SMALL WORLDS, Lockdown in Meltham

It’s a lovely warm blanket. There’s lots of memories in that. I made it before you were born, we didn’t have a television. I remember taking bits off of an old jumper, a small ball of wool. I don’t like to be mean, but I don’t like to waste anything… — It’s a lovely warm blanket. There’s lots of memories in that. I made it before you were born, we didn’t have a television. I remember taking bits off of an old jumper, a small ball of wool. I don’t like to be mean, but I don’t like to waste anything. We manage but we’re not allowed to go far. We have stuff delivered, I make my list and it comes the next day. The neighbours are good. If you do get stuck there’s always someone to help out. He’s 81 and I’m 92. He’s my toy boy and my carer. We help each other.
**Doreen**
1 / 12

This situation has reinforced community spirit. Crossroads food bank have been a life line. Obviously people are low on wages, but there is a sense of family, a chance to get closer together. An old lady gave us a lawn mower. The little ones are bei… — This situation has reinforced community spirit. Crossroads food bank have been a life line. Obviously people are low on wages, but there is a sense of family, a chance to get closer together. An old lady gave us a lawn mower. The little ones are being born into these times. Our six month old daughter has never experienced life before Covid. Face masks on public transport will seem like normality. It’s sad what’s happening in the world but you just have to do your bit when you can. I hope people will try to be aware of other people.
**Antoinette**
2 / 12

It’s been hard, the Coronavirus. I’ve got Rheumatoid Arthritis and problems with my foot. People have been really looking after me, ringing up to see if I’m ok. Christine and I have been chatting over the fence, doing proper social distancing. It’s … — It’s been hard, the Coronavirus. I’ve got Rheumatoid Arthritis and problems with my foot. People have been really looking after me, ringing up to see if I’m ok. Christine and I have been chatting over the fence, doing proper social distancing. It’s kept us going really. I’m in the community choir, she sings like a bird and I sing with the men down in my boots! We can all sing together on this Zoom thing, something to look forward to. It’s been a defining time. You learn a lot.
**Jill**
3 / 12

It was a struggle at first, it was strange being inside. It got easier as I got used to it. I started drawing more than usual which has helped me calm down a bit. I draw whatever pops into my head. I try to get my homework done by 1:30, then relax f… — It was a struggle at first, it was strange being inside. It got easier as I got used to it. I started drawing more than usual which has helped me calm down a bit. I draw whatever pops into my head. I try to get my homework done by 1:30, then relax for the rest of the day. I hope we’ll have some solution, a cure to help people.
**Amber**
4 / 12

Each morning I write positive things. Three things to achieve in the day. I’m a nurse and finish my maternity leave in four weeks, so it’s back to work. I talk to my neighbours quite a lot, we always have a chat. I have a running app, I sometimes ne… — Each morning I write positive things. Three things to achieve in the day. I’m a nurse and finish my maternity leave in four weeks, so it’s back to work. I talk to my neighbours quite a lot, we always have a chat. I have a running app, I sometimes need a break on my own. The pandemic has made emotions on edge, there are pent up emotions, everyone has an opinion. I’ve had a break from social media. We planted veg during lockdown. We’ve been engaging as a family. It’ll be nice if we can keep that sentiment. After all this is over, maybe we’ll all slow down.
**Sasha**
5 / 12

I go for a walk every day. It's saved my sanity as has the friendly help I'm getting. I was wearing a mask and a little boy said, are you a nurse because you’ve got that thing on your face? I was in a bit of a stew, desperately low, I phoned the hel… — I go for a walk every day. It's saved my sanity as has the friendly help I'm getting. I was wearing a mask and a little boy said, are you a nurse because you’ve got that thing on your face? I was in a bit of a stew, desperately low, I phoned the helpline and spoke to someone who was very sympathetic and kind. It’s amazing that people help. It was a relief to know that I didn’t have to shop anymore. I know people who have died. If lockdown had been sooner it might have been different. I’ve noticed the change in nature. The air is clearer. I wish the authorities would pick up on this and do things to have less pollution. If this draws people’s attention to how much better it could be, that would be fabulous.
**Margaret**
6 / 12

