The Meandering Gullbad Nogbee

the racist rock of dunoon

There are two guys I know called Thomas Rebel and Bill Child who are involved in a project to:

“permanently obliterate a racist monument on the shores of the Clyde Estuary on the West coast of Scotland. “

The monument is a rock daubed with red, black and white paint in the style of a ‘Golliwog’.  The rock also bears the motto ’Jim Crow’.  The name ‘Jim Crow’ was the nickname given to the racial segregation laws observed in the US at the beginning of the 20^th Century – the Jim Crow Laws. The name was also applied in the US to the grossly exaggerated ‘minstrel’ caricature of a black person – that which was was popularly known in Britain as a ‘Golliwog’.

For many years the racist Jim Crow rock has stood as a testament to both blatant prejudice and profound ignorance. 

The rock sits on the foreshore of the small community of Dunoon.  In 2003 a letter was published raising the issue and objecting to the rock in the Dunoon Observer and Argyllshire Standard (the local newspaper), but with little tangible response. In the same year an email was also written to Trevor Phillips, the head of, the then Commission for Racial Equality, but received no reply.

Feeling this was unacceptable, the two guys drove to Dunoon last June (2009), and in the dead of night used several tins of Drummond’s International Grey (an almost perfect colour match for the rock!) and following closely the instructions on the tins, painted out the motif.

This resulted in the local newspaper taking the issue more seriously, publishing an article on the ‘vandalism’, and allocating space for the debate in their letters section. There were several letters of support for the protest from members of the local community. 

Despite this, within weeks of the efforts, the motif had been reinstated – most likely with the support of certain local politicians.

The guys have now pledged to repeat their ‘vandalism’ in order to achieve the original objective, and will do so again year on year until the rock is allowed to exist in its’ natural state.

Most recently they have tried to get additional support and endorsement from any other quarters, now including me.  Support I am happy to lend, if it means this nasty afront to diversity might be removed. 

Please find below some interesting links for your perusal.

The following link demonstrates the strength of feeling of a portion of the local community.
http://www.huntersquay.co.uk/

Another independent website outlining the story.
http://www.secretscotland.org.uk/index.php/Secrets/TheJimCrow

Information provided by the Jim Crow museum details the history and significance of Jim Crow
http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/what.htm

If you want to assist in maintaining the rock in a neutral (non racist state) by periodically painting it with Drummonds International Grey or if you want to just share your thoughts about the issue, please do so here.

lego is not cheap

dangerous in gaol

The Dancing Inmates of The Philippines' Cebu Provisional Jail have recorded another video featuring Michael Jackson music. Their "This Is It" video performingThey Don't Really Care About Us, was posted to YouTube.com by Sony Entertainment on January 22, 2010. The video is part of the launch of Jackson’s “This Is It” DVD. Jackson’s Choreographer, Travis Payne, worked with the inmates, along with dancers Daniel Celebre and Dreis Reid.

The Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) Dancing Inmates received international attention after their “Thriller” video went viral on YouTube topping 37 million views. The inmates have performed other videos like Michael’s “Dangerous” (featured in this post, a Queen Prison Dance Medley, and Korean Pop tune “Nobody” by Wonder Girls.

embrace life

I am not sure I am completly cured of my habitual unrestrained style of driving, but will reflect on this ad whenever I remember to clunk click every trip.

used to the heady mix

Since coming back to the UK something that has been really obvious to me is the smell of Spring and Summer.  I don't think I have really stopped before to appreciate the smell of England or Kent, in particular.  

In Lanzarote, the air is dry and odourless.  No smell of grass, of flowers or anything really.

From getting off the plane in the UK, the smells were extraordinary.  It is likely that there were in fact no new smells, just that in the past I have been oblivious to them, as I was oblivious to so much. 

Smells that have been really overpowering have included freshly cut grass, crops, chives (and herbs in general) and, of course, roses.

Since pausing a few times over the past couple of weeks to smell the air, it is clear that again my senses are getting used to the heady mix of pollen, grass and other lush vegitation.  Occasionally in the mornings as I walk through the back door into the garden, I get a sensual revival, but no sooner has it registered, it is gone for the day.

Much to my regret.

CallyCo

I went to Cambridge last week.  I cannot recall ever having been there before.

