Wildewire

So, a guy came into work the other day asking to use computers as he was homeless and needing support. He is now my lodger. When he said he had carpentry skills and experience I thought of the Engine Shed project. I told him I was looking for lodgers and invited him to the Engine Shed to meet 'the custodian' who also thought this lad was 'the right sort' (gave him loads of food from the food bank) I drove back to Newcastle and... well; it seems to be working out. It is certainly 100% better than the recently vacated Radical Faerie who had been living with me until the beginning of the week when my patience finally evaporated... He is damaged, so not really his "fault" but it was frustrating to have someone in my house who would only communicate with me when he was drunk and who spent the rest of the time reacting to me as if I had done him some serious harm. Replacement lodger is a bit younger- I think he has accepted that I want nothing more from him th...

Last November, I was introduced to some ex-military veterans who were making items from wood as well as painting etc, as part of their recovery from PTSD/ transition back to civilian life. My expectations were low, so I was very pleasantly surprised by what they brought in to show me. I was immediately determined to create a pop-up gallery/shop for them at the earliest opportunity. A little later, I found out that a touring exhibition about the Durham Light Infantry was looking for a new venue AND that a local folk duo had a show based on world war one songs they wanted to present. All three came together and we even got the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of County Durham to attend and to present a plaque (made by the other veterans) to a 94 year old who was decorated for his part in the Artic Convoys in World War II. It has been a great success: the vets have been invited by visitors to other residencies and talks and they've been able to advise families who've shared that they ha...

I will have worked for my public sector employer for a year next week and it has been almost everything I feared it would be. Income is up, spending is down, visitors are up, more money has been made from hiring out space, there are 5 new retail or business tenants, local people are more involved and engaged, there are very few negatives about the place in the public realm and, due to a wizard wheeze courtesy of my superior; the big-spending problem department run by a stubborn, insecure supervisor with limited experience will not be my responsibility very soon. That will mean that the operation I run will be in profit which was the two year aim of the job. I have struggled to get a handle on the public sector procedures. Like my previous experiences of working with/in the public sector; the emphasis is on procedure and appearances rather than logic, practicality and common sense. No training is provided for labyrinthine procedures created in house, yet 'one' is expected ...