ADDING THEIR VOICES TO THE PROJECT...
‘I was very inspired after seeing the moving photographs of Hannah. They conjured up emotions of solidarity and empathy for our frontline workers in the NHS. Songs are similar to photos in that way; they can pack a visceral punch and strike an invisible chord that can resonate and help to heal humanity from the inside out.
‘I spent a memorable and magical week at
Pennard House a few summers ago and I still feel a strong connection to the musical community that Chris Difford created there in Somerset, and that now continues via Zoom during these Covid times. ‘It’s important for us all to play our part during these challenging times and although musicians might be on the backline, singing and writing a song in support of the RCN
Foundation feels like a good way that I can contribute.’
Graham Gouldman – I See You
‘Hannah’s wonderful pictures documenting her and her colleagues’ experiences inside the health service provided the inspiration for me to write I See You,’ says the 10cc singer.
‘I was delighted to accept Chris Difford’s offer to be a part of this very worthy project. He and I go way back and I have attended many of the
songwriter retreats that he has organised. It’s both a pleasure and an honour to be involved in this admirable cause.
‘The importance of the
NHS cannot be overestimated, as their skill and dedication has proved over these last few months.
I myself owe them so much. At the age of nine I was very seriously ill, but the brilliant doctors and nurses pulled me through.’
Judith Owen –It Has To Be Done
‘What you see in Hannah’s photos is humanity, determination, exhaustion and purpose. Who better to capture these qualities than a nurse herself,’ says Judith.
‘Writing to Hannah’s visceral photographs was an immediate, cathartic response to seeing those masked nurses on the Covid frontline, dressed for “battle”, unquestioning, devoted, fearless, saving lives while putting their own in peril. That’s why the song I wrote with Mark Nevin is called It Has to Be Done, and has a musical alarm bell in the chorus. It’s the call to duty they have in spite of being taken for granted and underpaid.
‘We’re all Covid fatigued right now, but it’s a long road ahead, and while hitting pans is a great show of support, it’s simply not enough.’
Go Ape has three London locations – Battersea Park, Alexandra Palace and Cockfosters. The latter is the best suited to older kids, Alexandra Palace has jaw-dropping views over the capital and Battersea Park is for sprogs with a head for heights as its treetops courses are nice and high. Book Sundown Sessions to monkey around in the dark. Various locations, goape.co.uk
Clip in your safety harness and take a walk around the outside of the stateof-the-art Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Its 46.8metre-high glass walkway has astonishing panoramic views of London’s skyline. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, tottenhamhotspur.com
Hop along to London Zoo and discover the ‘costumes’ worn by its inhabitants, including penguins, praying mantes and lemurs (right), or pose as Harry Potter in the Reptile House right where he stood in The Philosopher’s Stone. Oct 24 to Nov 1, London Zoo, Regent’s Park, zsl.org
SPOOKY CINEMA
Get in the Halloween mood with Luna Cinema’s Halloween drive-ins at Thorpe Park (Surrey) and Allianz Park (Barnet) with early-evening screenings of familyfriendly films, including Hocus Pocus (left) and, for older kids, Beetlejuice, Goosebumps and Jaws. Until Nov 1, theluna cinema.com