Atkinson Grimshaw, Boargate.
Keith Waterhouse grew up in Leeds, Yorkshire between the two World Wars. He was brought up by his mother after his father’s death, which was due in part to his Great War service. I was struck by this paragraph describing Keith’s eight year old self. Leeds had plenty of prestigious XIX and early XX Century buildings, including along the shopping streets, like Boargate shown here, as well as civic statements like the town hall.
Architecture was a word I had yet to encounter, and so I had no idea that I had an interest in the subject. What I did know was that buildings, their shape and proportions and fabric and style of adornment or lack of it, fascinated me. Although I suppose my love of the cobbled terraces and the dark satanic mills fascinated me, I had great enthusiasm for the modern.
Keith Waterhouse, City Lights, a Street Life, London, Hodder and Stoughton, pbk 1995, p55.
I can imagine the eight year old Keith wandering through Kirkgate Market and taking it all in, as far as an eight year old could, measuring up the City Hall with one of his long stares, but not having the words to describe what he was seeing. I love to see my grandsons taking pleasure in new words and what they stand for.
Abel is nearly eight. I think his mother would be frantic to think he was wandering the city streets alone. His mind and heart are his own, but need feeding, nourishing by his elders in the family, at school, in cub scouts. Keith Waterhouse had no internet to explore, possibly a far more dangerous habitat than Leeds city centre. Abel too has great enthusiasm for the modern!
Let’s pray that parents, teachers, leaders of young people, catechists, may exercise Wisdom, Understanding and all the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and help our young people to find creative ways to express their fascinations and enthusiasms.
agnellusmirror 