The weekend of 1 and 2 October saw the inaugural Catford Literary Festival. I missed events on the first day, but I was part of the second day where I chaired two panel discussions and met many lovely people. The Catford Literary Festival was set up by Natasha Clarkson of the Abbottshall Healthy Lifestyle CentreContinue reading “Catford Literary Festival”
Category Archives: Environment
Telling It Like It Is: Technology
Technology is increasingly manipulating our minds. What we think we want might not be what we actually need. And this is making us sick. So, what can we do about it? Take a look or listen to the podcast with my guest, Ian Douglas.
The Historical Presence
Until we claim the future with positivity and hope, the past will always be our stumbling block. The story of Robert Aske, The Royal Africa Company, profits from slavery, and how they funded the Haberdashers’ Aske’s schools.
Home
The time is right to unravel the meaning of ‘home’ for our changing times. Why, and how?
The new normal
Nothing’s ‘normal’ any more. For all of us, what’s happening now can, to put it plainly, mess with your head.
Imagining the future
In summer 2019, I was on panels discussing Decolonising Culture (Royal Academy) and Reimagining Britain (Queen Mary, University of London/ Wasafiri Magazine’s 35th anniversary). Many themes ran across both these experiences, foremost among them: Imagination can be a revolutionary act, and revolutions never end. Imagination and revolution are about words, voices, ideas, and actions; they’reContinue reading “Imagining the future”
The Sportsman at Seasalter
In Summer 2019 we had the enormous good fortune to be invited to lunch at The Sportsman at Seasalter. It was a curious accident of fate, it was meant to happen and to reconnect us with dear friends, renew old acquaintances, and it took place a few days after my beloved’s birthday, taking celebration toContinue reading “The Sportsman at Seasalter”
Indian Water Pickle and Paratha
I used to love my Mother’s Indian Water Pickle, eaten as a child with freshly made, flaky, buttery Paratha and a daal. It’s a North Indian classic. Like most pickles, it’s a way of preserving veg into the winter months. But let’s face it, it works any time of year. This particular pickle uses carrotContinue reading “Indian Water Pickle and Paratha”
Aromatic, warming, Lamb Curry
This dish is a favourite, and one I must have at least once or twice in June. It’s never quite the same when you have it in a restaurant. For the best warming and aromatic flavour experience, you really ought to try making this Lamb Curry with whole spices yourself. Sheep farming has long beenContinue reading “Aromatic, warming, Lamb Curry”
Spaghetti alla Norma
It’s a classic dish, Spaghetti alla Norma. Yet too often I’ve had versions which are bland, with aubergine undercooked, and rubbery. Vile. I encountered Italian food as a child. One of Kenya’s hidden secrets is its long-standing Italian population, resident there since the 1920’s – some fleeing Mussolini’s fascism, others a legacy of Italian misadventuresContinue reading “Spaghetti alla Norma”