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musical stories inspired by life in Gloucester

Sept 2018 update:  bringing all of the songs and pieces of music together in one film

}’Imagine it’s 2010 and you’re reading this in the week that I actually wrote it ….

‘Sorry I haven’t a clue’ on BBC Radio 4 was broadcast from Cheltenham a couple of weeks ago and Jack Dee set the scene by saying ‘Cheltenham is often referred to as the gateway to the Cotswolds‘.  Proud ‘mmms’ rippled through the audience and then laughter when he added ‘and if that’s the case then Gloucester is the ASDA of the Malverns’.  Having lived in Cheltenham for the first half of my life and Gloucester for most of the second half I can happily say I’d choose ASDA City over Cotswolds Town! Gloucester has a lot of heart and is a down to earth patchwork of people and cultures and with a rich history.  

We’ve lived in Gloucester for over 12 years and made some good friends here.  The naming of ‘best friends‘ that seemed so important as a child ceased being necessary when I married my best friend in 1998.  Our dearest friends come hand in hand with lovely others now so how could I possibly single out any one person, other than G.  Well I couldn’t but I completely understand the affection with which some people are able to name that one special ”best friend” in their life.  G is one of them when it comes to our friend Dan.  And what makes Dan worthy of this title?  Well, I won’t embarrass him by sharing all his wonderful qualities and endearing quirks here but the strength of Dan and George’s connection is tied to their shared passion and talent for music.  They’ve created some of the most moving tracks I’ve had the good fortune to smile, sway and cry to and I’m sure the quality of their music making is rooted in the depth of their friendship and their openness to love and let go in equal measure.  Music reviewer Stephen Morris said ‘‘their music is as sumptuous and gorgeous as it is poignant and imaginative”.

Nocturnal City Journal album cover copy
(click on the album cover to listen to Nocturnal City Journal)

The music Stephen was referring to was ”Nocturnal City Journal’‘ , an album of 10 tracks telling the stories of imaginary residents of the old worn out historic English city of Gloucester.  Big Blue Sun made a limited run of CDs and once these sold chose to make their music as widely available as possible on-line.  So you can listen and download any of their 4 album recordings from Soundcloud or Bandcamp.   

One of my favourite Dan/George collaborations is ‘Wisdom is Blue’‘ which contains the thought provoking lyrics

”How come making war can be called keeping peace? 
How come lovers are the ones we mistreat? 
How come everything is equal till you’re sitting in my seat? 
Wisdom’s a colour and the colour is blue.” 

Thanks for bearing with me if you’re still reading thus far. It probably seems a bit random to have tweaked this post rather than hitting delete on 7 year old copy. But it serves to remind me how G’s need to craft beautiful, meaningful music runs through him like the writing through a stick of rock.  Although Dan no longer lives in Gloucester G continues to be inspired by the City we live in and has been awarded funding by the Arts Council to develop his creative practice making music inspired by and performed in 8 iconic spaces around the City.

G recorded his first piece of new music last week in St Mary de Crypt Church with a choir and string section.  It’s going to be an amazing musical journey you can follow each month via his Musical George Moorey Instagram page.

G is such a natural networker and collaborator and his SPACES project is bringing together not just musicians but writers, poets, photographers and film makers.  Each performance is being filmed and will culminate in an interactive trail next year as part of Gloucestershire’s History Festival.

Image credits:  Dan and George with guitars on the beach in Brighton in 2007 – shot by Tom Oldham.  Photographs on Big Blue Sun album cover and the Spaces project photographs – shot by Shane Young.  Film maker Chris Watkins discussing documenting the St Mary de Crypt recording.

July 2018 update:  George has completed all 8 Spaces recordings now and is releasing a film a week from now until the project launch as part of Gloucester History Festival on September 5th.  This first recording is the first release and is so beautiful.

It was 5.30am when George played ”The Quietness of Stones” video to me for the first time. I listened to the music while seeing familiar faces among the musicians and choir. As our friend Sebastian hit that first note I cried, releasing the feelings of isolation and exhaustion that had been building that I hadn’t shared with George for fear it would effect his music making. The feelings of overwhelm and anxiety and Mum guilt that hits hard when you’re parenting small ones on little sleep or company. It’s not always easy being married to a creative person but the George I’ve loved for over two decades wouldn’t be the same without the music running through his veins. I’m in awe of everything he’s achieved through his #spacesgloucester project.  If you have a minute or two to spare please taken a listen each week and RT the links I share on Twitter.

