Changes

It is said by some that three of the most stressful things to go through are changing jobs, having children and moving house. In 2025, I have done all three!

I have not properly written here since late 2021, and before that it was late 2020, and before that 2017! 8 years is a long time!

In early 2019, I went to a Lou Fellingham concert in Horsham where she was recording a live album 'Made for you'. Quite a fitting title, as I met Jenny Dodd at that concert; someone I first met twice in quick succession at the very end of 2012. Firstly, she did work experience at St John's Meads and came into my classroom for an afternoon of pre-Christmas chaos. Then we met at the New Year 20-30s conference 'Clearvision' held at Ashburnham Place near Battle. She was invited as part of Mosaik church in Berlin. We kept in loose touch but not hugely. We became Facebook friends at some point, and occasionally saw each other at the CCK (my church) evening service.

Long story short... we got together shortly after this concert. We dated and in October I asked her to marry me. We got married during a pandemic, but I feel the stories of both our engagement and weddings (and yes that is a deliberate pluralisation) is best unpacked in a future post. 

After trying and praying for a couple of years, God blessed us with a son, Elias Samuel in July 2023. 

Back to this year. I left my job following a difficult season in life and we moved the following week! Again, I will tell that story in more detail soon. It links very closely with the name of our daughter born in August 2025, Martha Grace. We now live in a wonderful family home in Woodingdean, a suburb of Brighton. A new season awaits this September as I will be entering the unknown world of self-employment. I can't wait to get started, but for now I am supporting Jenny as we adjust to being a family of 4. 

A lot can happen in a few years!

It's good to be back.

Wow, it has been almost 4 years since I posted here. A lot has changed! Career, home and family have massively changed. More details to follow, but I intend to use this space for a lot more writing ideas over the coming days and weeks. 

The Advent Code 2021

This year, for what is fast becoming an annual tradition, I had to decide on a semi-familiar Christmas-related phrase to disguise day by day throughout December. It was harder than in previous years, but then I started listening to the carol 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel'. It has featured in this and last year's online carol service from my church, Emmanuel, Brighton and in two very contrasting styles. If you haven't yet watched those carol service films, I strongly recommend you do. Here are the links:

Light in a dark place (2020):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80iInC8YWFo&t=128s 

Son of man (2021):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoiOEWl4oCw 

In this song, I heard this verse:

O Come O King of Nations bind,
All people in one heart and mind.
Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease
Fill the whole world with heaven's peace.

It is strange, because the exact wording of this verse varies from version to version, and even one recording had slightly different lyrics in the book compared to the recording! I think my wording may be a slight cobbling together of different versions, but it expressed what I felt on my heart. 

This is a prayer I want to lift over our world, and specifically our nation and how it relates to the rest of the world, as we enter 2022. I thought I'd take it line by line and explain a bit more of what I felt.

O Come O King of Nations bind

This is a cry for someone to come, to step in. Wonderfully he already has! Christmas celebrates how Jesus came down and became human! He knows all of our struggles, fears and temptations, having faced them himself! 

Also, I love reminding myself that Jesus is King of the Nations. He is sovereign over every country and every President, King, Queen or Prime Minister is under his overall authority. Despite the many problems in our world, this is extremely comforting. Also, it shows that Jesus loves all nations equally. The West is not extra blessed! He cares about every individual in every tribe and nation, and he is King over all of them!

The issue of asylum seekers and refugees has also been topical this year, especially with the tragic death of 27 people in the English Channel just a few weeks ago. This issue strongly divides people, but we must seek a heart of compassion and seek to make their home countries a better and easier place to live as well as welcome them here with love and acceptance. 

All people in one heart and mind.

I am not naive enough to think everyone is going to agree on everything. In fact, diversity of opinion is important. As much as I assert that celery, beetroot and marmite are all utterly repulsive, I have to accept that some people find them an absolute treat (including close members of my family). 

However, this line speaks of a broader feeling. In society, we hear some very worthy statements. Be kind. Treat others as you'd want to be treated. Don't be prejudiced against anyone who is different to you. Help out those in need. All of these are important. People often talk about completely eradicating racism for example. I am 100% in support of all of these ideals. However, to pursue idealistic ends without calling on God to bring them about is futile. As long as sin exists in the world, people will be selfish, unkind, prejudiced and thoughtless to others. We have a sinful nature inbuilt inside us. That doesn't mean we don't continue to educate people or speak up for justice, but we need help from beyond our own effort.

