Slough is more than just a place on the map; it can be a symphony of senses. A town you don’t just see, but hear, smell, touch, even taste! That is, if you know where to look, and crave the imagination to visualise it all.
Let’s walk and see where our senses guide us.
Starting early, you might decide to embark on a morning jog. The sun has already ascended into the sky and is still rising steadily. Behind it streaks colours of orange, yellow and pink in its wake. You can hear the crunch of gravel as your feet hit the pavement, building up a rhythm in tune with the beats through your headphones.
But no matter how fast you run, the aroma of fresh bread and recently brewed coffee beans are inescapable. Wafting in from all directions, local bakeries and cafes are slowly opening in preparation for their daily stream of customers.
Stopping off at Herschel Park, the green view is soothing and grounding. The earthy scent of dew from the grass is a gentle assault, followed by the soft splashes of ducks playing in the nearby pond.
After heading back home to refresh your appearance, maybe with a steamy shower and a quick bite, it’s time for your next travel. The clatter of trains creeping along the rails at Slough Station connects you to the beyond, perhaps London, Reading or Windsor.
But, just as you’re about to step off the platform, you catch sight of a vivid mural. What once was blank and cold, is now a swarm of bright colours, telling new stories over old brick. It improves your mood unconsciously ahead of a long day.
Settling down on the offered seating, you can peacefully flick through a few pages of your book, the pages smooth against your fingers. You might even spot a friendly face, softly smiling and quietly nodding in greeting. Small, but still, something that silently warms your heart.
Work is long and tiring, certainly. Yet it makes the thought of dinner especially rewarding, mouthwatering at all the prospects. Spicy samosas paired with minty chutney from the local Indian takeaway? A perfectly grilled fish, loaded with thick-cut chips, from the humble fish-and-chips shop? There’s now a skip to your step as you exit the building, supper secured.
As evening trickles in, however, the moon exchanging with the sun in the sky, Slough similarly transforms, becoming electric. Music leaks from cars idling at lights; old-school Bollywood tracks, pop choruses you unintentionally know by heart. People chatter as they huddle in groups, excited to end the day as they might pour into the Curve for a theatre performance.
These sights, smells, just moments in general are a reminder of what we tend to overlook or take for granted… But together, they tell the real story of the town. Not the same stereotypical jokes, not the usual grim headlines, but the lived-in every day. The lived-in everyday poetry of a place that works hard, cooks generously and paints over the grey yesterday.
