Category: United Kingdom

Not the only source on the web on this topic, a short BBC News Magazine item titled “What’s the difference between being lonely and a loner?” Mentions the Loneliness Project report, based on a survey of UK residents, released by The Mental Health Foundation. In brief, the answers to the title question:

• Loneliness is not about being physically alone
• It’s about each individual’s evaluation of isolation
• A loner gets satisfaction from being alone, someone who is lonely doesn’t

Among other conclusions, the Mental Health Foundation report notes that:

• younger people (up to 60% of those surveyed aged 18-35) feel more lonely than older people (at 35%);
• technology has an isolating effect if not complemented by social networks;
• growing emphasis on work and productivity diminishing the importance of social life exacerbates loneliness;
• smaller family size contributes to more loneliness and depression.

URLs
BBC News article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8703173.stm
Mental Health Foundation news release page: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/media/news-releases/news-releases-2010/25-may-2010/
MHF Loneliness Project with download links for the report: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/loneliness-and-mental-health/

A June 2009 Guardian article for its Experience series titled “I Am a Hermit” is by Rachel Denton, a UK woman who writes about her life-long desire for solitude, and its fulfillment alone in a remote Lincolnshire country house. She received canonical approval of her status by the local Catholic bishop. Brought to our attention by a friend of Hermitary.

URL: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/jun/20/experience-hermit

Ansuman Biswas, who spent 40 days in the Manchester Museum tower as a hermit, is interviewed by BBC News upon his exit (August 5 was his last day there ) and return to “real” life. Excerpt:

A hermit is re-entering society after spending 40 days and 40 nights in Manchester Museum’s Gothic tower.

Ansuman Biswas, 43, from London, chose 40 objects from the museum collection during his isolation, where he contemplated “loss and extinction”.

He posted his thoughts on the items on a blog, as well as practising yoga and meditation for up to five hours a day.

Mr Biswas, an artist, told the BBC it had been a wonderful experience which he hoped to repeat in the future.

“It’s flown by really. I wish I could have another 40 days and 40 nights,” said the hermit.

“There’s so much to do still and I’ve got lots of ideas that I’ve run out of time now to realise.

“Except I could continue to do them in real life, or whatever real life is.”

Includes a one-and-a-half minute video.

URL: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/8187909.stm
Blog: http://manchesterhermit.wordpress.com

Tatton Gardens, a Liverpool estate, is soliciting for an ornamental hermit for its garden show from July 22-26, 2009, according to an article in the Liverpool Daily. The head gardener, Sam Youd, who holds an uncompromisingly Gothic view of what a hermit should be — but consistent with the 18th- and 19th- century estate holder’s view of eremitism — has indicated his criteria for a garden hermit, along with living in a “grotesque” place and with a skull: “It will take a certain type of person to do justice to the hermits of  the 18th and 19th century,” said Mr Youd. “The Hermit’s Grotto is pretty grotesque, but that reflects the reality of a hermit’s environment.”

Additionally, Mr. Youd insists that the hermit must have:

• an unkempt natural appearance;
• love of solitude;
• vow of silence;
• facial hair (male or female);
• overgrown toenails.

The article is entered under “Golf News.” No mention of any of this on the Royal Horticultural Society Tatton Gardens web site (http://www.rhs.org.uk/whatson/shows/tattonpark2009/).

URL: http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/golf/golf-news/2009/07/01/wanted-hairy-hermit-for-tatton-flower-show-cave-92534-24038802/