These last few years have brought about great division in society. Political issues such as Brexit, as well as the correct response to the pandemic have been issues that have sharply divided our country. Tribalism is a slightly over-used word but it has some validity here.  

Social media has poured rocket fuel on this with people having access to easier ways to interact, but hiding behind keyboards makes people feel they can express themselves in ways unthinkable in face to face contact, shouting down and demonising those who disagree with them.

I pray that God begins to break down the walls we build around ourselves and soften the words we say more and more, and I include myself in this.

Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease

There is some overlap with the previous line here, but I like that this verse particularly names three problems we face, and prays that they would come to an end.

Envy - I wish I had what they have. The grass is always greener. If only I had.... then I would be happy. This is an infinite journey; an itch that won't be scratched. It can be divisive and destructive. 

Strife - conflict. Exactly the issues I mentioned above, but generally society and discourse seems to be more aggressive and combative these days. Entitlement can lead us to be demanding with people on the phone or in the shops when a particular item or service is unavailable. Strife strife strife. It is not wrong to on occasion fight against injustice, but often we need to accept we won't get everything our own way. Too often, adults are quick to fall into conflict with each other, and the sad thing is it is rubbing off on our children too.

Quarrels - Arguments are everywhere. I have outlined above some of the biggies, but the world just seems a much more argumentative and less forgiving place these days. Personal insecurities can lead to defensive behaviour and discourse which quickly looks to assert a point of view and not budge. 

We desperately need to learn to listen to each other properly too.

Fill the whole world with heaven's peace

This last line provides a glorious answer. Peace. Not just any peace. Heaven's peace. The biblical meaning of peace or 'shalom' is not just inner fulfilment or tranquility, not just the absence of any form of conflict, but a state of wholeness and completeness and this can only be found in one person - Jesus Christ. Only in Him can we truly rest, knowing our relationship with God is truly unbreakable and nothing we can do or say can cause us to lose it. One of my favourite, and most often prayed verses in the Bible is Philippians 4 v 7 where it talks about receiving a 'peace that surpasses understanding' that 'guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus'. Here is the wider context of this verse:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 4 v 4-7).

What this tells us is that not if we find God's peace that every problem will be taken away, but that we don't need to be anxious or worry. In fact, if we receive this peace, we will miraculously (by God's wonderful Grace) feel completely at peace in the midst of the storm. We can rejoice! Note that this peace 'guards our hearts (feelings) and minds (thought life). Guard it. And guard it well. 

Note another key word hidden in there too. Thanksgiving. Say thank you a lot, whether in prayer or just to those who do kind things for you. Appreciation is the antidote to entitlement, and it will make you a much more pleasant person to be around as well. 

So I pray that everyone would know this miraculous life-changing peace this year. It won't mean that every problem disappears, but it will equip you in the best way you can imagine.

As I make this verse my prayer this year, I find myself praying for a whole myriad of things and people. If you already know this peace, I hope and pray you discover more precious depths of it this year. If you don't, I invite you to explore it, whether meeting up to chat with a Christian friend, attending a church service or attending an Alpha Course, many of which are online now which is so easy.

A very Happy (and peace-saturated) New Year!

The Advent Code 2020

 A few years ago, I did an advent quiz on Facebook, uploading pictures each day that spelt words, eventually making a phrase relevant to the Christmas season and what it means to me.

I didn’t plan to do one this year. Work is busy etc. A few days before December began, however, I was listening to some Christmas music, and last year’s excellent album from Emmanuel, ‘The Gift’. I was listening to ‘Oh Holy Night’, possibly my favourite carol and one I am very familiar with. Often though, lines stick out to me in a new way. 

‘A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices.’

These words struck me powerfully. Our world is weary at the moment. 2020 has presented a whole host of challenges to our physical and mental health, job security, finances, education and spiritual life too as well as many other things. People are tired, fed up and ... weary. Never has this line been more relevant. 

Fortunately, the thrill of hope remains. Despite all that continues to happen, there is a sure and certain hope that is at the centre of what we celebrate at Christmas. 

God stepped down. He came and lived a human life on Earth so he would know exactly what we experience.

When I started this advent code, I thought sympathetically of friends in the north who found themselves in ‘Tier 3’ and who were quite restricted in many ways similar to how we were in the Spring.

Christmas plans have been made and adjusted several times and 2 days before Christmas we discovered we were moving to Tier 4 from Boxing Day. We’ve gone from visiting to going for a walk outside to now making zoom plans. I am grateful for family time on Christmas Day, which has been denied to many millions this year who are far worse off than we are. 

