Councillor Norman Brooks

Councillor Norman Brooks Waveney!

Well done Norman !

Our Christmas cake

Ripped-off in a winter wonderland | The Spectator

Ripped-off in a winter wonderland | The Spectator:

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Just musing

The Revd Peter Liddelow, SSM Curate at Christ Church, Barnet (1414), and Chaplain to The Magic Circle, is to retire on 31 December but will remain as Chaplain to The Magic Circle.

 

From the diocese of London website news

 

also please read the ludicrous Bishop of London's christmas message- keeps mentioning St Paul as a tent maker!diocese of London Bishop Richard messagehttp://www.london.anglican.org/NewsShow_15785

Not' Songs of Praise'

My gift for the child:

No wife, kids, home;
No money sense. Unemployable.
Friends, yes. But the wrong sort 

The workshy, women, wogs,
Petty infringers of the law, persons
With notifiable diseases,
Poll tax collectors, tarts;
The bottom rung.
His end?
I think we’ll make it
Public, prolonged, painful.


Right, said the baby. That was roughly
What we had in mind


This was in 'The Times today - a poem by U.A.Fanthorpe


A friend of mine thinks Christianity is 'Songs of Praise' instead of an entertainment for mostly elderly people (like me)
I always try to imagine Jesus as a fat short man-maybe with bad breath!  If we are to think of him as a handsome young chap, tall bearded, cutting a fine figure in flowing robes this is a bit of a cop out. It has always been a shame to me that he died so young and we do not know how he would have coped with older age and declining health.  

The Spitallfields Winter Festival

part of the choir

women sing east

Laka D is the leader- very bolshie, bluesy lead singer and conductor. The programme was a mixture of carols, swing and a fantastic moving 'I wish I was in Carrick Fergus'

The Stratford East singers

Ann has started a late singing career.  She has made her début at the opening of 'Cinderella'- Stratford East's 2011 pantomime

Spitalfields Winter Festival

the charismatic conductor and compère of Open Mic show

streetwise opera
This was a great night out. It was an example of being joyous -people who on the surface have very little to cheer them materially and some cannot really sing in tune- (like me) but they put on one of the best shows in Spitalfields Winter Festival

The Selling Season

Una wearing a copy of a Joan hat- sold out

 We took on many markets this year- mostly selling Joan's knitted goods- and Geena's dog bags plus some Heba Christmas stockings
http://www.ssba.info/heba_enterprise.html
. Joan made a killing on the Kaffe Fasset socks and sold out completely. My favourite venue was the church in leytonstone where the west indian Reverend started the fair off with some fervent prayers.  She was accompanied by a sort of posse of Caribbean women of a certain age (mine) who were just brilliant in organising the stallholders as well as cooking a mean chicken curry with rice and peas for £4. This was such a great atmosphere- far better than the snooty evangelical church where we sold out of stuff but had to endure an inspirational talk that the rector's wife has decided was suitable for the holy season- a posh frocks shopping service

part of our stall- obviously better display skills needed

Hand Ball at the new stadium

ic

We had free tickets to go inside the Olympic Park and watch the handball between Angola and China.
The walk from the gate to the stadium seemed )and probably was) about a mile. The wind whipped through the site and plenty of us non athletes struggled to reach the new stadium.
Inside the functional building was a brilliant view of quite an exciting game with loads of funky music and an american style commentary.  The score board had graphics and was very informative on a game unfamiliar to most of us. 
Some minus points price of a cup of tea was £2.  And the knackering walk to the event.
The security was pretty annoying too- phones and keys in plastic bags airport style. 

Benarasi Fashion Show

I wanted to buy the dress on the right for Mary

For me and my friends, it was our first fashion show. the black dresses were made at Heba and their beauty and intricacy cannot be seen in this shot.  The outfits were amazing- some traditional, most very modern. The snacks afterwards were gorgeous too.

New Sculpture in Spitalfields (Spital Square)

This installation replaced the Bees in the case. 

The Webb sisters at The Union Chapel

 We got free tickets to hear these very talented musicians.  To be honest I found then very worthy and quite dull.  The Union Chapel is stunning though and I could imagine the old christian revivals there- full of wonderful fervent singing- not choruses about 'relationships'

Free Download | Vile Pervert - The Musical

Free Download | Vile Pervert - The Musical:

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I have always felt very sorry for Jonathan King.
He has never been someone I particularly liked but was sad how much he has been vilified by lots of people.
Very sad...
good for Rod Liddle who has given him some support this week in an article in The Spectator

The Church of England is mired in adolescent politics. That's why it doesn't know what to do about St Paul's – Telegraph Blogs

The Church of England is mired in adolescent politics. That's why it doesn't know what to do about St Paul's – Telegraph Blogs:

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Sewing in the church

Sewing for the church Fair which is on Sunday 4th December from 1-4.  Geena and Susan are wonderful needleworkers- I am just rubbish and it took me an hour to thread the needle!

'The 39 Steps'

what was left from our dinner

 Never let it be said that I never get taken out!  John took me for a meal at 'The Glass Blower' in Glasshouse street where for the first time we were served by an english waiter.  Then to a very cramped seat in the gorgeous little Criterion theatre where I sat behind a chap with a huge head so by the end of the evening I felt quite dizzy from shifting around to get a sight of the action.  It is very well done but an old romantic preferred the film version- and the handsome Hannay sweeping the girl up in his arms as he strides the Yorkshire moors. Thanks to Emily who treated us to the tickets- and the lovely stodgy meal

view from our table

Choleric Profiles: No. 1, Richard Chartres, the Bishop of London. | Choler

Choleric Profiles: No. 1, Richard Chartres, the Bishop of London. | Choler:

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This is so funny. I have met Bishop Chartres and I suspect he has never really been challenged in his life. His height, beautiful voice, and impressive presence gave him an enormous advantage over us short dumpy plebs.
The spiteful side of my character is a bit pleased he has got his come uppance- forever he will now be ' Trabbs 'Boy

Home | London 2012 Festival

Home | London 2012 Festival:

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St Joseph's Hospice Hackney

Saturday November 19th
Christmas Bazaar
12.00pm – 3pm


The biggest and the best in London without a doubt.
East end women, yummy mummys, posh vintage collectors, African mamas all there


be prepared- sharp elbows, shopping trolleys and loads of coins needed!

And patience....


soft toys- hand made
loads of fabrics
warehouse full of old clothes, shoes and bags
cheap jewellery


They normally have a celebrity opening- last year I shook hands with Barbara Windsor!!
She is even smaller than me- and a lot better turned out!