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noisy silences

'noisy silences' is a series of listenings that explore the relationship between the soundscape and contemplative practice.

Image by NordWood Themes

Furness Abbey, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria

31st May 2023

I could have sworn I heard a bell tolling behind the modulating whine of the sit-on lawn mower.

Cut grass incense and this mono chord chant support my seclusion, connecting me with brothers lying in peace nearby.

Furness Abbey 31-05-23Richard Bentley
00:00 / 16:50
Furness Abbey
St Leonards Churchyard
Image by NordWood Themes

St Leonard's Churchyard, Wallingford, Oxfordshire

22nd May 2023

St Leonards Wallingford 22-05-23Richard Bentley
00:00 / 06:55
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Image by NordWood Themes

St Leonard's, Wallingford, Oxfordshire

12th December 2022

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Occasionally a sound or image grabs my attention and asks me to stop and notice it, as I'm sure it does for many. This was one of those remarkably unremarkable moments, the view replaying Thomas Merton's words in my head: “...a tree gives glory to God by being a tree.”

St Leonard's Churchyard
Image by NordWood Themes

Nosworthy Way, Mongewell, Wallingford, Oxfordshire

8th December 2022

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Low, rolling washes of rubber on tarmac spill over the bridge, the flam of tyres sounding its joins either end. Intrusive higher registers are lost to the cold, clear skies, leaving space below for the silent sway of teasels.

Wallingford Bypass
Image by NordWood Themes

Oxford University Boat Club, Wallingford, Oxfordshire

17th November 2022

Riverside Meditation 17-11-22Richard Bentley
00:00 / 12:34
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Oxford Uni Boat Club
Image by NordWood Themes

The Sanctuary, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading

15th November 2022

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RBH Sanctuary 15-11-22Richard Bentley
00:00 / 10:09
The Sanctuary
Image by NordWood Themes

St Peter's Church, Wallingford, Oxfordshire

10th November 2022

With eyes closed, backup beepers bring the dilapidated pipe organ to life and bird calls fall from the rafters illuminating the nave. The distant pitch-sweep of brakes mingle with room tone, until I’m gathered in by the slow, staggered rhythm of beads passing through my fingers.

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St Peters
BradfordsBrook
Image by NordWood Themes

Bradford's Brook, Wallingford, Oxfordshire

3rd November 2022

Distance reduces an aircraft to rumble, revealing the babbles and bubbles of recent rainfall. Owl calls quickly disappear behind questions: How long ‘til pick-up? Is the recorder too precariously balanced? Did I set the sample rate? Why did I feel the need to record?

Bradford's Brook 03-11-22Richard Bentley
00:00 / 07:18
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Image by NordWood Themes

St John the Baptist, Mongewell, Oxfordshire

15th October 2022

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An air of antiquity laid to ruin by the piercing floral scent of a diffuser. Temple bells squeeze through a smartphone speaker, a distraction from thunderous amplified silence of traffic, noise floor and blood flow.

An anxious silence, but with the security of high-gain hearing.

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Photo credits: Sarah Bentley

St John the Baptist, Mongewell 15-10-22Richard Bentley
00:00 / 22:16
St John Baptist Mongewel
St Marys Wallingford
Image by NordWood Themes

St Mary's Church, Wallingford, Oxfordshire

13th September 2022

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St Mary's Church Wallingford 13-09-22Richard Bentley
00:00 / 21:03
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Lower Wharf
Image by NordWood Themes

Lower Wharf, Wallingford, Oxfordshire

8th September 2022

Lower Wharf, Wallingford 1pm 08-09-22 ExcerptRichard Bentley
00:00 / 10:02

In one step the hollow alleyway acoustic bursts into a sodden expanse. Leaves and roof tiles glitter above. Below, droplets sound the mezzanine and run-off, the stream. The scene is intimate and closed until thunder draws me outwards, past the Chilterns, someway beyond.

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Small Silence [  ] installation, Broad Street Mall, Reading

New Barn Dorchester
Image by NordWood Themes

New Barn Field Centre, Bradford Peverell, Dorchester

3rd September 2022

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Neatly draped over parched pasture.

Shielded wires mask the babble of conversation

A bitstream cacophony from silence.

Quarr Abbey Isle of Wight
Image by NordWood Themes

Quarr Abbey, Isle of Wight

15th August 2022

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Quarr Abbey Nave 10am 15-08-22Richard Bentley
00:00 / 21:18
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