Meanwhile, lorries queue at borders, viruses mutate, governments debate and negotiate the future of how countries relate to each other, we have a new president in the USA and opinion is sharply divided there. 

Never has the ‘weary world’ been so relevant. 

Wonderfully, the hope remains steadfast. It never changes. ‘Hope’ isn’t an uncertain commodity here. A sure and certain hope is something you know will happen. Many hope that the vaccine will restore order to our lives during 2021, and it probably will to some degree. However the exact nature of life going forward is filled with uncertainty. Eternally, though, we can hope in something sure and certain. 

 We can celebrate Jesus’ birth with joy whatever life is throwing at us. Those who have known this hope for some time - does it thrill you still? Those looking in, come and investigate. Those not interested, I pray you find reason to be so.

You can rejoice. Accept the invitation of Jesus and you will rejoice along with many others in this weary world. And your rejoicing won’t be tempered by your weariness. Life isn’t easy. Jesus’ message was exactly that.

 “In this world you will have trouble”. (John 16 v 33).

But equally..

“ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What a thrilling hope! 

I think the book of Psalms articulates this dual feeling of frustration at our circumstances alongside wonderful hope in Jesus so well. I have revisited Psalm 27 many times this year at different points.

The Lord is my light and my salvation 
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked advance against me
    to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
    who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
    my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident.

4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
    and set me high upon a rock.

6 Then my head will be exalted
    above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
    I will sing and make music to the Lord.

7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”

    Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
    do not turn your servant away in anger;
    you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
    God my Saviour.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
    the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
    lead me in a straight path
    because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
    for false witnesses rise up against me,
    spouting malicious accusations.

13 I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong  and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

Merry Christmas and a hope-filled new year to you all. 😃🎄🌟 

Access

I was carrying my recycling down to the room of bins in my block of flats (and there was quite a lot due to some recent pre-Christmas festivities), when I came to this:

This is the combination lock used to guard the recycling bin area against teenagers and others who may have previously sheltered there. It requires me to know the code to prove that I am a legitimate user of the room.

It then struck me how many times in my daily life that I require some form of proof of who I am to gain access to something. The first time I check my phone, it requires either my thumb print or a six digit number to be given for me to use it. As I step onto the bus, I need my orange key card which lights the nice machine in a green colour and the bus driver knows I have already paid for this journey. When I get to school, there are codes to enter both the gates and the front door. Once at work, I need a password to access my computer then my school e-mail, home e-mail, my Twinkl account and Class Dojo (those last two may be lost on non-teachers, apologies). Lots of different words and codes to remember! On returning from work, I need my fob to gain access to my flats and the key again to open my front door.

I have also been struck in a fresh wonder at the Christmas story and what it represents. An all-powerful, loving God in the form of a tiny, vulnerable baby. But why? Well he had a purpose. His life was under threat from the moment He was born, but only when it was time did he surrender fully to this destiny. And in doing so he created access for all mankind to a relationship with an amazing, loving, all-powerful, gracious God! When I come to pray or worship Him, I don't need a thumb print, a code or password. I can just speak! He knows my voice! In fact He knows what I will say or ask before I do, yet He loves us speaking to Him! There is no ritual I have to go through to be 'good enough' for Him. If it relied on me, everything is hopeless. Thankfully, it depends on a victory secured 2000 years ago!

That's what makes Christianity so unique. In no other religion or belief does God come down to experience how hard life can be, totally understanding what life is like for us, but also making a way for us to have access to Him and to his kingdom forever! I mess up every single day of my life, and yet all mess-ups past, present and future were dealt with on the cross where this baby who had grown into a man, eventually surrendered to man’s schemes. In so doing, at that central point of history, he defeated death, and now I am viewed as fully righteous by God. Far from making me want to ‘get away’ with lots of stuff, it motivates me to want to be more like Him!

Romans 8 says:

 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 

 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord

This world needs secure codes and passwords to protect us and prevent us from going where we shouldn't or taking what is not ours. But Christmas means that I have full unrestricted access to the most amazing and life-changing relationship you could ever know! I urge you to find out more!

Merry Christmas to all!

Perspective.

Yesterday was another really enjoyable day. I welcomed a lovely man who came to survey my flat for a valuation (I'm buying a bigger share, not moving!). This was followed by a pleasant lunchtime swim at my local 15m pool, just 5 minutes walk away - such a blessing to have it nearby. After this, I relived my childhood by getting out my SNES (still the best console ever), and in the evening I went to Nando's with friends from church. We won the quiz a few weeks back and so had £100 to burn, which we did between 6 of us!

