The Village Fete

I may have fibbed. The place to go for a picnic this weekend is without doubt the London "Village Fete" in Regents Park (and, you get a chance to go today, Sunday, too)

The event is very well organised, and the £5 entry would be good value even if it didn't all go to charity. There's lots of good stuff to eat and do, and some great music from a host of lesser known acts but also from some big names like Amy Macdonald and as here, Jack Savoretti. Unfortunately, I couldn't stay for Geno Washington.

If you like interesting, melodic, singer songwriters, you will like Jack Savoretti (Myspace page here) and as an added bonus, Seth Lakeman is playing on Sunday, too.

See where on London Daily Photo Map

A Place to Picnic

As we appear to be having one weekend of good weather, you may well be vexed with the question, "Where can I go for a picnic?" This is my suggestion, so well hidden even Diamond Geezer hasn't made it over here: Chiswick House.

The garden lays claim to being the earliest English landscaped garden, and the house to be the finest surviving Paladian mansion. With the elegant vistas, manicured lawns and statuary you too can pretend to be a 18th century landowner - who just happened to have invited lots of other people (and screaming kids) to share their humble abode. Go on, take a wind up gramophone and some cucumber sandwiches.

(The house costs £4 but the grounds are free)

See where on London Daily Photo Map

The Museum of London

The Museum of London was open late on Thursday, as it is each first Thursday of every month. On this occasion there was a medieval theme. This often overlooked museum is always worth a visit, although for the near future the entire ground floor is being refurbished. We were treated to a fascinating tour and talk by the curator, and I learned that the first recorded written name from the London area is from around 600 AD, and was "Tatbert", scratched on a bone. I wonder if he had to work in a cubicle. Note the medieval security pass.

See where: London Daily Photo Map

The smallest library in the world?

The structure to the left of the frame is a garage, that on the right is our local library. I reckon it must be a contender for the smallest public library in the world. And no, there are no hidden depths or cunning mezzanine floors. This is where Dame Gill (from two days back) works.

See where: London Daily Photo Map

Sport for All

Tuesday nights chez Ham means badminton, normally doubles, but I expected this week to be playing rotating singles. This would have given me the opportunity to take some good action shots for you.Unexpectedly, Emma (seen here) came so I found myself playing all the time. Spot the slightly staged nature of this shot.

But this isn't all about the way I spend my leisure time, fascinating though that might be. This newly built sports hall that we are playing in represents an amazing improvement to the facilities of a local school, made possible by Lottery Funding. Although I think that the lottery is a regressive tax, this stuff has to be good.

Ordinary Londoners - No 6 in a series

 

In spite of recent furore over Cash for Honours, changes since 1993 mean that ordinary people's efforts can be recognised by the system, which I think is good. So meet our local hero, Dame Gill James, MBE, Assistant Librarian and all round good sort. She has worked tirelessly and selflessly for our community for years and years, and is a worthy and popular recipient.

You can nominate someone for an honour here.

The Ordinary Londoners Series: No 1, No 2, No 3, No 4 No 5

The waters are receding...

Hoping to see a dove sometime soon.... Have you heard about the rain we've been having lately? You must click here if you want to read first hand accounts and pictures from one of the worst hit areas. This picure comes from the Bow Back Rivers, most of which area is closed off now until 2012.

A story of romance

Still in Spitalfields, still the same old excuse, this scene reminded me of a folk singer I heard back in the '70s. All I can remember of him was that he was part of Max Boyce's backing band, but was a hilarious performaer in his own right. He specialised in spoof songs, like the poor baker growing up in New York - "In the Gateaux", or that song of romance as a roadie - "that's when I fell for... the packer of the leads".

These girls were packing away after a public Salsa dance class/performance.

(for those that hadn't worked it out... it was to the tune of the Shangri La's "Leader of the Pack"

Shopping in a stable economy

Spitalfield is such a vibrant area these days, that I make no excuses about spending a few days here. Oh, OK, fair cop. I still haven't had time to get out to take photos.

This "odd things" shop always makes me smile, I hope it does you, too.

The Uk e ulele Orchestra

Normal service is not yet resumed but, thanks to those wonderful guys at Olympus I now have a camera to use.

