Okay, I cheated a little bit…but not all together. Thermal foil underneath and rubber band bivvi proved good improvisation. Plus carpet tiles from a nearby skip. Thanks Skip!

I practiced the night before as well to see what time I would make for the loo. I am grateful for the encouragement and kind support for us “all nighters”. I would not otherwise have met new friends and been so aware of the needs of displaced ones.

Fortunately, with many nights spent under the stars and three score years of outdoor pursuits (surveyor/youth leader) I took it all as another challenge .Also with folks singing, chatting and encircling a log burning brazier it made it more worth while. Even with singed eyebrows and smoke teared faces we kept up good spirits. Then there were the resonant roundelays of twenty Singers with African and Aborigine lyrics. Marvellous!

I believe I was the only one without a cardboard box. I imagined instead some homeless person reaching in their pocket to find little more than £6.90.This was the amount I spent at Focus to buy a dozen 4 foot pea sticks and a tarpaulin. Then cutting out a dozen rubber rings from an old cycle inner tube it was easy to erect a very stable bivouac to withstand the prevailing North Easter heading straight for our flimsy encampment. Not to be forgotten was Elizabeth’s tiny York Terrier taking pride of place in the middle of it all like the Queen of Sheba.

Apart from very noisy traffic for a long while after midnight I slept well until woken by Steve’s Angelic Host at 6 am.

I had come with books to read but can’t remember what I read. Was it something to do with” Coping with your Losses? A very good little Bible booklet for those more deprived of home , hearth and loved ones.
Brian Sherwin (Sweatmore?)

Noughts and Crosses on Doorway Sleep out Night.
31st January 2009.

Oh, what a night for the plight of the homeless!
Sleepin out rough giving hope to the poor.
Lost property here, take a look at my baggage
You’re welcome to claim it, you’re honest I’m sure

Without great pretensions or status or pride?
With pigeons a cooin and box wrapped outside.
Do I seem worthless without any style?
Just ask me to sing and I’ll bet you will smile.

But the ground is so lumpy with winds drivin through
a heart that feels broken and patched up with glue.
I often feel empty but somehow I rise.
Devouring despair but dream of mince pies

My friends are a mixture, were not all the same.
Some ran away or were victims of shame.
Some were just weary of pressure and pose
Or couldn’t get work and couldn’t buy clothes

I value your homage, your prayers and your cash
I’m sure I’m worth more than recycled trash.
Not just for the money or shelter we seek
Its meaningful love every day of the week.
Thank you.

B Sherwin rights reserved 09/02/2009

With acknowledgements to the Salvation Army Chippenham, North Chippenham Group of Churches, St Johns Ambulance Service and The Police and all sponsors to raising money for homeless people in the area.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)

article added 18/02/09