I entered the draw following a trip I made to Kilkenny City, Southern Ireland in 1996. Whilst there I climbed the 30 meter high round tower in the grounds of St Canice cathedral. It took several minutes to acclimatise to being so high but, as someone without a great head for heights, what followed was a real sense of achievement and of tranquillity.
AC Grayling suggests that we all need to make time to think how to live. I see my time on the 4th plinth as offering me the opportunity to take time out from my busy family and work life to reflect on where I am, how I got here and my hopes and aspirations for the future... and hopefully to reconnect with the inner tranquillity achieved in the round tower.
I'd also like others to benefit from my hour on the plinth. I'm therefore seeking sponsorship on behalf of the National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease (NACC -http://www.nacc.org.uk/content/). To find out more, and to make a contribution, visit: http://www.justgiving.com/mariajgrant
My desert island discs for the plinth are:
1. Matt Munro – Days Like These
2. Albino’s Adagio in G Minor
3. The Undertones – Teenage Kicks
4. The Hives – Hate to Say I Told You So
5. The Jam – English Rose
6. The Monkees – I’m a Believer
7. Novak – Blue Chinook
8. Sailing By
My luxury is a pen and paper.
My book is ‘Secret Knowledge: Rediscovering the Lost Techniques of the Old Masters’ by David Hockney.
Post Script: At the latest count on 1st September 2009, including gift aid and direct donations, I had raised over £400 in sponsorship for the NACC; the equivalent of over £6.65 for every minute I spent on the plinth... validation of my choice to 'be' rather than 'do' during my hour.
