Creative Connections

How often do we walk along familiar streets without giving a second thought to the things we pass? Look a little closer and you might be surprised by the clues to everyday life in years gone by, many of which are still hiding in plain sight.
In this episode of Creative Connections, we uncover the stories behind some of these overlooked reminders of the past. From mysterious ghost signs and old fire-insurance plaques to curious features beneath our feet, there's more to our streets than first meets the eye.
You might never look at an ordinary street in quite the same way again!
If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe and share it with others who enjoy the natural world and the stories behind it.
The video version can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nNsnCzYmuI
Images featured in this video were sourced from Wikimedia Commons and are freely reusable under their respective licences. Full attribution and licence details are provided below.
The Lanes, Brighton, England, Fry72, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Coal hole cover, Finsbury by Rossographer, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Coal-holes, St Mary's, York by Stephen Craven, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Pavement light on Princess Street, Shrewsbury by Meirion, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Bethel Street - Haywards pavement light by Evelyn Simak, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Hyatt patent basement extension, Chicago Eng. Co. (self-ID'd at bottom right of engraving) for Brown Bros, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Basement diagram stall light, Hayward Brothers, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Boot scraper at St Anne's Church, Western Road, Lewes, District of Lewes, East Sussex, England, Hassocks5489, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
St Anne's Church, Western Road, Lewes, District of Lewes, East Sussex, England, Hassocks5489, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association trough at Horsham, West Sussex, Acabashi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Tram rosettes on buildings in St Giles Street by Evelyn Simak, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Evelyn Simak / St Giles Street - Tram rosette, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Evelyn Simak / 4 Upper King Street - tram rosette, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
12-15 East Street, Chichester, Tim Sheerman-Chase, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Fire Plaque on Phone Solutions, Chichester, Tim Sheerman-Chase, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Ghost Sign at 63 Middle Street, The Lanes, Brighton (July 2014), Hassocks5489, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Derek Harper / Former circulating library, Milsom Street, Bath, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
#creativeconnections  #ghostsigns #hiddenhistory  #localhistory  #britishhistory  #everydayhistory

In this episode of Creative Connections, we explore the origins of some familiar English place names using examples from Sussex, including Angmering, Ferring, Petworth and Littlehampton. We look at what old place-name elements can tell us about the landscape, settlements and people who lived there — and why the same clues appear in names all across England.
If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe and share it with others who enjoy the natural world and the stories behind it.
The video version can be found at: https://youtu.be/2x1CPt3C8uU
Image CreditsThe map images were sourced from Mapcarta, with the required attribution shown below.Mapcarta and OpenFreeMap © OpenStreetMap and OpenMapTiles.
Some of the images in this video were created by Creative Connections. Additional freely reusable images were sourced from Wikimedia Commons and are listed below with full attribution and licence details.
Village sign at Findon by Shazz, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Station Road, Angmering by Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Sign entering Worthing on Titnore Lane by David Howard, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
South_Downs_Way_sign_near_Eastbourne, Simon Burchell, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Chris Shaw / Clapham Wood / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Entering Midhurst, A272 by N Chadwick, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
An "n" gaging sign in Petworth by Basher Eyre, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Petworth House by Oscar Taylor, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Fishbourne, Trish Steel, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
A29 entering Pulborough by Dave Spicer, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Flooded Fields at Pulborough, Sussex by Peter Trimming, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Pulborough church by David960, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
#placenames  #englishhistory  #sussex  #localhistory  #creativeconnections

In this episode of Creative Connections, we look at some of the history hidden inside Sussex churches. From tide dials and leper windows to gargoyles, misericords, anchorite cells and medieval wall paintings, we explore the strange details that reveal how people worshipped, lived and used these buildings centuries ago.
If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe and share it with others who enjoy the natural world and the stories behind it.
The video version can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR_lm-mEWlM
Many of the images in this video were created by Creative Connections. Additional freely reusable images were sourced from Wikimedia Commons and are listed below with full attribution and licence details.
Apuldram st marys squint, U1097x, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Gargoyle depicting Hodgetts, Chichester Cathedral, Martinvl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Grotesque, Winchelsea church by Julian P Guffogg, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Arundel Castle, Fitzalan Chapel: Choir stalls by Michael Garlick, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Arundel Castle, Fitzalan Chapel: Choir stall misericord 2 by Michael Garlick, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Oratoire du Louvre stalls with Misericorde, Djkeddie, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Anchorite's cell, St Anne's, Lewes, Antiquary, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
St James Shere quatrefoil window and squint of anchorite cell, BabelStone, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
St Botolph's Church, Hardham.jpg, Lula2488, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Hardham wall paintings, Antiquary, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
#churchhistory  #hiddenhistory  #medievalhistory #creativeconnections

Welcome to Creative Connections — where we join the dots between songwriter meanings, across the decades, and spin them into a new narrative.
Today’s episode is The Architecture of Silence: seven songs about the things we don’t say, the things we can’t say, the things we’re afraid to say, and the people waiting for someone to ask the question that lets the story begin.
Watch the full music-in-sequence video version of this podcast including the seven songs at: https://unmask.us/creative-connections/.
Individual Song Links on YouTube:
Simon & Garfunkel - Sound of SilenceSuzanne Vega - LukaTori Amos - Me And A GunPearl Jam - AliveSqueeze - The TruthBrandi Carlile - That YearJohn Prine - Hello In There
 
