October 7, 2024
Community•Filming

Sharing

 

I settled back in the chair – it was so comfortable and wide, the lights had been turned down and we were all waiting with anticipation. The familiar music began to build just before the Castle, with golden inspiring turrets appeared on the huge screen. It was the opening titles of Downton Abbey promising reassurance and wit happily leading us along into the twists and turns of much loved fictional characters.

Behind me the audience applauded and turning around in my chair I could half see the smiling faces and feel the excited anticipation. As the episode unfolded sometimes the whole cinema held its breath or laughed – everyone took part. For my part, it felt rather surreal and undoubtedly the audience around me all thought they knew Geordie’s and my home and, in a way via the show, had become frequent visitors.

This particular screening took place some time ago in Vancouver: I had been invited to give a talk in order to support the local PBS station. For those less familiar with the acronym, ‘The Public Broadcasting Service’ is a nonprofit USA platform funded by donations, pledge drives and sponsors, which had begun over fifty years ago with an educational as well as an entertainment ethos.

‘Downton Abbey’ reacquainted many people with PBS which much increased its popularity and thus ability to fundraise and continue to produce or show well produced dramas or other educational programmes without sponsor bias.

I will never forget the sense of togetherness in the cinema that evening, the feeling of sharing: sharing the experience of watching Downton Abbey together, sharing glimpses of past life in a heritage home, sharing the chance to see the paintings or other works of art as backdrops to the various scenes and listening in to the conversations taking place in ‘Downton Abbey’.

The series was not just set inside the Castle, of course the opening credits begin outside with a labrador, the Castle and a glorious Cedar of Lebanon. Some of the scenes took place under the trees or in the gardens, walking through the meadow, driving or riding through the park – all of it sharing glimpses of another world and other lives.

In reality houses such as Highclere have always been shared, ‘wondered and admired’ and in some ways TV is just a modern way to share. Sharing is a basic component of our lives strengthening social ties and ensuring a person’s well-being. According to more scientific papers, the act of sharing releases oxytocin (the bonding hormone), into the body and thus increases feelings of well-being. It has a positive impact on our brain, also triggering dopamine and serotonin which are the neurochemical drivers all of which improve our mood.

The screening in Vancouver was one part of an event – at the heart of the endeavour, I was giving a talk with stories and PowerPoint presentations: once more a way of sharing. Downton is a springboard into each talk which varies according to the purpose of each event. Highclere has had such a long and varied life (at least 1,300 years) and, those who have lived here have faced so many of the problems that we all face whether in society or business.

That event was raising money for PBS, but speaking and receptions at other events in other USA cities and states have raised money for American education charities or historic houses, mental health charities, museums, the Dallas arboretums, or various charities supported by arts and antique fairs in a number of States etc. I enjoy it. Some of the talks are in smaller venues others have been for 2,200 people. Once more it is about sharing and taking everyone on a journey for the time I am given. I am not quite sure how many selfies have been involved or how many books signed but again, it is all a different way of sharing!

Returning to Highclere after each event I return to a home shared in fact with all those who work here with us. Walking into any room there may well be someone else in there, and if there are water marks on a wall I may be able to share knowledge of the relevant drain pipe probably blocked with autumn leaves!

Sharing builds stronger relationships with someone else and expresses trust thus we can all experience a sense of happiness. Whilst some of my talks are for companies where ownership is structured around shares as units of equity, my focus is on the idea that we share common values thus engendering a sense of connection: sharing equals empathy.

“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” – apparently God loves a cheerful giver.