A place makes a deep impression on you when you're young. It lives with you. It's like your childhood. It fertilises the imagination.

In this quote, Richard Eyre reflects on the profound impact that a place can have on an individual, especially during childhood. He suggests that certain places, particularly those we encounter when we are young, leave a lasting impression that stays with us throughout our lives. These places become intertwined with our memories, and their significance remains in our imagination, shaping how we perceive the world and fueling creativity.

Eyre likens the effect of a place on the imagination to the way childhood influences a person's development. Just as childhood experiences help shape our identities, a place encountered in youth can become a powerful source of inspiration and emotional connection. These early experiences often serve as a foundation for creativity, allowing the mind to revisit these places and draw from them throughout life, whether consciously or unconsciously.

The phrase "it fertilises the imagination" emphasizes the idea that these formative places encourage growth in creativity and thought. Just as fertile soil helps plants grow, a meaningful place nurtures the mind, providing the mental environment necessary for new ideas and creative visions to flourish. Eyre’s quote suggests that places, particularly those from our youth, can act as incubators for the imagination, feeding it with memories, feelings, and experiences that inspire new ways of thinking.

Ultimately, Eyre’s quote underscores the lasting impact that early environments and memories can have on personal growth and creativity. These formative places become integral parts of our mental landscape, continuously influencing the way we see the world and shape our creative expressions. The connection between a place and the imagination highlights how deeply our surroundings can impact our inner worlds, especially when we are most impressionable.