Page 5 - NewsandViews 2023 whole publication

We commenced the session by following Len around the Meeting House in a quiet line visualising the
building as if it was a Monastery so he renamed all the rooms as we walked through in silent meditation.
For instance, the Social Room became the Refectory, the Library – the Scriptorium. Len had also created
a flower petal labyrinth out on the lawn – these were and still are used as an aid to meditation.

I had intended to just sit and read but I felt moved to do something so I chose as my theme ‘Shades and
Shapes of Green’. I walked around the garden for about 20 mins collecting leaves of varying sizes, forms
and colourings and after finding a suitably coloured backing sheet and a pot of glue, I sat at one of the
work tables and lost myself in my ‘effort’ for well over an hour. Although not a work of art, I really was
quietly satisfied, not just with what I had produced but more importantly it had taught me a valuable
lesson. I had often said to my family when they were growing up ‘there is no such thing as can’t, now I
had said it to myself and proved the point.

Putting my humble effort to one side, there was some remarkable work done that afternoon with
different emphasis of purpose – love of nature was popular with even a couple of ‘pottery’ vases that
actually held water and flowers, the theme of friendship featured and Khaled made a moving cut out
montage based on his recent life experiences and also presented Elizabetta with a fetching multi coloured
plaited ribbon headdress.

With our work completed, the afternoon finished as usual with tea and cake (thank you Pat) and we sat in
a circle in the Conservatory with our work laid out on the floor in front of us, each giving a brief
explanation of its meaning to us.

Len – you were right – it certainly was a Quiet Garden with a
difference and one that gave all who attended a satisfying
opportunity to produce something in an art form that we
admired, felt or had experienced. Thank you again.

Laid out
on table.

5