Talk: The Black Historical Presence in Surrey

Today, there was a suggestion of seeing Ivan - he fancies a blowout again. But with it being declared a bank holiday, he's instead taken himself off to see the family. Probably. Well, the best Meetup alternative seemed to be a Zoom talk about The Black Historical Presence in Surrey. Courtesy of the Surrey History Meetup. So I signed up to that. There's so much closed, what with the funeral, anyway..

Well, I spent all day watching it, courtesy of Sky News' excellent coverage. On the phone simultaneously with friends who were also watching it, so we had a virtual watch party. By the time she was well and truly dispatched, I was starving, and praying that O' Neill's wasn't one of those businesses that saw fit to close. Happily not - and I managed to get the last free table downstairs, with a good view of the tv, so I could see what the BBC were doing for coverage. Took a while for my food to arrive, but that made it all the more welcome, and I was soon enough fed. Did some essential shopping on the way home, too.

Was home in time for the talk - and then realised, just in time, that - yet again - I hadn't registered separately for the thing. Blast - I did so, with a few minutes to spare. Seeing that the call was already underway, I joined - and then took myself off to do other things, as it became apparent that they had logged on early in case of technical issues, but had no intention of starting for the next half hour. People joined slowly - they blamed the funeral.

Tonight's speaker cowrote a book called "100 Great Black Britons". She began by making a rather redundant statement that most people tended to consider British history without black people, or black history without talking about Britain, and you really shouldn't. What followed might have proved why nobody tends to mix the two, as she gave singularly the most boring talk I've heard since my academic days. Lordy.

Not enough visual cues to keep us interested - we were staring at the same slides for far too long: a monotonous listing of facts with no overriding narrative, no story to engage us: and the worst presentation style I've heard in a long time, faltering and dull. Ironically, in the chat afterwards, someone posted a series of links to the group's website, with information touched on in the talk, and someone else thanked the speaker for highlighting these - was this highlighting of the web pages unintentional? She didn't seem to be actually involved with them! Oh dear.. She should really work on her delivery. Not many people are interested in hearing a dry listing of facts, especially if you can find them elsewhere. Certainly, I'll be avoiding her in future. And if there really wasn't anything more interesting to say about these people - well, frankly, they don't sound worth hearing about, except in a wider context. Yawn. At least it was free,

Tomorrow, I'm also going virtual - this is a new group, called London History & Culture, and the talk is on Jack the Ripper and Victorian Times, courtesy of Heygo, who seem to do a lot of these. You have to register separately with Heygo for the talk, but hey, it's free! Again. Jeez though, this is feeling like lockdown again..

And on Wednesday, back with Civilised London (not Up in the Cheap Seats, mea culpa!) for Eureka Day, with Helen Hunt, at the Old Vic. Oh thank goodness, an in-person Meetup at last!

Talk: Anglo-Saxon Surrey

Today, I had yet another viewing. Now, this is an interesting one - I'd asked to see the room ages ago, he didn't get back to me - then got back to me the other day and said the room was available again, and did I want to view?! Ooh, yes please - and unless something unexpected cropped up during the viewing, I was taking it on the spot - it's big enough, I think, it has a good big wardrobe, it's walking distance to work. The only one of those on the horizon. And it has its own, private balcony!

I started work early this morning so I could get off early - and was on a crowded, noisy bus when the agent rang me. Never fear, he was just confirming I was still coming! I made it 15 minutes early actually, and lo, he was outside, on the phone. And showed me the flat - there's a step just inside the door that could literally trip me up, and the toilet is separate from the bathroom (which I find annoying) - and the balcony runs under the window of the room next door. So, no wild parties. That's it then for minus points.. as for plus points, there's a lift, there's plenty of shelving in the wardrobe, a shelf that I hadn't noticed runs around the back of the bed, and apart from the size of the room, and the fact that I have a balcony - I've been told I can have the small fridge in the kitchen for my own use! Well now. So, I've paid the holding deposit (a week's rent, which I think is quite reasonable), and I can move in on the 1st. Now, that is a weight off.

So, I celebrated with a meal at the Indian Lounge, which was on my way home, and where I had the usual. Had two glasses of wine, because the manager suggested it. They left the door open, because it was nice and mild. Unfortunately, there was far too much food for me - I couldn't finish the chicken, made my apologies and left.

This evening, I was at an online talk - Anglo-Saxon Surrey - with the Surrey History Meetup. Which I was slightly late for - but that didn't matter, they were waiting for latecomers or something! Just as well, considering the palaver I had signing in, with passwords and such. Anyway, while we waited, they were playing - of all things - Mná na hÉireann (Women of Ireland). Not sure what that has to do with Surrey, but hey! Lovely tune.

