Article by , Guest Author
On my travels as a student, I often find myself in search of inspiration. For me, these are often quieter places, somewhere I can think and take in my surroundings. I pay a lot of attention to setting, and the circumstances of the locality have allowed me to explore my home area in greater depth.
The old meets the new
In Poole, the modernity of the busy Dolphin Shopping Centre contrasts with the quaint antiquity of Old Town. Down Old Town, by the views of Poole Quay, where on a good day I can see the distinct shapes of Brownsea Island and its neighbours across the water. I find respite in Poole Park, where I’ll watch the swans glide across the lake with regal purpose. The Park is a welcome zone amidst what would otherwise be a busy end of Poole, home to the bus station and the Lighthouse.
A place for reflection
In Bournemouth, I pass St. Peter’s church often. It is a magnificent and imposing building, framed perfectly as you walk up Gervis Place towards it. It’s tranquil compared to the rest of town, a place for reflection. I recall visiting the grave of Arthur Conan Doyle a year or so prior, and the sensations that came from writing in such a place. There is a strangely enforced silence that accompanies graveyards unlike anywhere else. At St. Peter’s you will find the grave of Mary Shelley, the brilliant mind behind Frankenstein.
The gardens
Bournemouth Gardens is the filter where the business of town life is gently transformed into the scenic views of the coast. My favourite spot is the aviary, with houses several species of vibrant birds, from parakeets to songbirds. Here, I can sit in the shade of the trees and listen to the chipper sounds of the resident birds. Halfway down the lower gardens you get your first glimpse of the sea. The pier in all its glory, a staple sight. Then there is the wheel, a frequent sight that looms above the promenade. Closer still, and you can make out the sand past the promenade, hear the crash of the waves, and the transformation is complete.
The end of the earth
To me, it feels like I have walked to the end of the earth. Yet town is just a short trip back, but by the sea it feels like a whole other world. Facing the ocean, I find this the most poignant space in which to ‘feel’ my setting. You’ll notice the word ‘crash’ to describe the waves. And that is exactly right. They are extremely powerful, and on stormy days I’ve seen from bus windows as they rise to tremendous heights. I would strongly advise against going near them on such days, though at a safe distance it is a truly impressive sight.
Most of the year the beach is peaceful. Of course, come summertime it is where everyone wants to be. These days are not the times to take quiet solace and write but instead enjoy the sun, sand and sea, and defend your lunch from an endless legion of gulls hell bent on taking it for themselves.
On those occasions the beach is quiet, I will sit a little way back and watch the waves. I want to take in the setting around me, so I take note of certain things. The waves are of course a focus, but so is the sand. How when the wind catches it, clusters are buffeted up and away, speckled like stardust, skimming the ground.
Finding place
Setting your place is as simple as taking in the area around you and considering it honestly and earnestly. The reproduction is authentic, as it comes from a genuine place and a genuine experience. All around our area there are sources of inspiration, places of pause and calm. These are available to you wherever you go, be it on our local cultural trails or our public art trails. Start with Bournemouth Cultural Trail to explore the Town Centre, St Peters’ Church, the gardens, and seafront.