Thank you Body of Sound, an all women choir based in Sheffield for this lovely song, and recorded it for small park BIG RUN 2020. This tune was written after seeing ‘one wall two prisons’ graffitied at the Qualandya checkpoint.
Body of Sound have sung for small park BIG RUN before, mostly in the wet! This was recorded over zoom. So we missed being with them but at least they were dry this year. They have asked we put this as a prefix to their beautiful song
“Body of Sound is a women’s singing group in Sheffield. We have recorded Qulandya for Small Park Big Run 2020
Palestinians are severely curtailed in their freedom to move. In the occupied West Bank they cannot travel freely from place to place without going through checkpoints and access to their land is often denied. Movement in and out of Gaza is limited: the border is often closed, denying Palestinians access to hospitals or visiting ill and dying relatives. An issue SPBR focuses on this year is child prisoners. There are currently 194 Palestinian children imprisoned. They are detained by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank, and prosecuted in Israeli military courts with little or no legal representation. Palestinians are physically and psychologically imprisoned. Under the lock down we have experienced a loss of freedom to move – Palestinians are experiencing this every day”
Really looking forward to our post event virtual rally this year instead of the rally outside Meersbrook Hall in the park. But just like outside the hall, linking up with Palestine will be emotional and uplifting, we are sure.
We have speakers from Never Stop Dreaming, who help run the Children’s Healing Centre, in Gaza; and speakers from the Run for Freedom in Nablus, Ramallah and Aida refugee camp in the West Bank.
Just to remind ourselves, while we are doing all these activities separately, how wonderful it is when we come together in the park. It is a really great capture of the spirit and purpose of the run.
Film of the first small park BIG RUN. Great to see this again
We are really fortunate to have so many people trying their best to make an event happen this year in so many different shapes and sizes. This is Judy’s diary. she is walking around Meersbrook Park every day, waving the Palestinian flag and talking with people as he goes. Thank you Judy so much!
Wed 10 June
Chrystine Moon singing on the deck
I called for my flag in the middle of a thunderstorm and by the time I got half way up the hill on the first lap, the rain had abated a bit so I it and at the top a woman with a dog asked what it was about. So I explained. She was familiar with SPBR but didn’t realise it was coming up and agreed to register and donate. While this conversation was going on a young man was listening in, who turned out to be from……GAZA!!!!! We were both so astounded by each other that we nearly went for a hug, stopping just in time! So he walked another lap with me while we got to know each other – he’s an architect, now living in London but brought up in Bulgaria. The next lap I met Gill (Carfield School dinner lady) and Mike) and they went away promising to register, and then finally I met Lawrence, a young man on his way to Crookes, on his lone Round Sheffield walk. So whether or not anything comes of it, wasn’t bad for a first outing with my flag.
Friday 12 June
Late start today as I had to deal with a smashed back windscreen, so only managed 4 k before it got too dark for comfort.
Chatted to a jolly band of young people inc Kev and Josh (who took a pic of me with my flag), meeting up with their cans of beer, Liz and Olly the dog, who had noticed the posters around and was pleased to discuss, 9-week old Nye, who was not impressed with being walked round the park by Dad, Richard, who ran last year and his friend David.
Saturday 13 June
Warm day and many more folk in the park and so a bumper crop of encounters, starting off on the wrong side of a large dog who ‘hates flags, cyclists and motorbikes’.
I furled my flag on my second lap up the hill but he wasn’t having it and I was glad of his chain and their strong arms! I explained I’d be coming round another 3 times so they might like to find another spot and luckily they did. I met Mary from Ireland, Chrystine who informed me she was going to offer a troubadour-style song outside people’s houses for her SPBR event, Toni, Jamie and Katie, on their bench, two Kurdish guys who kept a cheerful, encouraging tally of my laps, Joe, Steve and Gus and Tamara, who decided they’d go on a run up Kinder Scout, Mike and Steve and Dave and John, and Tom who tortured himself by going half way round the world before he got to Palestine, Some knew about Palestine, but weren’t aware of the SPBR, some were unaware of either, but were touched by the aims, and all said they would go online to donate. I hope so.
