At the opposite end of the paper-cutting spectrum is Matisse and his huge scissors, painted papers, and exuberant but controlled style of cutting. In the last decade of his life he sat in a bed or chair and created a colourful world of plants, animals, figures and abstract shapes with just scissors - not always large ones - and paper. Matisse:The Cut-Outs, the 2014 exhibition at Tate Modern then MoMa had a huge impact, and prompted many to reconsider and re-evaluate the artistry of paper-cutting. 

Many countries have a folk tradition of paper cutting, including Switzerland where it is known as Scherenschnitt. It has been practiced there for at least five centuries, and is still popular. One of the best-known exponents is Hans-Jürgen Glatz who creates inventive and intricate paper art using a tiny pair of scissors. His pieces often feature local scenes, domestic life, and many Swiss cows as in 'Heimelig'. He also runs a hotel-restaurant with displays from his extensive historical collection, and it has become something of a destination for paper artists. 

This is called 'A Fully Cut Fairy Tale' (c1864, The Met), as per the inscription by its creator, Hans Christian Andersen, who was a superb paper-cutter. While entertaining listeners with stories, he would cut out a sheet of paper and delight his audience with a magical final reveal. This sheet was folded three times and contains masks, pierrots, ballet dancers, and swans. As well as whole scenes like this, he also created many whimsical or strange single figures; the Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Odense has the largest collection of his paper art.

We have the art of paper-cutting on the Post this week, and it is indeed very much an art and not simply a crafty pastime. Joanna Koerten (1650-1715), a multi-skilled Dutch artist, is best known as a knipkunstenaar or papercut artist whose work is stunningly delicate and complex. It is hard to believe what she achieved with a single sheet of paper and a pair of scissors. This is 'Virgin and Child with St John' (c1703, V&A).

Not on abandoned railways, but along similarly neglected long, narrow lines, ginnel gardens are springing up in the alleyways or snickets (or other local names) running between the backs of terrace houses. What were often dumping grounds are transformed into community gardens in places such as Levenshulme in Manchester and Edgeley in Stockport. Even the Royal Horticultural Society embraced the idea recently with a show ginnel garden.

If all goes to plan, London will get its own elevated railway walk or "park in the sky" with the planned Camden Highline, the route of which will run from Camden Gardens to King's Cross providing much-needed free access to green space for locals. The charity has the design and planning permission but, as ever, it's the money that is required now for it to happen.

The Castlefield Viaduct is a short but vital 'sky garden' amidst a tangle of railway lines, bridges, and viaducts in the oldest part of Manchester. The 330m long Grade II-listed viaduct (1892) carried trains from the old Manchester Central Station until 1969. It remained closed and out of bounds until taken over by National Trust; work has been under way since 2022 with plans to extend the 150m walkway along the full length of the viaduct.