Iain Palmer - Nostalgia

Nostalgia

Shot on unknown disposable film cameras

John Carroll Leisure Centre circa 1994.

Then, it glorified a community which was alive and kicking.

Now, it sits as a sad societal victim of the decline in vital inner city infrastructure. Following the September 6th 2024 deadline for future investment and purchase of the 1.54 acre plot, Radford waits to see what that will take the form of. One can only imagine that it won't be community focused. More like, privatised profits with no benefit to the local area.

Personally, who and what I feel most sorry for are the families and schools, community groups and institutions still living in and inhabiting Radford who no longer have a base to celebrate their existence and unanimity. And fatally, have no where to help build what was once a strength within the local area.

Pride.

I remember John Carroll being a vital organ for healthy social interaction. A vision shared by churches, schools, shops homes and families in close proximity. Since it's closing, that's all gone now despite there being places still attempting to fly the community flag, albeit disconnected; no longer joined to the John Carroll Leisure Centre hip which conjured a magical locale membership and harmony.

I don't live in Radford any more, but my parents are still there and we frequently visit. The Radford colour is no longer there and it upsets me. The exhausted hue of John Carroll has now spread to it's surroundings and I can only agree with the sentiment a resident raised at the time of it's closure,

"This is the last nail in the coffin this community needed." Veqas Ali.

Maybe this leisure coffin is what casts this sorry shadow over Radford. This undesired colour. Maybe this dead reminder of what was - yet is still so desperately needed - is what poisons future growth for this inner city ward that means so much.

I can only hope that what comes next is revitalising. Yet, that is a big hope.

Until then, I will continue to live with my nostalgia.