Hasn’t the penny dropped for some individuals yet? That when you tell someone they can’t or shouldn’t do something, it’ll probably inspire them to do exactly that? Call me determined, stubborn or a combination of both, because I’ve just proven such characters wrong.
Now, it was never my purpose to behave so indignantly, but when it came to launching an important project for my city, I wasn’t going to allow some whingey naysayers to dictate what I do with my life or what I give to the community.
We know I’m an inherently positive person and that I go about my business with a sickly sense of love and hope. But equally, challenge this ‘Potter’ to a dual and she’ll smash her way through any perceived doubts and make it happen.
I’m a do-er ultimately; and doing is what I do best. Solutions not excuses! So what have I been up to now? Well, in a completely non-CPM-relevant foray, I’ve launched an urban vocal group called Glazed R&B Collective. Have I any previous experience of running a choir?… no. Has that stopped me?… no!
During the run up to its launch I received some rather pointed criticism, mainly saying I didn’t have the skills or experience to pull such a venture off. But the thing is, why on earth would I even try unless I believed I could do it in the first place? I know my A major from my D minor, I sing, I’ve helped to run other musical ensembles, and critically, I’m hugely passionate about inclusive music-making.
While this person wasn’t aware of my CV necessarily, there’s a classic adage that I wheel out all of the time – if you’ve nothing positive to say, say nothing at all. Amen. On the whole, I’ve received nothing but uplifting words of encouragement and offers of help, but I’ll admit that their negative words did sting a little.
The reason why I’ve taken them to heart is the objective of Glazed isn’t simply wailing a few words off a sheet. I really wanted to create an inclusive space where people felt supported and nurtured to grow and make new friends, and it had to be in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent.
The area gets bashed beyond believe and in some ways, I can understand it. As a former and now defunct industrial region – both pottery and mining – opportunities are scant, degeneration is bountiful and perception is rather dire. However, what strikes me about the Potteries is despite all of this, it’s never lost the hope in its core.
I align with that, and that is what Glazed is about. I’m aware I can’t revolutionise Stoke by singing some Destiny’s Child, but I’m hoping that I might be a part of triggering something bigger. After all, how can the area ever pick itself back up if folks like me don’t invest their energy into it and try? I’d be the biggest hypocrite of all if I sat whinging about a lack of opportunities yet didn’t attempt to do something about it.
Maybe I’m deluded, powered by pink Lucozade and blind faith (really need to quit my Luco habit eek) but I’m at the age where I’m aware that I want better for the next generation. And isn’t that what farming is striving to achieve too?
This article was taken from the latest issue of CPM. Read the article in full here.
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