I'm interested in space. Not the far away up in the sky full of planets, satellites and aliens sort - but the space we use all the time - the way we create space for ourselves, defend it, encourage others into it or use it to influence a mood or an atmosphere. It is one of the themes that this sabbatical will explore.

Hallfold and St. Andrew's ( well Hallfold more that St. Andrew's) know that I like to change our worship space to fit the occasion - sometimes the church is set sideways - creating a semi-circle and/or making use of the long wall for display purposes.; other times it is in the round - creating a focal point in the middle - the lenten/Easter Well being the most successful example; but normally the congregation are in nice straight rows - and I stand at the front raised and miced - lecture mode, performance mode - at a fair number would prefer that it is always so.

So in our performance arenas are there any differences. The logistics and size of such an events means that the performers are on stage - raised above the audience and wired for sound. They are capable of being seen and heard - and the same must also be the case in a worship setting even when the chairs have been moved (I was annoyed - as ever- at Anglican worship this morning not to be able to see the priest breaking the bread or able to hear the bible reader). On first reflection, the big difference at a festival is that if you want a chair you provide your own and decide where you are going to put it - within certain ground rules; now that might feel novel in church - but was the system before they put pews in! The rules that must be adhered to are that the area nearest the stage is for standing and dancing, there is then an area for those willing to sit on the floor and then the chairs - and if you can't see because someone is standing in front of you then stand up! The sit on the floor and standing areas are quite fluid with people moving in and out of them as the mood takes them, but the seating area is a big hard to shift block.

We like to be floor sitters, we even bought some chairs that support the back whilst sitting on the floor - it allows us the freedom to come and go as we please, but able to be near the stage and able to see what is going on. This worked well for the first two days at Stokes Bay - the unwritten rules were well adhered to, but come Saturday the day trippers arrived, plonked their chairs in the floor sitting space, brought out the cool boxes and settles down to the read the paper . Space had been claimed and was being defended when we turned up looking for a bit of floor to sit on - unable to do so, forced to peer round a post and through the backs of heads) or stand in the middle and obstruct view and I found myself full of resentment.

Why the resentment? I wondered. Amongst a whole host of negative feelings was a sadness for a loss of freedom, I had lost the ability to come and go as I pleased - I also needed to defend the bit of space I had managed to find. I felt blocked out, marginalised - there was a blanket on the floor, no people just a blanket and a book, in prime space - I wanted it, but the rules say leave it, its claimed - and I'm essentially a rule keeper who doesn't like to create the potential conflict (stop laughing!) - so I left the space alone, watching it, resenting it, wanting it .....

At Cropredy the rules are enforced - Stewards set a chair line and stopped anyone from setting up a chair in front of that. We spent the first evening happily on the floor in front of the chairs - a great position to be, but my little back rest couldn't take the strain, so on Saturday we took the camp chairs and joined the seated masses, claimed our space and defended it - just like looking after a pew!

This was written a couple of years ago within
Circles, Squares, Space and People"

AN INTERLUDE WHICH LOOKS AT OUR SENSE OF PLACE
I belong here
This is my territory;
my bit of the world;
my safety zone;
the place where I am familiar.

Marked by regular route,
spatial pattern,
a book, a seat, a view.
Take comfort, relax,
be at home within this space.

You belong there.
That is your domain.
We know the lines,
to cross and uncross;
we have made this place our own.

Joined by mutual need,
connected pew;
a look, a smile, a sound,
relax, take comfort
be constant within this place.

Tread carefully upon identity;
Walk gently over memory
Move gracefully within landscape
for here; we have been formed.