Catford Literary Festival

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”

Festival of Sleep

Working as a Museum Director brings many privileges, not least the surroundings and the sense of history. Each day is an occasion. Each visitor’s reactions and responses are fascinating. Museum of the Home, where I have the joy to work, is a fascinating place. Set within former almshouses, the gracious 18th c proportions are domesticContinue reading “Festival of Sleep”

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.

Telling history like it is

A conversation with Professor Corinne Fowler of the University of Leicester, and Director of ‘Colonial Countryside: National Trust Houses Reinterpreted’

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”

Online Nation

Ofcom’s Online Nation was released yesterday. It offers a useful insight into how and why people in the UK use online tools and resources. And the findings may surprise some. They should. Check out the really handy thread from Rob Blackie which summarises the reports main findings – then get your grandparents to teach youContinue reading “Online Nation”

Developing Audiences

As someone who works in the Cultural Industry, I’m fascinated by the ongoing evolution of audiences: the way that some stick to what they know, detest change and just want to see their cultural and social type reflected while others feel freer to experiment, see new work which challenges them and respond to that, andContinue reading “Developing Audiences”