A fun-size episode! Some recordings from a slightly chaotic visit to Shrewsbury’s Pride Hill, where I sat on the benches and listened to some people.
I’m displeased with myself. I wasn’t entirely happy with how I dealt with this Bench session, which took place last Friday lunchtime. In the interests of full disclosure, I deleted the first conversation I recorded, ostensibly because the person I was talking to was making me feel angry, but in retrospect, I wasn’t handling it at all well.
And I let you and myself down. For all my blather about doing this so unheard voices can be heard, I totally failed to engage with the street people who were also on and around the bench - so close you can overhear them - even when one asked me directly if I was filming, a golden opportunity that I totally missed. Nor did I talk to the group of women who took their place, after the men in question moved on.
So, I’m sorry. I should do better than this. I’m going back to the same bench at some point to try to make good my mistake.
‘I was looking at people and thinking, What can I blame them for?’
Meantime, meet Tommy and Jay. Tommy came along to see me, Jay was curious about what I was doing and ended up sharing quite a lot about his life. Take a listen, and tell me what you think about what they had to say? Join the Hello You family in the comments, or message me directly?
Jay mentioned a particular local venue in Shrewsbury, and persistent stories about certain behaviours that have been associated with it. The venue in question insists that it has strict policies and measures in place so such things don’t happen. I’m wondering if they’d let me do a Bench in their venue, maybe early one evening?
Other suggestions for places I can sit to talk to people, or events I could come along to and record conversations, are always welcome.
As are you. You’re always welcome here. Thank you for being on board with Hello You.
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Take care of yourself, and the people around you. There’ll be another episode on Friday!
Hello You 53: Conversations from a Bench on Pride Hill, Shrewsbury