I went home to be Chrystine’s first customer and was serenaded on my deck with my flag as a backdrop and granted a wish.
Sunday 14 June
The conversations started 4 doors down, where Aditti (just 8) and younger sister Anira were putting the finishing touches to their pavement hopscotch and Mum Megan mentioned seeing someone running round the park with a flag earlier.
Near the park entrance, a conversation started when I heard little Isabel ask “Why has that lady got a flag?” then on the hill I met Gill and Mike again, on a bench, who pointed out a little boy in the distance with a flag like mine, so we greeted each other from afar with our flags. Then I met my second Palestinian, Samir and friend Jamie.
Samir’s grandfather still lives near Ramallah, and we talked among other things, about the key and deeds that were kept by his family when they fled their homes and how replicas of those keys were used as relay batons for the SPBR teams. By the sculpture of Mick the head gardener (now sporting a mask), I met Isla (aged nearly 8, and a friend of Aditti’s), Peter 5 and a half and Mum Rebecca, who took a pic of the nearby poster and promised to explain it all to the children when they got home. Then it was Sidney, her mum Jodie and Lottie the dog and one last speeded-up lap accompanied by distant thunder, arriving home just before the deluge!
My methods of engagement seem to fall into three categories. Look them in the eye as I approach, and they may ask. Overhearing a child enquire about my flag behind me, or start by chatting to the dog. There are also the distant group reactions of raised fists in solidarity, which are encouraging. It’s good to be able to give people something concrete they can do that will make a difference. 30 k so far and 42 to go.
Monday 15th June
Another warm evening, with folk scattered across the hill in groups and pairs in the last of the sun.First up Sophie and Giles, about to embark on the Not the Cat Lane Canter. Quick photo and then didn’t see them again till they joyfully hailed me at the end of their orienteering run. Then it was Catherine whose family headed for the woods while we shared info about the SPBR and the B Road again. Nye was happy and awake, clearly preferring the sun to the drizzle of our last miserable encounter. Richard ran last year but is in full new dad mode, so we agreed he might just donate this year. On the hill I chatted to three Chinese students from three corners of China, Jing, Lin and Victoria. We took pics of each other while I filled them in on things Palestinian and why I would be bothering to care and carry a flag that is not my own. They got very excited when SPBR came up when they googled on their phones!
Violetta and Moises
My final encounter was in Spanish with Violeta and Moises from El Salvador, who came to the UK a year ago. Moises had recently seen a documentary on Palestine and we spent some time talking about the SPBR and the situation in both Palestine and El Salvador Trump and walls figure in the lives of Salvadoreans too, and they worry about relatives left behind and identified with the anxieties and insecurities of Palestinians.. By the time we said goodbye, it was time to attend to my rumbling tum, and as I wended my way up MPR I met Anne, part of Body of Sound who will sing for SPBR and was reminded to go online and register. Home for a late tea whilst watching the swifts from my deck in the sunset.
Tuesday 15th June
Looks like I’m going to be thunderstorms off today having just been soaked during black lives matter protest on hill. Don’t mind the rain just not the thunder and lightening in the woods. So am going to send a load of pics from the previous couple of days that will overwhelm you but choose what you like. Will have to step up literally to get my 72k in by midday Sunday
Wednesday 17 June After getting a good soaking whilst Taking a Knee at the Black Lives Matter protest in the Park, I waited till the rain stopped before venturing forth after tea.
Moral – don’t climb that hill straight after a meal! Digesting on the way up and burping all the way down!Met Julia on a bench, then Sarah with dog Phoebe walked round with me till we met Caroline, our SPBR merchandise organiser, hoving into view across the grass from her house.
There was a brief transaction over a buff (£3.50), a quick pic in the sunset then a long chat with a group of Sri Lankan and Indian post-grad students – Gavindi, Prasad, Amanda and Arshaan. We talked of many things, from Brexit to the sadness of not being able to travel to a grandmother’s funeral due to covid. They filmed my spiel for friends and family, with promises to encourage donations and together we walked down the hill in the gathering gloom. And so to bed.
By the way, don’t forget the Merchandise, people! The buffs are especially wonderful, in traditional Kefiyeh black and white, with a special design of folk running up that hill; they’re multipurpose and warm and make great presents.
