'The Kings Speech'

Probably well over egged story but we found the film compelling. Only 2 people in the auditorium!

'Black Swan'

Wonderful surreal film. To repeat £3 concessions at Genesis anytime.

Both of us eating choc ices watching these lovely lithe dancers.

One of the best films ever, with a very scary mother

Home

http://http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevecadman/4365426305/in/photostream/

Julie Burchill: In Helpline Britain, a whole generation gets its kicks from sexed-up sorrow - Julie Burchill, Columnists - The Independent

Julie Burchill: In Helpline Britain, a whole generation gets its kicks from sexed-up sorrow - Julie Burchill, Columnists - The Independent

The Fighter - film

This was one of the offers from my membership of the Times. We got two free tickets to see this great film- Christian Bales was magnificent and it gave a rare glimpse into small town american life. The fight scenes were exciting and the story gripping

Maggies Centre

We visited this wonderful place - great staff (no name badges), calm and serene atmosphere, no notice boards, signage and clutter- just everything designed to promote a healing space.

The Goat comes to Spitalfields

This was the winner of a public competition and the sculptor was Kenny Hunter. Its supposed to symbolise all the immigrants who have come to Spitalfields over the years. The goat is mounted on packing cases to show the transient nature. Its all a bit fanciful I think the case of sculpting something and then making a story to justify the choice. It was unveiled yesterday

Hairdressing

In Mare street Hackney, just opposite Cordwainers College there is a brilliant hairdressers called
'Design Room'
Run by a Londoner and with a multi-national staff its the cheapest and friendliest I have come across. A dry cut costs £13 and with free tea and a quick blow dry thrown in, what more could you want? My hairdresser was Svetlana from Siberia. She is fluent in english, beautiful and very friendly. Amazingly she answers to the name 'Vita' as she says us Brits find Svetlana too difficult.


189 Mare Street E8 3QE tel0208 5259258

Spitalfields What's On Guide

Spitalfields What's On Guide

The 'Lets' Scheme for Waltham Forest

http://www.wflets.org

Ann and myself went to one of the events run by this thriving scheme.
The scheme gives members the chance to exchange 'beams' for work - there are over 150 members who are active. Some other schemes have very few members - this is a very successful group which runs entirely with volunteers and no professional management.

A great idea for people who live in Waltham Forest and have no money to pay for services.
There are other schemes in other areas but I have found many are barely functioning

Finding new places to socialise

This is the Rose and Crown in Walthamstow. Its in Hoe street, turn right from the station.

It's a very different pub. Still has the old fashioned victorian fittings and as it is huge, has loads of little nooks and crannies.

It serves real ales and teas and coffees on trays with china crockery. It is such a friendly place- a bit ageing hippy perhaps but anybody could fit in

. The next big event there is a Burns Night Dinner on the 26th January- only £9 - including a free whisky and the traditional piping of the haggis

http://http://www.roseandcrowntheatrepub.webeden.co.uk/

Love never Dies

I keep forgetting this blog is supposed to be about living on a budget so forget that I should mention the prices. Because this show is not selling that well we got tickets for £14.50. The seats were in the upper circle, very comfortable and a good view.
The music in the show, and the orchestra was superb to my untrained ears. The show, I thought, was very camp and at times I wanted to laugh. I could not identify with the characters very much so was surprised how moving I found the ending. This show has been parodied as 'paint never dries'- that is not fair but it is not the feel- good show we usually see in the West End

I am always amazed to think I am lucky enough to live in London and get the chance to see such amazing creations at a price I can afford

Mary- our host for Christmas

Christmas was in Staffordshire as usual. With Mary and her family, including her nephew and his girlfriend from Brisbane.

It was one of the best ever.

Goodbye Lenin

This is easily the best sub-titled film I have seen in ages. Funny, touching, absurd and the wonderful son in the film reminded me of my own. It was riveting and brilliant

London Fireworks on New Year's Day 2011 - New Year Live - BBC One

A happy New Year! Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I've played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year

John and I 'saw' most of the fireworks on Southwark Bridge- in a very eastern european atmosphere. Exciting as Big Ben chimed and the cheers rang out. Then a walk home in the chilly night air, thronged by police and hundreds of young people. How fortunate we are to be close to all this and we both hope for the best for everyone who is reading this blog

A Reluctant Sinner: Three former Anglican bishops and three nuns are r...