So, I was slightly early for the lecture. The chap giving it apparently teaches history to kids, and finds visual aids useful - and lo, he pulled them out! So, instead of what I was kind of expecting - a talk with an archeological bent - we got a show n tell, with helmets of different kinds (including what seems to be a perfect reconstruction of the Sutton Hoo helmet), a discussion of what they would have worn (based on the Bayeux tapestry), a suit of chainmail.. must have been the jingling chainmail that attracted the cat, who decided to make a nest in the historical artefacts during the last part of the talk. As he also mentioned, his wife was threatening to divorce hin if he came home with any more stuff..

Pictured is a replica of William the Conqueror's shield. Man, he must have some cool things though - imagine having an excuse to go around buying all this!

(This is a reproduction of a church woodcarving.)

So yeah, a very interesting, high-level discussion of the Anglo-Saxons in Surrey. This group always holds a poll at the end to see what people thought, and the organiser said this was one of the best ratings ever!

Tomorrow, woo! back at Shakespeare's Globe - for Henry VIII, which I've never seen. And it's years since I was last here.. and what a shame the weather report is bad. Never mind..

On Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Bonnie and Clyde, at the Arts Theatre. Now, most of the group going booked this ages ago - I just booked recently. And I noticed that all the cheapest seats were bench seating, which didn't sound terribly comfortable. But for under £2 more, so £25, I managed to get a ticket in the next band up - in the rear stalls - from Todaytix! See, they have this great £25 ticket offer until Sunday. Whatever about the show, the offer is highly recommended!

On Thursday, back with London Classical Music and Theatre Group - this time, we're at the Royal Festival Hall, where the Philharmonia is playing Mozart and Bruckner. Which makes this my best week for Meetup since lockdown, the only non-Meetup day being Tuesday! The last time I saw this organiser is even longer ago than I saw Didi, the organiser yesterday! (She's a classical guitarist - I just found her page..)

And then back to Ireland for the weekend. The film for the weekend - is looking like Top Gun: Maverick! in which Tom Cruise reprises his fighter-pilot role of so many years ago. Also stars Jennifer Connelly, Val Kilmer back as Iceman, Ed Harris as the rear admiral. Now, that should be fun!

Talk: Canal History and Heritage

Bit the bullet today, and resigned from what has become a nightmare of a company. Wish me luck in getting a new position.. anyway, met my ex-boss (the good one) for hot chocolate in a new coffee shop she's found, Host Cafe, in a converted church! To celebrate my escape. And it was great to see her, it's been weeks, what with lockdown.

After today's interview (again, wish me luck), I was hungry - and this is the day for something decent. So off I headed to my nearest Cote - where I changed my usual to calamari and poulet grillé, and was excellently fed. And plotted revenge.. watch this space.

And so back to what I had booked, albeit that I arrived a little late. Surrey History Meetup has another Zoom meeting - this one is on Canal History and Heritage. Forgot I had to register separately, so it's just as well he reminded me. But my, such a boring talk.. well, it was all I saw showing tonight, and I said I'd try it. I mean, here I am writing my post in the middle of it.. ah well, perhaps if I were in a more amenable mood.

Tomorrow, my first in-person Meetup with 45+ not Grumpy Old Londoners - a guided walk with Laurence Summers! This is the Feisty Fitzrovia pub tour - and since I used to live there, I can hardly refuse! Another pay-on-the-day, but I have cash.

On Wednesday - would you believe, my first Meetup of the year with Up in the Cheap Seats! Well, they're going to see Magic Goes Wrong, which I've been dying to see - again, I could hardly refuse! Yet again, I missed out on cheap tickets - ended up in the Gods, but at the end of a row, and the view should be OK. The Apollo Theatre, tickets now cheapest on the official website. And with all the seats that were still free, you never know, I might get an upgrade.. The ticket was a nightmare to book, mind - when I tried to add my payment details, it gave me an error! Failing to get a response from the box office, I tried the workaround of adding the payment details to my account and checking out again, which worked.

On Thursday, I wasn't really seeing anything - but CT then advertised two shows at 2Northdown that night. So I'm going to both! As you do. And then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - and finally get to pick up my new phone! But the Stansted Express isn't running again next Sunday, damnit..

Conference: SHERF 2021 & Cabaret: Marie Lloyd Stole My Life

Today, back with the Surrey History Meetup group - nominally - for yet another Zoom call. This time, it focused on SHERF 2021 - a day-long conference based on the work of the Surrey Historic Environment Research Framework, and specifically on church archaeology. As promoted by the Surrey Archaeological Society. Didn't think I'd quite be awake for the start, given the time I went to sleep!