You can watch all of our Creative Connections episodes on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeConXPod

Welcome to Creative Connections — where we join the dots between songwriter meanings, across the decades, and spin them into a new narrative.
Today’s episode is Stepping Stones: seven songs about crossing from one position to another. Not in one leap. Not by suddenly becoming wise. Not by winning an argument and declaring the stream crossed forever. But step by step — one stone, then another — moving from a closed world towards a more generous one.
Watch the full music-in-sequence video version of this podcast including the seven songs at: https://unmask.us/creative-connections/stepping-stones/.
Individual Song Links on YouTube:
Merle Haggard - Irma JacksonSarah McLachlan - ElsewhereAlanis Morissette - PerfectOrchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Women IIIRickie Lee Jones - The Evening Of My Best DayHeather Nova - Stop The FireArkells - What Are You Holding On To?
 
You can watch all of our Creative Connections episodes on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeConXPod

Welcome to Creative Connections — where we join the dots between songwriter meanings, across the decades, and spin them into a new narrative.
Today’s episode is Shipbuilding: The Price Is Paid Elsewhere - seven songs about profit, comfort, labour, inequality, moral distance, and the terrible convenience of not having to see who pays the cost of that which benefits us.
Watch the full music-in-sequence video version of this podcast including the seven songs at: https://unmask.us/creative-connections/shipbuilding-the-price-is-paid-elsewhere/.
Individual Song Links on YouTube:
Elvis Costello - ShipbuildingMary Gauthier - Sugar CaneR.E.M. - Welcome to the OccupationBon Jovi - Hey GodThe Eagles - Business As UsualChris Rea - MoneyTom Petty - The Last DJ
 
You can watch all of our Creative Connections episodes on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeConXPod

In this episode of Creative Connections, we look at some curious buildings and structures whose original purpose is no longer always obvious. From dovecotes and ice houses to village pounds, lock-ups and lychgates, we explore the practical jobs these places once did — and the hidden histories that still survive in the buildings around us.
If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe and share it with others who enjoy the natural world and the stories behind it.
The video version can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4KnucjHnKs
Image and video credits:
The video and some of the photographs were created by Creative Connections.
Additional images were sourced from Wikimedia Commons and are listed below with full attribution and licence details.
Finger Post Signs, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
South Downs Way, dew pond nr Ditchling Beacon_AndyScott, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Kissing gate, Henbury by Derek Harper, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
The dovecote at Nymans by Marathon, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Nymans, March 2020 5, Poliphilo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Nesting boxes, Kinwarton Dovecote by Philip Halling, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Nymans House by The Saunterer, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Muntham Court Ice House, Hurk87, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
An illustration from Curtis, Charles Henry, 1869- The book of topiary, by Charles H. Curtis ... and W. Gibson ... London, New York, J. Lane, 1904. Illustration is credited to: "(By courtesy of “The Agricultural Economist”)", Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Brighton Pavillion - panoramio, ianpudsey, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Interior of the High Elms Ice House, Ethan Doyle White, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Illustration of the Ice House at Muntham Court, Ivan Bandura, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Oast House by Oast House Archive, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Cocking Lime Works 018, Daemonic Kangaroo, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Cocking Lime Works 012, Daemonic Kangaroo, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Village Pump at Birdham by Dave Spicer, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Isfield Pound by N Chadwick, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Isfield Pound (3674430377), Simon Harriyott from Uckfield, England, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
West Clandon Village Pound by Brian Henley, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Lock up on Church Road, Wheatley by Bill Boaden, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Lych Gate, Hunston Church, West Sussex by Jeff Gogarty, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Lych Gate for All Saints Church in Beckley, East Sussex by John P Reeves, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Lych gate at All Saints church by Dave Spicer, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
#britishhistory  #hiddenhistory  #historicbuildings #creativeconnections