A Reluctant Sinner: Three former Anglican bishops and three nuns are r...: "The 12.30pm Mass at Westminster Cathedral was packed this afternoon, though most of those in the congregation had no idea that they were ab..."


I did go to the Mass, with very mixed feelings as I know many of the people involved. It was all very quiet, almost subdued inspite of a huge congregation. I think it is the beginning of the end of the catholic part of the Church of England

at Joe and Leila's

We had our celebration meal last night. Leila has made us this wonderful cake- weighs a ton but there are loads of us to eat it in Staffordshire

Don't close your eyes to India's reality, Brangelina | News

Don't close your eyes to India's reality, Brangelina News

George's marvellous medicine

The photo is Pat at Liverpool Street leaving for home after 4 days in London. The three Muskateers are with her and her beloved Rebecca

We saw this great show with Pat and family.

Coming back I became a character in a Dahl book. Fell three times in the snow John said my shoes acted like skis I left my boots at home. I was nearly killed in the Euston Road. Pat said I was like Bambi in the film, learning to walk!

Embarrassing, Dahl-like and dangerous to hang out with.....

Julie Burchill: Spare us these pampered protesters who riot in defence of their privilege - Julie Burchill, Columnists - The Independent

Julie Burchill: Spare us these pampered protesters who riot in defence of their privilege - Julie Burchill, Columnists - The Independent

127 hours

This was another Times + offer. We got tickets at this posh hotel to see this latest Danny Boyle film. Free drinks and food before hand and a very comfortable seat in this gorgeous hotel. Afterwards there was a Q and A with Danny Boyle who was the most unassuming natural person- such a change from the tossers from Channel 4 who were spouting at Rich Mix a few weeks ago. Danny Boyle is preparing the opening ceremony for the Olympics. I would love to know what sort of entertainment is going through his mind. He must have the basis of an idea by now. By the way the film is brilliant- it made me think of Mary and Ayo and some of the things they get up to and how awe inspiring the scenery and potential for danger is. I did not appreciate this before- perhaps it's a shame I do now

The March of the Fathers through Spitalfields

In the earliesh Sunday morning, we heard the sound of a few hundred Father Christmas (what's the collective noun?) and John rushed out and managed to take a few snaps and this video-which might take too long to see. A bit of a change from the moaning students.

Our stalls

Susan rented the stall and as part of Christ Church Fair, stitched and baked and arranged to make money for the projects of the church. Zoe, her niece, joined her to flog her lovely homemade earrings and I sold some of Joan's lovely woollens.

The Messiah

The Nonsuch singers performed the full version of The Messiah. Seats at Christchurch are always reasonable but my although some of the views from the upstairs are great they are very uncomfortable for leg room.

The choir sounded excellent, not that I know much about music but I have heard The Messiah many times. One thing though. All the principal singers are from Oxbridge or private schools. We sang (though not me) this sort of thing at my grammar school and it seems a shame that its is now performed mainly by a tiny elite

St Helen's Bishopsgate - About - Events

St Helen's Bishopsgate - About - Events

Oculus

We visited St Paul's which was as brilliant as always- huge jewellery box of a place. They have this amazing film showing in a side chapel called 'Oculus' that actually makes you feel dizzy. It shows the inside and outside of the cathedral and the galleries. The effect is so mesmerising I could not help feeling disorientated.

I snapped Geena on top of the 'New Change' shopping centre. The usual hideous overpriced clothes and Jamie Oliver's new restaurant where a meat platter for one is £48.

In contrast although st Paul's costs £12.50 to get in - Oculus is free, plus the galleries and there is a good picnic area in the crypt.