And use it I have. Tonight I managed to catch the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain performing at Spitz in Spitalfields. If you get the chance, do go and see them. The music will surprise and please you, the performance will amuse and entertain.

While you are at it, Sign the petition to save the Spitz.

Normal service will be resumed.......just not quite yet

More Ukulele Orchestra photos here

London's Laundrettes

The Laundrette is dying in London, like this dingy place in Central London, whereas in Paris, they appear to be thriving still. It was my aim for a long while to get a photo of one of the fierce caretaker ladies with a cigarette hanging out her mouth, that used to be a permanent fixture of all laundrettes. I've only just realised that with our smoking ban now, that can no longer happen......

(and yes, I have left my reflection in shot)

See where London Daily Photo Map

Temple Bar Redux

As I intimated yesterday, Temple Bar has a very odd and mobile history. The "Bar" was originally just a chain placed across the road, but Christopher Wren built this fantastic monument towards the end of the 17th Century. When it became to obstructive to traffic in the 19th century, it was moved (from yesterday's location) to be the entrance to the country house, returning to Paternoster Square, just by St Pauls, in 2004.

Read Diamond Geezer's useful summary here and here, or the background here and here.

See where: London Daily Photo Map

Temple Bar

Over a year ago I posed the question, "Which London entrance marker isn't just a gryphon?" and failed to answer - it's high time I did. Here is Temple Bar, in Fleet Street. Victoria and Albert are inset in the pillar, surrounded by artistic and scientific imagery. This was the most famous of all London's gates, where taxes were paid and where, even today, the monarch pauses on their journey to the city.

More about the odd background of this place tomorrow.

See where: London Daily Photo Map

London's elephants, No 17 1/2 in the series

 

A small cheat, because you can't see this elephant for yourself (hence the "1/2") but I'm sure you will agree that it's worthwhile all the same. This elephant is part of the AS/A2 level art exhibtion at my daughter's school, Wanstead High School. I reckon that this post should really be subtitled "Britain's Got Talent". For those that don't know the UK exam system, this is the work of 16-18 year olds. Lauren Barrett was kind enough to let me take a photo of her work, some other of her elephants are here.


Click for No 1 in the series.
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Click for No 6 in the series.
Click for No 7 in the series.
Click for No 7 1/2 in the series.
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Click for No 10 in the series.
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Click for No 11 1/2 in the series.
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University College London

This rather grand building looks as if it is a major public building but in fact it is University College London, and tucked away from the casual prying eye.

Well, I'm back from a fantastic week in Cornwall, away from mobile phone signals and internet connection. Bliss. Thanks to Eric for keeping the pages turning. Also, I've been able to work out a solution for my broken cameras - all I need to do now is to get that shutter clicking.

Plants and bhudda

No, this isn't the jungle but a garden centre in the heart of Chelsea.

I'm away on holiday for a week, have a good time in my absence. Posting continues thanks to the archives and Eric.

Heart of glass

This glass sculpture is just behind Bressenden Place in Victoria, and is a pile of glass plates pushed about.

Sometimes, I look at modern art and think, yes that's good, sometimes I can't understand it and once in a while I have a minor insight. Look at that at see if you can recall the simple pleasure as a child, twisting a pile like that, or maybe fanning a pile of paper.

I'm away on holiday for a week, have a good time in my absence. Posting continues thanks to the archives and Eric.

Stairway to heaven?

These steps are the way you access a DLR train station in docklands. The simplicity of line appealed to me.

I'm away on holiday for a week, have a good time in my absence. Posting continues thanks to the archives and Eric.

Looking for dinner?

Leonis restaurant has always been a reliable place to eat, ever since the thirties when it first opened. The authentic deco atmosphere is all part of its charm. Now, Marco Pierre White runs it.

I'm away on holiday for a week, have a good time in my absence. Posting continues thanks to the archives and Eric.

Looking for breakfast?

No, this isn't the real one, for that you should go here or here. This is the allround enigmatic author Francis Bacon, outside the Museum of Mankind.

I'm away on holiday for a week, have a good time in my absence. Posting continues thanks to the archives and Eric.