CHARLIE ON THE WALL
‘It was Saturday 16th April, late morning, and I had decided to visit Black Patch Park and pay my respects to Charlie, on his birthday.
Along the way, I called at a friend’s to see if they might join me. They were not at home. I lingered, in case they were just at the shops and would be back soon. I gazed upon the church spire, five minutes away from Black Patch Park. My mother was baptised there. My friend did not show. I proceeded to the Park.
Just as I crossed Hockley Brook, by the Romany memorial, I encountered a young man who asked “Do you know of any walls in the park ?”
I told him to follow me and showed him to the only piece of wall that I knew of, facing Perrot Street.
By now he had declared his interest in Charlie and his desire to portray him.
This felt like synchronicity. If I had not tarried at my friend’s house we would have missed each other.
He eyed up the wall whilst I began to regale him with some folklore about the place.
I also sang him my song “The Ballad of Charlie Chaplin”.
I told Vik [for that was his name] that I had to go home to receive a parcel.
When I returned, Vik had a companion and I had a bow saw for further clearance and visibility of the ongoing portraiture.
We three had a fine time through to the evening. Vik kept saying what a wonderful time he had had [!!].
He bought me a drink at the Soho Foundry Tavern as we enjoyed the party celebrating Independance Day for Zimbabwe.
P.S.
We exchanged details and Vik said he wants to return and finish the wall. I have left messages but, so far, no replies……………’
Ron Collins
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