Borough’s Covid benches mark a moment in time

People make a town
Our neighbours and mates
Not terrace-row houses, not old-fashioned slates
Not feather-edged fences, nor wrought-iron gates

People make a town
Nodded hellos and waved goodbyes
Not afternoon heatwaves, not evening-red skies
Not moonsets on hilltops, nor early sunrise

People make a town
Generous hearts and kind souls
Not aqueduct arches, not art on the walls
Not train station platforms, nor grand old town halls

People make a town
Mums hugging children outside of pre-schools
Not book-lending libraries, not shop-window jewels
Not wooden park benches, nor cocktail bar stools

People make a town
Laughing at dad when he’s wearing odds socks
Not internet bargains, not jungle-scene clocks
Not coffee room armchairs, nor wedding belle frocks

People make a town
Grandad dancing with Grandma despite two left feet
Not nursing home gardens, not cobble-lined streets
Not OAP haircuts, nor bingo hall seats

People make a town
Bus drivers, street sweepers and crossing patrols
Not puddles on pavements, not four-thousand holes
Not roadworks to fix them, nor traffic controls

People make a town
Foster parents and Night Safe who help those at risk
Not Victorian buildings, not Renaissance-style bricks
Not roundabout sculptures, not cathedral-walled discs

People make a town
Entertaining children in panto costumes
Not theatre-style seating, not projector-lit gloom
Not cricket pavilions, nor moorland tower views

People make a town
“Appreciate the small things”, “Them’s just the breaks”
Not hidden-smile shopping, not bans on handshakes
Not Tier 4 cancellations of tiered wedding cakes

People make a town
Worry-lined parents of cynical teens
Not social distancing guidelines, not home-quarantines
Not testing site cordons, not queues for vaccines

People make a town
Making plans for the future, and fond memories
Not flowers in springtime, not autumnal trees,
Not warm summer sunshine, nor a stiff winter breeze

People make a town
From delivery-ward babies, to end-of-life care
From morning communions, to late evening prayers
For richer, for poorer, for better, for worse
Yes, people make a town,
You, me, we and us

'People Make A Town' by Stuart Quinn

A view behind the poem:

During lockdown I took up a photography hobby with my son, and while we were out taking photographs of the borough, we were taking photographs of statues and landmarks and things. Obviously during lockdown the streets were pretty quiet, with not many people about. And it was really obvious that that’s what was missing from our lives at that time and that connection with other people. So that was the inspiration for some of the lines in the poem.

Find the two benches featuring Stuart's poetry lines outside Blackburn and Darwen town halls.

To listen to Stuart discuss his inspiration behind the poem and the kinship he feels with the local community, please follow the link below.

Covid benches - Stuart Quinn (vimeo.com)

Breathe...

Allow time to stand still

Listen to the river flowing within you

It is in this calmness, the relief from the dis-ease will be felt.

Breathe.

'Breathe' by Hajra Sidat

A view behind the poem:

I have recently completed a course on holistic therapy with an emphasis on mindful breathing to aid healing.  Increasingly we are living in a fast-paced world where often we forget to stop, think, reflect and most importantly mindfully breathe. I wanted to come up with a poem to remind others to stop, breathe deep and reflect. Something so simple as mindfully breathing can instill calmness and tranquility to aid not only emotional wellbeing but also physical healing of the body.

Find the bench featuring Hajra's poetry in Blackburn's Queen's Park, overlooking the lake. 

When times are tough with lots of stuff

Stop, slow down take a look around.

Make some time to find your ground.

Adults, children in these uncertain times.

Families & friends, all be kind.

A simple call or just a knock.

Some of the lonely hear only the clock.

Some people who are close to you will not reach out.

They say I'm fine then you don't doubt.

Ask again and lend an ear -

That may be just what they need to hear.

A garden visit with coffee or beer

To let them know you're there to help with fears.

A simple call is all it takes

To let them know that you’re their mate.

