#its my first time organising a fundraising event like this and i hope it all goes well

[stil-lindigo]

ARTISTS FOR PALESTINE 🇵🇸 - On the 6th and 9th of March, I'll be doing art requests on stream with other notable artists to raise money for Operation Olive Branch and the PCRF.

I'm incredibly lucky to be counting quite a few big names in the roster, including known Jesus and Odysseus enthusiast @wolfythewitch, the extraordinary fanartist @denimcatfish, and the incredibly talented @troubledminnesotan, as well as Lilypichu from OfflineTV.

You'll be able to watch the streams on the day of the event either on my twitch channel here, or via the links provided by the artists below.

Lilypichu

Cuptoast

Akairosu_

Sevvanto

Wolfythewitch

[lyfelessiris]

06/06/24

An essay i wrote on 'who am i?'

When I close my eyes, I see myself looking through a window and seeing a misty lush of evergreen trees in front of me. Other times, I see myself hopping from one rock to the next, in an outfit that is straight out of Indiana Jones' closet, with my colleagues around me, all of us excited to explore or discover something that hasn't been yet brought to the face of the world.

I remember my parents faces when I told them about my dreams; I remember the frowns on their faces and I remember the chastisement I got when I was still years away from chosing a degree i would pursue.

I have a lot to learn from my past, a lot to learn from my younger self, who never let the dark veils of negativity consume her. But there's something about discouragement that just lingers, waiting for the perfect time to strike.

If you had asked me a few years ago where I saw myself in the next 5 years, i wouldn't have had an answer for you. The pessimism had found its opportunity and stricken as hard as it could when I had to make the choice that would shape my entire future. I had chosen what I wanted, but somewhere in all the dark thoughts that surrounded me, one saw an opening and pierced right through my heart, then another, and then another. I lost my interest in everything, isolated myself and just drowned in a feeling that can only be described as something holding you down at the bottom of a lake without you even willing to swim to the surface.

One day, out of all my other usual 12 am thoughts that I have, this one surprised me quite a bit— why am I letting someone else's words define my life for me? It hit exactly where it should've. I got up, and like I usually do when I get any idea, I took out my notepad and I wrote. I wrote what I wanted. I wrote how I will get there. And at the end i wrote "you'll be okay."

I stood on the stage and I looked at the crowd sitting in front of me, i listened to the sound of their murmurs that filled the auditorium and I glanced at their expectant eyes waiting for me to start my speech. There was this pit in my stomach. I think it has always been there, but now it was awake, like a monster wanting to be fed. But I didn't let it consume me. I had learned a thing or two from my past self. I looked at my friends who were sitting in the front row, because I had told them to do so, and I started speaking, exactly like I had practiced it.

When the results were announced, my heart sank as I didn't get the post of the cultural prefect which I had aimed for, but then, as if someone had just performed cpr on me, I heard my name being called and the position following it— The creative head of the student council.

Day by day, as I worked through the artful requirements of a particular event, immersed myself in my studies which I had regained my interest in, worked hard as the intern of various organisations or gave my best at the numerous competitions which I participated in, I restored the faith that i had lost in myself.

While browsing through social media for novel opportunities with this newfound confidence that i had, i stumbled upon an organisation that helped the underprivileged through the medium of art. I was immediately compelled to join it. I still remember the first event where I volunteered— a fundraiser, where we sold our paintings, handmade bracelets, bookmarks, crocheted hats and much more. All of us had worked so hard on them, knowing that a hundred percent of what we earned would be used to help others. My volunteering expeditions took off from there— I was out every other week either painting a mural on the walls of an educational institutions for the underprivileged, interacting with children and asking them about their hopes and dreams or participating in a fundraiser, and even joining another ngo.

"Everything you lose is a step you take." Its a lyric from one of my favourite songs— You're on your own kid by Taylor Swift.

There was a time when a small mishap or a setback would've led to me rotting in my bed for days. But that isn't the case now. I've learned how to regulate my emotions, courtesy of one of my internship mentors who encouraged me to keep a diary; I've learned to pick myself up, I've learned to stand on my own two feet, according to my own terms; I've learned that failure does not define who I am or who I will be; And lastly, I've learned that everything is dynamic, even ourselves, that everyday you wake up, you are different version of who you were and that it's never too late to be brand new.

Who am I? Well, to define is to limit.

[theladyofmanyfandomsfanfiction]

Spook-vengers Tower

Characters: Reader, Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, Peter Parker, Natasha Romanoff, Clint Barton, Bucky Barnes, Sam Wilson (all platonic)

Inspiration: Halloween!

Warnings: None.

Summary: Your plan to host a Halloween party at the tower was sabotaged and so, you enlist the help of the mighty Avengers. What could go wrong?

It had been perfectly planned out from decorations to the catering and music - that was, until Baron Zemo attacked the tower the day before. It was a futile, and frankly petty, retaliation that he knew he would lose given that all Avengers were stationed at the base. The villain was quickly tossed out but the damage had been done to the top floor where you were meant to be hosting a Halloween party for the children of New York as a charity fundraiser.

With less than twenty-four hours on the clock you thought that a full home of superheroes could be wrangled together for the common cause to help fix the mess.

Oh, how you were wrong.

Yes, they banded like a team. And yes, they allocated specific tasks.

The only problem was that they appeared to be working according to their own time and party design post-tower fight. Your only saviour was Natasha who you trusted to pick up a themed-cake from Hell’s Kitchen without a fuss.

With the Black Widow out on a dessert mission, you found yourself watching the rest of the team put up the ‘emergency’ decorations after a quick clean up of shattered glass and broken tables.

“I don’t know if I should be in the kitchen, (Y/n). It’s a stressful place.” Bruce confessed a little sheepishly. You would have taken sympathy on the doctor but the man with multiple PhD’s had the easiest job. All he needed to do was follow the recipe for all the cold treats - you even organised the ingredients.

“Bruce. There’s literally nothing to bake or measure. And if following instructions to mix melted chocolate is too hard then you really don’t have a promising career as a chef.”

You hadn’t meant for it to sound snappy but his complaint came across as meagre. Of course, despite being overwhelmed with the volume of things happening, you weren’t a horrible person and your eyes caught themselves on the short, tousled brown hair of their youngest member. Peter had been carrying orange and black chairs three times his weight across the room when he spotted you waving him over. The young boy quickly set the chairs down by an overturned table and jogged over.

“(Y/n), this is going to be an amazing party. What can I do to help?”

His peppy voice and eager eyes managed to coax a brief smile from you and you gestured to the scientist standing to your side. “Think you can give Bruce a hand in the kitchen with the party treats?”

“Halloween candy preparation with the Hulk?” Peter clapped his hands together. “Count me in!”

Bruce gave a nervous laugh as he led his chatty partner back towards the kitchen. You took in a deep breath and closed your eyes hoping that you hadn’t just added to your list of problems. 

Ready to check on the rest of the preparation, you turned around and managed to take a step forward before Steve approached you with a pumpkin and a proud smile. He shifted the pumpkin ‘face’ around in his hands so you could see it.

“What do you think?”

A monkey - the man carved a damn monkey onto the hull of the vegetable. You glanced over his shoulder to the table and found that the primate wasn’t alone. It’s like he had created a pumpkin zoo.

“They’re meant to be scary.” You told him bluntly, no trace of an amused smile on your face. “Scary - not educational.”

Steve looked at his creation, shoulders and smile dropping a little. “Well, I thought that...”

“It’s pumpkin carving, you shouldn’t need to think when there’s less than fifteen hours until people arrive!”

The outburst came out louder than expected and drew the attention of the few in the room. Tony sauntered over and draped an arm around your shoulders, “You know, I think I might change my costume and just go as you. Honestly, it’s a lot more frightening.”

You heard a roar of laughter from the God of Thunder by the balcony and shot him a scathing look that made the man swallow down any further jests in pure fear. Tony gestured to the newfound silence, emphasising his point. “See?”

You lifted his arm and freed yourself from his carefree attitude with a huff. It was difficult enough that your earlier preparations were ruined and now the team - who usually had your back when villains rained hell - were treating this like a joke.

“Lighten up, (Y/n). We’re going to have a great ‘Spooky Town Monster Mash’.” Clint commented as he attached some fake cobwebs to an arrow. With his eyes cast down, he couldn’t see how furious you were when he got the name of the party wrong - and you had repeated it several times in the last week! 

The avenger aimed his bow high above the elevator door and let it the loaded arrow fly until it hit its mark and splattered the white cotton messily against the wall. The only thing he succeeded in doing was jamming the doors as they attempted to close - the mechanics whirring and grinding loudly. 

The Hawkeye pursed his lips and hummed at what had just unfolded. “I think your decorations are a little dodgy.” He assumed despite it being clear that his idea to use his weapons indoors backfired.

You were raging at this point and probably just about to scream at the top of your lungs when there was the distinct beep of an incoming message was heard through the room. A holographic screen appeared in the centre of the room with the familiar faces of Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes. All eyes were drawn to it and Steve paused what he was doing as he stepped forward.