It is funny how God can speak to you at the most unexpected time. Yesterday it was lying flat on my back in the water doing armless backstroke to strengthen my legs. The pool was restored two or three years ago after storm damage and they have a glass ceiling. As I focused intently above me, making sure I didn't stray into the path of an adjacent swimmer, I noticed what a beautiful day it was becoming (after an indifferent start). I noticed the blue skies and wispy white clouds floating along. Then I noticed that of the windows in the roof needed a clean, and also there were several 'ornithological indiscretions' (as my Dad would say, most people say 'bird poo'). What a shame I thought, and immediately my focus was on those, not the blue sky. Well at least my focus was on how they had ruined the blue sky view I had previously enjoyed.

God spoke in that moment, (despite my ears being submerged in the water). He said 'Be wary of focusing always on the negative and forgetting the beauty that you see as well.' We live in such an entitled and unappreciative age. I see it more and more, and it is infecting our children too. The more we have, the less we appreciate it, and as soon as something is slightly faulty or not right, we can too often complain, blind to the blessings that sit alongside it.

My train is late,for example. But instead I should be thankful there is more than one train a day, (as is the case in some countries). My favourite program isn't on because of major sport event coverage. I could go on...

If we focus on the positive and being appreciative, it will make us more happy and joyful too. And that leads to strength, for 'The joy of the Lord is my strength'. (Nehemiah 8 v 10). I am sure this will be tested in the days ahead, but I am going into such tests more armed than I was.

Swimming doesn't just have physical benefits.

Day One

Today has been a testament to the power of collaboration. Somehow, with two people, a job gets done so much more quickly than with one. I mean that it seems to take less than half the time it would have done alone. Maybe working together adds motivation. Anyway, Dad came round and helped me clean my flat. My back is still quite painful, and end of term tiredness has flared it up, so he did all the hoovering (I mean properly hoovering) and a little floor washing. I cleaned the kitchen thoroughly and tidied up.

We walked into town and as a partial thank you, I bought him lunch in Pret; always a joy. As well as productive, it was great chatting to Dad, making jokes, having a laugh and putting the world to rights. We used to do this often on Saturday mornings after the church prayer meeting, but since that moved to Sunday and I moved sites, we haven't so often. In town I bought a phone case, two books and a kettle. I have taken almost 9,000 steps so should be on course for my 13th consecutive day of 10,000+ steps.

Joshua chapter 1: Be strong and courageous. I love how God makes promises to 'be with you wherever you go' and to 'give you the land I promised.'

A lot of faith, trust and sticking to God's commandments are required, but he speaks the promises beforehand to assure Joshua. He has the promise spoken, but he still needs to step out and make it happen himself. I want to pray for many breakthroughs this holiday. Things God has promised to me, and I want to step into them now. I am ready. Exciting times ahead!

School's out for summer.

This morning, a colleague and I both blared music out of our classrooms at 7.30am, because we can and it is the last day of school! 'One Day More' from Les Mis and the afformentioned Alice Cooper hit featured heavily.

So here I am. The day I have longed to arrive for weeks finally does arrive and then the inevitable 'oh' moment and you feel a little lost. I have felt that a little tonight.

It won't last long. My flat is a pit and a nice man is coming to value it on Thursday lunchtime, so tomorrow is clean, hoover, scrub, tidy and shove stuff under the bed time!

I want to use these holidays productively. I want to write more. This blog is filled with promises to write more often, and this time I will.

One thing I want to do is read more, and that includes getting stuck into my Bible. I have decided to go through the book of Joshua as well as trying to learn a few passages elsewhere too.

I may post my thoughts on what I find, and also general amusing things that happen in my holiday too.

Must go to bed now and play some Catan on my iPad, because.... I have no alarm to wake me up tomorrow!!!!

...slogan ad nauseam...

 Sneering at the arts is only the start.
"Taking back control" by shouting, but not listening.
 Railways private, thieving and incompetent,
"Ordinary working people" with "Zero" job security.
 Nuclear revolution that betrays our planet's future
 Going deeper into rocks to frack us to oblivion.

 Austerity has ballooned the national debt. An
 NHS on its knees, soon we will all pay the price.
 Doubled homelessness and food banks used like never before.

