STEEL BONES AND STERILE AISLES

eadowhall: a glass and steel monolith built over the bones of the old Hadfields Ltd steelworks in the Don Valley. I found myself there this week with Morticia, on a mission to find birthday cards for one another. Having just finished a shift at work, my enthusiasm was non-existent—though, in fairness, I never have much time for the place.

Meadowhall is a sprawling shopping centre just two miles down the road from my home. I’ve always found the centre to be a soulless labyrinth, a commercial necessity rather than a destination. The centre is often credited with the decline of Sheffield’s city centre and the nearby Rotherham town centre. Yet, amidst the sterile atmosphere, I had two brief, genuine interactions with the younger generation.

The first was in The Lanes; while I was eyeing up a collection of decorative skulls, a group of girls stopped to tell me they liked my jacket. Shortly after, a young lad interrupted my walk to ask about my band t-shirt, sparked by a shared love for the music, before eagerly sharing details about a gig he was heading to in a few weeks.

I don’t dress for the approval of others, but there’s a quiet satisfaction in a stranger recognising the effort behind the aesthetic. Especially when it comes from the younger generation. 

The spirit of the Urban Viking—and the occasional absurdity of navigating the modern world—lives on in my webcomic, Northman. 

You can read the latest chapter here: northman.kirt.me.uk

I’ll be sharing more of my journey and the daily reality of staying grounded in the modern world over on social media. Join in:

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