“Hey guys.” Sam greeted in a quick whisper, eyes glancing around the figures in the room before landing on the blonde-haired man. “We’ve tracked Zemo to an abandoned medical facility but he’s got more friends than the two of us can handle and-”

Suddenly, the Falcon was nudged aside as Bucky leaned in closer. “Did you carve a monkey on that pumpkin?” He asked with a frown. Steve glanced down at the orange vegetable in his hands and racked his brain for a response when Sam took charge of the call once more, pushing his co-Avenger out of frame.

“So, can you spare a helping hand?”

Straightening his shoulders, the Captain nodded. “I’m on it.” He confirmed and waved his hand to close the projection. He had just turned to ask if there were any volunteers when you stormed past him in a blur.

“I’ll go.” You said quickly, leaving no room to argue. “This tower is a nightmare.”

Almost two hours later, you found yourself wrapping the last five of Zemo’s henchmen together with some rope while narrating how their boss destroyed your event which was being ruined further by your friends.

“...so, you can’t blame me for wanting to throw one of them off the tower, right? All I wanted was a fun night for the children.”

The henchmen looked at each other confused and gave a small grunt in reply. It didn’t really answer you but at least it meant that they were listening. You fastened the rope together and began to talk again about classic Halloween parties when Sam and Bucky returned. They jogged past the knocked out soldiers until they reached you.

“Zemo took off.” Bucky sighed, head shaking with disappointment.

You couldn’t blame him or Sam, sometimes the bad guy got away but it just meant that you’d be ready to strike them down when they resurfaced.

“We’ll get another shot at him.” You smiled.

Sam nudged his friend in the metal arm and chuckled. “Come on, we’ve got a Halloween party to get to.”

And just like that - you remembered why you came on this mission.

“Can’t we just stay here or go out for a drink instead of going back home?” You asked only for Sam to laugh and shake his head.

“Not a chance. Friends don’t let friends attend party disasters alone.”

Bucky perked up at the change of topic and sent you a sympathetic smile. “(Y/n) you just took out twenty armed henchmen. The party has nothing on you.”

You would have stayed to argue the point further but it would have been futile as the duo refused to step back. With a reluctant sigh, you agreed to return to the tower and found yourself standing in front of the tenth floor doors, mentally preparing yourself for the chaos inside.

Alright, let’s get this over with. You thought and pushed the wooden panels wide open.

The first thing you saw was a bright orange and black banner hanging across the balcony window reading ‘Happy Halloween’. Then your eyes dropped lower to a confectionary table that was decorated and hosted party snacks, including a mystical bowl of fruit punch that sent plumes of smoke over the edges until it fell into nothing. Children were laughing and screaming and you noticed the spookily-carved pumpkins - not a monkey in sight!

“What the...?”

Tony strolled over and handed you a glass of red wine. “Welcome to Spook-vengers Tower.” He smiled, taking a sip.

You watched a few children run around and play while some pulled down the fake webs and others grabbed as much candy as possible. When you had left, this place was a shamble so the turn around was surprising until you spotted a few of the Avengers by the table.

“Nat put the fear of god into you, didn’t she?”

Tony smacked his lips together, enjoying the beverage. “Like you have no idea.”

Masterlist here

[unlikelycoffeenight]

What do Hydraulic Pumps and Paris Hilton have in common?

Nothing. If you would like to know about hydraulic pumps though, just follow this link: https://www.antech-hyd.co.uk/, more specifically dual-placement motors, if that piques your interest: https://www.antech-hyd.co.uk/products/staffa-motors/staffa-hmc-series/.

 Now that that is out of the way, let’s talk about interesting facts about Paris.

 Paris Whitney Hilton, born on February 17th, 1981, was made for success from the start. Her grandfather owned the famous Hilton hotels, meaning she was wealthy before she was born. Being known to be “famous for being famous”, she had a newsworthy lifestyle of lavish expenditures, controversies, and several different business ventures which only perpetuated each other, building her brand beyond.

 Reality TV star

To capitalise on her fame and build her brand further, she did a reality TV show called “The Simple Life” with fellow socialite Nicole Richie (Lionel Richie’s adopted daughter). Taking an ironic viewpoint, the show was about bringing the girls from their upper echelon social circles to normal people and making them do normal jobs such as fast-food work, farming, room-cleaning, and camp counselling. As you would expect, they did a really bad job at everything they were tasked to do, but it was entertaining nevertheless!

 The season ran for three seasons. In its first season, it was an absolute hit. The first episode brought in 13 million viewers, increasing the Fox adult 18-49 rating by 79 per cent. She also went on to do more reality TV shows such as “Paris Hilton: My New BFF”, “Cooking with Paris and “Paris in Love”.

 Influence on Pop Culture

Paris Hilton’s influence on pop culture is obvious, especially during the “Y2K” period. Triggering trends such as Juicy Couture tracksuits, trucker caps, skimpy outfits, lots of accessories and dogs to match – she made everyone want to be her. Being wildly covered in tabloid magazines, this only boosted her status as the IT girl of her time.

 With trademarked catchphrases such as “sliving”, “loves it” and of course, the most notorious “that’s hot” she influenced the dialect of how people interacted with each other. Curating and serving the brand of the “dumb blonde”, she sold a character that was easily recognisable, immediately controversial, and most importantly – lucrative. To match her additions to what people spoke, there needed to be an influence on how it was spoken too. In public, she used to speak with a breathy, child-like tone to really sell this ignorant, dumb, hot girl image. Which worked! Gone on to be used by very famous acts such as Britney Spears in her music – it was a great branding tactic to get people talking.

 Music career

Did you know that Paris has actually made music before? In August of 2006, she released her self-titled debut album “Paris”, which reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 200 and sold over 600,000 copies worldwide. The most successful single from the album “Stars Are Blind” was a global hit. Being played by more than 125 pop stations in the US, the song reached the top ten in 17 countries!

 She went on to sign to Lil Wayne’s label “Young Money Entertainment”, starring in the video for “Tapout” by Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Future and Mack Maine. Although music was not something she would regularly release at all, she was still signed, dropping a song with Lil Wayne called “Good Time”.

  Activism

In 2011, Paris Hilton publicly supported an LGBT rights organisation “NOH8”. She regularly attends fundraising events and visits children’s hospitals whenever she goes abroad. She has also been involved in Starlight Children’s Foundation and the Make-A-Wish foundation. She is listed on the “First Families” of the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles which was earned by donating $100,000 or more to the hospital.

  As mentioned, if you want to know about hydraulic motors, follow this link:

https://www.antech-hyd.co.uk/

. I hope you enjoyed these Paris Hilton facts!

[architectnews]

David Hockney at Piccadilly Circus, London

Piccadilly Circus David Hockney, London Lights Art, UK City Screen News, Design Pictures, Building

David Hockney at Piccadilly Circus

1 May 2021

David Hockney Digital Sunrise at Piccadilly Circus, London

David Hockney Creates Digital Sunrise For London’s Iconic Piccadilly Lights And Screens Around The World

LONDON – NEW YORK – LOS ANGELES – SEOUL – TOKYO

A new video work by David Hockney, one of the world’s most celebrated living artists, will be unveiled on London’s Piccadilly Lights screen on 1 May at 20:21 BST.

The screening is part of a global collaboration, curated by Josef O’Connor, Founder and Artistic Director of CIRCA, an innovative new platform showcasing digital art in the public space. It is presented in partnership with Times Square Arts’ Midnight Moment program in New York, synchronised over 70 electronic billboards, COEX K-POP Square, the largest LED screen in South Korea, and Yunika Vision in Japan.

David Hockney, said: “What does the world look like? We have to take time to see its beauty. That’s what I hope my work will encourage people to do when they see it on the large screens.”

The new video, titled Remember you cannot look at the sun or death for very long, will be shown every evening throughout the month of May at the following times and locations:

London: Piccadilly Lights, at 20:21BST

New York: Times Square, at 23:57EST

Los Angeles: Pendry West Hollywood, at 20:21PST

Seoul: Coex K-POP Square, at 20:21KST

Tokyo: Yunika Vision, Shinjuku, at 09:00JST

Online via the CIRCA.ART website every evening, at 20:21BST

In this worldwide display of unity, Hockney’s animated sunrise offers a powerful symbol of hope and collaboration as many parts of the world awaken from lockdown. In place of advertisements, members of the public living across these four cities are given the opportunity for a spontaneous encounter with Hockney’s meditation on the arrival of spring.

Created on the artist’s iPad in Normandy, France, this global happening coincides with the release of Hockney’s new book Spring Cannot Be Cancelled and his Royal Academy exhibition The Arrival of Spring, Normandy, 2020 opening 23rd May to 26th September 2021.

David Hockney Still from _Remember you cannot look at the sun or death for very long_ 2020 iPad painting: image © David Hockney

A Time-Limited Poster by David Hockney is available to buy for £100 (exc. VAT) on the CIRCA website until 31 May 2021. Created especially in support of the #CIRCAECONOMY, which arises in response to our post-Covid world, 70% of the profits will be used to commission new culture and help support the creative community with the distribution of cash grants to artists and institutions. For more info, click here.

The CIRCA.ART website will stream Hockney’s sunrise every evening at 20:21 BST.

