A deep interest

They are replacing the streetlights in Sheffield, taking out the old ones and replacing them with more ecological lighting. There is a lot of digging; many pavements have deep holes with temporary coverings and safety barriers. Most adults find the noise, dust and disruption annoying. The process seems to be taking for ever, and the holes in the pavements remain for weeks until the next part of the process, by another team of workers, begins. For the adults this is all a bit of a nuisance.

But children see things differently. There seems to be a fascination with the large equipment brought in to dig – and eventually refill – the deep holes. A three-year-old was excited to see the pipes that were leading to his house, uncovered in a large open trench. He crouched close to the barrier for some time, asking what each pipe and cable was carrying inside – not always terribly satisfied with the answers he was given. ‘How do you know?’ ‘Can we see? ‘What if there is a hole in that one – will all the poo come out?’ The sight of a man in one of the trenches – with his head level with the pavement – was really exciting for a little group of children out on a walk.