Borrowed Time

starting a series of audio recordings that I am calling 'Borrowed Time' This was the fantastic view from Anne's balcony

Proposed Brick Lane arches

This is one of the hideous arches that our wonderful council are planning to plonk onto Brick Lane. The council are meeting to agree this on Thursday 4th March 2010 at 7pm at Tower Hamlets Town Hall Mulberry Place. If we say nothing then this will go ahead. I wonder if all this is done deliberately to provoke controversy

Then they can say what a load of racists we all are.

Mile End Library for local history

I had to go to look up something for some work I am doing. I sought the advice of the very helpful librarian there, Chris.

It was so great to talk to this kind knowledgeable man- the opposite of most local government workers (a horrible generalisation I know).

This must be one of the best services Tower Hamlets has to offer.

Needless to say the rotten council have done their best to close it down. It is now housed in a squalid bunker in this once magnificent but now decaying building. It reminds me of a Cuban public building

But all is not lost and while I was there the phone was ringing with enquiries and another local sleuth popped in. Our history cannot be re-written while people like Chris are still about

Brick Lane's 'hijab gates' will curry no favour – Telegraph Blogs

Brick Lane's 'hijab gates' will curry no favour – Telegraph Blogs

German Lutheran church

Went to a lecture by Derek Morris on the Wapping Area 1600-1800. It was organized by the East London History Society- very good but I did think it was going to be a lecture on the German sugar boilers of the 19th century- of whom I am a descendant.

The cost of the lecture was £5 and included a glass of wine.

Free film at 'Idea Store'

A free film with John and Ann :

'Harvey Milk' which had us totally absorbed. It was part of LGTG month and I don't know why but we were relegated to a small room in the library and there were just 5 viewers. I am not sure if the library were worried about the topic- or even if they could care that much about anything. The library was messy and looks very sloppy. Sainsbury next door is having the car park chopped to make way for the London CrossRail. They are going to put the car park on top of the store

London Community Gospel Choir

Myself and Ann saw a superb concert. Although the hall was shamefully half full, the atmosphere was great, the singing very powerful and the leader Basil Meades got everybody up singing and dancing with no messing- or embarrassment. Obviously he is an inspirational leader.

'The Jersey Boys'

Great show, Great friends and modest chinese meal in Mary Dewhurst's favourite restaurant

Imposition of Ashes

With James to the beautiful haunting ceremony that marks the start of 40 days of Lent

'Remember daughter, from dust you came and to dust you will return'

Vi Gostling MBE

I met the great lady Vi Gostling- Labour party member and one of the founder members of 'News from Nowhere'. She has fully recovered from pneumonia that landed her in Whipps Cross hospital. She is a friend of my old teacher John Punshon and it was very moving to think of the link between me, him and Vi. John Punshon was one of the greatest teachers and he had quite an effect on my life.

The club's topic was 'Organic Lea' and a very interesting talk on the agriculture of the Lea Valley- something which I had no idea.

Van Gogh Exhibition

I visited the exhibition today- thanks D. Some disappointments of a petty kind- too full and no 'Starry Night' or anything from England but beautiful prose and one movingly written in fluent English. Theo did not live much longer than his brother- he kept the letters so carefully and beautifully I wonder how he could bear to look at them- I know someone who cannot look at a photo or see the handwriting of someone who died a long time ago without feeling totally bereft. The brothers are so close- even though they lived far apart. They are buried side by side

A 'Freebie' at Stratford Library

Trying to keep to the original theme of my blog- to show a fun, cheap lifestyle- Stratford Library give free film shows every other Thursday. I went with Ann, freezing cold day and not much warmer in the library but a very good enjoyable film. Very good on scenes of New York/Brooklyn and Ireland and it made me think of Mary and Ayo and our time with them in 2008

Fashion designer McQueen found dead - Yahoo! News UK

Fashion designer McQueen found dead - Yahoo! News UK

God Rest his soul! Known to Una and a Stratford boy. One of the few to have 'made it' without wealth or nepotism

Sherlock

My advice for this film-don't bother. Guy Ritchie is not worth the price of a ticket. 'Sex, drugs and rock and roll' much better- even the ludicrous 'Avatar'

Eleanor Turner- harpist

With Ann to hear this hour long concert. What can I say except i don't understand music and really only enjoy the bits I knew- she played Gershwin 'Rhapsody in Blue' and 'An American in Paris' which sounded fantastic- but what do I know? The Harpist though described her music beautifully. And she was very elegant- in evening dress which always looks slightly odd in the middle of the day

The funeral of Sandi Rance

Dorothy from the Scarman Trust, Sister J and myself met other friends and relatives for her committal at City of London cemetery. The christian service, led by Father Peter Challen, showed the breadth of her life and perhaps a glimpse of the great effort she made to stay in touch with people. Even when her hands were barely functioning, she maintained her email contacts with organizations and friends.
The picture is not of the last resting place of Sandi but a rather beautiful welcoming Hindu shrine near the entrance to the cemetery.
On a sad occasion food and tea bring comfort and an opportunity to gather so I must not forget the ministrations of the wonderful cafe at the entrance to the cemetery. The staff are friendly, kind and speedy. The prices are very cheap and the assistant there told me people still complain. The price of a sausage sandwich was £1.30, and you can sit inside in the warm or outside overlooking a fountain. I have seen grand wedding venues far less impressive! Rest in Peace Sandi and may light perpetual shine upon you.....