wednesday 13th June

Spent he weekend in Liverpool after drinks with alex on Friday night. As always Rob and Linda were wonderful hosts, lovely BBQ and the evening and following morning spent in the shade of their sunny garden which has just recieved a huge make over.

Sunday and Monday were completely forgetable. Filling time and waiting for somthing to happen, I need to get out of the rut I am quickly falling into. Did visit St johns on Tuesday night in Roundhay at the back of the park. Stunning building with a graveyard that is slowly slipping off the hill, hence the small congregation having left. Peter mojsa informs me this church may well be open for me to use a s a studio if i put the right plan to him.

Tuesday saw a massive change in my mood. I had to meet Dave of Gateway at 2 to open up the church for some reason or another, recieved a reminder text at 7.30 in the morning, out of bed into the library and then into the computer room in old mining building. Spent the morning downloading info on St Johns church and info on english heritage and The Church Comission as well as gorvernment guidlines on graveyards.

Left old mining and went to St marks where the door was already open, a moment of panic was followed by the realisation David Calder was already inside. We had a godd catch up chat and then peter mojsa arrived. I had another chat with Peter about St johns and he then had to break and wait for a "Coach" outside. I got on with collecting up my work and storing it in the chapel.
All of a sudden the church began to fill with a veriety of well healed gentlemen, all sat down after a brief look around and then David began to give them a brief history of the builkding since it clossed. Must be due to the purchase by Gateway (who were also now in attendance) Peter Mojsa then spoke then so too dave from Gateway, i sat at the back listening. when all was done Peter pointed everyone in my direction. All of a sudden these men were introducing themselves handing over business cards and asking for photos of me infront of my work.

One particular man, the team manger of all the disuesed churches in england said how delighted he was with my work and how he would love to see me use other spaces, he then introduced me around and in particular to the chief executive of the churches commision who said "go on our website, we have over 300 disuesed churches around England that our organisation are responsible for, we would love you to fill them all, get in touch."

Shit the bed!

It turns out these gents are all spending 3 days away from there city offices in London having there annual visit to the provinces. each year they pick a dioces and visit the empty church stock there in. This year they Chose Ripon and Leeds. As Rob tells me every time I beat him at anything what so ever.

"The sun shines even on a dogs ars every now and again".

What now? much more research, planning and proposals. 2 options open a place in Leeds possible ~St johns a project to establish a studio/ gallery and also save the cemetary and tie all in to the Roundhay parc and local community. Or take the work on tour to some of the urban churches thatare empty, emials proposals and funding applications pending.

i am now busy and happy once more, no excusses for driffting aimlessly.