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.

It's Wednesday, we are in the campervan on a camp site in Moira, South
Derbyshire near to it's border with Leicestershire and Warwickshire - it used
to be mining country, now its the National Forest.

If someone is reading this - then I must have found an Internet connection -
hopefully that will be tonight, according to the book the site we are booked
into for tonight has wi-fi, so we will see how that works.

Last weekend we were at Stokes Bay Festival. Camped on the edge of the
Solent, we had beautiful views of the Isle of Wight (when the rain stopped)
and from our tent could watch the ferrys, hovercrafts, cargo ships and yachts
fighting for space on the busiest piece of water imaginable.

The festival was small - no more than 3000 people and had had to fight for
the right to be the - with a number of the locals objecting to its presence. It
sounds like it has been a bitter battle with lots of politicking going on, hence
the was some tight restrictions on their licence - in particular the 10pm close
time.

Thursday was headlined by Glenn Tilbrook, playing a selection of his own
songs and a few old Squeeze numbers - his own were good, but I must admit
it was great to hear songs like Up the Junction and Slap & Tickle once again.
He was followed by The Blues Band, Paul Jones, Tom McGuiness et al. must
be old enough for their bus passes, but they still play some wonderful blues
rock 'n' roll and of course know how to put on a show - great stuff.

Friday, one of the highlights were second on - Circa Compania are twelve
women who play, sing and dance to songs from around the world - often
combining different styles and traditions in one piece - breathtaking stuff. In
the evening Tony Benn appeared with Roy Bailey - telling stories and singing
songs about radical dissent - it was interesting stuff, with Tony Benn's own
cutting asides about the modern political scene and it's similarities to the
Peasants Revolt, or the Diggers or Tom Paines's Rights of Man - not sure
what happened in the second half, as the venue was uncomfortable and
anyway I wanted to see The Saw Doctors. I've always enjoyed The SawDoctors
and it was great to see them live, the humour of their songs. their own sense
of fun and the sheer excitement of their music came through at every
moment - joyful.

Saturday, and the festival site was filling up, those who could only manage
two days away from work and the day trippers, changed the feel of the place
and provided some interesting insights into the way space is used - but more
of that another time. Huun Huur-Tu had come all the way from the eastern
Russian Federation - close to the border with Mongolia. They sang from the
back of the throats, an amazing sound that merged in with high tenor voices
and the instruments of the East - wonderful music. The Ukulele Orchestra
were as good as ever - the whole notion is ridiculous, classic rock songs
played on Ukeleles - but the muscianship is stunning and the delivery superb
and the final piece - a Ukelele playing a piece by Handel whilst the other 7
members each sang a different song at the same time - summed up the skill
and beauty of their performance. Martyn Jospeh had the tea-time slot. I've
always enjoyed Martyn Joseph, he sings about faith and grace and politics and
justice and mercy with passion and commitment. But, this was an audience
who don't know him and it was interesting to see him in that setting - in
some ways he seemed to try too hard and so his warmth and humour didn't
really come across and some of the issues he wanted to raise were lost in the
sandwiches and quiches. Show of Hands are another band I've seen a number
of times, they were very much on home territory having started out playing in
pubs and clubs around Gosport - they were as entertaining and skilled as
ever. The headliners were Capercaillie, great music - we needed space to reel
but had to tap along instead - soulfilled

Sunday, we took ourselves along to Bury Road URC - we had found them on
Friday morning when we went looking for extra tent pegs having nearly been
blown away on Thursday night and decided to worship there. I don't think
they quite knew what to do with visitors - they were nice enough but seemed
amazed that a new face had walked through the door. The service was
pleasant, the singing uninspired, the sermon safe and sound - we were glad
we had been. Back at the Festival, it was overcast, damp and then torrential!
3 Daft Monkeys were a lively band playing pogo music. The violinist was the
spitting image of my brothers partner - it was weird - her looks, her
mannerisms - but then she was up on stage full of confidence - so it can't
have been Mary - can it? They were followed by The New Rope String Band -
a comedy act using a variety of instruments - violin, accordion,
boomwackers, yes boomwackers - a child's toy that Chris uses at school -
constantly telling children not to hit themselves or one another over the head
with them - which is just what TNRSB did to make music. They were followed
by Bellowhead - one of the acts that attracted us to go there - they were as
good as expected, big band folk music that is exciting, skilled and creative.
Up next Phil Jupitus & The Blockheads - Hit Me With Your Rythmn Stick - as
Chris said, "they can play that to us when we get to the Old Folks Home". But
then Alabama 3 - just didn't get it - don't like hip hop dance beats at the best
of times, but there was an aggression there that was out of step with so much
else, and then The Levellers - I loved it, Chris hated it (but we will see them
twice more in the next fortnight so she might grow to appreciate them!) -
reasons to be cheerful part 3!

Cropody next up on Thursday - more music, more to experience.