Quiz night

The spirit of the Flutterers descended upon the hall of Westminster Cathedral for their rather odd quiz.  We would have won by miles if not for the silly picture round.  We had Ross, Richard and Mark as guests from the QLL and   Kiki rejoined after her spell abroad.  Collette helped our team - she is a regular at the cathedral and will keep us informed of any more quizzes....um...  Our captain Mark came along but I dare not post any more pictures.  As is traditional the chaps decanted to the local pub - it was a shame 'The Cardinal', nearest to the Hall, was closed for refurbishments

NB Highlight of the night was Richard's answer to the question;

In what sport did Scotland win the world champonship in 2004?

The answer was Elephant Polo!

The Bell Ringers

I managed to take this photo of the ringers as they waited on the porch of Christ Church for the wedding to finish. Then the bride will come out and the church bells ring out. I asked how long they ring for- the chap on the left, who comes in from Orpington, said about thirty minutes which sound like very hard work.  I love the sound which deafens the locals and has John either rushing to get up or putting his head under the blankets.  The sound makes me feel happy and as is the church is looking after us and God is lurking in there somewhere and shaking the bells to tell me 'I'm here!'.

The induction of the new priest

Father Christopher Smith became the tenth parish priest of St Alban Holborn- probably the most famous church associated with anglo-catholocism. The service was lavish with wonderful music and a great sermon from Bishop Wheatley. The reception afterwards was less than lavish- I always find the richer the church then the poorer the food.  But all the energies go into the feast of the service.   I tried to capture some of the drama and theatre of the Mass but only dared to record the entry of the Bishop into the main church.

The East End Film Festival

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbFN9txT1AI&feature=player_detailpage

This was part of the festival and all about the jewish east end. the best thing was Vivi Lachs of the Klezmer Club.  I wanted to take a picture or film but left the camera at home so this clip of Vivi singing 'My Whitechapel' will have to do.
The programme went on for over three hours.  It included Bernard Kops- very over rated I think who overplays his hand of coming from poverty- who didn't when you were born in 1926? Then we had the obligatory lecture about Moseley which most of us know off by heart. Why is it we have to sit through lectures when the afternoon was supposed to be entertaining?  If you go to a concert in the west end they do not preface it with a lecture on Wagner and Nazism so why we have to put up with this I have no idea- well I suppose I have but .....
Anyway the Klezmer Club were brilliant and Vivi is a great teacher and speaker!
And I keep forgetting this blog's objective- most of the events are free!  This one even included free tea and pastries

Mary and Brian's garden

The weather was so unseasonably warm. We watched the RoyalWedding and loved the wonderful music.  The anglican wedding service must be the finest ever written.  I so wish I had been able to say those words and even more important- that John had said them to me.  But I know actions speak louder than words.  Mary's garden is a picture and Brian has worked very hard on it.  It has been a superb weekend

the Market in E17

I love Walthamstow now!  Joe and Leila live there and the place makes me think of them now but there was a time I hated it- as soon as the green doors of the Warner estate came into view I would shudder.  Now the connotations are wonderful. I love this market and come here often. It's the real thing, not like poncey Spitalfields- and in my  mind instead of an older woman dragging a trolley I transform into s sturdy russian peasant, shopping for my huge family living in a remote Siberian village! 

Quiz League of London finals night

This is our captain Mark who won a plate for making the best contribution to the league this season.  He is the captain of our team 'The Flutterers' and he manages to bring this most diverse group of people together with panache and warmth.  He can get mad when we make mistakes but even that makes things more fun.  He is just so brilliant and I know he reads this blog. 

We won division three and play in the second division next season.  We had bombshell news last night Ian can't be with us for the opening games of the season so if anybody wants to join us they can get in touch with the league and if they are good Mark will put them in the team.  It works on putting out the best people, not how long you have been in the team!

http://quizleagueoflondon.biz/home/default.aspx

Other team members in the picture are Ian, Sancho and Johnny. 

invitation to a free concert

Arranged by St Ethelburga but actually at St Paul's Cathedral, please let me know if this is something you would like to come to.  It is free but I do need names as they charge admission to the cathedral otherwise!......

Amira Medunjaninin is performing:

The hour long show starts at 5pm and the date is Monday 6th June.  I will be able to come myself but might be a little late. John is helping steward

The Chapel of Repose at St Chad's

St George's Day

We decided to go to Trafalgar Square to celebrate the Saint's Day.  It was a free show of mostly west end theatre and musicals and very enjoyable.  The crowds were big, but enough space to find a railing and cling on while listening to the music. The shapes and sizes of people there was amazing- people size 20+ jammed into boob tubes and shorts.  The men in football shirts and english emblems on bare bodies. It is amazing how much there is in London for free- loads of families took picnics.  How I wished the children were small again and we could have the time again.  But it felt great to be able to come - just me and John and suit ourselves what we did.