In this episode of Creative Connections, we look at some of the clues to the past that are still sitting quietly in the countryside around us. From fingerposts and milestones to benchmarks, trig points and dew ponds, we explore what these familiar — and sometimes easily missed — features were actually for, and the stories behind them.
If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe and share it with others who enjoy the natural world and the stories behind it.
The video version can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzNJIfetIL8
Image and video credits:
The video and some of the photographs were created by Creative Connections. Additional images were free images from unsplash.com or if sourced from Wikimedia Commons they are listed below with full attribution and licence details.
Finger Post Signs, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Dave Spicer / Finger post at junction with Hurstwood Lane / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Plaque, Toll Gate House, Spaniards Road NW3 by Robin Sones, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
18th Century Toll Gate House, Spaniards Road NW3 by Robin Sones, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Blue plaque - Copse Cross Toll Gate - Pauline Eccles, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
The Spaniards Inn and Toll Gate House, Spaniards Road NW3 by Robin Sones, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Plaque and window, Toll Gate House NW3 by Robin Sones, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Old Direction Sign - Signpost by Top Road, Tyes Cross, West Hoathly Parish by Milestone Society, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Fingerpost, Wriggle River by Richard Webb, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Peter Trimming / Milestone Near Lower Beeding, Sussex, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Old Milestone by the A286, Milestone Garage, Cocking Parish by Kevin David Agent, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Peter Royle / Milestone on A22, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Kissing gate, Henbury by Derek Harper, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Kissing gate and footpath by Philip Halling, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.Pete Chapman / Stile on Public Footpath leaving B2110 at The Warren, Near Handcross, West Sussex, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
All Saints Church, Church Road, Herstmonceux (NHLE Code 1353333) (September 2023) (Mounting Block)_User:Hassocks5489, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Mounting block, Herstmonceux by Maigheach-gheal, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Martin Dawes / Mile Stone and Mounting Block with O/S Bench Mark, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Boundary stone on Ditchling Beacon_Simon Burchell, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Milestone Society / Old Boundary Marker by the A638, north of Tunstall, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Boundary Stone at Whitehawk Road, Brighton (IoE Code 481456)_The Voice of Hassocks, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Ordnance Survey Bench Mark by V1ncenze, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Ordnance Survey Bench mark by The Saunterer, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Fallowfield Station OS map 1899_Ordnance Survey, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Peter Trimming / Trig Point on St.Roche's Hill, Sussex, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
CTS Tavistock 1_Colgill, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Trig point S8696: Top by Bob Harvey, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Ordnance Survey GPS Station by Calum Young, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Trig point S8696: GPS network notice by Bob Harvey, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Galileo IOT L-band antenna at Redu ESA219283_ESA/C. Lezy, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/igo/deed.en, via Wikimedia Commons.
South Downs Way, dew pond nr Ditchling Beacon_AndyScott, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Peter Holmes / Mile Oak Dew Pond / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
#creativeconnections  #Countrysidehistory #southdowns

Welcome to Creative Connections — where we join the dots between songwriter meanings, across the decades, and spin them into a new narrative.
Today’s episode is Necessary Dualities: seven songs about the opposites we live with, the contradictions we carry, and the paired truths that shape us.
Watch the full music-in-sequence video version of this podcast including the seven songs at: https://unmask.us/creative-connections/necessary-dualities/.
Individual Song Links on YouTube:
Janis Ian - Society’s ChildJoni Mitchell - Both Sides, NowSupertramp - The Logical SongDeep Purple - Perfect StrangersThe Grateful Dead - CassidyTracy Chapman - Fast CarBill Withers - Lean On Me
 
You can watch all of our Creative Connections episodes on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeConXPod

In this Creative Connections episode, we look at what we might grow in our West Sussex garden — from vegetables and fruit we actually enjoy eating to flowers and shrubs that can cope with dry summer spells, damper winter conditions and our chalky South Downs soil. We’re also looking for plants that are reasonably low-maintenance and don’t demand constant watering or attention. This is simply a look at the choices we’re considering for our own garden, alongside some of the plants that are already growing happily here.
If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe and share it with others who enjoy the natural world and the stories behind it.
The video version can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-OmKw9-eGs
Image and video credits:
Some of the photographs were created by Creative Connections.Additional images were free images from unsplash.com or if sourced from Wikimedia Commons they are listed below with full attribution and licence details.
Rote Beete im Hochbeet (36974382445).jpg.Maja Dumat from Deutschland (Germany), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Beetroot, spinach, rocket, goat cheese and pumpkin seeds salad.jpg.Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Vegetable garden in The Dingle - geograph.org.uk - 5870841.jpg.Vegetable garden in The Dingle by Evelyn Simak, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
A vegetarian stew cooked using a slow cooker.jpg.Viguple 007, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Pastinaca sativa 2018-08-29 7366.jpg.Salicyna, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Pastinaca sativa kz06.jpg.Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Parsnip with honey and mustard.JPG.Takeaway, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Cucurbita pepo zucchini trattati.jpg.nociveglia from Appennino Emiliano, Italy, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Phaseolus coccineus by Danny S. - 001.JPG.Danny Steven S., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Globe Artichoke - Green Globe - geograph.org.uk - 4056091.jpg.Globe Artichoke - Green Globe by Richard Hoare, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
British apple crumble 04.jpg.Jonathan Harker, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Ribes uva-crispa6 ies.jpg.Frank Vincentz, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Les fruits du cassis viaouest.jpg.Viaouest, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Blackcurrant in basket 2021 G1.jpg.George Chernilevsky, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Apple_and_Blackcurrant_crumble.JPG.Goddards Pies Ltd, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
More raspberries (50111914646).jpg.Hefin Owen from Wales, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rubus idaeus 2018-04-24 9362.jpg.Salicyna, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Raspberry Trellis - panoramio.jpg.Carl Belken, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
BuddlejaDavidiiStrauch.jpg.IKAl, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.
Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Heavenly Blue' 2016-09-04 02.jpg.Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Ribes nigrum a1.JPG.Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
#CreativeConnections #gardeningideas #WestSussex #vegetablegarden #gardenplanning