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The Sounds of a Winter Sunday in the Park

Locked down by Covid, we can get out to the park. Sledging, running, pigeons, parakeets, dogs – the joyful sound of Sunday in the park, but still, bells toll and ambulances wail.

This Slow Radio feature takes us on a leisurely stroll round the park. Parks are always important but during the lockdowns they've become vital to people stuck in cities and towns. Children can still play in the park; grown-ups can still walk, run and even dance there.

When a smattering of snow fell in London recently Greenwich Park erupted with people - of all ages - pouring like lava down the icy slopes below the Royal Observatory, on sledges, tin trays, even grill pans. There were snowball skirmishes and snow sculptures appeared. It was a wonderful sight, and even more arresting were the sounds - the cacophony of joy.

The park these days is 'full of noises, sounds and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not', the sounds of life and happiness. But, in the distance you hear, too, the sounds of sorrow - a church bell tolls and ambulances wail. Today's Slow Radio programme gathers all these - the birds, the dogs, the children, runners, boxers, ice, mud, rain, and the - almost - silence, capturing a winter's Sunday in the Park With...sound.

Producer: Julian May

Available now

29 minutes

Last on

Sun 28 Feb 2021 23:30

Broadcast

  • Sun 28 Feb 2021 23:30

Sounds of the Earth

Sounds of the Earth

Listen to the natural world in its many guises.

Podcast