record attempts today has donated it to a local charity. Generosity is most certainly added to the list of positives in and around Stockton on Tees. There are many unsung heroes out there who do their bit when they can to make others smile, and I salute every last one of you!

Kindness costs nothing

Having had a few down days recently I started to think about ‘niceness’ and how it affects us personally, both for the giver and the receiver.  I had a few moments recently when I’d uncharacteristically snapped at people at work, with various legitimate reasons behind them I might add, but nevertheless the frustration and anger were misdirected.  It gave me no joy to do or say what I did either at the time or looking back on it now.   But we’re all human, right?  None of us are beyond making mistakes, and every emotion we feel is valid to us in that moment, regardless of whether or not the spectator agrees.

What we don’t often consider is that every emotion we feel is capable of being manipulated to such a degree that before we know it, we’ve gone from feeling full of sorrow to enthusiastic about life, and we can do this to ourselves as well as others.  We often try to help a friend in need, and even if we don’t know what to say for those words of comfort, just being there with a smile and a hug can be enough to improve someone’s outlook on a situation that’s getting them down.  We do this instinctively for friends and family, and yet we don’t do it for ourselves.

Being ‘nice’ can be difficult sometimes, especially on those days when we don’t feel quite ourselves.  I’ve been known to force myself to smile and be gracious at supermarket checkouts when all I really wanted to do was snatch my receipt and growl.  It’s not easy but it’s worthwhile making the effort, because even if it feels physically painful to do it (and sometimes it does!), it still makes the other person feel a little better about their own day and their own problems. It may even just make them feel better to realise that through gritted teeth you made an effort for them; a complete stranger, when the previous twelve people didn’t give a rat’s backside.

It’s the smallest of gestures that make the biggest differences to our lives.  Some people think that being nice or generous involves huge acts, lots of money, gifts and elaborate surprises.  Well, not for me. The single, most memorable gesture was from one complete stranger who made my day, and I’ve never, ever forgotten it…

It was my second ever trip to London on my own, and having stepped off the train at Kings Cross my first thought was to find a bathroom!  I already knew where it was, and I already knew that I needed change.  It was only when I looked in my purse that I realised the smallest change I had was £1.  I turned and saw that the machine to give change was out of order.  I took a deep breath, put on a big smile and asked a lady who was approaching the barriers for the toilets whether she could change my pound.  She couldn’t.  She did, however, have enough to just give me the change I needed.  I tried to give her the £1 coin anyway but she refused to take it.

All it took for me to have my faith restored in the kindness of human beings was a smile and 30p.  I never knew her name and I can’t remember her face, but I’ve never forgotten that one small gesture from one kind person in a big, cold city.  The smallest of gestures really do make a big difference.

I was talking with a friend a few weeks ago, and he told me the story of his journeys to work. He always walks to work (a local college), and he quickly realised that he often passed the same people day after day, and they usually just looked like they were aiming to get through their mornings with the least possible disruption.  Understandable, but they were also doing that without a glimmer of joy; trudging along, just waiting for the weekend to arrive.

So he made the decision to smile and say good morning to every person he passed on his walk to work, and this is what he discovered:

Day 1 – People initially looked startled, and they quickly muttered a begrudged return greeting while looking uncomfortable

Day 2 – People saw him approach and were prepared, just in case.  They made a little more effort to say good morning, at least sounding less scared and a little friendlier

Day 3 – People saw him approach and attempted to get their greeting in first, giving a cheery good morning and a nice smile

After a while of doing this; weeks, months, I’m really not sure how long it took, he realised that a small community had formed.  People at the college who didn’t normally communicate with each other were talking about their families, holidays, and so on, with added speculation about who this man was; the man who talks to people and smiles when he doesn’t know them.  They concluded that he’s a nice guy, but perhaps a bit odd because of this unusual interaction with strangers.

His actions had led to people communicating with each other in a way that even he hadn’t expected.  All he did was smile and say good morning to each person he passed, but it was enough to make them open themselves back up to the world and face their days with an extra little bit of joy, amusement and expectation.