A shop that struck me is called CallyCo. located on Peas Hill. 

As a child there was a strong arts and craft focus in our family home.  Surrounded by my mother, sister, auntie and grandmother, I was actively encouraged (if not beaten) to learn the finer points (if you can pardon the pun) of all things needlework related  including tapestry, crochet, embroidery, knitting, patchwork and quilting.

CallyCo. is a small haberdashery shop with a clean modern style, yet at the same time the shop feels 'traditional' by placing customer service and quality of stock at the forefront of its approach.   The company is owned by Caroline Preen.

This fresh young company produces bespoke items for sale including memo boards, aprons, cushions, doorstops all designed to complement any home.   My description of their services would not be complete if I did not mention their excellent making up service enabling customers to have curtains, blinds and cushions lovingly designed and beautifully made to exact specifications.

The shop display is beautiful demonstrating the diverse stock contained in this quaint little street. It really is very inviting.

A rainbow of coloured ribbons hang tantalisingly, inviting customers to buy just the amount they need.

At CallyCo. customers don't have to buy a pre-packed plastic pouch of too much when the small amount needed can be cut precicely and not wasted or overcharged. 

It's an old fashioned concept but it wastes less, is cheaper and makes more sense.

 Spring coloured material is stored on shelving waiting to me cut by the meter.

 

The shop is clean, not over-dressed and well ordered.

 

Racks of material rolls stand displaying their vibrant patterns.  All crying out to be chosen to be made into beautiful things.

 

Everywhere one looks, coloured textiles hang like flags celebrating imagination and creativity. 

Handmade buntings hang in the window waving to passers-by.

 

Found throughout the shop are examples of works made from the stock.  A small ballet-shoe cushion  modestly sits in a corner, hoping to attract the attention of a customer, sparking inspiration and the self confidence to make something like this for their nursery or bedroom.

Small knick-knacks and other gift ideas are also available to buy.

More rolls of fabric jostle for attention.

 

More gift ideas and other pretty little items all compete for eye time.

 

Patterened material bolts displayed in racks.

Stripes and chickens.

 

Pinks, white, reds and blue.

I ask you; who doesn't love buttons?  or a full spectrum of threads even.

 

This whole section of textiles is great and probably due to the union flags print, fills me with a kind of wartime nostalgia.  I instantly want to live a simple life, eat real food, go up to the Penny Pictures for the news followed by the Troxy for a dance; before taking a walk or getting a tram home.  Where did all that come from??  

 

Ooh buttons!! and a great little Silko chest of drawe.

 

This is a great  zinc-topped piece in the shop resembling something produced these days by by Kent and London of Whitstable. In this case its is used to sell remnants and fat quarters for patchwork enthusiasts. 

 

Netty and Bethany go about their work behind a beautiful tradional looking counter with an inlaid brass meter rule.  Here they are stocktaking and dealing with customer enquiries.

If you want to visit the shop or if you have any enquries about products or services, the contact details are:

CALLYCO - CAMBRIDGE

7 PEAS HILL
CAMBRIDGE, CAMBS CB2 3PP
TEL: 01223 778744

________________________

CALLYCO - STAMFORD

5 STAMFORD WALK
STAMFORD, LINCS PE9 2JE
TEL: 01780 753409

 End.

the astonishing number of paper cups

Artist Chris Jordan shows us an arresting view of what Western culture looks like. His supersized images picture some almost unimaginable statistics -- like the astonishing number of paper cups we use every single day.

windbreaks built from volcanic rock

As I drove down from Famara toward the salt works, I passed mile after mile of small semi-circular windbreaks built from volcanic rock.  The windbreaks surround one side of a dell dug from the pecan. 

The dells and windbreaks are to protect individual grape vines.

The uniformed rows stretch from the road in all directions and in most cases continue up the sides of the old sleeping volcanos.

The grapes produce a selection of wines which in my experience taste ok and do the job at a reasonable price.

The shapes are interesting to look at and I am told this method is distinct to the islands in this part of the world.

I can't help reflecting on how long each basin and windbreak must have taken to create initially and then would love to know how many centuries have passed with this method being adopted. 

Answers on a postcard please.

the CPDRC dance troupe

This is the first of several dance routines filmed at Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center that I will be uploading.

For more information about the CPDRC  CLICK HERE  (opens in a new window)