[The below entry was written by Dan T, one of the founding students of Stories of the World Durham and previous 'Blog-writing extraordinaire'. Dan is now at the University of Leicester and went to the Horniman Youth Conference as a part of the Durham delegation. Unfortunately, due to snow, we weren't able to make it from Durham, but travelling from Leicester, Dan went anyway... here are his thoughts!]
Well well well well (too many wells) after an absence of typing in this blog for a few months, that's right I'm back. It is only a cameo appearance.
What a day I have had as you may well know the plan was for the SOTW team to go to London and for me to meet them there then go to the youth conference at the Horniman Museum. There was however a lot of snow and as we all know Britain and especially public transport is rubbish in the snow so unfortunately they had to cancel, and I was gutted at this because I was looking forward to seeing people. Not to worry though I decided to do all I could (which really wasn't that much) to save the day. Armed with a Laptop a semi functioning brain I set off for London, this was because everything else was in Matt's kitchen. With hindsight I should have prepared something the night before but I went to sleep instead. I had the marketplace all planned out steal their printer, which they let me do, and then use this brilliant blog. As the theme of this trip is things not going to plan the Internet wouldn't work, panic time, so in my robust borderline insane or maybe troubled genius I whipped some PowerPoint presentation up in about 8 minutes printed it off and stuck it on the wall. rap but effective. Anyways I did my best to sell the project but after a prolonged absence it was more difficult than I anticipated.
The day started with three papers on youth culture and the challenges they face. This is a wide grouping as each was unique but I can't be bothered to write about each one in detail at the moment (I'm very tired). Two focused around gender roles using young men who modify their cars and do these have a place in museums. Make your own judgments. The second on the skull as a symbol of death in fashion. Quite morbid but so are the team with their exhibition. The final paper was on the high pitched whistling device used by Local Authorities or Supermarkets to target young people and stop them causing trouble, but at what ethical cost. There we are each had its own unique but linked together perspective. Then there were discussion groups but I skived these to set up the market place.
After the lunch buffet (got nothing on you Matt, especially those chocolate tortes, in fact that would be a great Xmas present hint hint) and the market place the workshops started. I went to one on using applied arts in museums, basically a bit of drama to keep things entertaining for the youngens while they learn. This was incredibly useful and can be considered for events when the SOTW gallery is launched (and I still want to open it, unless you get Stephen Fry nobody else outranks me). The second workshop I attended was on youth led tours I thought this could relate to the already completed trail and the launch event again. This is on how to engage young people more and not just read from a sheet etc. I will post the notes or drop them at the OM in January.
Finally there was an after conference party. After enjoying my food I ventured out to marvel at the brilliant street entertainers of Covent Garden. I then went to Leicester Square because I could, why not eh? Wandered about saw some sights, meant to take photos of the whole day took my camera but forgot the batteries. Then it was back to St Pancras and home.
All in all an exciting stressful challenging but still fulfilling day. It has been a pleasure to write this I am incredibly proud of the prep work the entire team did. I am also incredibly disappointed you couldn't be there. But I tried to deliver in the style of a martyr, but unfortunately it needed a hero, however I delivered a Legend.
Seriously leaving behind the joking arrogance it has been an honour to be allowed to represent Durham despite having very little contact. I am proud of you all and after looking around today you are the cream of the crop and you are going from strength to strength. People often say the sky is the limit; I say rubbish, there is no limit to what you can achieve if you work for it, and you guys have.
Muchos Gracias (with a hint of sadness)
Dan
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