It really doesn't take much other than a little effort to make a positive difference to someone's day.   What you perhaps may not have considered is that not only does it make other people a little happier, but it can have the same affect on the person doing that small good deed or act of kindness.  I took a walk along the promenade before work one day, and with my friend's words in mind I smiled at more and more people as we passed each other.  I'm confident that most of those people wouldn't have smiled first, but they returned them without hesitation.  One lady gave me a big, beaming smile and as I passed I chuckled to myself, partly because I didn't expect to see such joy on anyone's face before 7 am on a weekday, but there it was and it lifted me right up!

Now, I'm not saying that we should live our whole days trying to make others feel better about themselves and their lives, I'm only saying it would be nice to even just try to be nicer towards one person each day.  It might be a big, beaming smile.  Perhaps an anonymous little gift (I've been known to send chocolate bars to colleagues through internal mail).  Maybe even, after collecting your car parking ticket, putting enough in the machine for the next person to get free parking.

There are so many things we can do and they don't need to cost a penny.  Sometimes it just takes a little imagination, other times it just takes a kind word and a smile.  Tomorrow, why not try complimenting a stranger?  You could hold a door open for an extra beat or two for another person to come through.  Why not hold back from driving bumper to bumper in heavy traffic, and actually let someone out who's been sat waiting at a junction for the last five minutes?

These things will make you feel better.  They really will.  Consider too that the person for whom you've just done or said something nice is more likely to pass that on to someone else, all because someone unexpectedly made them feel valued.

We all have our bad days, of course we do, but we can turn them around into okay days, or even good days, just by being a little nicer and opening ourselves up to others.

Communities don't thrive on misery, negativity and selfishness, they thrive on kindness, support and a sense of belonging.  If you can help to foster positive relationships amongst a community, however large or small it may be, why wouldn't you?

I heard it reported recently that as a nation we're the happiest we've been for decades.

Let's prove it.

And, Oh! How we danced!

Today is a great day!  Today I danced, laughed, danced and danced some more, while the sun beat down on me so hard that I was sure before I even moved that I would melt into one huge puddle on Stockton High Street.

Today was the day that Diversity came to town, and so did the rest of the north east!

There was a time, not very long ago, when I was so self conscious, shy and scared of people laughing at me, that when opportunity came my way I would back away from it very, very quickly.  It didn't matter whether it was something for friends, family or work; I just didn't want to be involved.  Then one day something remarkable happened.  I became so aware of my own mortality that I suddenly found I was terrifed of living my life without actually living.

I picked myself up, dusted myself down and got the hell on with it; no one, not even me, would stop me having some fun!

Today, by 'eck, did I have some fun!

I learned recently that Stockton on Tees is in the top 100 list of crap towns in the UK.  This both saddens and frustrates me.  I've witnessed first hand over the last six months just how much effort Stockton has been and is putting back into the town, working hard to make their corner of the world nicer, more welcoming, more exciting, more enticing and a happier place to be both for its residents and its visitors.

Today, they absolutely pulled that off, helped in no small way by Diversity.

All for the making of a TV programme for Sky, the talented and charismatic lads from Diversity worked some of its residents to the point of sheer exhaustion.  They made them dance, dance, dance and dance until their limbs did the moving for them without a moment's thought.  These brave, wonderful people have been put through their paces in no small way, but the reports I've heard have all been incredible.  Friends have been made, personal limits have been blown out of the stratosphere, bodies have been worked almost to the point of breaking, and it's all been done with smiles, laughter, camaraderie and a huge sense of pride.

I may not have been directly involved with this incredible project, but that made me no less enthusiastic to be a part of the final product.

Today was the first time in the whole of my adult life that I voluntarily danced, and I chose to do it in a crowd of thousands upon thousands, with the sun beating down and my body already crying, the threat... no, the promise of cameras absolutely everywhere.

What surprised me, though, was the number of people choosing not to participate.  There were so many people stood around just watching, arms folded, still obviously enjoying the spectacle.  I wanted to scream at them, "For the love of everything wonderful, DANCE!  Join in!  Don't just watch; be a part of it!  Do something unusual, stop worrying so much and just... DANCE!"