Just a sunny day around Easter

A weekend in the country

This is of no obvious interest to anyone except friends and family

Jewish East End Celebration Society

http://www.jeecs.org.uk/index.html

Along with some friends, we went to hear Clive Bettingdon of the JEECS introduce a new film about the Jewish east end.  The film reminded the packed audience what the Jews of the east end had accomplished and was a sad reminder of how this wonderful community had almost vanished. 
Clive Bettingdon, although not a Jew, is a passionate devotee of these amazing people and all they accomplished. He leads superb tours of the area and has an acerbic wit- not merely just following scripts that most people know
If you are interested in the east end- consider joining the JEECS.  If  we do not take an interest we will find the history of the area changed to suit the aspirations of the present inhabitants. It was interesting to note that in the packed audience that watched the film, none were from the bengali community- it's a real shame at a time when cultural signposts and all sorts of tat are being scattered around the borough.  Goats in Spitalfields and arches in Brick Lane come to mind!

Concert given by Alison Beck

Listen to Alison singing 'Lamb of God'  it is so beautiful.  She was singing with a group tonight at the National portrait Gallery.  They have loads of free shows on Fridays and Saturdays starting at 6.30. This one was rightly packed.  You have to get there early to get a seat/

http://www.myspace.com/alisonbeckmusic/music/songs/Lamb-of-God-SPGC-feat-Alison-Beck-70288094

Views from Holden Point viewing platform - 23 floors up

These are the snaps from Holden Point.  It is an ordinary tower block at Maryland Point and they have adapted the top floor as a viewing platform- complete with a special loo for the Queen's use when she looked over the site last year.  The top photo shows the eastern part of Stratford and Leyton, the middle the athletes village and the bottom is the new shopping centre.
Holden Point has regular open days so that groups can tour.  You need to check with Newham Council

Mary returns

No explanation needed really as Mary returns to London for a while.

Joan made her shawl, cowl or whatever you call it.

She will make one for you if you email her: joan@joanburgen.wanadoo.co.uk

Prices are about £20- it depends on the quality of the wool

Stitching on the first Sunday of the month

Christ Church are inviting anyone to come at 1.30 on the first Sunday of the month to come and sew together or just chat. This week we had a gorgeous tea afterwards but this is not on offer most Sundays.

The church closes at 5 to get ready for the evening service but the space and company are lovely and it's a wonderful way to spend Sunday afternoon. All are welcome and not just church goers

It always seems very strange to be in this quiet place when outside is so hectic and busy- the markets are in full swing and the restaurants overflowing.

cup cakes

I seem to be entering my second childhood. I got excited like a kid at making these with Susan. It took three hours to make 30 and I arranged them and snapped them and put them out for the Sunday service at Christ Church.

I was not as rubbish at making them as I thought I would be. Cue me filling our cupboard with assorted bits and pieces for topping the cakes- and a bin ready for those I mess up!

another 'Times' offer

a freebie courtesy of the' Times'

Brilliant film, funny and totally absorbing.

New Found Affection - Ripping My Heart Out

Met this fantastic woman at the Excel stand. She used to live in Brick Lane- she is at the Luxe this Sunday and is coming to my place for tea before! I love the music- she is quite a character.

International Food and Drink Exhibition

This was a trade exhibition. Good for tasting bits and pieces but an afternoon of noodles, buffalo milk ice cream, Irish sandwiches, fruit cake, washed down with fudge vodka and numerous fruit shots led to my feeling very queasy.

But we met some really interesting people especially the girlin the group New Found Affection.

Please see the link in the next posting

Quiz League charity night

The photos are of Mark, the captain of the Flutterers and Mary who guested on the team. The evening was a charity event in aid of talking books for ther Blind. We came about seventh in a very tight contest. The winning team was captained by the famous Kevin Ashman of 'Mastermind' and 'The Eggheads' fame.

The last photo is of the interior of the Counting House in Cornhill - a fabulous pub with huge exterior and a balcony with small quiet corners and nooks and crannies. It's quite a place.

International Womens Day

It was at the market that I met Theresa- she had a stall alongside me and Joan at Stoke Newington last year. www.kitchenbuddy.eu

The stalls fell into three types- clothes, badges and loads of jewellery- some butch, most very girly

Then there was food and we bought great cakes from the East End WI. And then information- the women knitting vulvas (!) some groaning on about oppression in the UK- not very convincing. It all felt a bit like the seventies. I noted how few working class women were there- most things do not seem to change at all. Except cupcakes had replaced the biscuits and fairy cakes.

