A weird happening

Consider if you will, the odds against what I am about to tell you, happening.

As I’ve been working on recent collages, I’ve had the urge to use bigger graphics. I’ve been thinking about trying to find some out of date, peeling advertising hoardings where I might be able to pick up some interesting images and type.

So, a couple of weeks ago, on a Thursday, I spontaneously decided to get in my car and have a drive into a town to see what I could find. From where I live, I have a few choices – Crewe, Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Nantwich to name a few. I decided to go to Stoke-on-Trent (I’m not sure why).

When I arrived, I parked up and, with an empty rucksack on my back, I went in search of some collage material. I walked around for about 40-45 minutes on the high street and down side streets…nothing! It was beginning to feel like a fruitless expedition. 

Then, I I emerged from a side street onto the main road, I spotted a piece of town paper lying face down on the pavement. I stopped next to it. It was a lot smaller than I was hoping to find, but I was now lowering my sights in the hope of finding something. 

I stooped down and picked it up. I turned it over and this is what was on the other side…

I stood staring at it for a few moments, amazed at the serendipity of what had just happened. I don’t know what the odds are…but I’m guessing they’re pretty high!