Social Activation

CIRCA is inviting people to support the community by waking up early and uploading either a video or photo onto social media (#HOCKNEYCIRCA) of a real sunrise in their local neighbourhood. Participants are encouraged to make a donation in support of international and local organisations working to provide COVID relief and urgent supplies. A selection of submissions chosen by David Hockney will receive a free poster.

Norman Rosenthal, Chairman of The CIRCA Council, added “I love the idea of sunrise at sunset. It’s a profound idea.”

Josef O’Connor, Artistic Director, CIRCA, said: “There has never been a better time for this shining image of hope, which links people across borders and continents to celebrate the arrival of spring. We are especially grateful to David Hockney, a master in exploring the boundaries of new media, for allowing CIRCA to present his work in such a bold and democratic way, connecting Piccadilly Lights with screens all around the world.”

Derek Manns, Commercial Media Director for Landsec said: “Piccadilly Lights is the beating heart of the UK, and has been the voice of the nation for the past twelve months whilst the global pandemic has prevented so many of us from connecting, sharing and being with the people around us. This is a campaign filled with hope and beauty just as we start to emerge from lockdown. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the reopening of London and other cultural destinations around the world.”

Jean Cooney, Director, Times Square Arts said: “We’re proud to be a part of this international collaboration featuring one of the world’s most renowned living artists advocating for hope and new horizons amidst the incredible uncertainty we face as a global society. This partnership across four countries marks the most expansive collaboration to date in Times Square’s Midnight Moment program’s nine-year history.”

David Hockney Time Limited #CIRCAECONOMY Poster 2021: image © David Hockney

ABOUT DAVID HOCKNEY

David Hockney (b. 1937) is one of the world’s most influential and celebrated living artists. From the 1960’s, when he first burst onto the art scene in London, he has remained a significant force in the art world, not only for his paintings, drawings and printmaking, but also for his interrogation of photography and new media in addition to stage design. Long associated with recording life in Los Angeles, the past two decades have seen a re-engagement with the European landscape and the natural world.

In 2009, David Hockney began expanding his practice from a decades-long reliance on analog mediums to that of iPad drawings. What began as drawing with his thumb on an iPhone quickly shifted to drawing with a stylus pen on the newly released iPad: “There was great advantage in this medium because it’s backlit and I could draw in the dark. I didn’t ever have to get out of bed,”

ABOUT TIMES SQUARE ARTS

Times Square Arts, the public art program of the Times Square Alliance, collaborates with contemporary artists and cultural institutions to experiment and engage with one of the world’s most iconic urban places. Through the Square’s electronic billboards, public plazas, vacant areas and popular venues, and the Alliance’s own online landscape, Times Square Arts invites leading contemporary creators to help the public see Times Square in new ways.

Times Square has always been a place of risk, innovation and creativity, and the Arts Program ensures these qualities remain central to the district’s unique identity.Times Square Arts’s Midnight Moment program is the world’s largest, longest-running digital art exhibition, synchronized on electronic billboards throughout Times Square nightly from 11:57pm to midnight. Presented by the Times Square Advertising Coalition and curated by Times Square Arts since 2012, it has an estimated annual viewership of 2.5 million.

ABOUT CIRCA

Created by artist Josef O’Connor in partnership with Piccadilly Lights, CIRCA commissions a different artist each month to present new ideas that consider our world circa 2021. Each artist is invited to create a new work for Europe’s largest screen that offers an innovative and exciting way for people to engage with art, both outside and online, in a safe and socially distanced way. Hockney’s work will pause the adverts on London’s Piccadilly Light’s screen at 20:21BST, a new time for 2021.

Visitors to Piccadilly Circus can connect their headphones to WWW.CIRCA.ART and receive a fully immersive audio-visual experience. The website also streams the artwork every evening at 20:21BST and hosts supporting content alongside past archives of CIRCA commissioned work from artists including Patti Smith, Tony Cokes and Ai Weiwei.

Starting from just £100, supporters are invited to become a CIRCA supporter as part of their innovative new fundraising campaign ‘c. YOUR NAME IN LIGHTS’ which offers 1,000 people the unique opportunity to support free public art and see their name appear on the Piccadilly Lights screen every evening until the end of 2021. To find out more, please visit: www.circa.art/support-circa

CIRCA has been made possible by Landsec, landlord of Piccadilly Lights, who have kindly donated media space as a helpful boost to the cultural scene in London’s West End.

ABOUT PICCADILLY LIGHTS

The Piccadilly Lights advertisement screen has been one of London’s icons for over a century and is unmissable for the 100 million people who pass through Piccadilly Circus every year. A cultural landmark in the Landsec property portfolio, at a time when culture and the arts have been heavily impacted, Landsec have donated time to CIRCA, an independently curated digital art platform, to create an institutional collaboration as a celebration of the arts in the public space, and to support the cultural community of London’s West End.

ABOUT YUNIKA VISION

The Largest 3-Paneled LED Screen in Japan, Yunika Vision is the outdoor digital signage complex which combines 3 large-scale 100m2 LED vision screens with a 52m vision screen for text broadcasting. As a landmark befitting the international Shinjuku district, they provide worldwide news and information daily.

Not only utilizing the 3 massive screens for a powerful visual impact, they also deliver various information and services. These include interlinked broadcasts with SNS and smartphones, event-linked broadcasts held at the PePe plaza  in front of the Seibu-Shinjuku Station , and real-time information services also incorporating webcasts. Readying for the IoT age, they aim to expand the infinite possibilities of outdoor media by producing synergistic effects through these endeavors.

ABOUT COEX K-POP SQUARE

Korea’s biggest digital billboard “COEX K-pop Square”, which is built and operated by CJ Powercast, has become the talk of the town, obtaining local as well as international attention. Measuring 81 meters in width and 21 meters in height Total measurement of 1700 square meters, (,Coex K-POP Square takes the two-dimensional display to another level, providing a three-dimensional sense of space and a whole new visual experience to the audience.

Previusly on e-architect:

3 August 2020 ‘I Saw The World End still’ London by Es Devlin & Machiko Weston photo courtesy of Es Devlin I Saw The World End still

24 Jan 2017

Piccadilly Lights Renewal

Renewal of the Piccadilly Lights

The iconic Piccadilly Lights owned by Land Securities will undertake the major upgrade from January 2017.

image courtesy Land Securities

Piccadilly Circus

The existing screens will be replaced with Europe’s largest single digital screen.

source: Piccadilly Lights Renewal

Piccadilly Lights London from the past:

The signs originally used light bulbs which were later replace with neon lights. In 1998, digital projectors were first introduced and LED displays completely replaced neon by 2011.

Piccadilly Lights in London:

The first sign was for Perrier in 1908.

Piccadilly Lights Coca Cola sign:

e-architect editor Adrian Welch got a rare opportunity to view the famous advertising elements from behind and from the top:

Scans of Piccadilly Circus photos by Adrian Welch in 1996:

Location: Piccadilly Circus, London, England, UK

London Building Designs

Contemporary London Architecture Designs

London Architectural Designs – chronological list

London Architecture Walking Tours – tailored UK capital city walks by e-architect

London Architects Offices

London Architecture News

Piccadilly Circus L Building Development Proposal Design: Fletcher Priest, architects Piccadilly Circus London Building

Piccadilly Building Art photo : Dirk Lindner

Piccadilly Building Design: Squire and Partners Piccadilly Building

Key Public Spaces close by

Leicester Square

Trafalgar Square

London Architecture – Selection

Natural History Museum

Houses of Parliament

National Gallery Building

Buildings / photos for the David Hockney at Piccadilly Circus, London page welcome

Website: Piccadilly Circus

The post David Hockney at Piccadilly Circus, London appeared first on e-architect.

[freshginandtonic]

I Just Haven't MET You Yet: Thoughts on the Super Bowl of Fashion

The Met Gala is the the Olympics of fashion. As my title suggests, it has been called the Super Bowl of fashion. Athletes train for years - buffed and polished to an inch of their life to go out there and achieve excellence in sport. For the Met it’s excellence in fashion. Once a year, we (or at least my mother and myself) wait with bated breath to see what everyone wears.

As many of us are currently, I am working from home at the minute - today before I started my commute (15 seconds from my bed to my desk), instead of activewear I decided to put on my designated fancy ass velvet dress I bought about four years ago that I now wear to any vaguely formal occasion (with an abundance of tape to deal w how low cut it is) - and a puffer jacket (it’s cold af in my room) to commemorate the gala.

This year’s theme was supposed to be ‘About Time: Fashion and Duration’ I googled this concept and found the following information on the Met’s website: “it will explore how clothes generate temporal associations that conflate past, present, and future. Virginia Woolf will serve as the "ghost narrator" of the exhibition.”

My thoughts on this are as follows: firstly, ‘About Time’ is a great film if you haven’t seen it. Secondly, clothes conflating the past present and future - it’s a big yes from me. Thirdly, can Virginia Woolf serve as the ghost narrator of my entire life? What an idea.

The co-chairs this year were going to be Anna Wintour, Meryl Streep, Emma Stone, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Nicolas Ghesquiere. I mean, that list in itself is like a dream party list because you just know you’ll be getting a Streep-Stone-Miranda musical number in between drinks and dinner. I also don’t really know what being a co-chair of the event MEANS, but I’m guessing its some kind of vague organisational role where but you defer to Anna on everything - basically a school captain and principal set up.

