Opening Ceremony rehearsal

We saw this last night and were asked not to publish photos or give details. So I am just reprinting the model of the arena that is already in the public domain.  I have seen already many have published images of the actual event on the web- a real shame as Danny Boyle himself appealed to the audience not to do this.
The show we saw, though not completed, was amazing, very moving and has particular relevance to West Ham supporters.

our Olympic Workshop with Heba

This free workshop gave the children the choice of making olympic keyring, flags, brooches.   I was working on the flag section and this proved to be very popular especially as the Olympic torch was coming past half an hour after our workshop closed. Some of the children are extremely talented- and I had five year old children sewing very well. Anjum designed another brilliant occasion for local children.  the plan is to take the chow on the road into the docklands area of Newham in August

The Spitalfields Olympic Trail

One of several figures on the Mandeveille theme that appeared in Spitalfields overnight. I find these figures rather creepy but I think you are meant to walk around and sort of spot them. Going out early one morning I took a photo of our beloved mayor Boris posing next to one. I just called to him to look my way- and although there were banks of photographers there, he posed for me.  He is not too full of himself to pose for photos

http://www.oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/home/events/stroll-discovery-walks.html

Stockport's Plaza Cinema

After a rainy day in Stockport, very depressing and run down I was lucky enough to step into another world at The Plaza. Past the church on the square where a Mass was said as older kids gathered on the gravestones outside sharing dog-ends, this was a step back into the past. A bow tied chap greeted the few people who came upstairs to the fabulous restaurant/tea room.  For about a quarter of the price of The Ritz, and just as good but far less formal you could have service in a world that seems so unlike the Stockport of The Mersey Shopping Centre. All the waitresses volunteer their time and do a fantastic job.  Next time I am in Stockport I am going to make sure I go there for at least an hour and see the auditorium which is supposed to be the finest in the North of England           http://stockportplaza.co.uk/

The Mill

a 'sold' piece of work £100

This is a really great place, a community centre in it's true sense and unlike some of the ghastly 'hubs' that have mushroomed in Newham and are just like mortuaries staffed by council officials. Family live nearby so it is so handy to go to St James Street station and then one minute walk you are in friendly, comfortable surroundings where you just meet all sorts of people- mostly making things that you only see in the hands of middle aged women.  I just hope this place succeeds- today it was packed.

'soft' versions of hard objects- part of a current exhibition at 'The Mill'

The Mill Walthamstowhttp://themill-coppermill.org/

Chaucer's house Aldgate

London is really like no other place. Within ten minutes walk from our house you can see changes every day. Here we saw the building of Chaucer's house. It is meant to be temporary until after the Olympics but the builders told me they thought it was a permanent structure. 

The work drew lots of interest from the city workers- this is rather a quiet part of the City.  It used to be lovely with the 'Three Nuns Hotel' nearby where I remember tracing their outlines on the signs while we were always seeming to wait for buses.

And then on the way home this..  I saw the chap last year- he normally has a younger man with him who just kind of guards the pianist. I think this is the last year of the pianos in London

A Summer like no other

That was the billing. I don't know if it is just me, but after the Jubilee and all the brilliant things we were invited to- it all seems a but flat. The weather has been terrible and the markets where I sell have been pretty flat. 
3 quizzes- which I will blog about when I have downloaded the photos - were either very tense or a bit dull frankly.  The Spitalfields festival I felt was not as exciting as usual and we have not taken full advantage of the City of London Festival. 
We did have a wonderful trip to Pakefield Caravan Park!  Again photos to follow.  I do get the stats on my blog and find it astonishing that people do read this rather dismal sort of diary. I don't include the personal things, perhaps I should.

OLYMPIC ARTS AND CRAFT FAMILY WORKSHOP :: Rich Mix

OLYMPIC ARTS AND CRAFT FAMILY WORKSHOP :: Rich Mix:

'via Blog this'

Lots of us will be there with Heba