 Slowly police and firefighters disappear.  Ministers
 Treating human beings as problems, not people.
 A "Hard Brexit" not even the 52% voted for.
"Bring back fox hunting!" (because that's humane!)
 Lies, broken promises and unrealistic targets.
 Education cuts - bring your own pencils on Monday, kids!

An ode to the end of term... (with apologies to Tim Minchin)

When I break up
I will have time enough to read all of the
books I want and watch the DVDs you get to
watch when you're broken up.

And when I break up
I will be strong enough to carry all
the piles of books you need to check
and mark with care while you're broken up.

And when I break up
I can eat junk every day
watching football games and I
can go to bed late every night!

And I will wake up
when the sun comes up and I
will go for walks until my legs are dead

And I won't care 'cause I'll be broken up!

When I break up!

When I break up, when I break up
(When I break up)
I will be back at school to organise
the classroom and put up displays for next term’s learning journey of fun.    

And when I break up, when I break up
(When I break up)
I will be able now to see the friends that
always get forsaken during term
time when I’m not broken up!

And when I break up
(When I break up)
I will think hard every day.
And I'll play around with seating plans
that friends don't think are fun.

And I will go out
and silently I’ll fume
at all the wrong grammar I see in shops
but won’t complain 'cause I'll be broken up!

When I break up!

When I break up I will be free enough
to visit the pub and not have to look at
my watch worrying about when I’ll get up.
(When I break up)

Striking out

I love where I work. It is a simply incredible school with brilliant children, amazing colleagues and a wonderfully supportive management. In under three weeks time, I am moving to pastures new, which is very exciting but, after seven and a half happy years, will be tinged with sadness. I am keen to make the most of my time left, and the days that remain will soon be in single figures.

Despite this, I am not going in to school tomorrow. I am going to stand with my colleagues and stand up against what I believe is a deeply flawed way of governing education in this country.

The headlines say “Pay and Conditions”. We aren’t allowed to strike on any other terms.

For me, it has very little to do with pay. It has a lot to do with conditions.

The condition of some teachers, left at their wits end by a baffling series of over-complicated hoops to jump through, needless work to complete, that takes them away from their class for long periods, robbing their class of a qualified, enthusiastic and passionate practitioner.

The condition of our curriculum, stuffed full of antiquated, 1950s grammar school objectives, full of ‘knowledge’ and ‘facts’, but limited in skills and free thinking. An over-crammed Maths and English syllabus leaving less room for Art, Music and Drama. A pub quiz history curriculum full of dates, but lacking in evaluative critique of sources and deep discussion of reasons.

The condition of the English language, where grammar has to have ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ answers, when in fact there are several ways to express things. It is a beautiful and diverse language, full of creativity. It can’t be summarised by a tick or a cross. Where ‘good reading’ is how fast you read, not how much you understand or infer from a text. Where ‘good writing’ need not be imaginative, interesting or thought-provoking, so long as it is punctuated correctly, spelt perfectly and every letter is joined to the next one in the ‘right’ way.

The condition of schools who may be struggling for all kinds of reasons, forced into privatisation, where men in suits dictate their every move, with very little evidence this improves things. Where qualified teacher status is a preference, not a requirement and pay is no longer secure.

And most importantly, the condition of our children. Those amazingly creative, imaginative and hard-working young lives that we have the privilege of working with every day. Children as young as seven (7!) having sleepless nights about how many ‘fronted adverbials’ they used the previous day. As they grow older, the stakes increase, as does the stress and worry for them and all who care for them. Children being labelled as ‘failing’ all to make a political point.

A ‘minister’ is meant to serve. To listen carefully to those who they lead or are above. I see very little evidence of that. No doubt tomorrow will be arrogantly shrugged off as ‘whinging’ or worse criticised for ‘damaging children’s education’. They consistently refuse to listen to reason. Not standing up now is the same as saying ‘I am happy with how things are.’

For me, it isn’t really about pay. I am paid well, although I worry what the future holds in that regard. But yes, it is definitely all about conditions.

Time to learn to stop and look.

This week we took my class and the year below to see Matilda in London. They loved it, obviously. It is a show of exceptional quality in every detail. I was fascinated to find out what they particularly enjoyed. So this morning, I asked them to write a ‘review’, giving prompts such as acting, singing, dancing, script, props and set design and how it made them feel. What I got back was interesting as well as slightly disappointing.

Don’t get me wrong, they laughed at the funny bits were moved by the sad bits and excited by the surprising bits. But just look at this stage.