For those of you who want a quick crash course in the, who, the what and the why I’m even talking about this gala thing here’s the tea: The Met Gala is the annual fundraising gala for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City and marks the opening of the Costume Institute's annual fashion exhibit. Vogue have just done a video to explain the history so pls get enlightened.

However if you want more than 6 minutes and 50 seconds of how it all works, look no further than the 2016 documentary ‘The First Monday in May’. The film covers the months leading up to the 2015 Gala and the night itself. The theme that year was ‘China: Through The Looking Glass’, and it was all about the impact of Chinese design on Western fashion over the centuries.

The film is a huge eye opener into the pressure, time constraints, and sheer elbow grease that goes into the event. It’s also the closest thing to The Devil Wears Prada I’ve seen since ‘The September Issue’ . Anna Wintour flits around the museum with her sunnies and her giant cup of Starbucks, and scenes of Anna’s assistant and event organisers excessively vetting people from the guest list (“Josh Hartnett? What has he done lately?”) are amazing but also can you IMAGINE watching it and seeing them bitch about you?! Quelle nightmare.

Also if you’re a nosy Parker like me fun fact you can pause on the shots of the seating charts, and see who’s sitting next to who - I managed to squint and see Baz Luhrmann next to Jennifer Lawrence, Amal Clooney next to Tom Ford, and‘Jared Leto TBC’. How ominous.

As I mentioned earlier the show I work on covers the Met Gala - and yes, thanks to the time difference ‘the First Tuesday in May’ really doesn’t have the same snazzy ring to it. So come last year we were prepared to report on it - in 2020, I recalled it fondly, and also stressfully with my bosses video calling me at 7:30 this morning to remind me it was Met Gala Day and giving me a triple bypass in the process.

From my memory, the Queen of Camp at the 2019 gala was Lady Gaga - I remember watching her pink carpet entrance at work (I was the Met Gala producer that day - definitely not a real thing) and realising that every time I looked up at my screen she had a different outfit on - I believe there were four in total, which gave me palpitations at the time as I had to have three separate slabs of overlay to show the transition between her looks - but now a full year later I can appreciate her sheer artistry.

The 2019 theme was ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion.’ The exhibit was inspired by Susan Sontag's 1964 essay that defines camp as "love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration.” It’s something that Sontag describes as “esoteric - something of a private code, a badge of identity even, among small urban cliques.” It seems to me that’s the best way to describe the Gala itself? Something out of the ordinary, opulent and pretty much unattainable to normal people looking in from the outside that manages to seduce us all every year.

There were so many great looks last year I can’t possibly go through them all, so quick honourable mentions to the following: Harry Styles , Ezra Miller, Lily Collins, Irina Shayk, Kim Kardashian, and Hamish Bowles to name far too few. Also some great online stuff came out as well: this movie trailer for the event and this brilliant video showing how the Vogue social media team handled the event.

Despite all this, I have to say that yes, while the ‘Camp’ year was, indeed shit hot, and I lived for every moment of it, my favourite year was in fact 2017.

The theme was ‘Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination’, and after 13 years of Catholic education and living with a deeply religious grandmother who keeps a bunch of icons around our house I can firmly say Alleluia and Thanks Be to God. The main thing I remember from this year was this amazing video that Vogue put up (and apparently took down as I had to find it on Facebook) showing celebrities flouncing around the museum in their finery.

My friend Georgie and I were going through our favourite looks from previous years over Zoom last night, and while she had gone for looks from like 1974 to present day, literally all of mine were from 2017 bc I loved them all so much. Plus looking through I remembered that Shawn Mendes and Hailey (now) Bieber were a couple for about 30 seconds.

I must particularly make mention of Zendaya, Emilia Clarke, Greta Gerwig, Ariana Grande, Bella Hadid, Rihanna, Kate Bosworth, Blake Lively, Lily Collins, Kim Kardashian, Chadwick Boseman, Cardi B and Priyanka Chopra who, although perennially irritating since becoming Priyanka Chopra Jonas, cannot be ignored for her excellent use of red velvet here. As you can probably tell I found it REALLY hard to narrow that all down.

I am someone who decided at least five years ago that they would one day attend the gala (I haven’t quite figured out why I would be invited, but even Kim Kardashian started as a plus one so there’s hope for me yet). Every year I look at red carpet as my altar, the stars the saints and angels (yeesh, can you tell I went to Catholic school - and I actually believe this garbage). I don’t know how a short walk up some stairs to a museum became so fraught with power but there it is. Every time I go out in something approximating a ballgown (bringing it back to the red dress, people) I imagine how I would walk, who I would talk to, what my hair would look like (very important), and who I would have at my table (slightly less important than hair). And of course, addressing Anna (through her all things were made, for us and for our salvation, maker of Heaven and Earth, of all that is seen and unseen etc).

Maybe she would look at me and nod approvingly with a wry smile (please refer to the end scene of the Devil Wears Prada to see exactly how this would happen, but hopefully the smile would be a bit warmer than what you would give an ex-employee) and I would walk on, secure in the knowledge that Anna and I had connected on a deeply spiritual level. Then I imagine I would head straight to the bar to recover.

NOW KEEP READING HUN

A quick note for people who want to read fun stuff/watch fun stuff about the Met Gala to compensate for this trash year, here are some funky links to what Vogue has going on:

Anna Wintour Addresses the Met Gala and Florence + The Machine Performs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HptQEYkMrVQ

Thinking of the Met on a Not-So-Typical First Monday in May https://www.vogue.com/article/moment-with-the-met-vogue-global-conversations

25 Years of Met Gala Themes: A Look Back at Many First Mondays in May https://www.vogue.com/article/met-gala-themes

Only at the Met: An Oral History of the World’s Most Glamorous Gala https://www.vogue.com/article/the-complete-met-gala-oral-history

See the Costume Institute’s New (Though Postponed) Show About Time https://www.vogue.com/article/costume-institute-about-time-preview

The Most Unforgettable Met Gala Beauty Looks—According to the Hair and Makeup Artists Behind Them.                             https://www.vogue.com/article/met-gala-makeup-artists-hair-stylists-instagram

Naomi Campbell Breaks Down 30 Years’ Worth of Met Gala Magic https://www.vogue.com/article/naomi-campbell-life-in-looks-met-gala-video

A Look Back at a Decade of Stunning Met Gala Interiors https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/a-look-back-at-a-decade-of-stunning-met-gala-interiors

Sarah Jessica Parker Shares a Playlist Inspired by the Met Gala Theme ‘About Time: Fashion and Duration’                              https://www.vogue.com/article/sarah-jessica-parker-met-gala-about-time-playlist

[gulgbtqplus]

AGM Candidates

This year, due to coronavirus, we are having out AGM online. We are also taking questions online via this form, https://forms.gle/kh2gkvKt8LQdzDct7 , and answers to questions will be updated on this website.

We are still tweaking the voting but are hoping to open it on the 25th, the original planned date of our AGM. Stay tuned for updates!

We will update the candidates as more applications come in! Here’s what we have so far...

President

1) Emily T (she/her) Why do you want this position?  “ I believe I'd be very well suited to this position due to already having two years of experience on the GULGBTQ+ Committee so far, one year as First Year OM and this year as the Events Officer. In these roles I have run coffees, helped to organise large and small events, been in charge of the organisation of this years Queerfest and been involved in collaborations with the SRC and with other Societies on Campus such as the Quidditch Society, Food and Body Positivity Society, Feminist Society and the Self-Defense Society, as well as communicating with organisations and individuals outside of university. I have great time management and organisational skills that I've been applying to these positions on committee, and I feel they will be even more useful in my role as president. I'm a very friendly and welcoming individual, which I know doesn't come across so well in a written speech but hopefully to those that have met me in person and are currently talking to us on our brand new, lockdown-friendly discord channel will see it more. Hopefully I would be a very welcoming face and presence for the society and I can continue to carry on building links with other societies on campus, working with the SRC and welcoming new and old members to the society. I would also hope to continue to improve how welcoming we are to these new members, as I know that is a criticism we have had previously. As part of this I will continue our work with the BAME Society and the SRC to make our society more welcoming to people of colour in the community, who can often feel excluded from the very white scene in Glasgow and from this society as well. As well as this I will continue the committees efforts towards making the society as accessible as possible so that we are available as a space for anyone and everyone who wishes to come along to our events. I hope you vote for me because I'm really committed to making this society as good as it possibly can be for all who want it and need it as a safe space, a social space, a supporting space or just somewhere to go for a good time. I know that this society has been a real lifeline for me and for others, even through more difficult times like losing our Twitter earlier in the year, but I think that it's still a really incredible and important place for LGBTQ+ folks on campus and I'd be really grateful and honoured if you'd elect me as president so that I'd be able to carry on that legacy. “ VP Secretary

1) Will (they/them)