I didn't scream at them.  I did try some encouragement, as did the people who were with me, but all that did was make them stand somewhere else!  But for all those people who watched from the sidelines, there were countless more who did join in, and it was a fantastic thing to see and be a part of.  Mine will be only one in a face of thousands, but I'm there smiling, dancing and laughing, and wishing I'd done it all sooner; enjoying my life.

I don't want to say a huge amout about the TV programme or the events of the day because that's not what this is primarily about, despite the photos!  This is about our lives.  It's about our enjoyment of life, and our pride in ourselves, our friends and family and where we live.

Please, if you're one of those people who's negative about the town you live in, complaining that it's 'crap' or 'nothing ever happens', try opening your eyes.  I know that Teesside is changing because I see it week after week.  It's evolving and growing, and it's making steps to enrich our lives, but that will never happen if we're not open to new ideas and experiences.   Other people can only do so much to make our experiences worth something more than a shrug and a frown; we need to let the good stuff in.

Today I danced in a way I've never danced before; with enthusiasm, joy and an abandon that I never knew was inside me, and what I want now is more.  I want more and more new experiences, and I want to help create them, too.  I want people to see what's good about who they are and where they live instead of concentrating on the negatives.  I want that to be passed onto the next generation, and the next, until eventually the normal thing to do when we walk down the street is to smile and say hello, not to have our eyes cast downwards and our heads filled with negativity.

Recently a fellow chorister blogged, amongst other things, about random acts of kindness and how important they are, and I concur wholeheartedly.  For the last 18 months I've been doing my best to live by that and I've discovered things about myself that I never knew before; positive sides to me that are gradually coming out as more time passes.  Random acts of kindness towards our friends, families and complete strangers are all well and good, but we can't forget about ourselves.  We need to remember to be kind to ourselves too, and if that's making a complete and utter fool of yourself in scorching heat on a high street in Teesside, so be it.  If it's allowing yourself to go out and try something new just because you want to, fine.  Don't forget about yourself.  To make other people happy I think you need to be happy, too.

I've said it before and I'll say it again; open up your eyes and be prepared to see and hear great things around you.

Your town isn't crap.

The people in your town aren't crap.

Today thousands of people in Stockton on Tees danced and laughed and danced some more, and the sun shone down and smiled with us as we partied.  Now... you tell me... how isn't that just bloody wonderful?

A Question of Identity

We don't think about our identities very often, do we? We choose how we dress and somewhere niggling in the back of our minds we have an idea of how we want to be perceived by others, but we don't usually act out of conscious decisions. We just 'do'. We already know who we are, we don't need to think before we act.

In the last two years my identity has changed. My whole outlook on life, the universe and everything has shifted off sideways in a kind of tipsy, happy, huggy kind of way and I'm much happier because of that, as I'm sure are those people around me who had to cope with the miserable, pessimistic version of me for so many years. But I didn't sit there one day and think, “I want to change. Who do I want to be now?”

The last week, however, has seen me look a lot more closely at myself; my actions, my outlook, my physical appearance, how fit (or unfit) I feel, where I want to be, what I'm prepared to do to get where I want to be... it's all quite exhausting, really!

Yesterday I took bleach to my hair (yes, yes, the stuff that's meant for hair!). I'm not sure what I hoped to see looking back at me in the mirror when it was all washed out, but I did see what I expected; a whole lot of blonde and orange and left with a scalp that requires a few days of recovery before attempting a cover-up. And tomorrow I need to go to work.

My own reactions have been mixed; laughter, desperation (maybe I can use the other colour anyway!), resignation. I was even nervous of dad's reaction. Having last seen me with dark red hair, the last thing I needed was for him to think there was an intruder in the house or have a coronary! Resignation is the one that's stuck with me, though. I did this to myself, deep down I knew what the result would be, and after all... it's only hair.

It's only hair.

That right there is what made me start thinking about identities. It's not only hair at all. It's one of the ways we define ourselves, especially for women (although admittedly men are coming into their own in the area of personal grooming!). My hairdresser said to me yesterday that some people just aren't meant for long hair, and I agreed, perhaps because I know I'm one of those people. It only took me 38 years to figure it out. Walking down the high street yesterday I clearly remember seeing the people not meant for 'conventional' appearance, some not meant for being alone, some for whom a smile seemed to have been invented and who make the world so much more pleasant.

