Tuesday 26 January 2010

Holocaust Memorial Day


Last evening, but a few hours ago, I was enjoying a small libation at The Lord Hood, a traditional pub in Greenwich and at the same time listening and chatting to the musicians of the Greenwich Folk Club collective, and very good they were too. Amongst their conversation they were talking about it being Australia day and they were scratching their collective heads trying to think of something to play. But no one talked about today 27th January being Holocaust Memorial Day. Is it because not many people in London know of this date, chosen as it was, as it was on the 27th January 1945 that the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau took place. I would urge all free thinking peoples to just take a moment to reflect on the Holocaust and to remember those millions of souls who died, persecuted by a deceitful and perverse government. Visit the web site and light a candle. I was the 19131st person to do so. Perhaps you will open a link to events in your area and make an effort to attend one, Whatever you do, I bid you, shalom.

Monday 18 January 2010

Giving to charity?



I meant to write this last week, and I had thought about writing about The National Youth Jazz Orchestra of G.B. whom it would appear are facing a shortage of funds in the upcoming fiscal year. The orchestra nurtures and encourages young talented musicians and I understand that Amy Winehouse was one of those who have benefitted from their philanthropy. According to Chairman, Nigel Tully, the orchestra requires £105,000 by April for it to continue. The orchestra costs £200,000 a year to run, which to my mind, does not seem to be a lot of money for such a jewel in the crown of British musical talent. They get £60,000 from Arts Council England and the Musicians Benevolent Fund. My plea was going to be, please make a donation and keep this worthwhile organisation solvent and allow it to continue in the sterling role that it has been carrying out for 47 years.

But then one of the worst naturals disasters that has ever occurred in the world, hit one of the poorest countries in the Americas. That being the earthquake that hit Haiti. A large area of the country has been effected with several million people left without any water, food or shelter. Aid assistance to the country is being hampered by geographical difficulties and apparently the U.S. Army who have taken control of the airport and seemingly are concentrating on getting their military personnel on the ground before assisting charities. The international charity, Médecins Sans Frontière have complained that one of their aircraft carrying an inflatable field hospital was refused permission to land at the airport that services the country. Yet, Jets carrying VIPs such as US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, and Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, have been able to land. What do these idiots think they can do? Hot air is of no use to these unfortunate people caught up in the earthquake zone. It does irritate me that some people appear to make political gain out of their selfish acts.

From some osmotic type of process I hold the knowledge that a mere £50 will pay a food pack for a family of four, that will feed them for two weeks. £50? Let's face it, there are a lot of people who live in the U.K. and other western countries, who would spend £50 on a night out and not even think twice about it.

Now I'm not going to ask you Dear Reader to make any donation. That will be entirely up to you. But if you would care to help out your fellow man, then perhaps a donation via The Disasters Emergency Committee might just be what you are looking for? Or of you would prefer to make a donation via the telling bone, this be the number to call. 0370 60 60 900. (UK only).

May your God go with you.

Thursday 14 January 2010

What a difference a day makes!



This is a picture of my garden today. Yesterday it was covered in snow after we had around 2 inches (5 cm) of snow fall the previous night. However, last night we had a lot of rain following a considerable change in temperature during the afternoon. The birds are frequent visitors and I'm sure that if they were capable of sentient thought they would be pleased that the snow has gone, and the weather has warmed up.

Wednesday 13 January 2010

Winter Wonderland



After a couple of days of warmer weather and snow melt, this scene greeted me on awakening this morning, traditionally the coldest day of the year. Snow really changes a landscape and gives it an ethereal quality, deadening noise as noise waves are absorbed within it's crystal make up. But snow also brings problems to our little feathered friends and it is especially important at times like this to put some food out to help the birds in their foraging for food. The RSPB gives some helpful tips on what to feed the birds that visit your garden. Attracting birds to your garden is a very wonderful thing to do and the little splashes of colour among the trees and shrubbery is a delight that lifts the spirits. Don't forget that it is equally important to put out some water on a cold or snowy day as the usual supply might well be frozen. A shallow dish such as a saucer is probably best.

Here is another picture of my garden taken this morning.


Six Degrees of Separation - update


I went to see this play last night at the Old Vic theatre. There was a sprinkling of 'luvvies' in the audience enjoying a pre-performance glass of champagne in the 'Air America' bar. I thoroughly enjoyed the play but at first I couldn't help wondering why John Guare had made the central character of Paul, a con-man into a hero. But then Americans have always worshipped their 'bad boys and girls', haven't they? I guess it started off with the likes of Billy the Kid, followed by John Dillinger,  Bonnie And Clyde and most recently characters such as 'Omar Little' in the Wire.

Rather than let me prattle on about what I thought were the highs and lows of the play, although they were mainly highs, especially Obi Abili who portrays the character, Paul. I will instead direct you to this well written piece about said play.

The play continues at the Old Vic until 3rd April and if you are under 25, you can purchase a ticket for £12.

Monday 11 January 2010

Six Degrees of Separation


(Copyright Old Vic)


I first read about this supposition about five years ago. This theory proposes that every living person on this planet is but six people away from knowing somebody else. This is so, even if you have never actually met them. So in theory I am six degrees away from knowing Barack Obama, the incumbent president of the United States of America. This is how the theory is supposed to work. If a person is one step away from each person they know and two steps away from each person who is known by one of the people they know, then everyone is at most six steps away from any other person on Earth. It was popularized by a play written by John Guare.


So I would think about who amongst my friends, colleagues or contacts is most likely to know someone who knows Mr. Barack Obama? I would then e-mail them and they in turn would e-mail somebody else and the theory is that within 6 people I would actually make contact with Mr. Obama. Now I happen to know a VP for Goldman Sachs as well as having some family contacts in Chicago (just by chance). I would then decide who would be most likely to be an important link in that chain and send them an e-mail and then wait and see if Mr. Obama gets in touch?  I concede it's not really likely to occur, is it? But, one never knows. I know of an FBI agent who lives in Washington D.C. and perhaps through him I might just get my link? I hope to meet with this agent in the flesh later this year and I will promulgate my idea to him and see how I get on. I'll keep you posted!


Now you might just be wondering, what has this to do with London? Well, at this present time, the Old Vic theatre is staging a production of John Guare's play, 'Six Degrees of Separation'. This agent has secured tickets for this week and I'm looking forward to seeing this play. The play is inspired by real-life events of a flamboyant con artist who convinced wealthy residents in Manhattan that he was the son of actor, Sidney Poitier. Six Degrees of Separation is a supposedly a captivating study of society's pretensions that are exposed by one man's self-confidence and imagination.


This production features Lesley Manville, Obi Abili Anthony Head. All pictured above.


I'm looking forward to seeing it and I will attempt to give you a critique. 

Sunday 10 January 2010

The Snow Queen Cometh.

(Photograph copyright of E.N.B)

The icy grip of winter has reached the shores of the British isles. There is a lack of grit for the roads and of our inhabitants, some of whom are panic buying and stripping supermarket shelves of stock. The roads of London have remained relatively traffic light over the weekend with many of our inhabitants and visitors alike choosing to stay warm indoors. In the outer parts of London the footpaths are still icy underfoot and with threats of more snow over the next few days and the cold spell set to continue, misery is sure to be among the topic of conversation. Along with, 'Global warming! What global warming?'

However, there is good news on the horizon, English National Ballet have performances of Prokofiev's ballet, The Snow Queen, during the forthcoming week. This is the celebrated production by choreographer Michael Corder. I urge you to hurry and get your tickets for this stunning performance as it only has one week left in it's current run at the London Coliseum.

The English National Ballet celebrates it's 60th birthday this year and to celebrate the company has plans to put on a traditional 'Edwardian' styled production of The Nutcracker in December. I'd recommend bookings tickets now as The Nutcracker is always a popular seasonal occasion. For those of you who cannot wait for December or perhaps holiday abroad, then check out their web site for plans to bring Swan Lake to at the Royal Albert Hall in June. You're sure to be in for a treat watching rising star Vadim Muntagirov and guest ballerina Polina Semionova.

The Coliseum hides a little secret amongst it's restored Edwardian splendour. It has a lovely little bar on it's upper floor with a balcony that has views over the rooftops. Enjoy a chilled bottle of champers before a summer performance.

Friday 8 January 2010

Maharaja: The Splendour of India's Royal Courts


This is your last chance to go and see this wonderfully eclectic collection of the life and times of the Indian Maharajas from the 18th century through to the 20th century. The exhibition includes the 1927 Rolls Royce Phanthom (as pictured) that belonged to the Maharaja of Mewar. There are also photographs by Man Ray, jewellery, fine clothing, some wonderful 1930's art deco furniture, such as the chunky library chair that has reading lights built into the head rest. Elsewhere in the exhibition there are wonderful works of Indian art and indeed illustrated historical documents.

My favourite is the Cartier elephant mystery clock that was sold to the Maharajah of Nawanagar. The hands on this clock appear suspended in the middle of the see through clock face, with no visible mechanism to turn them. Truly astonishing and a beautifully designed clock.
(To see the clock, open the link, then click on London, UK and then on discover some pieces)

There is even a mock up of a life size elephant and horses that are adorned with bridlery and jewellery worn during a majestic procession.

Here is a link to installing the procession - it is a time lapse video. Turn HD off for a better connection.

With over 250 items on display there is surely something for everyone. But hurry as the exhibition is due to close on 17th January 2010.

The V&A Museum






Thursday 7 January 2010

London's newest memorial

This is London's newest memorial and it is in memory of Jean Charles de Menezes, the Brazilian who was shot dead by Metropolitan Police Officers during an anti-terrorist operation that went so horrendously wrong on the 22nd July 2005. It is a memorial that fills me with shame. Shame that I was/am part of the security services that are sworn to protect the innocents in society and bring to justice those that cause terror and criminal acts against the rest of society. On that day, something went very awry with the police operation that was surveilling a possible terrorist suspect following the bombing of the London tube and bus services a few weeks earlier. An agent in a O.P. failed to keep observation on the door of the suspects address as he/she was away answering a call of nature . Then in the street and away from the address he/she spies JeanCharles walking past them in the street. A call gets put out to the surveillance team that is nearby and they tail Jean Charles in the street and then onto a bus. At no time as I understand it have any of them identified Jean Charles as definitely being the suspected bomber that they were meant to be looking at. Equally, he was never ruled out fully as he very much resembled who they were looking for. Police surveillance officer 'Ivor' followed Jean Charles onto the bus and then off the bus into Stockwell Underground Station. 'Ivor' called this in and continued to follow Jean Charles onto a tube train. 'Ivor' sat three seats away from Jean Charles continuing to observe him. The train was still stationary at the platform with the doors open when the specialist armed officers of the Metropolitan Police CO19 firearms team came running onto the platform. 'Ivor' stated at the inquest that he had thought the 'intelligence' picture had changed and shouted to get the attention of the CO19 officers. 'Ivor' jumped up out of his seat and grabbed hold of Jean Charles de Menez . pinning his arms by his sides in a bear hug. To all intents and purposes and according to some observors, 'Ivor' had Jean Charles de Menez under control. Can you imaging 'Ivor's' surprise when the CO19 officers shot Jean Charles in the head whilst in his grip? According to some reports in the press that I recall reading at the time 'Ivor' was physically thrown from the train by a CO19 ooficer and had a gun pointed at him by another. He stated that he was frightened of being mistaken for a terrorist and being shot himself. I feel sorry for 'Ivor' in so many ways, as had this not ended up with the shooting of an innocent man, but he had grabbed an armed terrorist. Then 'Ivor' almost certainly would have been in line for a bravery award and probably a George Cross. In contrast, the officer in charge on the day of this fatal shooting of an innocent man has been awarded a Queens Police Medal in the New Year honours list for 2010.

My sincerest condolences to the family of Jean Charles.

Tuesday 5 January 2010

Giving up smoking for a New Year resolution?

So have you made a resolution to give up cigarettes in 2010? If so you might be interested in attending a talk entitled 'Beating cigarette addiction - the latest evidence.' , at the Darwin Lecture Theatre at University College London (pictured). This will be on Thursday 19th January and begins at 1.15 p.m. prompt. The talk will be given by Professor Robert West and might just give you an insight into giving up the dreaded weed. I consider myself lucky in that I never really started smoking as I had been put off by literature that I had read in the dentist's waiting room when I was younger. Am I glad that I picked up those leaflets!

I wish all of you who have made a resolution to have the strength to complete whatever it is you have resolved to achieve. I'm still sticking with mine that I made a couple of years ago in that I resolved not to make any. I haven't been disappointed so far.

Monday 4 January 2010

Doing the Lambeth Walk.












This photograph is of the S.O.E memorial that was unveiled on 4th October 2009 by the modern day Duke of Wellington. It is situated on the opposite side of the Thames river to Parliament and is outside Lambeth Palace and near to Lambeth Bridge.

The statue depicts Violette Szabo (G.C) and is by the sculptor Karen Newman.

Violette Szabo was but one of many brave women (and men) who fought for this country in the Second World War. For me one of the most striking facts about the S.O.E is that many were foreign born but happily embraced the way of life in Britain and willingly volunteered to fight against the dark shadow of Nazism that threatened to envelope Europe at that time. Unlike Anjem Choudary and his group Islam4UK who are planning to hold a march in Wooton Bassett, the town near RAF Lyneham where the bodies of British soldiers who have been killed in conflict are flown back to.

Hearses, bearing 'our glorious dead' are driven at a respectable pace through the town and many British people line the streets in reverent silence. Although I consider that Choudary has a point about innocent muslim men, women and children being killed. I do not think it will do him or his group any credit to stage such a demonstration in this town. I think that the patience of the British people are starting to wear thin and if he does try to go ahead with this demonstration he is likely to be met with some resistance.

Next time you are in London, take a walk along the riverbank and enjoy views of the Houses of Parliament. Take a closer look at the lamp posts that stand on the river bank here. What fish is entwined on each post? Some guide books will tell you that they are Dolphins (not a fish) but if you look closely I believe you will find that they are in fact Sturgeon. Yes, sturgeon at one time used to populate the Thames in rare numbers and in the middle ages it was declared to be a Royal fish by Edward II. There is at least one reference to a recipe for sturgeon from a fifteenth century paper found in the Library of Mr. Samuel Pepys:

“Take and lay hym in Water over nyght seth hym and let hym kele and lay hym in vyneAger or yn Aysell that sauce in kyndely ther to serue hit furth”.
See MS Pepys 1047 (n.d.) (dated by British Library to the Fifteenth Century)

I gleaned the above fact about sturgeon from a fascinating paper, Like a Sturgeon?: Royal Fish, Royal

Prerogative and Modern Executive Power by Jonathan M. Gutoff


Talking of fish I've often enjoyed lunch at the Masters Super Fish Restaurant at 191 Waterloo Rd Waterloo, SE1. This is but a 15 minute walk away and although first impressions regarding the decor might be a bit off putting, don't be fooled as you will probably get the best Fish and Chip lunch in London here for less than £10. The fish is fresh and consequently this place is not open on a Sunday or a Monday.