Why do you want this position? “  I'm running for the VP Secretary position because, in the year I've spent on committee so far as both Men's Officer and Non-Binary Officer, I have been able to put a lot into the society which I will elaborate on further in the manifesto. I believe in this position, I would be able to go above and beyond what I have already achieved, which would help the society to thrive. As for why I think I'm well suited for the role - I have successfully run 3 different coffees this year, 2 of which I introduced myself. My attendance is extremely reliable at all of our events, especially on Wednesday evenings, whether in the form of organisation, running them, or just making an awful joke to entertain. I ran two panels this year - the Trans Food and Body Positivity Panel, and the Mental Health panel - which were both extremely well attended, and successful (despite my tendency to get my own pronouns wrong!) I helped to run not only our Waverley Care bake sale, wherein we provided free HIV spot tests, but also the Trans Day of Remembrance event, and the Winter Ceilidh. I contributed to both the Ceilidh and TDOR - the former by sourcing and collecting raffle prizes, and the latter by speaking about my journey and experiences as a non-binary person. I have showcased my cross-campus skills on multiple occasions by working with individuals from the QMU, GUSA, the SRC, as well as a number of GU societies. These have included BAME, the Food and Body Positivity Society, BEAT, and Aloud. Moreover, I have contacts outside of the university - such as Category Is, and the Scottish Trans Alliance. I feel that this is important to mention, as working with others is an important part of the VP Sec role. As such, I believe this showcases my ability to handle the responsibilities and the pressures of the role. In addition to these qualities, which would benefit me in the more formal aspects of the role, I feel that I am a kind and approachable person. I am a keen attender and snack provider of our Monday lunchtime drop-ins, at which I try my best to interact with, and welcome, as many society members as possible. As for what wish to achieve in this role, my primary aim is maintaining the high standards of the previous committee. Though I might be biased, as a current committee member, I think that the committee has done an excellent job at bouncing back from previous years’ hardships. I aim to continue this in the following year, as well as continuing the work that has been done to make the society more welcoming and accessible place. This is especially prevalent in regards to our disabled, POC, and international student members. I aim to further this, and to uphold the constitutional standards of safety for our members. I want new students, as well as current students who may be unsure about joining the society, to view the society as a place will not only accept them, but that they want to be. Being elected as your next VP Sec would be an honour, and I will ensure that everything I do is the best that I can for everyone. Thank you, and vote for me!”

VP Treasurer

1) Judith she/they Why do you want this position? “Why do I want this position?  - GULGBTQ+ has given me so much, and I want to give back to it - my year as international officer has made me want to take on more responsibilities - among the positions with greater responsibilities, I believe I am most suited to the role of treasurer How am I suited to this position? - I can count (no seriously, I do stats as part of my degree) - I'm very organised and this will help handle my role both as VP and as treasurer - over the past year on committee, I have emailed a lot of societies and got in touch with the Rosey Project, so I am ready to maintain relationships with other societies and organisations as well as try to establish new ones - having been a member of the committee for a year, I have a good idea of how things run and issues we've run into this year that I would try to fix What do I hope to achieve? Considering the current situation due to the cancellation of the farewell dinner, I am aware that this puts us in a difficult situation. I am hoping to palliate to this by: - increasing the amount of fundraising by organising bake sales and fundraising events whenever the circumstances will permit - looking into fundraising that does not involve face to face contact, for instance by seeing if some of our members would be open to having art commissions to benefit the society, possibly through the use of Patreon I am aiming to raise enough funds to enable us to run our annual ceilidh next year, while still being able to raise funds for our charity of the year. I am also hoping to establish more stable contact with inclusive businesses in Glasgow, such as: - Category Is, by working with them more closely regarding our book club - both the venues included in the Scene Tour (Katie's, Polo, Delmonica's, etc) and other venues with regular LGBT-oriented nights or events such as The Flying Duck or Nice'N'Sleazy, by proposing sponsorship agreements or collaborating on events - accessible cafés around the university, by proposing sponsorship agreements or collaboration to improve the safety and accessibility of our coffee meet-ups To conclude: - I am aiming to increase fundraising and collaboration with other organisations - Again, I'm a gay who can count “ 

Welfare Officer

1) Enea O (he/him)

Why do you want this position? “I want this position because I have come to care about this society so much over the past year, and would give anything to keep channeling my time and passion into this society and improve its position on campus. I specifically want to help improve it to become the best and most welcoming and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ students. Over the past months as part of the committee I have proven myself as a reliable committee member and for Queerfest 2020 I had the honour to edit and curate the society zine Uniqueer, displaying art and poetry by many GULGBTQ+ members. As Welfare Officer I will set up the society family system, which I intend to do to welcome new members. As of recently though, GULGBTQ+ has also created a Discord server to keep all members in contact, and I very much intend to maintain this server permanently and see that it thrives. In regards to the safety of members, I will see that all committee members are trained in suicide and sexual violence awareness in accordance and collaboration with the SRC, Positive Minds and other student welfare societies on campus. In order to help the society grow I plan to implement an official feedback system for all members to contribute thoughts on how to improve events and accessibility. Protecting and providing a safe space for LGBTQ+ students is my top priority. Vote for me :)”

2) Orla She/They

Why do you want this position? “ I am the current welfare officer for the figure skating society and have really enjoyed it, I feel I am well suited for people to come and talk to if they need it whether it be good or bad news. I'd like to join the GULGBTQ+ committee this year, as the society has helped me a lot. Having found people who understood the complex feelings you can have regarding your sexuality and gender; it made me feel a lot more comfortable with myself. And I would love to give back. I would like to help maintain a safe space on campus, especially given the times, and just be a grounding point for people to come to in times of need. I also make really good cakes, and cake can make pretty much anything better. “

Events Officer

1) Valentine they/them

Why do you want this position? “ I want to continue the amazing work Emily T has done this year on events! I want to think of various ways for us to advertise our fundraising events, particularly Launch Night and Queerfest. As well as this, I want to work with other societies and student unions to collaborate on various fundraising events. I also want to create specific events, such as bringing back the conversation about trans swimming which was incredibly successful a couple of years back. I also want to focus on making the society more accessible, which includes events we host, including (but not limited to) autism friendly events, maybe more online events for those with limited mobility, and working towards finding people who could interpret or translate certain events. I also want to acknowledge constructive criticism we've received in the past and try to make events feel welcoming, particularly to people of colour, disabled people, transfeminine people etc.”

2) Sol they/them

Why do you want this position? “ I would want to continue the great work that has been done to reform and adapt our events to make them accessable and as intersectional as possible. I would want to increase the representation and recognition of migrants and international students. I would want to particularly focus on those who are diasporas and whose identity is mixed or conflicted. This is because, due to my own experience, I have found it hard to have discussions around being LGBTQ and from two conflicting cultures. I would do this by ideally creating a consistent outlet for diasporic students in the form of either panels, an inclusion in the annual Queerfest day or a specific focus from the zine. Linked to this I would like to work with societies like BAME to increase the lacking accessibility of our events to people of colour. I would do this by taking advice from and including people of colour in the organising processes around all events. However I would like to target specific large events such as Queerfest, Launch Night and meet and greets. This is because these are some of the society's largest events and so would gain the most from people of colour being included in the discussion around how to make our society more accessible. To add I have been on committee the previous year as the bisexual/pansexual officer and so have an understanding of how the society's events are structured and run. While the events officer position is distinct there is overlap with my previous position. This comes in the form of organisation and managing people. For bi/pan officer I was in charge of organising, and running biweekly coffees. Most importantly I was also in charge of helping create a relaxed and positive atmosphere at the coffees, which requires people management and personal awareness skills. In all I would like to use the position of events officer to create more of a space for diasporic students to add another angle to the ongoing discussion of being LGBTQ. In addition, I would like to help make up for our lacking accessibility to people of colour by including them in the organisation of the society's events. Thereby empowering them to make significant decisions that increase the beautiful intersections of this society. “

Women’s Officer

1) Fatima S she/her

Why do you want this position? “ hi i am a first year history/economics student who is  a passionate feminist. Over the past year i have been involved with the GU feminist society and i also am a QMU board member. It has always been my priority to ensure the welfare of all especially women.”

2) Judith she/they

Why do you want this position? “ Why do I want this position? - GULGBTQ+ has given me so much, and I want to give back to it - I feel very strongly about being woman-aligned and a lesbian How am I suited to this position? - during my year as international officer, I gained experience running coffees and it is something I will happily keep doing - over the past year on committee, I have emailed a lot of societies and got in touch with the Rosey Project, so I am ready to maintain relationships with other societies and organisations as well as try to establish new ones - having been a member of the committee for a year, I have a good idea of how things run What do I hope to achieve? - I hope to collaborate more with the feminist and women-specific societies on campus - I would like to work with the Rosey Project in raising awareness for available support networks for survivors of abuse, having self-care and mental health-oriented workshops, and developing LGBT-specific support systems”

3) Ursula she/her

Why do you want this position? “ I have found my involvement with the GULGBT+ society to be a very positive and beneficial experience over the past two years at Glasgow. I have met so many wonderful people, some of which are now close friends who have then introduced me to many other now close friends (because all the gays know each other!). Having like-minded friends is something I longed for during my teenage years and I’m beyond grateful for the society in helping that dream become a reality. I’ve gained so much confidence from this and feel it’s my duty to help create that experience for others in a similar situation.  I’ve attended many events that have formed memories to last a lifetime. The opportunity to play a greater role on Wednesday evenings and running women’s coffee would be very exciting. I’m also quite partial to a night out in Polo so would be available for chauffeuring (not literally -please DON’T drink and drive) and as a general friendly face in the crowd. I would, therefore, like to take a more active role in the society in the coming academic year to continue providing a safe, supportive and fun space with my peers in the hopes that other uni students can have an equally (if not more *winky face*) amazing experience!!”