Incredible. What it doesn’t show is the desks that come out of the floor, gates and swings that appear, libraries and classrooms that materialise seamlessly. I loved the small details. The ‘shhh’ written in the bookcases of the library and ‘soot’ in the fireplace. Hidden words everywhere, references, jokes and hand-crafted detail.

Did any child comment on these things? Not one. They just didn’t seem to notice, well at least not enough to write about it with great enthusiasm.

I fear a wider problem. Children are not allowed time to stop. Stop and look at the view. Really look. Properly. An over-crammed curriculum, (both during and after school), combined with iPad-length attention span make it increasingly difficult for them to appreciate incredible art, architecture, music and design. They need to be free, to have time to explore, ask questions and discuss these things at length.

There are many teachers who would love to teach like this (myself included), but we can’t. A philosophy of ‘secondary-ready children’ where each must be ‘equipped’ with the same standard set of ‘knowledge’. Let’s ignore that children are all different, equipped with different strengths, weaknesses, interests and experiences. One single child will not become Bill Gates, Jane Austen, David Beckham, Richard Rogers, Beethoven and Archimedes. But one child might be a Bill Gates, another David Beckham, another could be a Beethoven… you get the idea.

I’m not advocating an abandonment of the basic arithmetic and literacy skills. By no means. I am a self-confessed, fully paid up member of the grammar police. (Please do not judge this rambled venting!) I hate that my local Supermarket has ’10 items or less’, and I fight the urge to write ‘fewer’ over the top of it in big red pen along with ‘see me’. However, we need to balance correctness and creativity.

Partly, parents need to facilitate some of this ‘looking’ more deeply. Many do, and I applaud and respect them. Many others have my sympathy, with a culture of ‘working all the hours God sends’.

Technology is great, it can be creative and exciting. But children need to be excited by a box of Meccano, K’nex or Lego. What can I make? How can I use my hands to build? Not just virtually, but in the real world. They must learn to love the smell of a book, not just an e-book. They must learn to evaluate what others create and welcome discussion of their own work.

 ‘Fewer things in greater depth’ we were promised. More things in greater depth is the reality. The greater the number of things, the less time we have to look in depth. Returning to Matilda, the draconian Trunchbull dictatorship acts as a coincidental metaphor for the public school agenda being forced on our children. Not anywhere near as cruel, obviously, but rigid, inflexible, and at times extremely unimaginative.

 Am I expecting too much of a 7-10 year old? I don’t think so. I hasten to add I am not attempting to force my own specific agenda, but simply the idea that we allow room for children to explore, question and think more deeply than our technology-dominated, high-speed curriculum allows. Let’s really get off that ladder, look at the detail, ask questions and let all of our imaginations run riot.

'Frozen' - My verdict

So this weekend I finally caved into the relentless pressure and actually sat and watched 'Frozen'.
                                          

"Up there with the Disney masterpieces of the early 90s" I heard from more than one place. Hmmm, that would take some doing. Any comparison with the Holy Trinity of Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King is high praise indeed. I was sceptical to say the least.

My verdict? It is a very well made film. It looks incredible. A little too incredible, actually, which put me off. Everything is so beautifully perfect and computer generated that it actually feels soul-less. Call me old fashioned, but I like the hand drawn feel of the old cartoons. (Don't get me wrong, this is not a dig at Pixar because they're a different category, and all their films are very good).

And the music. Well, it's pretty much musical by numbers, and most songs were pretty forgettable, except two. One of which it would seem... well it is impossible to 'Let it go' out of your head. That one and 'Do you want to build a snowman?' do seem to refuse to leave the consciousness without a fight (or possibly a good dose of Foo Fighters).

However, again, like the over perfect animation, the entire score and every song, along with the choreography of the characters seems to be designed with the idea that this will be adapted into a west end/broadway musical within the next couple of years, if not sooner. I'd be very surprised if it doesn't end up on stage. As a result, it again lacked any heart or soul, and felt like I was watching a performance on stage, which limited my ability to enter the world they created.

I enjoyed the second half more than the first, but plot twists were fairly predictable. (Spoiler alert) Why didn't they both meet their true love at the end? Poor Elsa.


Oh and that snowman was so irritating. These films can hang on the quirky characters. Get a Rafiki or a Timon and Pumba and you're onto a winner, but get it wrong, disaster. Disney don't often get it wrong, and I'm sure kids love him, but I just wanted him to melt in a volcano somewhere.

So, a fairly good film... but up with the Disney masterpieces of 20 years ago? Absolutely nowhere near.

