Is it right that old times be forgotten, asks Robert Burns in the opening line of Auld Lang Syne. Instinctively one might want to say yes to that insofar as 2020 is concerned. Much has been lost, but it’s also right to say that much has been gained too. We are at home more, a trend that might have happened at a much slower pace if at all in some places, and we are perhaps working more patiently and emphatically with each other, which is a trend that probably would not have happened at all. It has made us appreciate more the old times before 2020. The simple joy of just being with people, which we have learnt not to take for granted again. We can also take heart from the simple fact that, having faced down the challenges that this year has presented, we can be a little less fearful of whatever else is around the corner.

You will have spotted, all being well, the ‘Part 2’ in the title of this episode and so have already listened to Part 1, but if not, and it is by no means mandatory to have done so, this is the second of two episodes that feature reflections on an extraordinary year from past contributors to the 50 Shades of Planning Podcast. Sam Stafford's only editorial stipulation was that recordings were about five minutes in length. Whatever people wanted to talk about was completely up to them.

You will hear in this episode erudite and insightful observations from:

• Lisa McFarlane;
• David Rudlin;
• Greg Dickson;
• Andrew Taylor;
• Stanzie Bell;
• Claire Petricca-Riding;
• Vanessa Eggleston; and
• Mark Parkinson.

Lisa (@lmcfarlane01) is a Director and RIBA Specialist Conservation Architect at Seven Architecture and featured on Episode 31.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-mcfarlane-ba-hons-barch-msc-che-riba-sca-ihbc-3ab5412

David (@Davidurbedcoop1) is a Director at URBED and featured on Episode 12.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/djrudlin

Greg (@GregDickson1) is a Director at Barton Willmore and a regular contributor to the podcast.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-dickson-4762263a

Andrew (@AndrewJTaylor3) is Group Planning Director at Countryside and featured on Episode 17.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-taylor-frtpi-42555131

Stanzie is a Barrister at Kings Chambers (@KCPlanningTeam) and featured on Episode 32.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/constanze-stanzie-bell

Claire (@PetriccaRiding) is a Partner and National Head of Planning and Environmental Law at Irwin Mitchell and featured on Episode 25.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairepetriccariding

Vanessa is a Partner at i-Transport and featured on Episode 23.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-eggleston-6132131b0

Mark (@MarkA_Parkinson) is Chief Executive Officer at Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and featured on Episode 9.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-parkinson-972816b3

Some accompanying reading.

The blog Sam wrote whilst on furlough leave in April.

http://samuelstafford.blogspot.com/2020/04/memories-of-200809-career-advice-for-my.html