Reflections 1 August

On my mind this week - Refuge.

As I’ve listened to the news this week, and talked to people, the idea of different types of refuge has found its way into my consciousness. When we are in the midst of the uncertainties we face, we all need somewhere to shelter to make sense of it, and what I noticed was the different sort of places people seek that shelter.

Some seek it alone, in the work of philosophers and poets, of the sort so beautifully curated by Sue Heatherington, Steve Marshall, John Kuzava , George the Poet and others, who combine words, images, music and ideas in ways that leave us refreshed. Others seek it in nature, on long walks, sometimes down ancient pilgrim ways, as John Connell recounted on radio this morning.

Others seek escape in crowds, from sports events to festivals. We are all different, and each have their place for us.

What unsettles me though is sometimes who, or perhaps what can be hiding in those places. Populism loves crowds, where the skilful use of social med…