Thursday 18 June
This is the last day of my diary, although I will continue walking round the Park with my flag till Sunday, so look out for me. I was out of the house by 6.30am to try and beat the forecast of an entire day’s double raindrop downpour. Passed a couple of startled runners on the hill,
“This is unexpected!” and I called out the essential info to their retreating backs.
The changed wind direction meant my flag was continuously wrapping itself round my face instead of flowing decorously behind me.
Met Julia, and Kay (with dogs) in the woods and then Bhanu caught up with me to enquire what I was about before whizzing on her way. Passed Gertie and her owner again as they went anticlockwise to my clockwise. Gertie’s thing is sniffing the backs of people’s trousers as they walk, in the way of a bloodhound, until they turn round to say hello, when she shies away, waiting for them to carry on so she can get back to her trouserbottom sleuthing. Hilarious!
By then the push of mist and drizzle and the pull of my breakfast sent me home, quite surprised to have had any encounters at all on such a gloomy early morning.
Went out again when the evening weather turned fine and spent nearly 2 hours doing three laps, due to all the lovely encounters!
At the gate I bumped into Cath, another member of the SPBR organising team, with Amni and Oscar, who told me about their SPBR activity plans, then Kate, who will be doing an interesting Community Philosophy Zoom workshop 3 – 5pm on Saturday 20th (Hurry Hurry!!).
Jordan Nile’s tattoos
Next up was Peter, who guessed the flag, and 3 month Lorelei and then Jordan Nile and his pals Owen, Gabriela, Emily and Antonio from Naples. Jordan not only said he was Palestinian and told me, horror of horrors, I was carrying my flag upside down (how long for, I wonder), but was fascinatingly covered in Palestine related tattoos, including the flag! Apparently he is Jordan Nile because of the symbolic river boundaries.
On the hill there was Josie and Henry with his broken shoulder, Charlotte and Mike, Sarah and Phoebe again and Nadia and Nazia with useful suggestions about fund-raising. Met up with Caroline and her Palestine umbrella and together we chatted to Helen, who was so interested that she promised to donate a pound for my every Kilometre!
And there will be 72 kilometres by the time I get to join the Zoom Rally at midday on Sunday after nearly two weeks of flag waving and publicising Small Park Big Run 2020.
72 k because I was born in 1948, the year of the Nakba (Catastrophe) which befell Palestinians in their own land. It’s been a fascinating journey, meeting all kinds of people of all ages, who made their own connections with what SPBR is about, and we all came away from these conversations with food for thought (except perhaps Nye and Lorelei, who at 9 and 12 weeks, will be growing up in a different world, but with switched on parents who will explain things when they’re ready. There was only one negative encounter, with a flag-phobic dog, and, sometimes it was hard to keep up the kilometres because of all the encounters, but that was the whole point.
Join the Write to Move zoom – we invite you to join in a Write to Move online writing workshop. Come and pen your thoughts on the restriction of movement in Palestine and here in the UK. No previous experience required, just a pen and paper. Saturday 20th June at 7-8pm
June 20-21, at a physically distanced venue of your choice!
WHAT IT IS
As you will probably know our normal 24-hour event in Meersbrook Park cannot take place. In its place we have come up with a Covid19 proof event. We are asking you to design and conduct your own activities in the safety of your own home, garden or suitably socially distanced outdoor area. We will all share our activities on social media. See ideas below.
This is an event that we will be doing physical distant from one another – but hopefully in doing it we can come together socially!
HERE’S WHAT TO DO
Sign up! smallparkbigrun.eventbrite.co.uk Please Enter the event via the Eventbrite link – we are asking for you to pay what you can and/or make a donation to the projects in Palestine. We also are encouraging participants to buy Palestine Flags and our Keffiyeh buffs to display and wear whilst you do your activity – you can buy them when you sign up or contact us. Buffs are £3.50 each and Flags are £5.00 each.
Plan your activity – To inspire you we have posted activities we know of below. But be as creative as you want; hop, paint, run, juggle, do yoga, play games, tap dance, play a tune, sing a song. It can be as long or as short as you want. You can include who you want. Do it at midnight, over 24 hours, over a week; whatever!