4) Anest ‘Ani’ Williams she/her

Why do you want this position? “  I'm suited to this position due to me being a woman. I consider attending GULGBTQ+'s many events this past academic year to be the highlights of my second year, and I want to give back to Glasgow Uni's LGBTQ+ community by providing other individuals with the same joy. I hope to be someone that all women of the community could speak to in a time of need, in the coffee hours, at events, or at any other time. I would love to represent the women of our community on GULGBTQ+'s committee.”

5) Lauren she/her

Why do you want this position?  “ As a member of the GULGBTQ+ society in my first year of university, I found a great sense of inclusivity and community within the events I attended, and through the people I met. The idea of being able to continue my involvement within the society as an officer would not only be an honour, but something I would take on with great passion and vigour. The role of women’s officer within the GULGBTQ+ society is such an essential role, the issues dealt within the society surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity encapsulating also the issues dealt with by ALL women, may that be cisgendered, trans or nonbinary folk. I feel very strongly about women’s rights and issues we face, and would hope to make a welcoming and safe space for any women within the society, and be a friendly face for all members, whether it is to do with a sensitive subject or just for a chat! I have no previous experience as an officer within the society, but we all need to start somewhere, and I think this would be the perfect place to begin as an officer to all the amazing LGBTQ+ women out there!”

Men’s Officer

1) Sanskar R he/him  

Why do you want this position? “I am Sanskar from India. I feel that POC and Asians are not represented enough in the society. Not just that, I feel that a lot of events the society is running isn't reaching the right crowd. I would like to contribute in whatever way possible to help change that and be able to learn and grow in the process.”

2) Jack L he/him 

Why do you want this position?  “ I have a keen interest in raising awareness about men's health and several ideas on how to do so. Other than that, I want to bring people together in nice and easy ways so that they can, if new to the community, find their feet. (Completely honest moment, if another person runs for this position, maybe consider putting them first. I'm now one of the string managers for the Kelvin Ensemble and I'll be in final year and I won't have a proper abundance of time. Perhaps if another candidate wants to work together. I also have many ideas on joint events that could happen)”

Trans Officer

1) Valentine they/them

Why do you want this position? “ I was nonbinary officer year before last and I believe I took to the roll quite well. I fully came out as nonbinary last year, and since have done a lot of research into the uni's procedures for name changes, as well as trying to deal with Sandyford etc. Therefore I believe I would be a great resource (as well as a creator of great resources!! wink wink trans zine wink wink) for those who have just come to terms with being transgender / transitioning. I would love to work with the student unions to work on being inclusive to trans and nonbinary folks, as well as more widespread campaigning about these things where members of the society think it's important. I also aim to raise the voices of those who are often spoken over within our community, being inclusive of trans women, disabled trans people, trans pic, etc.”

2) Eden it/its 

Why do you want this position?  “ I want to give back a little to this society, as it's been so good for me over my first year. I try to be a friendly face that people can talk to, be it about specifically transition-related topics (I don't pretend to be an expert, but I've been doing this for a while!) or just everyday things. Given the current trans healthcare crisis, informing people about our options and working together is critical - I've done work spreading awareness and information about doing self-med HRT safely before and I'd be happy to do it again, for example, and I know enough people doing this kind of work to be able to point people in the right direction for questions I don't know much about.”

3) Aster they/them 

Why do you want this position?  “ I am running to be your next Trans Officer. I want to do this because being trans is a very important part of my identity, and I think this would be a great opportunity to be able to represent my fellow trans folk here at Glasgow Uni, and even the wider Glasgow community as well as campaign on trans and non binary related issues. I am excited to work on committee again, and in this role closely with the Non-Binary Officer, as I enjoy collaborating with others, so I will work to build and maintain good working relationships with other members of committee. Also I’m a very sociable person, so I’m confident I can make people feel very welcome at society events. I am very excited about the opportunity to run an identity coffee again, two years ago I ran Gay Men’s Coffee (despite not actually being gay or a man 👀) so I already have experience with this. Again I’m a very sociable person and thrive in large groups (Trans and Non-Binary Coffee often has one of the biggest attendances) and so I am confident that I will be able to ensure the inclusion of anyone who joins the coffee so that they feel welcome. I am also excited to take opportunities to co-run events, such as Trans and Non-Binary 101 and of course working with the Events Coordinator for events surrounding Trans Day of Remembrance. I’d also be happy to work with the Campaigns Officer to do the Pronoun Pledge with the unions and some societies on campus if needed (as well as any other campaigns that the society will be running or involved with). For those of you who have met me, you’ll know I am a very confident, theatrical (and I’d hope fabulous) person so I would have absolutely no issue speaking in front of a large group of people (I’m a theatre student, it’s pretty much all I can do). In closing, I think I’d be a great addition to committee because this society is such an important part of my life here at uni, and so I will dedicate so much time and energy to this role, and in general just helping any way I can to making this society as great as it can be. Hopefully this dedication has been reflected in my recent win as GULGBTQ+ Keenest Member 2020.”

4) Ollie S he/him 

Why do you want this position?  “ Moving away from my safe, accepting bubble at home to come to Glasgow University was a terrifying experience for me, as I did not have the confidence to stick up for my gender identity and was scared of any transphobia I could've encountered. However, the GULGBT+ society immediately made me feel welcomed and safe and allowed me to create a new home away from home. I have met inspiring people that have showed me that I am definitely not alone in the trans experience and this has given me a lot more self confidence and allowed me to accept who I am. I would absolutely love to take on this position, to be there for scared freshers like I was and to be a person to turn to for those struggling with trans issues. I am very early on in my transition and I very much feel the pain of long waiting lists and the frustration of being misgendered and have found many ways to cope with such problems that I would love to share with others that may be tackling similar obstacles. I think the representation of pre-transition trans people is so important as it enables people to see how everyone's journey is different and everyone is going at their own pace. I would be honoured to host Trans & Nonbinary Coffee and would love sharing my knowledge and the things I've learned from my experience, but also, would love to learn from others and their experiences. I am so excited for my second year as part of this society and really hope to gain a leading role here.”

Postgraduate and Mature Student’s Officer

1) Andrei he/him/they/whatever 

Why do you want this position?  “ Hey Andrei, you're queer and also old. You should run for Post/Mat officer" - Literally everyone for the past couple of months. I've had the entire postmat experience, after starting my undergrad at the tender age of 23 I am familiar with the unique stresses involved in adapting to academic life while also integrating with peers who are almost generationally different from oneself (as it says on my LinkedIn "Down With the Kids"). Five years and a lot of hard lessons later I find myself having grown in experience and empathy, and I would find it a privelage to be able to support any member of the society in any way possible. I'd like to say that I'd bring the benefit of wisdom and maturity to committee meetings but to be honest I'll probably just end up bringing sarcasm and a strong tie game. However, if you're looking for a warm body with a pulse that can still be an absolute menace in Polo then I may be the human you're looking for. My major objectives if elected: Building bridges with GUSA Getting freshers home safely Biting Will Getting distracted by cats... Andrei for Post/Mat officer: "Because someone has to" “

Campaigns Officer

1) Gwen she/her

Why do you want this position? As campaigns officer for this last half year, I've tried my hardest to push the society members to fill in the Gender Recognition Act draft reform consultation. When the Scottish Government responds I would like to either organise for them to improve the bill or (if they have already improved it) get society members to lobby their MSPs to back the improved bill. While we wait for that response, I will focus on tackling transphobia on campus, putting together a cross-party campus pronoun pledge (the SNP, Labour, and Green clubs have already responded positively). I would like to continue our work with Hidayah and other charities. Our society has sadly seen a nasty increase in transphobia, particularly with awful messages left on doors to toilets. As campaigns officer, I will try and create a "Hear it from us first" campaign. It's likely that transphobia will get out regardless of what we do, but by making sure people hear our side first we will be able to make the campus are more sympathetic place. I also want to lead a discussion in the society and with local GPs and trans organisations about the future of trans medicine. While the current Gender Identity Clinic system is clearly underfunded, it is not clear if it should be funded further, or if responsibility for prescriptions should be the job of GPs. In line with my view of the society as "political, but not partisan" if we can agree on a position or even just start a conversation, we will be in a better place to lobby the support of politicians and advocacy groups. 2) Valentine they/them

Why do you want this position? “ In my previous roles on committee (nonbinary / bi/pan) I have been involved in campaigns including meetings with previous Charities of the year we have chosen and thinking about fundraising opportunities, as well as presenting many pronoun pledges. I plan on continuing what I have already done, as well as picking up on other campaigns and fundraising opportunities, for example a more widespread awareness of transphobia on campus and how to prevent this, as well as creating resources of safe places for lgbtq+ people. For fundraising, I want to help advertise our launch night better, as well as creating more communication between the student unions to possibly collaborate with us for fundraising events / nights out / etc.”