'Be there and care' by Carole Davis

A view behind the poem:

I run a local pub in Blackburn and now more than ever have witnessed many things within the community. To be there for someone - a listening ear or a simple check-up or sprinkle of kindness - can make a difference to those who are fighting the daily struggle.

Find the bench featuring Carole's poetry in Little Harwood, looking towards the clock tower.

Oh my darling child

you don’t know how much

I want you to see the world

To climb up high mountains

And swim in deep oceans

To taste homegrown fruits

And drink straight from trees

To feel sand through your toes

And hear birds chirping high

To watch sunsets glow on your skin

And monsoons drench you down

To care for creatures in the wild

And meet different walks of life

To leave only footprints on this planet

And no other mess behind

From the wilderness of Africa

To the tropics of Asia

I’ll take your hand in mine

When we see the world together

Oh my darling child

'To my darling child' by Naseerah Akooji

A view behind the poem:

I’m Blackburn born and bred and now so is my son Yusuf who is 2. We have loved exploring our local area during lockdown but also want to go back to exploring the world. I wrote the poem during lockdown to express how much I still can’t wait to share with him and to do it together.

The bench with Naseerah's poetry is in Daisyfield, close to Calder Street Play Area. 

Watching and wondering

Never quite knowing

Waiting, all the while

Things are growing

We watched the world

From our window

Turn from brown to green

All the colours of the rainbow

And now those colours

All faded to green

And now the edges

Are not what they seem

They’re drying to amber

Orange and rust

Flowers and blooms

Are returning to dust

All alone we prune

At the dawn of the day

Waiting for something

For them to say

We can go out

As the green fades to brown

Into the gardens

All over the town

Making up for lost time

Drinking it all in

Playing and hugging

Laughing again

Sharing the joy

Tumbling into fall

Watching and wondering

The magic of it all

'Watching and Wondering' by Francesca Bury

A view behind the poem:

I wrote this poem in November 2020 about my experience of moving from the first to the second lockdown, and watching the seasons change through the window. 

Find the bench featuring Francesca's poem in the rose garden within the grounds of Turton Tower.

To hear Francesca talk about her thought process behind the poem and how Covid-19 affected her, follow the link to the video below.

Covid benches - Francesca Bury.mp4 (vimeo.com)

I walk

I run

I feel the breeze

The woodland

The birdsong

The whispering trees

I walk

I run

I embrace the rain

The streets

The roads

The platform for my feet once again.

'Freedom' by Christina Gabbitas

A view behind the poem:

“In lockdown, for me, it felt as though time had stood still. Our freedom was no longer to be. My only freedom from my four walls was out walking or running. This made me appreciate all around me that enabled me to be taken into my freedom space. It meant that I no longer needed to look and smile at a screen with its lack of emotion.

“I think it was the feeling of hope and spring coming together.”

The bench with Christina's poem is in Corporation Park in Blackburn, close to the duck pond.

To hear Christina discuss her inspiration behind the poem please follow the link below.

Covid Benches - Christina Gabbitas (www.vimeo.com)

We also have a full exclusive around Christina visiting her bench here.

Having - Love, Hope and Trust.

'Out of Lockdown' by Ann E Stokes

A view behind the poem:

Being a 'Darwener' born and bred, I have always seen Darwen Tower and India Mill chimney as well as our beautiful parks and woodland as part of an extension to my family life.

The rolling hills and countryside are freedoms I never appreciated until Covid struck. The harsh reality of the passing of so many loved ones' friends and family tore at my soul. I would look at the moors and remember the words 'I Look unto the Hills from which cometh my strength'.

The words which are my poem are what we all need going forward: Love, Hope and Trust.'

Find the bench featuring Ann's poetry at Blacksnape play area.

I was shocked at the reports on the news

Locked in, face masks, all of Boris’ views.