Our identities are more important to us than we realise, at least until something happens to tear it down into pieces. My orange hair is nothing, it's irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. It will grow back, I'll change the colour again and all is well. Identities... people... are shattered by so much more. People lose their sight or their hearing, they lose limbs, they become incapacitated through illness, women have mastectomies, men have orchiectomies and the world keeps on turning, but to those people how they view themselves physically, emotionally or both is changed forever whether they consciously think about it or not. We hear of people being strong in the face of adversity and at the same time the person next door is falling apart. Is that a conscious decision? Does it matter? Regardless of how they came to be the people they are, their actions, words and appearance are theirs. We only spectate on the pieces of their world that they're willing to let us see. Although some of us try to be involved we're only ever as involved as they allow.

In the past week I've spent time with so many people and so many different personalities. I've been saddened with bad news from a colleague and friend, lifted by so many other colleagues and friends, old and new, frustrated by acquaintances, irritated by a rare few, and given absolute joy by people who while facing negativity chose to laugh, smile and sing with extra vigour. These are the people I salute, and the people against whom I measure myself, if only in a small way and only when I remember!

I make my decisions much more consciously now than I ever used to. When faced with negativity or bad attitude I returned it without a thought to what was behind it in the first place, and it never made me feel any better for giving as good as I got. Now? If someone talks to me negatively I respond with extra kindness and positivity. If I'm greeted with hostility I return a sweeter greeting and soften my voice. I do these things consciously; partly because I feel calmer when I do, but also because I don't know what, amongst the negativity and hostility, is happening in that person's life that I can't see.

It's all part and parcel of my identity. Seen or heard, it's all just me. Tomorrow I'll plaster a smile on my face and hope that by doing so, I'll feel better about being accidentally ginger and let others laugh with me instead of at me. Even now I'm wondering what on earth in my wardrobe I can wear that won't clash! The answer is probably nothing. So then, suck it up girl and get on with it!

Tomorrow I'll also consider that with each person I meet they have their own important, private stories, and that their identities, consciously chosen or not, are theirs. I won't judge, but I will think about how I respond. I'll treat everyone equally and I'll be as kind as I can possibly be (without being creepy, cuz you know... there's a limit!).

There's one person out there who comes to mind, and his first piece of advice to a ten year old boy when he met his hero was to be nice. Two months later he proved that he practices what he preaches, and that same ten year old boy is the proud owner of a personally hand-written letter meant just for him.

Whatever else you do tomorrow, be nice to someone whether you think they deserve it or not. And if you see me walking down the corridor and think, “Oh crap, it's like she's wrapped her head in a peach!”, feel free to say it or not, but please... if you say it, say it nicely!

Thank You For The Music

It was only as I was sat here this morning drinking my second coffee of the day that I realised just how large a part of my life music has become.

I've always loved music, of course I have. I think it would be difficult to find someone out there who doesn't love at least one type of music. I have my favourite artists and they've changed over the years as I've matured, but those lost as favourites will never be considered any less important to the memories of my distant adolescence. It may not have taken me long to realise that Jason Donovan's songs were bland and lacking any emotion and soul, but hearing one of those terrible songs now still transports me back to another world; my younger world of new loves, nicking out of school at lunchtime to avoid school dinners, first kisses, school exams and 2-for-a-penny Mojo's.

Anyone who knows me well knows of my love of David Bowie. I first took him seriously when I was 15 years old. I saw Labyrinth at a special repeat screening at the cinema a couple of years after its release. Admittedly my primary reasons for giving his older music a listen were the tights and make-up, but something in his voice that day gave me goosebumps and it had never happened before, and rarely since.

My first experience of Bowie's real music (not the pop/mainstream stuff of the 80's) was when I borrowed Aladdin Sane from someone for whom I used to work. I felt honoured that I was allowed to take this beautiful vinyl album home and listen. When I got home I went straight to my room, closed the door, put the needle on that most wondrous spinning disc full of promise, and when the music played I felt elated to have discovered him. I even felt slightly nervous because, quite frankly, was I supposed to like this? The disjointed, erratic but still melodious style of piano that Mike Garson played was completely alien yet absolutely right. To this day I hear the album and I'm back in my old room, feeling excited and scared and ever so chuffed with myself for finding this musical genius!