Communications and Technology Officer

1) Summer they/she 

Why do you want this position?  “I am running for the position of Communications and Technology Officer because I love this society, want to help it and have the skills needed to help out in this position. As last year's ComTech officer I am familiar with everything that keeps the GULGBTQ+ committee running behind the scenes - as such, I can help make the handover to the new committee smooth and painless and ensure everything keeps running. Last year I helped streamline some of the systems we use which helped reduce complexity and running costs for the society. Additionally, there were some projects for the committee that I did not finish last year due to time and mental health (e.g. an updated website) which if I am reelected I will endeavor to complete.”

2) Belinda she/her 

Why do you want this position?  “ As a nervous fresher this past year, the only society I wasn't afraid to take part in was the GULGBTQ+ society. Now that I'm part of this big 'ol family, I'd love to be able to give something back. I, like many others, rely heavily on emails and social media to keep up with whateverthef*ck is going on. I hope that my skills as a seasoned introvert will help me to communicate society events in a way that can reach and encourage every member of our society to join in and feel welcomed and included. My inexplicable need to be organised will almost certainly be useful too I suppose (hit me up with any pronouns, names or other changes that need to be made on the system and I'll get on it ASAP). I hope this role will allow me to contribute to this amazing society, whilst I get to keep being an introvert in my natural habitat, hidden behind a computer screen (and going to events too of course). Keep smiling, be gay and do crime ~ your local comp sci sapphic ace”

First Year Ordinary Member

1) Meris she/her

Why do you want this position?  “Hi I’m Meris (she/her) and I’m running for First Year Ordinary Member. In the past months I’ve attended almost every Freshers’ coffee and actively helped out as much as I could. I wish to continue Enea’s work within the society, representing all the first year students and freshers at the university. Being a fresher at the start of last term and completely new to Glasgow, I was more than a little lost, but GULGBTQ+ has helped me find a community where I feel safe and at home. As an officer, I would like to ensure the safety of First Year Students within the society and a safe space for them to open up and/or listen to others’ experiences. I believe that First Year Students often find it hard to feel welcome in spaces where people seem to already know each other really well and I wish to make sure every new member feels welcomed and cared for like everyone else!”

Bi/Pan Officer

1) Bethany she/them

Why do you want this position? “ I want to provide a safe space for bi and Pan people like they deserve! I would be suited to this position because I always try my best to be kind to everyone and I try to be social. I always go to the Bi coffee’s and I’m close friends with Sol so I will have a lot of useful guidance. This society means a lot to me in regards to me accepting myself and I’d like to help it do the same for others!”

2) Valentine they/them

Why do you want this position? “I was bi/pan officer briefly last year before leaving to take role as secretary in another society. Although I wasn't in the role for a long time, I feel I achieved a lot and would like to continue this and campaign to create awareness on different ways to be bisexual, to combat biphobia within the LGBTQ+ community and outwith, and to raise the voices of bisexual/pansexual people who are often silenced.”

3) Aster they/them

Why do you want this position? “I’m running to be your next Bi/Pan Officer. This role specifically interests me because being pansexual is such an important and fundamental part of my identity, and one I struggled with  for a while, trying to fit in as either a heterosexual or homosexual, trying to make myself ‘choose a side’, having my sexuality erased both externally and internally. Going through this, I know how important Bi and Pan visibility is and why I want to be able to represent this community in both the society, and across the university. I am excited to take the opportunity to once again run an identity coffee (I ran Gay Men’s Coffee 2 years ago, despite not being gay or a man), so I have experience doing this. However, Bi/Pan Coffee is possibly the most attended identity coffee, which, if elected, I would be running mostly single handedly. I have utmost confidence that I can handle this, as I am a very sociable and friendly person, and thrive amongst large groups of people, so I will have no issue in making sure everyone feels both welcome and included. I am also excited to be able to run events, for instance I will certainly want to do something to mark the occasions of both Bisexual and Pansexual Days of Visibility, as I said earlier how important visibility is to our community. I was also like to do something around the awareness of non-monoromantic identities as I feel this is something that is often ignored or looked over, and again, visibility is important for all of these identities. Finally, I think I’d be a good committee member in general as I’m a good team worker, and will work to build and maintain good working relationships with other committee members, which will be greatly important when working with 15 other people. The society is also a largely important part of my life, hopefully as reflected by my recent win as GULGBTQ+ Keenest Member, and so you can be assured that I will dedicate so much time and energy both into this role, and to helping make this society as great as it can be.”

4) Emrys they/them

Why do you want this position?    “ * I’ve been a very active member of the LGBTQ+ community for a few years now - I’ve made countless social media posts with information about all kinds of LGBTQ+ related things, promoting awareness days/weeks and making it known that I’m always happy to have conversations about LGBTQ+ things and answer any questions - as I know personally how important it is to have all the right information available to help you, and to have people to talk to about it - I’ve made efforts offline as well to raise awareness for both bi/pan specific issues and other LGBTQ+ related issues, as I was very involved with my sixth form’s LGBTQ+ society and helped run events, and have taken the time to answer people’s questions about bi/pan issues * I have already had experience as GULGBTQ+’s Ace/Aro officer for about 5/6 months - I gave a presentation for Ace Awareness Week in October - I made an informative video about aromanticism and shared it on our social media accounts for Aromantic Awareness Week in February - I have helped run many of GULGBTQ+’s main events throughout the year so far - I have a good track record of attendance to GULGBTQ+’s main events * if I was elected for Bi/Pan officer - I would continue with the work and effort I have already put in to this society, making sure that bi and pan voices are heard and uplifted - I would work to combat biphobia and panphobia wherever I see it - whether it’s outside the LGBTQ+ community or from within - to raise awareness and debunk the myths about bisexuality/biromanticism and pansexuality/panromanticism to help people better understand orientations that are often erased - I’ve spent the last few years struggling to figure out if I really am bi(romantic), and being a part of this society has helped me understand and accept that I am, which I will always be grateful for - so I want to give back to the society, and help others who may be similarly questioning! - I like to think that I am a very empathetic person, a good listener and very open-minded, so I will always be open to chat for anyone who has questions about LGBTQ+ issues, or needs a shoulder to lean on!”

5) Anest ‘Ani’ Williams she/her

Why do you want this position?  “ Why do you want this position? - Please write a short paragraph about how you would be suited to this position and what you would hope to achieve. I'm suited to this position due to my being a bi/pan individual. I consider attending GULGBTQ+'s many events this past academic year to be the highlights of my second year, and I want to give back to Glasgow Uni's LGBTQ+ community by providing other individuals with the same joy. I hope to be someone that other bi/pan people could speak to in a time of need, in the coffee hours, at events, or at any other time. I would love to represent bi/pan people on GULGBTQ+'s committee.”

6) Lauren she/her

Why do you want this position? “ As a member of the GULGBTQ+ society in my first year of university, I found a great sense of inclusivity and community within the events I attended, and through the people I met. Going into my second year I would love to help introduce new and old members into the society, creating a welcoming and safe space for Bi/Pan folks, and of course all other members. Stigma around Bi/Pan folks within the LGBTQ+ community is something that needs to be discussed, and a light needs to be shone on. Bi and Pansexual folks often feel invalid or excluded within the community, this is not the case and I would love to help any members who feel this way if I were to be elected as Bi/Pan officer! I currently don’t have any experience as a previous officer within the society, but I think this would be a great place to start my journey. The society has already helped me accept myself more and feel a sense of belonging within the university, and the idea of being able to create that sense of belonging for other members, whether Bi/Pan or not, would be amazing!”

International Students’ Officer

1) Fatima S she/her

Why do you want this position? “ hi i am a first year history/economics student who is from India. i want to be the international officer because i truly believe i can help international students, because i understand how difficult it is to accept our own identity when all our lives we have lived in a society who considers it a taboo. Coming from a diverse background i can bring a fresh perspective to this society and really make a difference for all international student members.” 

Asexual and Aromantic Officer

1) Emrys they/them

Why do you want this position?  “* I’ve been an active member of the ace community for a few years now - I’ve made many social media posts with information about asexuality for LGBTQ+ events throughout the year (but especially for Asexual Awareness Week), because I personally understand the importance of having the right information available wherever possible - especially for an identity that is less known than others and is widely misunderstood - as well as online, I’ve made efforts offline to raise awareness for asexuality (and aromanticism) - I’ve made it known that I am always happy to have a conversation about it, and explain to people anything they don’t understand. At my sixth form, I often helped run the weekly LGBTQ+ society meet up, and held a presentation for Asexual Awareness Week to inform my fellow students * I have already had experience as GULGBTQ+’s Ace/Aro officer for about 5/6 months - I gave a presentation for Ace Awareness Week in October - I made an informative video about aromanticism and shared it on our social media accounts for Aromantic Awareness Week in February - I have helped run many of GULGBTQ+’s main events throughout the year so far - I have a good track record of attendance to GULGBTQ+’s main events * if I was re-elected for Ace/Aro officer - I would continue with the work and effort I have already put in to this society, making sure that ace and aro voices are heard and uplifted - I like to think that I am a very empathetic person, a good listener and very open-minded, so I will always be open to chat for anyone who has questions about asexuality or aromanticism, or other LGBTQ+ issues, or needs a shoulder to lean on!”

