Father Howard Levett SSC his last mass

Father Howard has been the parish priest of this famous Anglo-catholic church for 15 years and has now gone to live and minister in Venice.

He has always been so friendly and kind- in the face of a rather stuffy congregation. He brought some humanity and fun to the formality of this shrine to Anglo-Catholicism.

He is especially kind and thoughtful to the sick and dying and he knew my late sister- so that makes him very special to me. The Mass was on the Feast if Peter and Paul- a very special day for priests everywhere and so very fitting that this was his last at Holborn

the first concert of the Spitalfields Singers

These photos were taken at the first concert of the Spitalfields singers- as part of the Spitalfields festival.

It was a wonderful debut- their charismatic director led the choir in a selection of folk songs and a thirties swing classic. For me and John it was the most enjoyable part of the festival. Well done to all the singers- and especially Anne.

By the way the choir are looking for new members- no audition required and they meet every Thursday from 12.30-1.30. It is no 'sing-a-long'

Don’t throw money away. Abolish something

Don’t throw money away. Abolish something

Meeting Boris

This was my first visit inside this curious lopsided building that perches on the banks of the Thames- rather like a long pillow propped on a bed.
Wonderful views from all around and another free event which keeps my theme of the blog. But how much paper they waste, producing all the booklets and schedules- most of which was left behind

Nick Ferarri from LBC was the chairman.

Curiously even though Boris is one of the few people who could lift the dreariest occasion, the event did not really come to life. They had lots of tweets coming in and also two 'out rooms' -not needed as the Chamber was not half full.

On a more enthusiastic note this was part of the queue by the Apple store in Regent Street- queuing for the latest gizmo

The Surreal House (exhibition)

very quick tour of this- we could have spent hours looking at this weird, distorted view of the world. Dali was on show as well as film full lengths and shorts, and a bath that looked like a coffin - designed by Rachel Whitehead.

The concessions are £6 on line and include at least two full length films you can see in comfy armchairs.

It's weird and encompasses many different art forms

Teddy Thomson

Went to a very good concert as part of 'Meltdown'. I am not sure how it all hangs together but Teddy Thomson was the main turn- very good. Some of the supporting acts were less so- a weird rather absurd singer from California who wondered why she lived in Manchester rather than California- life is a bit more than climate love, but Teddy saved the show. Most of it was promoting his new album- beautiful song about home and then a song about 'Babyshambles', written by his mother Linda

Diane Abbott as a national treasure? No thanks - Telegraph

Diane Abbott as a national treasure? No thanks - Telegraph

Oi, townies - don't treat Mr Fox as a pet | Rod Liddle - Times Online

Oi, townies - don't treat Mr Fox as a pet Rod Liddle - Times Online

and Rod has written brilliantly about the coverage of the World Cup- read through the article

The choir ends 24hours of monastic prayer and plainchant

Sadly I missed the prayers- except Vespers led by the singer of 'the Clerks'- which was sung wonderfully and heard in silence. It rounded off the day of prayer.
The Bulgarian Choir then sang the Gloria and followed this up with religious and folk songs from their repertoire

The Festival begins

The Spitalfields Festival began today and will run for two weeks.

This lunchtime they had performers all over the Square and Market and down Brushfield street. This dancer was accompanied by musicians and a singer- the song was called 'Bang, Bang' an unwise choice I thought for a couple of reasons.

We intend to go to as many events as we can!

Ceroc at the Floral Hall Tunstall

The best dancer at the Ceroc night at the Floral Hall in Tunstall. (one of the 5 towns of Stoke-on-Trent) The Floral Hall is set set in a park with great views mixing huge buildings, the park and an industrial town.

The potteries area is struggling and this area was the opposite of Spitalfields- friendly not trendy- and more likely to 'grab a granny' than meet an artist. But friendly, fun and quite cheap. 'Oatcakes' are more like pancakes and part of the potteries diet, filled with ham and cheese

www.london.gov.uk/SOLD

http://www.incentivated.com/hermes/emailTemplateV2/online_version/link.asp?l=HHPY254538B-3D226&id=7D7134B26-70DD0

FESTIVAL SERVICE (Full choir) | Parish & Ward Church of St. Botolph without Bishopsgate

FESTIVAL SERVICE (Full choir) Parish & Ward Church of St. Botolph without Bishopsgate

the play 'Enron'

John came too and we enjoyed this play tremendously. We did get very cheap tickets (TIP -adult plays do not sell well in half term weeks so always a chance of a bargain ticket)

This was a film about the collapse of Enron- a special interest to us as Mary worked for a firm involved in this mess. The play answered a lot of questions about this complex mess and informed us in a very imaginative and entertaining way.

By the way for people who have very little cash- there seems to be free water on offer now in all theatres. Very useful on a rare hot day in London and the price of drinks is extortionate