David Bowie – Aladdin Sane

Since that day my mind has been a lot more open to bands I've never heard of and to those that peers and/or society told me I shouldn't like, whether it be down to my age or my other musical tastes. Over the years I learned to accept that in order to fully enjoy the music I choose I need to stay true to myself. It meant that at the age of 33 I finally admitted I love jazz, and now my iPod is full of Ella Fitzgerald, Stacey Kent, Eartha Kitt, The Puppini Sisters, Caro Emerald, Louis Armstrong, Slim Gaillard, all alongside such greats as Foo Fighters, Dolly Parton, Jace Everett and Paloma Faith. My music taste is eclectic, but it's mine and I make no apologies or excuses, and nor would I expect you to explain your music tastes to me.

Eartha Kitt – C'est Si Bon

Foo Fighters – The Pretender

Paloma Faith – Just Be

But things change. It seems that music starts to lose its significance with us as adults to some degree, and certainly for some more than others, and I had no idea it had happened to me until recently.

For some people music does remain an essential part of their lives, whether it's playing an instrument or living each day with a soundtrack to their lives running through their heads. Some of us don't seem able to walk five minutes down the street without mp3's blasting straight into our ears.

For me, however, music had started to become a background noise. It was always there and always heard, but I stopped really listening. Then I joined Stockton Town Choir back in January and my focus shifted more significantly that I realised. In fact it took six months for me to see its significance and importance.

The background noise of music was suddenly right there in front of me. It was surrounding me, pulling me in, and I was suddenly being hugged by a huge warm and comfy blanket of “welcome home”. I was comfortable and happy from the first day, albeit I was a tentative singer for a while. Now, though, it's a part of who I am and it's brought even more music to my life than I ever thought possible.

The community that both surrounds and is the choir is phenomenal. I've made a lot of friends who would never have been part of my life otherwise, and on top of that I've been introduced to more and more music and it's returned the passion I'd previously lost.

There are musicians, bands, individuals and moments that I will never forget...

The enthusiasm, passion and drive of Mike McGrother who leads us into fun, challenging performances in the unlikeliest of places.

The goosebumps that so rarely happen when I listen to a singer returned on our big rehearsal night for #smile at Stockton Riverside College. Joe Hammill stood, one single voice in one large room full of people, and he sang so hauntingly beautiful that I could only listen while a lump formed in my throat. To this day I'm not sure how I remembered to sing. Then the terror and joy of us all performing with him (and others) on Stockton High Street!

#smile

The introduction of new bands like Fake Major and Cattle & Cane, who I knew instantly should already have sky-rocketed to fame and fortune; those who lose themselves in their music and make you forget, for a short while at least, that anything exists outside of that moment, in that room, with those melodies and voices.

Fake Major – Little Researcher

Cattle & Cane

The sheer joy of watching Infant Hercules (the male voice choir also led my Mike McGrother) grow in solidarity, strength and harmony over three months. Their performance at Saltburn Theatre with the Wildcats of Kilkenny was perhaps beyond any expectations they even had of themselves. It was powerful, beautifully so, but also carried with it warmth and pride, and I can recall no finer performance from those gutsy blokes!

 

Infant Hercules @ Saltburn Community Theatre
 

I've been mesmerised by the incredible musicianship of Gordie MacKeeman and his Rhythm Boys. What they can do with a double bass, a couple of guitars, a banjo and a fiddle is something very special. Add to that the lively and highly accomplished level of tap/clog dancing and the whole room was blown away.

 

Gordie MacKeeman and his Rhythm Boys

I've had inspiration thrust upon me by watching talented, enthusiastic musicians play, to the point where I once again picked up my cello and attempt to make some kind of acceptable noise that doesn't make dogs bark and babies cry.

There have been many, many moments of joy, goosebumps and feelings of solidarity with both old and new friends, and old family members (sorry dad!), but to list them would be to bore you rigid.

My point for this post isn't that 'choir is great, everyone should try it', because that would just be daft. It was and continues to be right for me, and I'll keep going as long as I possibly can. My point is about the music itself and what it can give you.

