The Slider

Further Info

This story was made on a four and a half day training workshop for artists and practitioners aiming to join Bristol Stories Network in order to help facilitate future programme of workshops, and also benefit from other training opportunities.

The course was led by Ruth Jacobs and Liz Milner, and took place at Watershed during February and March 2006. The project was supported by Bristol’s Museums, Galleries & Archives.

Transcript

The first time I saw The Slider, I couldn't wait to have a go. I thought I was all grown up, 18, a student. I was brave, fearless. I would throw myself at anything. I had ambitions.

As I ducked under the barriers, to knock the edges off, I wondered how many kids had slid before me, to polish these rocks.

Did they wear themselves threadbare, sallying forth from the Iron Age Fort, from The Roman Camp, the Tudor Port, from the Georgian squares and Victorian terraces. Did they hurtle down here and hurt themselves while their fathers were losing themselves in the trenches and their mothers were digging for Victory. Did those rebel teens of the 50's scuff their winkle pickers, did the flower children pause to take in the view.

The view? Only real grown ups come here for the view, to get some clarity, to clear the air. See their ambitions in perspective.

My ambitions? I was going to run something, and change the world. But before I completed the assent of that slippery slope, I wanted other things. After that my ambitions drew a bit closer to home. Protecting them from harm, and keeping them safe.

Be careful on the slider. Don't hurt yourself mind.

Too often it is said that Bristol is the place where ambitions die. But that's not really fair. Maybe it's just where they change. Ambition is all about where you end up. Living is enjoying the ride.

Credits

All media not otherwise credited created by the story author, or permission obtained, used under copyright licence.