Gathering of strangers

Here's a fabulous sign by artist Nathan Coley, at Manchester's wonderful Whitworth Art Gallery. Part of Art in the Park, the coloured lights draw the eye upwards, a statement in the sky. Since its renovation, the gallery has been recognised as one of the country's leading visitor attractions, and it's one of my favourite places. The gorgeous building and garden are worth a visit even if you don't love art.

Push

This sign on a beautiful drinking fountain in Lincoln's Inn Fields in London is urging you to push. The park was once the site of duelling, jousting and public execution. Now it's a pleasant place to wander round, play tennis, eat or, increasingly and sadly, sleep on a bench.

The Common people

This sign is on the Avenue in Southampton, a city with some glorious parks right in its centre, and the fantastic Southampton Common just to the north. It was declared common land in the 13^th century when the borough bought the land and allowed neighbours to use it for fuel, clay and foraging for food. It was also used for grazing, and the Cowherds Inn today is a reminder of the cowherd who was once paid to look after the cattle on the common. With trees, grass, ponds and play areas, the ancient green space became a public park in 1844.

My primary school was on the edge of the common, with playground boundaries marked by oak, ash and hawthorns, and sports day on a strip of common land grass. This idyllic playtime came to an abrupt end in the 1970s when we were moved to a new building with a tarmac playground surrounded by a wire mesh fence like a cage.

The Common is still in good use by the citizens of Southampton. There’s a wildlife centre, boating lake and paddling pool, and it hosts charity runs, fairs and music festivals.