I spent a lot of years taking very little notice of the music that surrounded me, and because of that I lost some of the joy in my life. Open up your ears and your minds, listen to bands you don't know anything about, try music you never expect to enjoy, and all the while listen... really, really listen...

Try telling me that you don't have a song that instantly lifts your spirits and makes you smile. I know somewhere in your collection there's one that brings tears to your eyes despite you not knowing why. There's a song there, too, that makes you feel comforted. And don't forget the one that makes your adrenalin pump faster and harder until your lead foot makes you speed down the motorway faster than you know you should.

Music is everywhere. We have so many songs on our players now that we can barely choose what we want to play. When you do finally make a choice don't forget to listen to it, enjoy it, appreciate it, and let it speak to you, enrich your life and make your world even more special.

And now, for the finale...

 

The Big Lunch 2013 & good vibes

Did you know that yesterday, Sunday 02 June, was The Big Lunch?  Were you aware such a thing existed?  Did you realise that anything was happening in your area?  Well, something was and it was fabulous.

First, everything you need to know about this national event is here but in a nutshell, "The aim is to get as many people as possible across the whole of the UK to have lunch with their neighbours once a year in a simple act of community, friendship and fun."

Well, what fun we had!

There was wonderful (very) spicy food provided by Matty's Bistro, in itself a worthwhile endeavour teaching young people skills that they can go on to develop in paid jobs, and it's been shown that these young people do go on to paid work in kitchens thanks to the work of Matty's Bistro.  I've talked to a couple, too, and I can honestly say they're intelligent, enthusiastic, funny people who absolutely deserve this chance they've been given.  I, for one, will show my support for this in any way I can, even if it's only buying a pie or two when they have a stall in the market on Stockton High Street.  If you see their stall please do stop, buy some pies and have a chat.  You'll be glad you did!

But anyway, I digressed.

The Big Lunch.  Can you believe that Stockton Central Library allowed us in on a Sunday to eat, sing, dance, be merry and cause chaos to their otherwise calm, peaceful lives?  Well, they blinkin' well did, and what an afternoon we had!

Infant Hercules, a male voice choir, regaled us with their rich, harmonious voices.  This was their first proper performance having not been formed all that long ago, but you would never have known it; they were beautifully moving.  It almost made me wish I was a man.  Almost!  I confess that I'd miss shoes and handbags too much.

Events like this are what make me so proud to be part of Stockton Town Choir, as we also joined in with the always impressive Wildcats of Kilkenny, along with Infant Hercules.  I can only speak for myself, but singing We Shall Overcome for so many lovely people and in view of recent events gave me an extra sense of belonging, community and pride in what we were doing.  I do hope it helped a few others, if not everyone else, to feel the same.

The Wildcats of Kilkenny then continued with a few songs of their own in the only way they know how; with fun, laughter, energy, incredible musicianship, audience participation (those poor, poor Yr 6's!), dancing, jumping and just a tiny bit of chaos.



Wildcats of Kilkenny @ The Big Lunch, Stockton Library 2013

Just another little aside here.  It's easy sometimes being part of the choir to forget that Wildcats frontman, Mike McGrother, isn't just a ball of enthusiastic energy.  He's also an incredible musician and infectious performer.  The rest of the Wildcats could be easily overlooked with such a force of nature among them, but as a whole they work beautifully well together and their longevity is testament to this.  I can't remember a time when the Wildcats weren't on the bill somewhere locally, and especially when it comes to events like SIRF and Intro Festival (previously Middlesbrough Music Live) they wouldn't be the same without them.  There are a number of reasons why, after over 20 years, I decided to pick up my cello and attempt to play again.  It was partly because I wanted a new challenge, for something to stimulate my senses, with a desire to re-awaken a passion for something that I used to be reasonably okay at, at least in my adolescent head.  The final push towards my decision was watching the Wildcats, Cattle & Cane, Young Rebel Set and others perform for The Piano two weeks ago both on the high street and in The Storytellers, but especially the Storytellers.  I may not play well (I'm pretty much back to being a learner, after all), but by hell I'm enthusiastic.  I do feel it appropriate at this point to apologise to my neighbours; the cello is not a quiet or subtle instrument and I even make myself cringe!