Where are all the thinkers?

Where are all the thinkers?

Where are all the thinkers?
Attention spans face cuts

Where are all the artists?
Stylus over brush.

Where are all the writers?
They r bzi sndng txts

Where are the designers?
Trial and error? (Hush hush!)

What have we become?
A generation pawing at a screen
Flooded with each other’s inanity
Isolation hidden behind the ‘global dream’.


Where are the musicians?
They’re playing a plastic tune…

Where are conversationalists?
Discussion halted … (unwelcome bleep).

Where are all the builders?
Instructions printed in a yellow egg…

Where are the campaigners?
They’re far too scared to look that deep.

 

What have we become?
Selling unreachable and unfulfilling dreams
Everyone and everything must be judged
No time to appreciate things at length it seems

Where are all the scientists?
Force fed ideas from a limited kit.

Where are archaeologists?
They’ve completely lost the will to dig…

Where are all the dreamers?
Force fed an underwhelming meal.

Where are the believers?
Sadly, cynicism now leads the way…

Where is hope to be found in this mess?
In lengthy walks in beautiful countryside.
Quality time given to friends both old and new
In encouragement of dreams, talents and ambitions.
And enjoyment of good food, art, music and writing.

In selflessly spending time, not always money on your children.
In listening more than talking,
Remembering what others have going on,
And asking them how it went.

And hope most of all dwells in a cold empty cave,
Clothes neatly folded, a sign of what was briefly there.
But there no longer!
Released to be the source of all that we hope in and enjoy.
 
Tim De Marco, Copyright 2013

The Hobbit - An unexpected journey. An undeniable triumph.

It was 3 and a half years ago when I sat in a planning meeting at school working out topics for the following year. We decided the opening topic would be based around a well-loved children's story/author. The neighbouring Year 3 class would do Roald Dahl and we came up with some ideas for a 'Harry Potter' topic in Year 4. Later, I felt uneasy. Firstly, it was such a huge set of books, plus in a C of E school, there may be parents who wouldn't be keen. As I sat on the train, my mind suddenly leapt to 'The Hobbit'. Hmmm I thought. I think I read that a few years ago, but I'd have to read it again. Maybe it would be a possibility. (Turns out I read the beginning but must have given up).

Upon reading the first two or three pages, I remember thinking 'YES!' The first page alone yielded 2 or 3 possible strong ideas. I was hooked. I then had to remember that if we were to read this as an ongoing class book, I'd have to work out how long it would take. So I timed myself reading it aloud (a process which felt slightly odd at first). 2 minutes per page. 5 pages in a 10 minute story slot. 250+ pages meant 50+ days oh my. I set about 'editing' great paragraphs of long description (in the end I cut out about 1/3 of the whole text).

The topic (which I did for 2 years running) was a great success and the 'Hobbit Days' (including some very imaginative costumes) will always live long in my memory.

What I am trying to say is... I have a very strong connection with this book, and I felt nervous and excited about the prospect of the film. "Peter Jackson knows what he's doing" I told myself. Every new announcement would bring either excitement or anxiety. Excitement at the prospect of 2 films, anxiety at a trilogy. Really?

Inevitably, it has been greeted with a fair amount of 'backlash'. Not slating it outright, but lots of unhelpful (yet inevitable) comparisons to LOTR, and saying it was too long and drawn out. This was something I expected seeing as this film was covering only 6 chapters of the book.

So I approached the film slightly expecting possible disappointment. I also worried (as I do in any film like this) that certain casting wouldn't be quite right.

Without giving too much away, one character says to another near the end of this film something along the lines of:

"I didn't think you were right for this journey. I thought you were unsuitable. I have never been more wrong."

Which is a pleasing parallel to my own expectations. My fears could not have been more misplaced.

It was sensational.

How anyone could be 'disappointed' or think it 'wasn't epic enough' is beyond me. It had everything. A variety of characters, situations, action, fantastic scenery and some amazing stunts and set pieces, beyond anything seen in LOTR. What it also added, which goes along with the book, is humour.

All the way through the film there are moments that make you laugh, a little light relief amidst the seriousness of the story. Gollum's scene in particular was extremely well done; the film playing with his double personality and Bilbo's initial lack of awareness of this very effectively.

As Bilbo, Martin Freeman was better than I could have hoped for. Funny without being over the top, a very dry humour, typically English, just right for Bilbo.

