Look up, not at your phone

VISITORS to St Paul’s Cathedral in London are often directed to an epitaph to its architect Sir Christopher Wren which states “Lector, si monumentum requiris, circumspice.”

For those of us without a command of Latin, this translates as “Reader, if you seek his monument, look around.” This is a brilliant epitaph in that it is short, simple and to the point.

St Paul’s is a masterpiece and Wren designed it so the words are apt and the cathedral is a fitting monument.

As well as celebrating a true genius, the epitaph reminds us that it is sometimes a good idea to look about us and also upwards.

Many of us spend much of our time concentrating on a 3x6 inch screen held in our hand rather than looking around us. And we are missing a lot, especially in Nottingham. Our city centre is blessed with fantastic architecture, not possibly quite in the St Paul’s league but wonderful nevertheless.

A lot of the most interesting features, including intricate designs, tracery and mouldings are above the level of the shop fronts but are still there nonetheless.

Some of the shopfronts are disappointing but that is no different to city and town centres across the country as retailers want their shops to look inviting and modern.

What this can lead to is all the shops looking much the same which then becomes a vicious circle as none wants to step out of line in case they “look funny”.

So the news that two of the city’s historic buildings are to be refurbished and improved is good news.

Our city centre reflects upon the city as a whole and we want it to look its best.