Anyway, back to business (again).  The Big Lunch was "... to get as many people as possible across the whole of the UK to have lunch with their neighbours once a year in a simple act of community, friendship and fun."  I can say with absolute certainty that this was achieved.  We ate, talked, laughed, sang, danced, and laughed and sang some more.

As Sunday afternoons go in a library, I'd say it's the best I've ever spent.

Should we stop there?  Absolutely not!  A sense of community doesn't have to be a huge gesture involving hundreds of people, as wonderful as it feels to be part of that (and I hope that doesn't stop).  A sense of community can be formed with small gestures of kindness and inclusivity, whether it's taking homemade cakes into work to share with colleagues, taking a few moments to talk to your neighbours or even just smiling and saying hello to people as you walk past.

Take a moment and consider what would make you feel like part of a real community again, and if you can achieve it, do it.  If you need help to achieve it, seek help and do it.  There are more people out there than you think who are eager to make our world a little more pleasant, but you'll never see them if you don't look up from your phone at what's around you, and you'll never hear them if you don't stop, remove your earphones and take the time to listen.

Yesterday I made myself stop.  I (mostly) put away my phone and I watched, listened, took part and had a blast.  Thankfully a few other people took photos and videos of The Big Lunch, and the links are below.  Look, watch, enjoy!

Photos

Video - Wildcats of Kilkenny

Video - Wildcats of Kilkenny - Nellie the Elephant


If you decide you want to be part of Infant Hercules or Stockton Town Choir, take a look below for meeting days/times (though you may want to check before attending, just in case summer holidays/football matches cause alterations):

Stockton Town Choir - Georgian Theatre Stockton, Wednesdays 6-7pm (from about 5:20pm for a bite to eat in Green Dragon Studios)

Infant Hercules - Red Lion pub, Norton, Thursdays from 8pm

A final aside.  This afternoon I was walking down Redcar High Street and was pleased to see one of the shops being refitted ready to open as Re-Loved.  I've never heard of it before, and someone else was asking what it's all about.  Briefly, it's something set up to help young people in the local area but they explain it nicely here.  It's great to see something positive in Redcar for young people, and the guy talking about it (who was also repainting the shutters on the shop) was so passionate about the positive effect it already has.  Redcar's own Mike/Matty perhaps!

I opened my eyes and my ears and found something positive, just like I said could happen earlier (I typed that before I walked out the door this afternoon).  Have a peak outside, it's becoming rather nice out there!

The Piano (or A Triumphant Day in Stockton)

I'm sitting here at my laptop typing away with absolutely no clue what's going to end up on the page.  When I'm writing I usually have some kind of idea where I want it to go, but this time I'm just letting it all flood out in one mammoth babble of happiness!

Warning!  The text below will contain descriptions of uplifting, happy times with music, dance, laughter and singing.  Not suitable for miserable gits who can't just sit back sometimes, relax and let the world take them on a nice little ride.

Now then, yesterday was the much anticipated Piano on Stockton High Street, an event organised by Mike McGrother intended to help promote the fabulous regeneration of his beloved town, and to make people smile and have some fun on an otherwise cold, dull day.

I've considered going into specifics about who performed what, when, how, etc etc etc... but that's not what this post is about.  This is more about a feeling.  And besides, there'll be videos out there and it would be so much easier to just take a look (and I know you want to!).  What I will do is give you a few photos and a little roll call, and if I've missed anyone I'll happily add them if you tell me!  The people involved were:

• The Wildcats of Kilkenny
• Ivory Dan McCormack
• Young Rebel Set
• Cattle & Cane
• Southmartins
• Matty's Bistro
• Stockton Riverside College
• Abbey Hill School
• Stockton Town Choir
• Lizzie Purdham
• A brass band
• A silver statue man whose name I don't know, but who was just marvellous (and easy on the eye, thank you very much Mike!)

I'm sure I've missed people out, and in some cases there were only one or two band members, but as I didn't call the register I can't say exactly who was there (and their mums didn't send in notes to get them out of performing, either!).  What I do know is that every last person who contributed was dedicated, eager and just marvellous.

