The word ‘Ginnel’ is a northern dialect term for a narrow alley. The earliest literary reference to the word was in 1885, when Benjamin Brierley wrote the simile: "as pleasant as stondin in a Ginnel ov a wyndy neet waitin o'th' sweetheart comin out". At Artsadmin the Ginnel refers colloquially to the foyer of Toynbee Studios.**
For basement tenants, visiting the Ginnel is often their only opportunity to experience natural daylight and human interaction. Many go there to check their pigeon holes several times a day, even though there's only ever one postal delivery (at most).
Nearly all visitors entering and exiting the Artsadmin compound must first pass through the Ginnel, and so inevitably, if you loiter there for long enough, someone amazing will walk by.
The Ginnel, then, is an overlooked social hub.***
Three cheers for the Ginnel and all who pass through her!
*Lancashire phrase used to indicate a very tenuous familial relationship between two people
**other nouns with a similar meaning include ‘Snicket’ and ‘Flutester’
***equalled only by the narrow entrance to the middle bar at The Arches, Glasgow during NRLA weekend
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