🌾 Thorns Gallery Blooms in the Dales: An Artistic Sanctuary Rooted in Nature’s Heart

Tucked away above the serene waters of Lake Semerwater, nestled within the green folds of Raydale, stands a quietly majestic stone barn that hums with new purpose.

Once a humble cattle shed, it has been reborn as Thorns Gallery—a heartfelt fusion of creativity and countryside that has quickly become a hidden gem in the Yorkshire Dales.

Founded by artist Jonathan Reed and designer Graeme Black, Thorns Gallery is not merely a place to view art—it is an experience of place, soul, and sustainability. Every piece within its weathered walls resonates with the rhythms of nature: intricate tapestries echo the rolling hills, sculptures rise like thistles and larch from the earth, and materials are sourced directly from the landscape that cradles the gallery itself.

The space is small by design but vast in spirit. Light pours through whitewashed doors, illuminating stone walls and reclaimed wooden beams, while outside, wildflowers—foxgloves and daisies—sway gently in the summer breeze. Visitors are welcomed not with fanfare but with quiet reverence, invited to pause, breathe, and connect.

What sets Thorns Gallery apart is its seasonal rhythm and deep environmental sensitivity. From the flax used in woven pieces to the lime-plastered walls, every detail honours the land. Reed and Black speak of their work as part of the landscape, not separate from it—a continuation of its story told through fibre, texture, and time.

The gallery is open by appointment until 14 September 2025, offering a rare chance to engage intimately with art that feels rooted, raw, and reflective. Whether you're a curious rambler or a lover of craft, a visit to Thorns Gallery is like stepping into a living poem—one written in stone, stitch, and sunlight.

For those who seek art not in glass towers but in the whisper of wild grasses and the patina of age-old stone, this gallery is a gentle revelation. Here, amid the soft hush of Raydale, beauty is not loud. It lingers, it listens, and it blooms.

"Embrace the strength within you, for it is the light that guides you through the darkest of times."

"Embrace challenges as stepping stones, for even the tiniest ant can move mountains with unwavering determination.

Just as we work together in unity, each effort adds strength to the colony.

Remember, every obstacle is an opportunity for growth and discovery, paving the way for gentle insights and lasting inspiration.

Let us march forth with diligence and resilience, knowing that even the smallest acts can create ripples of change in the world around us."

People who are good at multitasking are....

...Actually worse at it than people who focus on one task at a time.

In today's fast-paced world, the ability to multitask is often seen as a highly desirable skill. We pride ourselves on juggling multiple tasks at once, believing it makes us more productive and efficient.

However, a growing body of research suggests that the opposite is true. Far from being a superpower, multitasking can actually hinder our performance, and those who believe they are good at it may be the worst offenders.

The human brain is not wired for true multitasking. What we perceive as multitasking is actually "task-switching" – rapidly shifting our attention from one task to another. Each time we switch, there's a cognitive cost. This is known as the "switch cost" and it results in a loss of efficiency, increased errors, and a decline in overall performance.

A study from the University of London found that subjects who multitasked during cognitive tasks experienced a significant drop in their IQ scores, comparable to the effects of staying up all night.

Psychological scientist David Strayer, a professor at the University of Utah, has conducted extensive research on the subject. His work, and that of others, has shown that people who consider themselves to be expert multitaskers are often the ones who are most easily distracted and perform the poorest when switching between tasks.

They have a harder time filtering out irrelevant information and are less organized in their thought processes. This finding is particularly striking, as it challenges the common belief that practice improves multitasking ability. Instead, it suggests that those who constantly multitask may be trapped in a cycle of inefficiency, never developing the deep focus required for high-quality work.

Focusing on one task at a time, a practice known as "monotasking," is a far more effective strategy. By dedicating our full attention to a single task, we can achieve a state of "flow," where we are completely absorbed and operate at our peak performance.

This deep focus leads to higher quality work, fewer errors, and a greater sense of accomplishment. It also reduces stress and cognitive overload, as we're not constantly battling the mental fatigue of task-switching.

For those in the UK looking to improve their focus and productivity, there are several resources available. The "Pomodoro Technique" is a popular time management method that involves breaking down work into focused intervals, typically 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks.

You can find numerous apps and articles on this technique online. Websites like Mindful.org offer guidance on mindfulness practices, which can help train your brain to stay present and focused on the task at hand. Additionally, many productivity blogs and books delve into the science of focus and provide practical tips for developing mon tasking habits.

In conclusion, the myth of the effective multitasker needs to be debunked. While the pressure to do it all at once is real, the science is clear: focusing on one task at a time is the key to genuine productivity, higher quality work, and a healthier mind.