The Water Poet - Events

The Water Poet - Events: "The Water Poet Christmas Fair
Saturday 4th December 2010 from 1.00pm
Christmas Carols at twiglight wiith Christ Church Spitalfields Christmas Choir, Foodie Treats & Tipples, Gift Stalls & Knitting Workshop, Mulled Wine & Winter Cocktail Menu, Mince Pies & Festive Cookies, Hog Roast & Traditionally Roasted Chestnuts, Parlour games, plus prizes for the 'Best Christmas Jumper'. Oh, and did we menion that we'll have snow....!
Full details on our wonderful printed brochures available from The Water Poet ..... Please email info@waterpoet.co.uk for more info."

meeting 'Babs' Windsor

She opened the fete. It was surprisingly for me wonderful to see her. As you went through the gate, she was there- even smaller than me it seemed, extending a hand and saying to everyone 'Welcome to St Joseph's. I found myself star struck.

The Fete was as usual fabulous- prices were very cheap but they had gone up a bit I felt. However the place was packed- incongruous for a hospice whatever they say. It seems strange to be in one of the liveliest places in London and with so much excitement on sale days. 'In the midst of life we are in death'

comolongmo

I ran a stall at this fantastic Nepalese festival.

We did quite well selling Joan's knitted hats and gloves but were not as good as the fabulous dancers at the Fair

Kabindra will organise another Fair next year in October 2011

Film: The Social Network

This was a really great film. The telling of the story of Facebook through the court case was a stroke of brilliance. I loathed the identical twins who thought they could buy everything.
As I keep saying concessions at Genesis are very generous- £4 for all on Mondays and £3 concessions any time. This is a great cinema well worth patronising. Much better than poncy 'Rich Mix'

Klezmer Klub

A great night of music -sung mostly in Yiddish and very evocative of Whitechapel as I first remember it in the fifties. They have this wonderful song about Whitechapel. It made me sad to think of what had been....and how much less learning and culture we have now in the East End

New low for London’s most rotten borough | News

New low for London’s most rotten borough News

Needless to say we did not vote for any of these bigoted people Labour or not!

But we get what we deserve most did not vote at all and those who voted for Rahman will have to live with this. Sadly we will too

Louise Jury | Blogs | Evening Standard

Louise Jury Blogs Evening Standard

The Opera 'Alban'

Our friend is Joanna Judge was a member of the chorus so we decided to give this a try.
St Alban's church in Holborn was a magnificent venue and the opera was superb. Although why they decided to make Alban a doctor rather than the take the soldier he really was- a mistake I think. One of the points about the story is that the soldier had not achieved much in his life except in his last days. This only runs till Saturday and is so good and moving it is a must see.

The wedding of our neighbours

Congratulations to Ruby and Ali

The two faces of Blackpool

You know who you are

Our wonderful relatives in Blackpool

The haute cuisine of Blackpool

It's hard not to take the p**** but you cannot get a decent meal in Blackpool unless it is fish and chips. Even the chinese buffet misses out the spare ribs. The people look ill and dejected and my fat frame looks sylph like in comparison to the locals.

Ken Dodd show

The show lasted for FIVE hours and Ken Dodd -now 84, was brilliant in depicting working class life- admittedly the show could have been from the 50's but it was funny, humane and poignant in parts. It was a sell out and the Grand Theatre in Blackpool is a beautiful place in a town of poverty and depression. More of that in later blogs..

..

Our gardening competition

Our garden won a merit award- creditable but I must admit I was disappointed. But the winner was Mr(?) O'Connor and his magnificent balcony is shown in the photo. Lady Mico's almshouses scooped the first prize in the communal garden category

What was interesting was that the school gardens were not shown due to 'issues showing the faces of children' and that many prize winners from so called community groups did not bother to turn up to collect their awards. Congratulations to the Cherry Tree school where the headmaster and caretaker bothered to come and collect their award a first or second prize I think

The sewing group

Some women gathered together at Susan's house. Sharing some food and sewing- modern women in a Vermeer scene. Some rather more creative than others!

John Owen-Jones - Bring Him Home (Hi Quality)

We were so lucky to see this performer at the Barbican at a special performance of les Miserables. This was so special