I said this would be about a feeling, but it's so much more than just one.  Yesterday filled me with feelings of belonging, happiness, acceptance, pride, musicality, youthfulness and pure joy.  Before I joined this choir I would never have believed I could take so many wonderful moments from something without even having to try.  Stockton Town Choir feels more like a movement than a group of people singing.  That so many people from so many different walks of life can come together to just sing and be happy is a wonder to behold, let alone to be a part of, and I'm thankful every day that I found this incredible group of people.  I've become part of a community that I never even knew existed.  It really is that, too; a community.

I know when you think of a choir, usually the images that spring to mind are formal affairs; structured, exact sessions with perfection required before hometime, uniformed performances, choreographed movements right down to the flick of a wrist and a click of the fingers.  Stockton Town Choir isn't like that; it's informal, sometimes chaotic, completely inclusive, warm and welcoming, and always full of laughter.  Each week we know each other better and better, and it feels like a growing community gathering with one simple goal; sing with everything we are.  And we do.  And the world rights itself, our troubles melt away, our friendships become stronger, and we return home with a positive outlook and a whole lot of love in our hearts.

Is this too much?  Am I making you feel a little nauseous?  Tough.  Deal with it.  I spent a lot of years being Miss Grumpy Knickers, and I'm making up for lost time!

Yesterday's performance was even more joyful than #smile was back in March.  Today there wasn't just singing.  Today there was humour and amusement, magic, juggling, tap dancing, cream scones, surprises (who knew 'Albert' could play piano so well?!), ballet dancing and hell of a lot of clapping!

For me there was also a tear or two, and they were of happiness.  For #smile I was nervous and apprehensive, and I know I felt very aware that people were watching me.  I enjoyed it immensely and came away wanting to do more and more, but today was different.  The Piano saw me lose myself amongst it all, and as we sang:

I'll see you through your bad times

I'll see you through your fears

I'll see you through your hangups

Yes, I'll dry all your tears

... I looked into the crowd and there was dad.  Right there at the front, looking for all the world like he would burst into childlike sobs in a heartbeat.  As I sang those words they weren't just for Stockton, they were for him too; my wonderful, strong, supportive, unconditionally loving dad, and that's when the lump hit my throat.

But of course it was for Stockton too; a town in which I no longer work, have never lived and only occasionally visit (though I do now visit more and more frequently even outside of the choir), and I happily drive the short distance to choir practice and performances because, well with everything I've written up there ^ why in the world wouldn't I take that drive?!  I've said it before and I'll say it again; it's okay to give to or do something for communities of which you've never been a part.  We do it all the time when we throw money in buckets for Comic or Sport Relief, Children in Need and so many other charities.  What we forget sometimes is that we can make things better with good will too; a song, a dance, a smile, a thank you, even just a nod to someone to show that we're aware they're not just part of the landscape and that they do matter.

Yesterday's weather was a shame.  The rain held off, but the biting, cold wind kept some people away from Stockton High Street so the crowd unfortunately wasn't as big as I expected.  There was, however, a second little helping of music and frivolity in the Storytellers pub in... you guessed it... Stockton.  It's been a looooooooooong time since I enjoyed music and company like that, and I can't even remember the last time I was in a pub.  Shocking, I know!

It was standing room only in the pub and it soon became hot, sticky and uncomfortable, but it was overflowing with incredible music from fantastic musicians, more dancing, more singing, more bemused people when the choir joined in with our harmonising 'oooohs' and 'aaaaaahs', and a lovely little bar buffet. 

  

The amount of dedication shown by so many people throughout the whole of The Piano, parts 1 (High Street) and 2 (Storytellers), is astonishing.  Folks want to make their town a better place, and to make the people who live there feel better about their town and themselves.  I love that.

I've written this without looking at any photographs or video footage (except my own) or comments from internet trolls who don't like to have their miserable lives uplifted.  I can't give you their perspective on The Piano, but you already know mine and it involves a whole lot of love.

Yesterday in Stockton there was music and dancing.

There was a piano at its heart, but there were people at its soul.

Click here for a taster of the fun at the Storyteller's!