Victoria Street

Elle Turn left here, towards the bus stops. Lots of comings and goings here, beginnings and endings – journeys. Everyone’s in transit trying to get somewhere or trying to get home. Work, school, visiting friends or family, all obsessed with the destination and not paying attention to the ride. I like to watch the people. It’s remarkably easy to disappear you know, to blend in. You think people would notice you watching them or realise that you don’t quite fit in here, but they don’t. It’s amazing what people don’t see. Heads down going about their business. Keep going, stay on the pavement. Past the bus stops. Do you remember when we were kids and we would watch the world go by from the car and imagine that the music from the radio was the soundtrack of the things we were seeing. Perfectly orchestrated. Like our very own film score. I still do that. Look. Look how the buses move in time and the people arrive and leave like they’ve been perfectly directed. Everything is choreographed, timed just right. Stop for a moment what else can you see? Are the traffic lights changing when they should? Is the bunting overhead shimmering in rhythm? Is anyone walking… dancing in time? See? It’s all just as it should be. Reassuring right? Let’s carry on along this pavement. Walk in time. Past the turtle.

Can you see that big turret rising above the buildings? The clock face should be coming into view, and disappearing behind the trees. Stop by the little crossing, don’t cross yet. Stand by the gates in between their green columns and take a look at that big building opposite.

I can’t help but feel like it’s trying to make up for something. It’s beautiful, don’t get me wrong, but it’s trying too hard. There’s a bit of a habit of doing that in this country, but I think it’s pretty common to all civilisations. If you want to show off and tell people you’re doing something very important, then build a big imposing building. The bigger the building, the more important you think you are. The problem is, by making them so grand and important it makes some people feel like they’re not welcome. If you haven’t been born into believing that you deserve this sort of grandeur then stay away, it’s only for us clever people. And the thing is these buildings want you to come in, it’s bloody free a lot of it! To see the paintings and moments captured in objects, people’s old rubbish, broken, discarded, thrown away, and seen through new eyes centuries later. That’s why this building was given to the city in the first place. And so, I’m giving you permission. I’m inviting you in. Next time you see a building like this I want you to know you’re very welcome. It’s not too big, or beautiful, or mahogany, or whatever, it’s as much yours as anyone else’s. Come on in and say hello. Not right now though. You’re busy, and there’s some interesting stuff right around the corner. Cross the road when it’s safe and turn left, walk alongside the building, take in all it’s beautiful detail on the way. It’s there for you, stained glass windows, tiny detailed bricks. Keep going, and into the square on your right.