I could not go outside and I felt sad

No trips to local food shops makes me mad

I’m sad at no more sporting NRG

Just on my iPad faces could I see

I want to be happy on my laptop

Because I could not go out to the shop

I could not go out to dance

Because COVID said no chance

I am sad when I am not at my school

I don’t see my friends and that’s just not cool.

Yet it could be time to get excited

Family time, barbecue ignited.

And I’m excited it soon will be school

Time with friends and staff at the swimming pool.

Back to school and the work is so boring!

All these class teachers, they got me snoring!

I’m worried to see all class staff in masks

Every day I see them complete their tasks.

But I’m happy playing games together

Sometimes outside in all kinds of weather.

Happy eating school dinners in my class.

Instead of going in the hall en masse.

Excited to do Zumba in the hall

Push out elbows - moves so much I could fall!

This poem is from our class at Newfield

For listeners in school, work or having to shield.

To process our thoughts throughout this tough time

We hope you are safe and liked our small rhyme.

'A COVID Reflection Poem' by Newfield School

A view behind the poem:

This poem was written by a Post 16 class (16-19 year olds) at Newfield Special School in Blackburn. The students worked with staff to explore their thoughts and feeling throughout the open and closing of school, as well as the changing of pace and routine.

It explores the range of emotions which comes with these changing times; from the fear and confusion to happiness and appreciation of daily life which has been apparent within pandemic measures.

This poem is relevant to these students who perhaps are a forgotten voice within the pandemic, where routine is key within their lives. It was a great means for them to talk and process their feelings, while finding common ground with each other. 

Find the bench featuring Newfield School's poetry on the recreation area at Guide. 

To hear the pupils of Newfield School discuss their inspiration behind the poem and please follow the link below.

Covid Benches- Newfield School (ww.vimeo.com)

You owe it to yourself to be your own best friend.

Create your own carefree world where you don’t have to pretend.

By Hafiza Issa

Find the bench featuring Hafiza's poetry in Roe Lee Park. 

To listen to Hafiza discuss her inspiration behind the poem in full, follow the link below.

Covid benches - Hafiza (www.vimeo.com)

Roll in the riches, that aren’t made of gold

Our countryside, our green hills, our home

'Green Hills' by Chelsea Pickup

Find the bench featuring Chelsea's poetry on Cherry Tree Lane, close to the library. 

find empathy, in harmony,

a whisper soft yet mighty,

'If I Were A Tree' by Janey Colbourne

Find the bench featuring Janey's poetry at the Bold Venture Park in Darwen

My Darling, it’s time to be gentle with yourself.

'My Darling' by Lydia McCaig 

A view behind the poem:

This poem was written during a difficult time for my own mental health, and many people around me whom I love. I wrote it as a message for the people I love, to be kind to themselves whilst struggling, and I refer to it when I’m struggling with my mental health, to remember that I need to be patient and kind with myself.

Find the bench featuring Lydia's poetry along the River Darwen Parkway (at the Ewood end).

There are rivers
In your eyes
There is fire
In your heart
There is mud
In your blood
Did you forget for a while?
That rocks and stones
Are in your bones
Tree roots and veins
Galaxies and brains
Are all the same
There are oceans
In your belly
There is fire
In your heart
The weather changes
In your mind
But don’t forget
You are a part
Of something bigger
Something more
You just need
To find the door
It’s all connected
Don’t you see?
The sun
The moon
And you
And me

By Fern Nicholas

Find the bench featuring Fern's poetry at Mill Hill park. 

Sow seeds of hope, water them with love,

Gently tend & nurture, see them grow & bud.

Christine Hunt

The bench with Christine's poem is in the Wensley Fold area of Blackburn, in St Barnabas Street play area.

To hear Christina discuss her inspiration behind the poem please follow the link below.

Covid benches - Christine Hunt.mp4 (vimeo.com)

i'm not sure where i'm going

but i like the way my feet fall

Georgia Turgoose

A view behind the poem by Georgia: