2010 Archives
Broadcasting House in 1951…
This wonderful artist line drawing of Broadcasting House in London was first published by the Odhams Press back in 1951. It is a fascinating cut-away look at the establishment in those days which was the centre of broadcasting in Britain. It shows the administrative headquarters of The British Broadcasting Corporation that contained some of the early studios. As today, transmitters are distributed throughout the United Kingdom and there are studios in most parts of the country, although television production in the main now comes from the BBC Television Centre at White City in West London which was opened in June 1960.
Modern Moral Matters…
Modern Moral Matters is a solo exhibition by one of the worlds most respected living artists Richard Hamilton at The Serpentine Gallery. It is the first major exhibition of his talents in London since 1992 from now until the 25th of April 2010. This is a must go date in our diary for Marilyn and I. The Serpentine is situated at… Well, it speaks for itself!
Polyfoto and Enid Stamp Taylor…
This remarkable and previously unpublished set of pictures taken by Polyfoto in the 1930’s show a more unguarded and natural Enid Stamp Taylor and thought to be taken in one of London’s large department stores. They were given to me by Enid’s daughter Robin Anne, and interestly enough there is a corresponding set taken at the same time of Robin Anne herself. Therefore, one must conclude this was a spontaneous gesture during one of Enid’s frequent shopping trips in central London.
Polyfoto were a photographic company that had instore portait studios in many large towns across the country from the 1930’s right up until the mid 70s and enjoyed their own distinctive and notable photographic system which incorporated unperforated 35mm film that in turn produced small square pictures as a contact sheet from which the sitter could choose enlargements a day or two later. However, the system became expensive and dated with the rise of the photo booth
Sadly, these are all that have survived from a sheet of some 40 pictures! – Patrick.
Milton Keynes Open Market…
Despite the bitter cold of an easterly wind on Friday, Marilyn and I, made a visit to Milton Keynes open market in search of VHS tapes and DVDs. It’s a wonderful myriad of a market set near to the enclosed shopping area of MK and offers just about everything from fruit and veg to Chinese food, tins, pots, pans, coats and jackets, and there is even a hairdresser for the disconcerning lady or gent. The market wafts with intriguing smells from the citrus to the hamburger and hot dog, steaming coffee and rich ripe teas. Aside from a dozen or so DVDs of Poirot and Sherlock Holmes, Marilyn and I, came away with lovely sense of having stepped back in time to our childhood days!
Uncle George’s Wake…
I had always called it The Jolly Toppers… When in point of fact I was to learn it’s known as The Jolly Topers… But never-the-less Uncle George’s Wake went beautifully and swingingly well. There were oudles of food carefully prepared by Daniel, far too much in fact, that amounts had to be carted home afterwards by several of the mourners… And it was a good wake, after an equally good memorial service in Stopsley Green. Those there to mourn the loss of Uncle George, Grandad George, Great Grandad George, and relative and friend George was the entire Callaghan family and friends, the proceedings being conducted with enthusiastic traditional valour by the Canon Phillip McDonough and with assisted poetry from Marilyn - Wordsworth ‘Daffodils’ and Christina Rossetti’s ‘Remember’
Quote of the day from 7 year old Rhys Callaghan in the back of the Limousine… “Which Pub are we going to!”
The Rat Pack’s in Town…
Proving that The Crooner’s are still alive and kicking, the Grove Theatre in Dunstable Bedfordshire gave Marilyn, Zena, and me, the sweet taste of success in the shape of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jrn, and Dean Martin. The Rat Pack live from Las Vegas were in town at The Grove on Thursday evening. These were names that have been immortalised on the silver screen and in popular music, simply put they are legends of the 20th century and icons of American history. It was an fantastic show packed with professionalism and glamour, and I must admit to a fetish for The Burelli Sisters!
Saying Goodbye to Uncle George…
For those of you that knew and loved George Callaghan (Uncle George), his funeral service is to take place on Wednesday the 24th of February at noon in the Luton Crematorium. Afterwards, there will be a luncheon reception for the family and friends at the Jolly Toppers in Round Green, Luton. Money donations are preferred, rather than flowers, and sent to Neville’s Funeral Service, Leagrave, Luton, for the benefit of St. Mary’s Nursing Home.
Remember me when I am gone away, Gone far away into the silent land; When you can no longer hold my hand, Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay, Remember me when no more day by day, You tell me of our future that you planned: Only remember me; you understand, It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while, And afterwards remember, do not grieve: For if the darkness and corruption leave a A vestige of the thoughts that once I had, Better by far you should forget and smile, Than that you should remember and be sad.
Christina Rossetti, English Poetess, 1830-94
The Olde Water Mill at Barton-Le-Clay
This lovely old bus sits outside the Dickensian village and olde water mill at Barton-Le-Clay in Bedfordshire, England.
Adrian and I made a visit to this Bedfordshire community on Saturday and found there an excellent eating house with an even more excellent menu.
After lunch we took a step back in time and entered the world of a Dickens Victorian village. Here we embraced the sounds of hustle and bustle walking its cobbled streets. We strolled on to a garden centre and relaxed by a beautiful mill pond of Mallard and Carp. We visited some twenty shops of clothes, jewellery, candles and crystals, chocolates, antiques and collectables, a farmshop, hair and beauty, a photographic studio, and an arts and crafts and gallery, and for the children a pirates and mermaids recreation park. Adrian and I were too late for the mince pies and mulled wine handed around during during Christmas, but our January visit was truly original and worthwhile.
Dinosaurs in Oxford Street…
Marilyn and I have passed this site many times whilst it was under construction because it stands beside our favourite eating house – The Duke of Marlborough off Oxford Street, London.
Now they are here!
DINOSAURS UNLEASHED is London’s Newest and Largest interactive Dinosaur encounter. Slap bang and facing busy Oxford Street, there are 24 Dinosaurs from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
The star turn is a huge Diplodocus… Three times the length and twice the height of a double-decker bus! DINOSAURS UNLEASHED is an absolute must for everyone… Young and Old alike, and you might even meet us in “The Marlborough…” Parklife Oxford Street is open until March the 30th 2010.
Moctezuma… King of the Aztecs
Marilyn and I just managed to squeeze into the exhibition on Moctezuma at the British Museum on Friday afternoon, after a sumptuous lunchtime meal at The Duke of Marlborough near Selfridges in Oxford Street. It was the last few days of Moctezuma’s exhibition and it was not a let down.
Moctezuma ll was the last elected ruler of the Aztecs from 1502 until 1520 and ruled over a giant empire that embraced much of central Mexico. He became a formidable warrior and ruler. Aztec was the term used to describe Mexica, and the name Mexica was adopted by the Spanish when they invaded in 1519 looking for gold and other riches. It gave rise to the modern name of Mexico.
The exhibition offered much of the treasures of Moctezuma’s notable life, including his Coronation Stone, a wonderful Turquoise double-headed serpent, and a Turquoise wood and shell decorated mask that also features on the front cover of the British Museum’s publication.
There were many, many items on show portraying the man and his life, and the two hours we spent inside the museum’s exhibition dome was completely absorbing and a real pleasure!
