A Masterclass in Culture
Last weekend I had a masterclass in culture.
The kids had a long weekend from school so we went 'home home' with time to do the things we always put off during the usual flying visits.
On the Friday we went to Beamish, an open air museum in County Durham and favoured location of every annual school trip from Northumberland to North Yorkshire. I've been lots of times before, but not for 10 years or so, and there has been a lot of change.
The first stop was the 1900's pit village. I come from a mining family, but for the first time, mining felt like history. My town, our community, livelihoods, the Westoe Nettie, were centred around it. I don't hanker after the past, but was reminded of the awful time in the early 80's when everyone pulled together for the striking miners and their families.
On a happier note, like most other cultures, we are also defined by food, so a cone of chips, with batter of course, from the coal fired fryers was just perfect!
Moving round to other exhibits, there was a reconstruction of the Sunderland lodge my great uncle attended and the aged miners cottages my grandparents lived in......how to feel old....
Next day it was Sunderland AFC v Middlesbrough FC. There are references all over to the mining history, the stadium itself was built on the site of the old Monkwearmouth Colliery where my Granda worked, and of course, it's right alongside where we used to mak (mack-em) the ships. It is living history, our history, the history that made us who we are.
Inside, there are references to the epic 1973 FA cup win against Leeds. Not least, in the living breathing legend that is Jimmy Montgomery, an exceptional host at every home game. That win is still the best day of some people's lives. People don't have a lot of money, but what they do have, they spend on football, because football is life.
With the win in the bag, it was off to the new Sheepfolds Stables development which provides a 'platform that creates local opportunity for people and businesses, whilst promoting unity and growth for the city of Sunderland'. Over 100 years ago, this was stabling for horses supporting the city's heavy industrial past. Now it is a thriving food and drink venue with community events. Steeped in culture.
Sunday was obviously a quiet one but nothing like a good walk along the front to clear the cobwebs.....
I came home on the Monday feeling quite moved by the weekend. Nothing was new to me, maybe I'm feeling home sick, it just felt different. The smell, sound, taste and feel of everything was familiar, comforting and safe. I've never felt more northern in my life.
How had this happened? I realised everything was so interconnected and represented every fibre of my being, everything I have known and everything I want the north east to be. Every detail matters, right down the ships on the football kit. Everything is there for a reason. Everyone eats, lives, and breathes our culture.
Now, how to transfer that to work.........