 

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Luca’s first birthday (in pictures)

8 comments

  • viewfromthebeachchair
    July 28, 2018

    I lived in Gloucester…however in the US. Mine was by the ocean as well. #bestbootforward

    Reply
    • Nip it in the bud
      July 29, 2018

      I’d love our Gloucester to be by the ocean but that first photo of Dan and George is near Brighton. Sorry if that was misleading, I chose it not thinking of place but of friendship and ease in each others company. Thanks for commenting, always lovely to connect with other bloggers

      Reply
  • Kate on thin ice (@kateonthinice)
    July 31, 2018

    Cheltenham I associate with posh and my brother-in-law. Also a brilliant guest house ages ago when we broke a journey to Cornwall and the landlady served is beautiful sandwiches on arrival in a room with really deep skirting boards. Gloucester I hardly know at all apart from going there once to a poverty charity for some training possibly on Time Banks from memory. I bet it is full of characters though as cities that are written off often are. As for the music and stuff, I will follow this up with my children a bit as they love music of different types. Thanks for joining in with #BestBootForward again

    Reply
  • chickenruby
    August 3, 2018

    Our family home is in Malvern and our daughter lives in Gloucester so I tend to spend a fair bit of time in both places, I like them both for different things #bestbootforward

    Reply
    • Nip it in the bud
      August 4, 2018

      I thought you sounded like you had local knowledge when we both thought Darren’s photo looked like May Hill! I hope you enjoy the reminder of your daughter when you listen to the Spaces tracks x

      Reply
  • Debbie
    November 26, 2018

    Hi Nic, I’ve just listened to Big Blue Sun and I’m really blown away by the guitar work. You have every right to feel proud and he is very lucky to have such a supportive and thoughtful other half.

    Thank you for linking up with #keepingitreal.

    xx
    Debbie recently posted…A Flashback Of Summer PhotoMy Profile

    Reply
    • Nic
      November 26, 2018

      That’s so nice to hear you had a listen to the old stuff. That’s why G made it available free :0)
      What do you think of Spaces?

      Reply

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9 years of loving this gorgeous soul. Happy Birth 9 years of loving this gorgeous soul.  Happy Birthday darling Euan ❤️
I've spent the weekend mostly indoors attending We I've spent the weekend mostly indoors attending Weleda training and preparing for Euan's birthday tomorrow.  So here's a few pics of a very muddy walk this week at Barnwood Arboretum which included hugging a giant redwood tree 🌳💚
We made origami spiders! Who needs school when yo We made origami spiders! 
Who needs school when you've got Art for Kids hub 💕
.
#childhoodunplugged #gloucesterlife
Silly Sunday afternoon fun with filters 💕 #gl Silly Sunday afternoon fun with filters 💕
 