And I wasn't. But after I got myself somewhat sorted, I turned it on in the background, and made a few talks.. there was one about the medieval practice of consuming stone dust! Yes, that was indeed a thing - they used to chip away at the stone walls of holy buildings, and save the dust to put in drinks. Hmm. (And nobody objected!) Then I watched a talk about how they think they've discovered the skeleton of some Anglo-Saxon saint - which was interesting - and a talk, massively abridged apparently, about the analysis of graffiti found in some old church. (The lady who kept nodding off during that one should really have turned off her camera.) Gee, imagine, this talk was once half as long again. But I will say this, there is a terrific amount of information to be gleaned in these old churches - they're a fantastic resource. And it's great that Surrey has such a rich historical tradition that they can make a conference around it! More power to them.

But gee, the London International Meetup belatedly advertised something good for this evening. They were off to a cabaret, at the Canal Cafe Theatre - this was Marie Lloyd Stole My Life! Now, TAC got me to a couple of shows here recently, at a cheap rate - pity they don't seem to have tickets for this! Never mind, I bought full-price, for once..

I had to go by Tube, but mercifully skirted the ongoing strike. And when I got there, the organiser was already in the bar, with another - after I'd got a drink, I joined them. Convivial chat followed, and when the time came for us to head upstairs, some loud-voiced person left us in no doubt. I was trying to juggle my drink and phone (complete with e-ticket), but never fear, giving my name was quite sufficient! And with a jazz version of The Little Drummer Boy on in the bar at the interval, and tinsel decorating the banister that led upstairs, you could say they are in the Christmas spirit, I guess..

We got tables near the front (there were five of us, in the end). And what a fun night! So, this is loosely based on the life of music hall performer Nelly Power - she takes the stage for the first half, regaling us with numbers as she describes her story, and how an upstart newcomer (the eponymous Marie Lloyd) nicked her most popular, as well as her manager. The second half, in contrast, concentrates more on the numbers.

Now, I'd heard of some of these - but didn't really know the words to any. But it was lovely to be in the midst of lots of people who did! I love 'em. Had a lovely time, and it was nice to meet all the folks. Very glad I made this last-minute decision! This show finishes tomorrow - very highly recommended, for those who fancy a traditional, music hall vibe.

Also very glad to be in from the cold, now - it's vicious out there. Now, while that conference was on today, I got an email from the Top Secret Comedy Club - advertising limited, £8 tickets for a David McSavage show tomorrow afternoon. Woo, I love that guy! So I've booked - jeez, haven't been there since the heady days of the Man with the Hat..

And I'll be done in time for evening, when I'm back with London European Club - we're off to Immigrant Comedy (standup comedy in English) at the Camden Comedy Club. Tickets from Eventbrite.. two shows, we're going to the later one. So, a Day of Comedy, indeed!

Talk: Dissolution of the Monasteries - Superstition, Scandal & Dodgy Dealing

So, I flew back to London last night. The weather's really turned cold, so I brought my warm coat, which has been in Ireland since March of last year (which did give me the chance to get it cleaned, as it sorely needed). And boy, was I glad I had, when we landed in Stansted and there was (ahem) ONLY ONE BUS to take us all from the nearly full plane to the terminal, as we had landed miles away, as usual, and at that time of night, that was our only option. Ah, the minutes we spent standing in the freezing cold breeze for another, which I thought must be like the initial experience of people exiled to Siberia. Particularly for the poor Ryanair employee who chaperoned us, and pointed out that he himself was only wearing a light suit, while pleading with us not to blame him, it wasn't his fault! Well no, it's the perpetual fault of the indifferent management of Stansted, who really do treat customers worse than cattle. As usual, a strong contender for Worst Airport in Europe.

Anyway, today, as mentioned previously, I was thinking of film again. What was coming up tops was Khel Khel Mein, a film about students learning the truth about Bangadesh's turbulent past. The ratings are crazy for this - starting at 8.1, within a day it had jumped to 8.3, and then stabilised at 9.1.. Closest showing is in the Vue Westfield Stratford City. Now, at Vue, it's cheaper to book online - but when I tried, their website was broken.

But then, yesterday, I got a last-minute reminder email from the Surrey History Meetup (SHM), for a Zoom talk this evening on Dissolution of the Monasteries - Superstition, Scandal & Dodgy Dealing. I hadn't seen it earlier, as it wasn't among the suggestions for "things to do near London". And I thought, you know what, that sounds more interesting to me. Not to mention that it was free, and I wouldn't have to travel for it - indeed, I'd be able to watch it in the office, and give a good impression by staying longer at my desk! And so I signed up for it - so it's a good thing that cinema website wasn't working.