We’re having our own little street party with our neighbour David, social distancing, and playing 1940s music for him. My partner Rein is Dutch and we’re finding lockdown challenging as we have children and grandchildren in The Netherlands who we’re… — We’re having our own little street party with our neighbour David, social distancing, and playing 1940s music for him. My partner Rein is Dutch and we’re finding lockdown challenging as we have children and grandchildren in The Netherlands who we’re unable to see on their birthdays. On the positive side I’m extremely grateful that all my family and friends have remained safe and well throughout this pandemic. In that respect I consider myself very lucky.
**Carol**
7 / 12

I’ve not been anywhere since February. I’m now in what they call a bubble so I’m allowed to go and have a Sunday lunch with my Granddaughter. The last few weeks has got me. I’m on my own. My Granddaughter does well for me, she brought me a load of f… — I’ve not been anywhere since February. I’m now in what they call a bubble so I’m allowed to go and have a Sunday lunch with my Granddaughter. The last few weeks has got me. I’m on my own. My Granddaughter does well for me, she brought me a load of food yesterday. I can cook myself a meal, I’m 90 year’s old. I’ve got all my faculties and I get by. I’ve got to think myself lucky. I’m wanting a haircut.
**David**
8 / 12

I’m getting a bit fed up of being inside. I’ve been enjoying my garden, I’ve nesting boxes with blue tits, it’s lovely seeing them flying in and out. I sit out with a can of pop. I’ve been knitting some little mice. When lockdown is over we’re hopin… — I’m getting a bit fed up of being inside. I’ve been enjoying my garden, I’ve nesting boxes with blue tits, it’s lovely seeing them flying in and out. I sit out with a can of pop. I’ve been knitting some little mice. When lockdown is over we’re hoping to have a craft fair: cake stalls, tombola, usual church things. My family were hoping to come up from London. I’m really looking forward to them coming when Lockdown is over. In this day and age you can keep in touch with your ipad. My family came and sang Happy Birthday to me. They stood in the yard. I was sat in the arbour.
**Christine**
9 / 12

My mum came back from Japan, so she had to isolate. My mate was kind enough to let me stay at his. Due to places being closed I have to nip back occasionally to do some jobs. As a kid I was encouraged to read more because of my Dyslexia, so I got in… — My mum came back from Japan, so she had to isolate. My mate was kind enough to let me stay at his. Due to places being closed I have to nip back occasionally to do some jobs. As a kid I was encouraged to read more because of my Dyslexia, so I got into comics, which I’m still into now. They’re a bit of an escape. I’ve built up a lot of collectables. I decided to put some of them in the garage window because it gave it a fun look with there being a primary school nearby. It gives kids something to look at when they walk past. A mini world. Maybe it’ll even spark some imagination.
**Tom**
10 / 12

I’ve just had to work, I’m a Plumber. I work in empty houses. My mum lives on her own, she likes to get out and about. I do talk to our neighbours, that’s been good. We’re just hoping it goes away and we can go back to normal. The door. My son, he c… — I’ve just had to work, I’m a Plumber. I work in empty houses. My mum lives on her own, she likes to get out and about. I do talk to our neighbours, that’s been good. We’re just hoping it goes away and we can go back to normal. The door. My son, he crossed it out. I only noticed recently. He’s fed up of being home.
**Michael**
11 / 12

We're lucky to have a garden and the moors a walk away. I light a candle as a symbol of hope, I'm on my third pillar candle. I hope as a society our priorities will change, that we will emerge with more humility, wisdom, generosity and fairness. Tha… — We're lucky to have a garden and the moors a walk away. I light a candle as a symbol of hope, I'm on my third pillar candle. I hope as a society our priorities will change, that we will emerge with more humility, wisdom, generosity and fairness. That we'll value those who have been disregarded but on whom we all rely, valuing people as persons. I hope we'll stop worshipping money and confusing it with true worth.
**Gini**
12 / 12

SMALL WORLDS, Lockdown in Meltham is an art poster project inspired by people’s experiences in lockdown. This series combines personal interviews, photographic details and socially distanced portraits, giving insights into people’s lives through stories of struggle, strength, community spirit, humour and expressions of hope. The poster series is displayed in socially distanced / community spaces and venues.

Poster Design: Heat Design