#gloucesterlife #lovemyboys💙 #photogrid
Seeking meal planning inspo. What are your favour Seeking meal planning inspo.  What are your favourite recipes to cater for all tastes and ages? 
The open book is the Bosch recipe book so really interested in vegetarian/vegan suggestions too x
We went for the muddiest walk today but it was so We went for the muddiest walk today but it was so good to get outside.  Luca did a spectacular welly boot save when the mud suckered it off but he managed to land his foot back inside it without falling over.  The boys were wet through by the time we got back to the car.  They soon warmed up at Grandad's sat in pants watching cartoons and eating crisps.  A pretty stellar day all in all!
front view: back view courtesy of big brother 😘 front view: back view courtesy of big brother 😘
Running off some steam after a few days indoors. Running off some steam after a few days indoors.  We're lucky to live in a fab city where historic sites, green spaces and waterways are all within a 20 minute walk from home.  It seemed the perfect day for getting a few pics to round off the 2020 album.  According to G the days of "normal" smiles in photos are long gone.  We live with a pair of comedians! 
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#childhoodunplugged #gloucesterlife
Starting a new Christmas tradition with a 1000 pie Starting a new Christmas tradition with a 1000 piece puzzle.  Turns out the tube makes it really tricky to look at the picture and the pieces are pretty small.  Could be here a while - see you in January!
One of the jobs I didn't get round to before Chris One of the jobs I didn't get round to before Christmas was freeing up space on my phone for photos 🙈. So rationed to just one picture you get 50% of the Moorey's wishing you a Merry Christmas.  Sending love and hugs out to all corners of the world and sharing the stories of Christmas past to remember those no longer with us.  Lots of love x
Not your usual shopping list for Christmas Eve eve Not your usual shopping list for Christmas Eve eve but loss has been such a big part of this year and the opportunity to remember loved ones together is so comforting.  We don't have candles at home since a near accident with a cat tail many moons ago so  Luca and I dashed off into the rain this morning to get some beautiful vegan plant wax candles from @idunspirit .  We'll join the circle of light remembering loved ones tomorrow at 7pm. 
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My Mum passed away peacefully at @sueryderleckhampton 2 years ago and I was touched by the idea of a shared remembrance on Christmas Eve.  I bought a candle for my Dad and dear friend who will be missing her Mum too. 
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Sending love and courage to all who are heavy hearted missing  loved ones this Christmas.  Especially to those who are missing a parent, sibling or child.  3 friends have lost Dad's in the last week and the pain of wondering how to make sense of life without them is the journey they now face.  Lean in to support and feel all the feels.  Huge hugs dear ones x
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(Please comment below if you're remembering someone.  The boys have asked to join me to remember Nana as well as their beloved cats Poppet and Mikey and we'd happily include a tribute to your loved ones in our thoughts)
We went to our favourite local gardens yesterday a We went to our favourite local gardens yesterday and my friend said "ooh I'm just going to pick up some of the fallen greenery for my Christmas wreath". What a good idea I thought as we've never made one (with a house opening on to the pavement i always presumed it would soon  disappear if I did make or buy one!). 
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Using a couple of ivy twines to make my egg shaped circle I just used some multicoloured yarn to wrap around it and secure the foliage.  It looked pretty ropey until I sewed on some of the dried orange slices from my friend Lisa's home made pot pourri.  Transformed and ready to hang on the door when I work out how! 
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Happy Solstice everyone. If you take a walk down Happy Solstice everyone.  If you take a walk down our street over Christmas this is the view of our downstairs window.  Isn't it gorgeous.  George's contribution to the #kingsholmadventwindow
Who recognises the woods and the hilltop view? Su Who recognises the woods and the hilltop view?  Such a gorgeous bright day yesterday for a walk, made all the more lovely for the company of a dear friend
#nofilter #lovenature
For the last few weeks kids all across Kingsholm h For the last few weeks kids all across Kingsholm have been on the hunt for painted advent pebbles.  Each Sunday parishioners from St Catharine's church have hidden them and a buzz begins about where they might be found. 
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Today after school we went up to Hillfield Gardens to find an angel for Luca.  We'd already resolved to make some ourselves if we weren't lucky enough to find one.  We now how our official @stcatsglos nativity set and our newly growing Moorey version which includes a duck and a rocket (of course!). I love how this act of community is sparking new conversations and growing friendships through rock swaps and rehides. 
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= New blog post = . Find out what happened when L = New blog post =
 .
Find out what happened when Luca was let loose on a Boredom Bag (link in bio) 
.
He made:
* a worry doll
* a glittery pine cone
* a flower out of scrap
* cheese twists to eat 
* a bean bag for catching games
* a moustachy disguise
* an animated chin video! 
We still have activities to work through!  For more details visit Ellie's page @boredombagsuk 
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#gloucesterlife #boredombags #childhoodunplugged #creativity #craftingwithkids
Oh what a lovely morning I've had at Charlies Canc Oh what a lovely morning I've had at Charlies Cancer Support and Therapy Centre in Gloucester.  Jo who runs the centre is the first person outside of my family to receive an aromatherapy massage from me.  Jo  experienced the soothing effects of a wild rose facial and hand massage in the tranquil surroundings of her own treatment room! 
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I don't have a therapy space at home so Jo is kindly letting me use her treatment room when Charlie's is closed on Fridays.  If you'd like to take advantage of free hands-on wellbeing support I'm asking for a £10 donation to Charlie's in exchange for the beautiful space.  I already have my 11am slots booked out but if you're local and can be in the centre of Gloucester at 9.30am do get in touch (I'll be working my way through my volunteers list so don't worry if you've already told me you're interested). 
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What a lovely way for Jo to start a very busy day.  Today she treated the volunteers to a pre-Christmas lunch while drawing the annual Charlie's raffle.  Over £2000 was raised and hundreds of prized gifted.  Christmas come early for some today x
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I came back from college on Saturday to this lovel I came back from college on Saturday to this lovely gift from Euan.  He'd spent most of the day making my "Happy Messages" advent calendar.  How lucky am I to have such a kind hearted boy 💗
Billy's favourite spot on George's lap ❤️🐾 Billy's favourite spot on George's lap ❤️🐾
Lockdown with a 4 year old - saying yes to extra t Lockdown with a 4 year old - saying yes to extra telly, treats and a blue hair cut to make up for the forced confinement.  We made the Christmas wreath from our library craft bag but all agreed it made a much better lion's mane! 
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