James Blakey - Lockdown Affinity
The Lockdown Affinity, led by a Yorkshire based theatre director who has been working closely with Doncaster community groups over the last two years, James Blakey, brought together an intergenerational group of citizen artists from a range of Doncaster’s communities to stay connected, creative and hopeful during the lockdown and beyond.
“Staying connected with the group members has really kept me feeling positive throughout lockdown. Living alone it's easy to feel isolated and being able to be with other members on zoom feels like belonging. I don’t always understand the things we do but I enjoy it so much and feel it stretches my mind. I have so enjoyed being involved. Who would have thought at 72 I would start writing poetry! I’m not sure what I will do when the project ends.”
Lynn Sweeting, Wheatley Hills, Doncaster
“James Blakey's Affinity Project provided an invaluable creative space for many of our participants, a space that allowed for connection, for imagination, for self expression and for being ambitious creatively in a time when everything feels so limited. It was wonderful to witness the joy and the ideas in that virtual space. Do keep in touch about Public Acts and any developments for the Affinity Project.”
Dr Elanor Stannage, Arts and Health Project Manager, darts, Doncaster Community Arts.
Confidence Nation by Sam Davis
I look at my reflection, and every day I’m looking increasingly plain and grey,
I wish I could be a different version of me, I wish I could push my insecurities away,
look at my reflection and not, want, to, say, Sam you’re hideous,
‘cause this internal monologue is nothing, but, insidious,
though I do have this image of who, I, want, to, be, I’m bubbly and talkative
and even to myself I’m supportive, I’m full of love and passion,
imagine, if I were 6-feet-tall (including heels), hair a foot above my head,
some kind of Dolly Parton-esque highly tamed nest, but cool - obviously, because I’d be cool,
…obviously, I’d have the same body I have now, but it would be out and I would be proud,
I’d be draped in the same, kind, of, material I used to run my fingers over in the fabric shop as a kid, the type that mum would never let me pick,
and I’d ooze confidence as I floated from person to person chatting with ease,
but, oh please,
who am I kidding I’m never one for winning or grabbing the prize
I’m, always, lagging, behind,
if only I could be like them, the queens with the country star hair
glittering on the screen as I watch, with, admiration,
it’s a confidence nation, they love who they are and I think, that’s, rare,
my mind is telling me I, could, love, myself, too, and I want to accept, except,
I don’t know if I can or if I deserve it, what if I’m, not, worth, it?
But I look at those queens shining on my screen and there’s a flicker of hope inside my soul, maybe I could try not, to, look, at, myself and sigh, maybe I could look at myself and smile,
look at that girl smiling back and just nod and say hi, without wanting, to, cry,
be happy with what I see and move on,
be that, kind, of, strong.
I’m hoping for a day not so far away, when this won’t just be, my, imagination,
I’ll be at the centre of the confidence nation, I’ll love who I am I’m me, I’m Sam
and I’ll be shining bright and treating, myself, right,
just like those queens shining on my screen who I, watch, with, admiration,
patiently waiting to join their confidence, nation.
Letter to Mum by Lynne Sweeting
Dear Mum
I know you are probably looking down on me and thinking why have you spent all that money on paintings? You needed a new kitchen and a new driveway!! Oh Mum they wouldn’t have given me half the pleasure that my paintings have brought me. When I first saw the painting of “ man lighting a cigarette” by Fabian Perez my imagination was captured immediately. The handsome mysterious man was an Argentinian gaucho. He was in a dimly lit room with a glass of red wine (my favourite tipple). The light and shade of the painting added to the atmosphere. He had on a dark suit white shirt and a fedora.
He had stubble and he had very sensuous lips. Forgive me I just had to buy it! I brought it home and hung it on the wall opposite my bed but I used to have such erotic dreams I had to hang it in the lounge
I am sure you will understand being an amateur artist yourself that it fuels my imagination and takes me to another world of intrigue and passion where I am a young woman instead of the seventy two year old woman I have become or have I?
I miss you Mum but I know you will understand and approve
Loads of love Lynn x
Update of My Accident by Pete Hutchison
I was 3 years old when my Mum left me with my Dad for the first time. It was 14 July 1973. My Dad was a miner and my Mum was a cleaner at a local club in Edlington in Doncaster where we lived.. It was a Saturday.
My Sisters were doing there chores and my Dad was watching television, and somehow I got out of the gate. I hadn’t got very far when I noticed 2 friends on the opposite pavement. As we were waving a car came down the street. It was heading straight for my friends. The driver swerved at the last minute, mounted the kerb and hit me, When my Dad answered the door the driver said to him, “I think I’ve killed you son.”
The ambulance was taking ages so my Dad flagged a car down. The driver was going to a wedding, but thought my life was more important.
My Dad was in the back with me. Holding my tongue, so I didn’t swallow it.
I had been in a coma for 3 days when the doctor took my parents into an office. He told them that if I did ever wake up, I would be nothing but a cabbage.
He offered them a pent to end my life. My Mum refused to sign. For the next 5 months she was at my bedside, from first thing in the morning until last thing at night.
The 23 December must have been a weekend because I was at home. At weekends I’d get to go home, and they would lay me on settee while they did their chores. My Sisters were in doing their chores when I suddenly said:
“Put the telly on.”
They stared at me.
They shouted my Dad and rang my Mum and told her they had a surprise for her. It was me. I was awake.
Immediately after I had regained consciousness my Mum started rubbing my arms and legs with Querako to straighten them up. They used to rub Querako on racing dogs to make them run faster. Thankfully it worked on me, but it smelt awful.
Growing up one of my heroes was Bruce Lee. After watching his films I would go outside and try to emulate his moves. However, in 1987 I started training in Karate. I continued to train in Karate for 2 years. During this time I took part in a sponsored relay run from Bridlingon to Doncaster. I did it on crutches.
Anything is possible with determination.
My story by Pauline Wolf
One day at school the art teacher was not impressed with my attempt at drawing a tree. She made me feel really rubbish at drawing. It might have been more helpful if, instead of making me feel inadequate and embarrassed, she had shown me how to improve it. Looking back now, I wish she had spent the time to do so.
The outcome of this reaction to my work was that for over 50 years I told myself and others that I was rubbish at art. I always envied people’s ability to draw and did not attempt to try and improve my own ability.
It is funny really because the same treatment from my needlework teacher did not have the same effect. After being told I was ‘stupid’ and ‘the fattest kid in the class’ by her, I was not interested in needlework. After school though, being ‘the fattest kid in the class’ made it necessary for me to try and make my own clothes, so I went to a 6-week evening class course and’ as my mother said “Learnt how to do it properly”. I have since gone on to make countless clothes and other things.
I wish I had done the same with art classes! 57 years wasted all because of that teacher.