Where are they now?

“Where are they now?” revolves around our “curiosity” to know. There are always stray leads and lost threads that even the best search engine cannot seem to find.

One solution may be to use “Question and Answer” sites but those keen researchers that are willing to give their time to help others, only use the same search systems – albeit with greater advanced skills.

So here at “Where are they now” we post web logs about people, places, items and thoughts, in the hope that someone browsing the net will have a clue we can follow and get in contact.

Instead of saying “I wonder whatever happened to …… “, we are being proactive and posting a message online which can be similar to launching a message in a bottle, sticking a note4u somewhere or hiding a message in the real world using an augmented reality app. like walla.me

Have friends lost contact with us – or have we lost contact with them?
Web sites, like friendsreunited, helped countless thousands rediscover contacts and then keep in touch. Family Tree web sites are popular and the one called genesreunited, if taken to its ‘enth conclusion, will eventually offer a geno. scan for all subscribers which will access them to data on their complete ‘family’. Participants in this will find that almost everyone is related to them.

Also within, “Where are they now”, you will find questions like the one above about ‘John Smith’s Fruit Depot in Eardisland, U.K. because it looks un-loved but interesting.

I can confirm, this posting worked! We received an email about ‘John Smith’s Fruit Depot’ saying that they are building houses on the site at Eardisland. (Eardisland … the picturesque village on the River Arrow where they held a Water Festival once)

Try this “Where are they now?” on your own searchable site.

From ‘where’ to ‘what’ and ‘how’, our curiosity expands endlessly.

Here’s some of our examples to get you going on your own:

Where are the makers of “Hope Cheese” now?
Where are the makers of food grade floating boards for use in green eco-friendly raft hydroponic systems?
Where did the helpful Alan Scouse go to work?
Where are the owners of character-rich properties highlighted at www.derelictplaces.co.uk and the historical records of Gwrych Castle, Ruperra Castle and Hafodunos Llangemyw ?
Where are the murage records for Knighton issued in 1260 AD archived?
Where on Twitter, Linkedin is Pim Bongaerts (Inst. University of Queensland)?
Where are the makers of the excellent cement waterproofer I once used and did it involve Sodium Silicate?
Where in North Shrewsbury did Freda’s Son go (Jack Judd?) on leaving Castle Green?
Where does Sea Sapphirina go when you can’t see it?
Where did Swan Treasure direct Orso’s Musical?
Where did my email to Yellow Fish Project in Swansea land?
Where did the photos. of bomb craters in use as Fish Pools in Vietnam go?
Where did I put my contact details for Roger Sweeting Mawddach hatchery?
Where is the Powys CC Tourism Art Trail app. that Helen Bowen started?

and
Where do the dreams go that you forget?

World Premiere performances @PoetryEvent of “My Hat”

Two World Premiere performances @PoetryEvent

 

My Hat

Whilst sipping tea at the Palace
Of a busy busy bee, named Alice,
She placed in my left hand
Her rolled map of wonderland.

So off I went
In my walking boots,
With my tent
To find the entrance – a little little hole,
Not THAT little – the size of a rabbit
rather than a mole.

I asked a cow.
I asked a bird.
Both told me, “Wonderland does not exist.”
I replied “That’s absurd,
You might as well say that this isn’t a map
that this isn’t a tent
that you are not a cow
and you are not a bird.
Wonderland exists! It has to be true.
I have a hatter to find
and a white rabbit too.”
At which, the bird, flew
And the cow just went, moo.

I sat.
I spread the map of wonderland flat
On the grass
Just as the shadow of two large ears passed.
“Come back, come back
I know you’ve time,
Please – help me find a friend of mine.
I must arrive before his tea
So that he has time for me.”

The ears both vanished down a hole –
Built by rabbit, not by mole.
Into that dank dark underground I jumped –
Straight into the stillness of earth pressed holes.
Passages full of contorted roots.
Front ends and rear ends of worms,
All friends, in soil, shale and clay,
Playing their daily way.

“Please, help me find a friend of mine –
It’s awfully close to his tea time.
If I’m not there, and prompt at three
I’ll miss the cakes, I’ll miss the tea,
I’ll miss the chat, I’ll miss the dance
What’s worse I’ll miss the very chance
To pick the hat which suits my head
And keeps me warm when I’m in bed.”

“We will, we can, we should, we might, we really think we may.
We ought, so let us make a wish and magic you his way.”

With that warm worm wish and a wave
I found myself outside and sitting in the Sun again.
No rain, no clouds, no sky-
Just a very wooden ceiling
Above me very high.
A set of chairs around me
A drip or two of tea
And oh my word
My friend the hatter
Looking down at me.

“You’ve shrunk my friend” the hatter said,
“And your head size is so small,
I’ll have to get the smallest elves
To magic you all tall”

One elf, then two, then thirty-three elves more
Encircled me and with a potion
Made behind closed-door
Bid me grow my own true self
A stately six foot-four.

“This hat will suit you” said my friend.
“No no it’s far too small”
“Then try this one instead” he said
“No no it’s far too tall”
“This hat? This hat?”
“Full of feathers!”
“This hat? This hat?”
“For all weathers!”
“This hat? This hat?”
“Too much pong!”
“This hat? this hat?”
“Made all wrong!”
“This hat? this hat?”
“Far too wide-
With stars and moons
On its outside!”
“This hat? this hat?
Full of colour.”
“That’s the hat! It’s like no other!”

“Hatter hatter, my good friend,
My journey’s at a happy end.
I have a hat that fits my head –
To keep me warm whilst I’m in bed!”

For those who think my story true
I lift my hat from head to you.
If there be some who like the bird
Think my story is absurd
I’ve proof that would convince that cow
In this collection, here and now.

(Take out hats)

“This hat will suit you” said my friend.
“No no it’s far too small”
“Then try this one instead” he said
“No no it’s far too tall”
“This hat? This hat?”
“Full of feathers!”
“This hat? This hat?”
“For all weathers!”
“This hat? This hat?”
“Too much pong!”
“This hat? this hat?”
“Made all wrong!”
“This hat? this hat?”
“Far too wide-
With stars and moons
On its outside!”
“This hat? this hat?
Full of colour.”
“That’s the hat! It’s like no other!”

Full version of “My Hat” in production for littlepeoplebooks.media
From Image of Learning (IOL) personality workshops for schools, ‘Get Ahead,Get a Hat’. More: archive site at https://worldofwater.org.uk/tag/image-of-learning/

First published 06. May 2015
First performed 17.Oct 2015
First gig recording: 28 Aug 2023