Jet-powered poets go for miles on street
Warm welcome for Amazon warehouse plans
THE Poetry Miles project has now been completed across the borough of Rochdale.
It saw three poems jetwashed onto the pavement in Deeplish, Darnhill, Heywood and Langley, Middleton.
Each poet conversed with three groups of people - older people, Urdu-speaking women over the age of 50 and teenagers - when writing poems this April about their experiences during lockdown.
The poems were then jetwashed on the pavement by local artist, Sumit Sarkar. The project was organised by collaborative community art group, Cartwheel Arts.
Operations and Development Manager at Cartwheel Arts, Lucy Holland, said: “The idea for the Poetry Miles came about because Cartwheel had done lots of work throughout the pandemic and been really busy.
“We sent out lots of packs so people had been busy at home.
“We really wanted to do something which brought communities back together rather than working on an individual basis.
“We have worked with three partners - Rochdale Youth Service in Darnhill, at Bowlee Pavillion in Langley, and Deeplish Community Centre - that’s mainly been with Urdu-speaking women over 50. “We started in April. “We had conversations on the phone, by zoom, and in person.
“Three poems were written, inspired by them.” Poet
Reece Williams said: “I met the young people and got to know them.
“I found about their experiences of lockdown.
“The poem will be there for the foreseeable future - it’s been a fantastic project with some amazing young minds.
“Twelve young people who I spent time with and found some really interesting nuances.
“It was a real challenge to pull together different conversations into a cohesive poem but I’m really happy because I feel it reflects the views of the young people and I feel that it’s got a really hopeful message.” Artist Sumit Sarkar said: “It’s a new process to me.
“There are similarities between using the jet-wash and aerosol spray cans.
“But it’s a lot faster and there’s a lot less control.
“Part of the process with graffiti work is you’re making mistakes as you go, but here you have to get it right first time.” Watch the full video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uyt_ H5AFIE
PEOPLE in Rochdale have welcomed the planned opening of a huge Amazon warehouse in the town.
As previously reported in the Observer, the retail giant is understood to be moving into a 206,000 sq ft unit at Kingsway Business Park off junction 21 of the M62 near Milnrow, although there has been no official confirmation of the plan.
If the company’s aspirations are realised, the warehouse would create about 650 jobs.
And the shoppers the Observer spoke to in the town centre had no such qualms either.
“Amazon is a good company,” said ALICIA PALOMBO, a Rochdale resident. “During the pandemic we have all relied very heavily on products delivered via the internet. The fact they want to come to Rochdale is great. It means jobs for local people, who will have more money to spend here.”
Her comments were echoed by her friend REBECCA ROWE, 27, who also lives in Rochdale.
“I can’t understand why anyone would object to Amazon coming to the town. People have a choice as to whether to apply for a job there or not.”
RACHAEL SMITH, 50, also of Rochdale, had concerns about sustainability. She said: “I try not to order stuff from Amazon because I’m concerned about the effect on the environment of all these delivery vehicles on the roads. Surely, we should all try to manage with less.”
Her friend LOUISE JOHNSON, also 50, added: “I also try not to order stuff from Amazon, although I have to admit it’s good if it means hundreds more jobs for people in the town.”
Market trader JAGGA SINGH, 31, who sells fruit and veg and also delivers produce to people’s homes, welcomed the move.
“It’s very good for the town,” he said. “The pandemic has given everyone a kicking with lots of people losing their jobs and their income. Delivering products to people’s homes is the future and we have to get used to it.”
His stepson AMAAN RAZAK, 16, who works on
Jagga’s stall, agreed. “I have lots of friends who might apply for jobs with Amazon. Young people like me and my friends need employment in Rochdale.”
TRACY HUDSON, 43, lives in Shaw and runs a floristry stall in the Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre.
She said: “If Amazon coming here means more jobs for people, that’s got be a good thing. What we have done without Amazon and the internet during the lockdowns?”