Do your activity – The event was scheduled for 20-21 June – we would like you to hold your activity over that weekend if possible, but any time is absolutely fine! Don’t forget to wear your buffs and display those flags!
Share your activity – Using your social media channels share the story, videos and pictures of your event with the spBR Community in the UK, Palestine and beyond. Wherever you post please tag us using @smallparkbigrun and #spbr20 Alternatively, you can email your details to us. If you have bought flags and/or buffs please show them off!
Join the virtual global gathering at midday Sunday 21 June on Zoom Normally at the end of our 24 hour run we have a celebration where we link up with our Palestinian friends. It is always very moving and inspiring. For this year we are planning a large Zoom meeting where people from Palestine and Britain will talk. More details to follow.
WRITE TO MOVE – ZOOM WORKSHOP
Join the Write to Move zoom – we invite you to join in a Write to Move online writing workshop. Come and pen your thoughts on the restriction of movement in Palestine and here in the UK. No previous experience required, just a pen and paper. Saturday 20th June at 7-8pm
If you would like to join, please email sheffieldpwsf@yahoo.co.uk by midnight 18th June. We will send you a zoom invite (the day before). Note: Maximum 30 people, first come, first served. Suitable for age 16+
IDEAS FOR ACTIVITIES
People are already planning their activities! We have been told about some fantastic and varied ideas for activities
“Some kind of solo run, depending on the government guidelines at the time!”
“Hi, already on the way, aiming to complete 100km in 5 km chunks as part of loving the lockdown. 30km done so far to 21st April”
“By the time the event takes place I aim to be able to run from my house in Nether Edge to Meersbrook park, up the hill without stopping and back. This will be a 5km run. I can do the distance but at the moment can only get to the second bench without stopping then walking.”
“On the weekend between two of us we intend to do 180 circuits in our front garden: 10 burpees, 5 step hops, 20 sit ups, 10 push ups in each circuit. One circuit for every Palestinian child currently imprisoned or detained by Israel.”
“I am currently running the ‘small park big run’ route in 5k slots and have done 40k in total so far! I will do as much as I can and finish on the 21st of June”
“Over that weekend I will run one of our lockdown cycling routes: from our house in Broomhall, up through Walkley and down to Malin Bridge, along to Low Bradfield, around the reservoir and back – just over 24K. My partner will cycle alongside me providing drink, moral support and lots of love.”
“Walk to Hope! From Grindleford to Hope via Stanage, back again along River Derwent… please join us, socially distancing, leaving Grindleford Station 10 am 20/6/20….we all need more hope!”
Additionally, we know of:
A writing exercise on Zoom.
A choir combining over zoom
A team will be covering the whole 24 hours doing a host of different activities – scholarship fund.
A very physically distanced 9km time trial orienteering private race setting off from and returning to Meersbrook Park. Organised by some members of a sister event – The Cat Lane Canter.
One participant will be conducting 24 hours of yoga and running between now and 21 June.
AFC Unity – an award-winning independent women’s football club promoting social justice will be participating by encouraging members to conduct an activity of their own choice and sharing it on social media.
Please ensure your activity is safe and observes not only the guidance of the UK government, but also your own common sense and judgement. Please do not use public transport if at all possible. If you are doing your activity in a public space please ensure the space is safe and two metre plus distancing can be observed at all times. If you are at all uncertain then delay your activity to a less busy time or move it to a less busy area. Please also ensure your activity does not place you at a highly elevated risk of injury, in particular injuries that might require a visit to casualty and place an additional burden on the NHS.
It is with great regret we have taken the decision to make a change to our wonderful solidarity event this year due to the COVID-19 emergency.
Rather than the wonderful community festival, we will be encouraging people to do a small activity in their home or garden – or local park, at safe distance from others – and send a picture to us, which we publish.
We will be providing more details and ideas over the coming weeks and while we would like you to do this in the 24 hours when the run would have taken place, June 20th midday to June 21st midday, you can obviously do it at any time.
Let’s have hundreds of small solidarity actions and shout out for Palestine!
