A Northern Face

Over the last few months I’ve been a regular visitor to the Maggie’s Centre in Manchester. For those who don’t know, Maggie’s Centres exist around the UK (and, apparently, in Hong Kong) and are located close to NHS cancer hospitals, although they’re charitable bodies entirely independent of the NHS. Their purpose is to provide support, advice and information to anyone affected by cancer within a beautiful and welcoming environment www.maggies.org/our-centres/maggies-manchester/ and I’m certainly a fan. 

The buildings and gardens of each Centre are designed by top architects and landscape designers. The Manchester building was designed by Foster and Partners and the garden by Dan Pearson, and it’s become a little oasis for me to work from and eat my sandwiches in while M is enduring her chemo sessions across the road at The Christie hospital. A time of heightened anxiety for us both. I definitely get the more comfortable deal. 

An unexpected benefit of my visits has been getting to know this chap, Andy. His wife has her treatment on the same cycle as M and it’s been a pleasure and a comfort to chat with him while we await notification that we can go and collect our loved ones once more. Our conversation today was a little rushed but I was delighted that Andy was game for a quick photo session! I want to thank him for his support and wish him, J and their family well as they navigate everything that life’s throwing at them right now. 

Just a note that today was the first of the Royal College of Nursing’s strike days, although chemotherapy was one of the treatments that was ‘derogated’ and went ahead as planned, for which we’re massively grateful. M and I want to add our voices to all those supporting the nurses, and all other public sector workers, in their quest for a decent pay settlement. They’re the backbone of this country and they deserve much better after these dismal dozen years of Tory rule! 

Today’s song is by another Andrew. It’s ‘Atomized’ by the excellent Andrew Bird www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM_nSyjS3yI