Mind you, it wasn't the least complicated conference call I've ever done - turns out that the link provided was for registration, as I discovered when the organiser messaged me this morning to point out that I hadn't yet registered! which I promptly did. Then I had to forward the email I got following registration to my work email address - we can't access third-party email sites from our work computers any more - and when I clicked the link in that, in time for the talk.. I was asked for a passcode! Spent some anxious minutes thinking I hadn't got one, until I looked more closely at the email, and discovered a passcode in the subject line. I got in slightly late, but they didn't start for 10 minutes anyway. And I wasn't the only one with that problem - one woman spent 25 minutes looking for it, before posting a message on the event page. Just as well I was able to help her.

The talk was hosted by the Dorking Local History Group. Well apparently, this lady has given a few talks before, so they weren't so surprised that this one was well-attended, with over 50 participants. The event was advertised as running for two hours - but the talk itself was over in about 50 minutes, and there were about 15 minutes of questions before I logged off.

Not the best history talk I've ever attended, but it was interesting - and she made it fairly entertaining. She's from Yorkshire, but tried to make the talk as relevant as possible to Surrey - and I think she succeeded. Naturally - and despite sundry salubrious tales of debauchery on the part of clerics - the title relates more to the people responsible for the dissolutions, rather than the inhabitants of the religious houses that fell victim to them. With the devious Thomas Cromwell in charge, and assigned the task of dissolving as many as possible, charges were going to be invented, to enable institutions to be dissolved - their riches devolving to the spendthrift Henry VIII, their physical assets being snatched by rapacious local gentry. The clergy had to sign the Act of Supremacy, naming him supreme head of the Church of England, in order to secure a pension - the monks of London's Charterhouse, who refused, were starved to death en masse.

Lead was taken from the roofs, bells were melted down. Interesting anecdotes were included, such as how a local pond was dredged, and a pulpit recovered from the bottom - the clergy hid what they could, to avoid having to give it to Cromwell's agents. Or the stone from the building to be dissolved was used to repair the local church, this at least preserving the masonry for religious use. A few accounts of breweries whose origins lay with dissolved religious houses that had been used to brewing.. and yes, the dissolutions did help with the economy, as businesses that had been ringfenced by the clergy now went public. As well as breweries, think quarries - she used a Yorkshire example for that.

Questions were entered in the chat, and answered at the end. And we were given a Zoom survey, to which 81% responded with a "very good" or "excellent" rating. Great to have such a resource! And they saved me a journey tonight, to a film I was rather indifferent to.

Well, film tomorrow as well. So I checked that film's rating again - and would you credit it, it's now down to 8! meaning that we have a new contender. The Jump, only showing in the Curzon Bloomsbury, is a documentary about a Lithuanian sailor, back in the days of the Soviet Union, who chose to defect to the United States by jumping from his ship onto an American one. Didn't do him much good - they sent him back! but apparently the whole thing blew into a political storm. Sounds interesting - and saves me having to go to Stratford.. Not half sold out yet, so I'm keeping an eye on it.

Wednesday and Thursday, for the first time in a while, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats. On Wednesday, we're off to see The Drifters Girl, a musical about the female manager of The Drifters, played by Beverley Knight. Playing in the Garrick, and wouldn't you know, when I was checking it out, I saw a message from a member who couldn't go, and was willing to give away her ticket for free to the first person to get in touch. Well, it just goes to show, you can't even give tickets away - this was three days later, and I said I'd take the chance - sure enough, I was the first! It's a physical ticket, which she posted to me - now I just have to remember to take it with me! Not often, these days, I get a physical ticket. Oh, and yippee, Rear Stalls!

Looking forward to Thursday, when we're headed to Sadler's Wells for an Akram Khan production, the UK Premiere of Outwitting the Devil. Part of their Carnival of Shadows tour. And ooh, the first time I'll have been there since lockdown!

On Friday, back with one of my cheap ticket groups - TAC - for another concert at the Wimbledon Music Festival. This time, it's Yantra, an a cappella group, in the Trinity URC Church.

On Saturday, back with the SHM group - nominally - for yet another Zoom call. This time, it focuses on SHERF 2021 - a day-long conference based on the work of the Surrey Historic Environment Research Framework, and specifically on church archaeology. As promoted by the Surrey Archaeological Society.

And on Sunday, back with London European Club - we're off to Immigrant Comedy (standup comedy in English) at the Camden Comedy Club. Tickets from Eventbrite.. two shows, we're going to the later one.