Sylvester McCoy, Barry Humphries and Richard Armitage step into their roles superbly, as do all of the dwarves. As Thorin, Richard Armitage balanced Thorin's pride and deep hatred of certain people/characters with a vulnerability and compassion that made us back him all the way. Returning characters were also excellent, with Christopher Lee playing a pre-turning Saruman very well, showing little hints of what is to come for his character.

My only (slight) gripe is that in some of the additions, Jackson has gone a bit over the top. The need to create an 'enemy' for Thorin, just to have a 'bad guy' in this film seems a bit unneccessary, although it is used well in the final climactic event of this film. Also, I am a little unsure of the 48 frames per second look. It looked too real, but maybe I need to get used to this.

Finally, I can honestly say that it didn't feel like 2  3/4 hours long. I was gripped from start to finish. A criticism has been that it was too 'drawn out'. To those people I (politely) say "Improve your attention span!" I worry that in this 'instant' generation, many people (myself definitely included) expect everything immediately, and have lost the art of enjoying something slowly.

What Jackson has done in this first film is lay out many seeds that will be watered in the next two films. When people have seen all three, they will watch this opening segment and a lot will make sense.

So, in summary, a truly brilliant film, one of the best I have ever seen, and worthy to sit alongside the LOTR trilogy. It's a different beast to them, though. The Hobbit is a children's book after all, and the tone is lighter. The quality remains outstanding. Bring on the next film!

Poems

I have recently started to gather ideas for some prose poems and intend to start writing them soon. In the meantime, here are a couple from a few years back. One hopefully more amusing, and one more serious.

A visit to the Library

I visited the Library the other day,

The smart newly built Library in town.

Magnificent building all made of glass,

But inside the shelves look tatty;

Like they're temporary; waiting for new shelves,

But I don't think they are.

There are computers everywhere.

Some to work on,

Some to tell you stuff like how many books you have,

When to bring them back,

And in my case, how much your fines come to.

Sometimes they let you off the fines.

If no-one else is waiting for the book

Or it doesn't come to very much.

Last year I forgot a book

Left it under my bed

And I got a whopper of a fine.

Won't do that again.

I find the computer that helps me find the book I want.

It isn't very helpful.

Ah... Three Copies in.

None reserved.

Excellent.

Go to shelf ... nowhere in sight.

All the books are out of order, so I end up checking every one.

Twice.

Surely there's no way that three people took the same book out in the time it took me to get from the computer to the shelf?

Hmmm.

Another visit to the computer

And I notice a 'more info' button

Which tells me exactly where the three books have got to.

One is out?

But, none reserved!

Oh reserved. Silly me.

So some one has it, but no one is waiting for it.

Ok.

And the other two?

Miles away in other Libraries the other side of town.

What's the point in telling me what other Libraries have?

I want to know what I can get here.

One of the Libraries isn't too far,

And I can get there on one bus,

So I decide to go.

First of all, I need to take out 2 other books I have.

You don't need to speak to anyone,

It's amazing.

No wonder people don't talk to each other nowadays.

All computers fault.

I put my books neatly together

On the shelf in front of the screen

And swipe my card.

This is where the fun begins.

Forwards,

Backwards,

Upside down forwards,

Upside down backwards.

S l o w l y

Quickly

I must look a right idiot,

I'm glad there's no one behind me.

They'd be tapping their feet,

Making impatient noises by now.

After the computer gives up on me twice

Because it thinks there is no one there

It works.

Suddenly.

And the full details of the books

Appear on the screen.

Magic.

Can someone please explain how they do that?

" Errr magnets and lasers and stuff..."

One of my friends explained vaguely

When I expressed this amazement to them.

I get on the bus and go to the other Library.

Despite being refurbished

This Library still has that proper Library smell

Like old schools

Where Stern divorced female teachers in their fifties

With a chip on their shoulder

(Probably about 'Men'?)

Look over their glasses and

Bark at children all day long.

I find the book

Eventually.

Here they have better card scanners

Like in shops

Where you pass the card underneath.

One second

Beep

Done

They should get those at the other Library

An interruption


I had it all planned out
What I was going to do with my afternoon.
Asked if I could do a favour
I said yes
Begrudgingly.
"Ok...
As long as it doesn't take too long.
I have all this stuff to do, after all.
Let's go now
So I can get back quickly."

Just as
We're about to leave
The phone rings.

Grrrrrr
Why does the phone
Always
Ring
At moments like this?


Five minutes later,
I hear the phonecall end.


Friend of the family lost her baby 8 months along.

Why does the world

Stand


Still

At moments like this?