But it was a fun afternoon and great to meet up with Theresa again. She came home with me and nibbled some carrots while I dished up steak pies and chips. I did feel a bit feeble.

The Artillery Arms

The photo is of part of our quiz team 'The Flutterers' who have won their division in the London Quiz League of 2010-2011. Sadly I have missed five other regular players- including our esteemed captain Mark. But watch out for their photos soon. If anybody feels like joining us then Mark promises newcomers will always get a go at a' friendly' -although our team is fiercely competitive. But we try hard to hide it- unlike many of the teams in the competition!

Not a sheep: More on Shami Chakrabarti and the BBC

Not a sheep: More on Shami Chakrabarti and the BBC

Arts and Crafts workshops, parties and shops.: Pop-Up Shop

Arts and Crafts workshops, parties and shops.: Pop-Up Shop: "Mothers Day Pop-Up ShopSaturday 26th March Come and buy a hand made gift for your Mum at this unique Pop-Up Shop. We will be selecting t..."

'Last Friday'

This is my favourite museum- but I have not been there for ages- not sure why. The last Friday in the month always has something special and it is open till nearly 10pm. I went this month because the theme was recollection. We saw a superb film about an Indian doctor who had come to the UK in the fifties and tried to return..

He had shot the film himself- in India and UK and it was wonderful. He had longed to return home but within a year he was back in the UK- He had left the India of his childhood behind. It was very bittersweet but why the museum had to put in footage of the NF rallies of the seventies and the ugly aspects of British life. I always feel there has to be a 'payback'' somehow and the doctor had not intended this.

There was also a free blogging workshop which made me think about where my blog was going and what the hell was it all about and what for and for who. So I may be making some changes but want to keep blogging.

Of course we went to the cafe there- lovely food but pricey. My advice if you are short of cash is to take your own and buy some tea- there are lots of unobtrusive places to east discreetly

Jan's new passion- fad?

I have lately been very interested in craft work of all kinds. Deemed hopeless at school where I was the only one (with my sister) not to be able to complete the cookery apron. I never managed to thread the machine and dreaded the lessons. I can still remember double craft on Tuesdays and little else about my school

But so many of my friends love needlework and making things- Anne, Una ,Geena, Susan, Joan, Fay, Fiona- and surely it's not too late to learn. So I bought this lovely machine and it stands proudly in the living room- posing proudly on the table next to my computer. Waiting... for friends to come and help.

Spitalfields What's On Guide

Spitalfields What's On Guide

Tomb of Elizabeth 1st

In keeping with our budget conscious ways, we borrowed a church pass and went in for free. Otherwise it can be as much as £15. I begrudge it- money taken from bewildered tourists by a grumpy cashier with a huge cross round her neck. Once inside the place feels like a giant antique store- over stuffed with huge statues and tombs. The high altar I found not so impressive- what was amazing for me was the tomb of the queen, somehow I felt her to be our queen- in some way connected personally with me. The crowds were packed in but there was a hush there. The face is said to be the death mask of the queen. Very difficult to see in the Abbey for a short arse like me.

'Poppies Fish and Chips'

http://http//www.poppiesfishandchips.co.uk/

We decided to try this place - two weeks after it opened. The place was packed with loads of people filling the 4 or so tables and a queue waiting for fish and chips. I really recommend this place. By chance I met the owner before it opened and he said his aim was quality but not to rip people off. I think he has achieved this. The prices are cheaper than Goulston Street nearby and I think the service was superb. The staff are dressed in kitsch Edwardian style and although it was busy, they were still very friendly and patient. We had a take away - one medium cod and large chips and a pickle- £8.50 and we couldn't eat all the chips. I would say 10/10 but go on a weekday to get a good seat.

Hoop and Grapes

This is the gorgeous interior of this very old pub. Right near Aldgate bus station and over the road from Aldgate East and Aldgate tubes, the food was lovely- The speciality are sausages and we shared a plate of sausage sandwich and chips for around £6. The Times are doing an offer of a meal for £5 at the moment. The day we went (Friday) it was packed yet still offering a bottle of wine for £10

Rigby and Peller

This is the most packed sale of bras, knickers, swimsuits and held every year in this theatre. We did arrive on the first day and it was so busy with queues for the cash tills and changing room. Prices were mostly bras £15, swimsuits £15 and loads of oddments at £1 They were very expensive items and so very cheap but do we really need all this stuff. In the end we did not buy anything at all

Free exhibition of crafts

A few of us visited this lovely small exhibition at the Women's Library. It was great to see this usually quiet place full of people. The local WI were 'selling' cakes for donations and there were many groups demonstrating crafts- including one that highlights female genital mutilation and they were sewing vagina- representations of I mean, rather than the horrible practice of mutilating them. I met the leader of the East End WI who was pretty amazing and welcoming and I may join?