Nonbinary Officer

1) Valentine they/them

Why do you want this position? “ I was nonbinary officer year before last and I believe I took to the roll quite well. I fully came out as nonbinary last year, and since have done a lot of research into the uni's procedures for name changes, as well as trying to deal with Sandyford etc. Therefore I believe I would be a great resource (as well as a creator of great resources!! wink wink trans zine wink wink) for those who have just come to terms with being nonbinary / transitioning. I would love to work with the student unions to work on being inclusive to trans and nonbinary folks, as well as more widespread campaigning about these things where members of the society think it's important.

2) Eden it/its

Why do you want this position? “ I want to give back a little to this society, as it's been so good for me over my first year. I try to be a friendly face that people can talk to, be it about specifically transition-related topics (I don't pretend to be an expert, but I've been doing this for a while!) or just everyday things. Given the current trans healthcare crisis, informing people about our options and working together is critical - I've done work spreading awareness and information about doing self-med HRT safely before and I'd be happy to do it again, for example, and I know enough people doing this kind of work to be able to point people in the right direction for questions I don't know much about.”

3) Aster they/them

Why do you want this position? “ I’m running to be your Non-Binary Officer for the coming year because I am excited to work on committee again, and specifically in this role, in close collaboration with the Trans and Welfare Officers. I enjoy working and collaborating with others since I’m a very sociable person, which will be very useful, as in committee I’d be working with 15 other people, so it’s important to build and keep good working relationships with everyone. This role specifically interests me as being non-binary and genderfluid is such an important and fundamental part of my identity, which I struggled to realise and accept for so long, so now I want to burst out of the closet and represent my fellow enbies in Glasgow Uni and well as campaign for trans and non-binary related causes. I am very excited about the opportunity to run an identity coffee again, two years ago I ran Gay Men’s Coffee (despite not actually being gay or a man 👀) so I already have experience with this. Again I’m a very sociable person and thrive in large groups (Trans and Non-Binary Coffee often has one of the biggest attendances) and so I am confident that I will be able to ensure the inclusion of anyone who joins the coffee so that they feel welcome. I am also excited to take opportunities to co-run events, such as Trans and Non-Binary 101 and of course working with the Events Coordinator for events surrounding Trans Day of Remembrance. I’d also be happy to work with the Campaigns Officer to do the Pronoun Pledge with the unions and some societies on campus if needed (as well as any other campaigns that the society will be running or involved with). For those of you who have met me, you’ll know I am a very confident, theatrical (and I’d hope fabulous) person so I would have absolutely no issue speaking in front of a large group of people (I’m a theatre student, it’s pretty much all I can do). In closing, I think I’d be a great addition to committee because this society is such an important part of my life here at uni, and so I will dedicate so much time and energy to this role, and in general just helping any way I can to making this society as great as it can be. Hopefully this dedication has been reflected in my recent win as GULGBTQ+ Keenest Member 2020.”

4) Summer they/she

Why do you want this position? “ This society means a lot to me, in large part because it has been a massive part of helping me to explore and understand my gender identity. I want to be able to help more people through their own process of discovery as the Non-Binary Officer. If elected I intend to continue to help raise awareness of issues affecting non-binary people as well as make sure that our non-binary spaces are open and inclusive. I know that many people when first questioning their gender identity worry about not being perceived as "non-binary enough" (I personally did not attend many events for a while because of this) and so want to make sure all of our non-binary events and resources are as open as possible and not intimidating for newcomers.”

[amaliaonly]

Introspeksi One: Iman 2015

1. MCMS

So the first Introspeksi (jeng jeng jengggg). How did Introspeksi all started? Let’s start with MCMS. So every University have its own student clubs and activities. MCMS is one of the student clubs in SIM that is catered to the Malay Muslim student body/community in SIM. Back then (2014) MCMS niche or the so called popular events was either FBC, Islamic Gift Economy (IGE), Cultural Day or Dikir Performance. We didn’t have any theatre production for one of its events since MCMS was formed. So one of my seniors who was in the 8th Executive Committee, Brother Yoda (not his real name) has proposed to the school and initiated the idea for MCMS to have its own theatre production under it. Looking at other Malay Cultural groups from other universities (NUS, NTU/NIE, SMU) they have their very own theatre production. Our strongest cultural activity back then was Dikir Barat where we performed every time the school has Open House or when we have outside events that we participated or other events that needs a Dikir performance. Through Dikir we found that there is a pool of our MCMS members that is interested in Cultural events.

 2. Why Introspeksi came about?

Thus after much proposals/discussions/suggestions/voting’s and workings among the 8th Executive Exco and members of MCMS during that term we thought that maybe having a theatre production can be used as one of its medium events that can use to attract more members to join our club. So firstly Introspeksi was formed/raised or brought up because there was an interest back then from a Dikir Performance to have another niche Cultural Event.  Also another reason why Introspeksi was formed was because we used to have a Dikir Instructor Mr X (not his real name and nope this is not Abang Mok either). So Mr X is (to me) a theatre activist/arts educator who has made works in the Malay media/arts industry. He has made involvement in the Malay theatre scene. He and Brother Yoda thus has discussions about having another event under Cultural programmes besides Dikir and he is willing to contribute in helping build its foundation. I am not really sure what other real discussions/issues among the both of them but the thought and idea of Introspeksi and how Introspeksi should be came from both their ideas. Thus due to the discussion both of them have Introspeksi was formed. I may missed out some other reasons or some things on how Introspeksi was brought up but these two reasons are the reasons that I know off. If you want to find out more DM me to find out who Mr X and Brother Yoda is so you can contact them and ask them more information about it.

3. The foundation and works leading to the building of Introspeksi. (Feb-May)

Having a theatre production with most of the students having no prior experience or knowledge to organise was one of the things that we all were but most of us are a risk taker in which the term we always use back then was “Go je”. So Brother Yoda along with his partner built their committee. The sub-committee was made up of Ex-excos from the 8th Executive Committee, other senior members from other subcomms events, our Dikir Barat members, friends of Brother Yoda and also new faces that joined MCMS. (Okay sorry side track abit) Okay so each event is usually under the term of an Exco Group. So the first Introspeksi was an event under the 9th Executive Committee in which I was part of the excos as Honorary Secretary (just to be clear even if it’s under the 9th, the idea of Intro was formed since the 8th term. It’s just that it was only able to be executed under the 9th term). So every Exco term during our first meeting we have this thing call Calendar of Events where we plot events that we plan to organise throughout our Exco term and who should oversee those events. So Introspeksi was plotted in September and overseeing that event was the Cultural Department and my VP Cultural back then who was the APD of Intro. So yes guys, we have a VP and an Exco herself that leads Intro and I am not sure why now NO EXCO can lead Intro in the future or even be part of it. Eh wait.. Chey kidding actually I know why let me elaborate if I have the chance later on. But heyy even my APD during Ziarah was exco lehh. Ok sorry let’s move on.

So Brother Yoda and our VP Cultural back then thus set out to officially kick-start Introspeksi in February 2015. Okay so one of the things we planned out and should start doing having no experience is to go out and learn from others, take part and also attend and watch a lot of plays. I was so excited that MCMS will have its own theatre production and I was all out in helping the two of them. So the first thing I remember that came knocking on my door was an audition from NUS Pentas. Somebody from NUS texted me to join NUS’s production and I was super excited and kanchiong of course. So I am not sure why but I remembered texting Brother Yoda asking permission if I can join Pentas while doing Intro at the same time. Then he replied me this one message that I will always remember. It goes something like “Rumah sendiri boleh sapu kenapa kena sapu rumah orang lain? Sapu rumah sendiri dulu kasi bersih” something like that. He told me to be patient first as there are plans for us Intro team to join a bigger production.

Ok wait..this is it GENTARASA 2015, a national production. Okay so I think why our team was involved in Gentarasa was because Mr X was one of the directors taking over Gentarasa that year so thus while some of the Intro comm joined the Gentarasa Committee as SMs, sponsorships and marketing, I took part as Cast. Thus we were part of the Gentarasa 2015 team from Feb till May. Long story short while doing Gentarasa I remember we have to do fundraising selling flowers and me juggling exco, exams on top of having back to back rehearsal during that May period was really kerja gila. And also because of Gentarasa that is where I met and reconnected back with ABANG MOK (woohooo!) So AbangMok was part of Gentarasa 2015 as Cast also. I didn’t know he was part of cast as he came pretty late I think in late April. So we were preparing for a press release for Berita (the 8pm news at Suria) at Goodman Arts Centre. I was backstage (mind you we have to dance in front of a lot of important people and I was also dancer guys) feeling nervous and want to cry cos it was close during exam period and I was super stress out. Then I saw a familiar face. This tall man came in the back stage sitting and boy I came up running to him and I say ABANG MOK!! Then I hug him and we catch up a bit and I was surprise to hear that he will be acting also then I told him that I want to cry and I was super stress then he hug me and boosted my confidence. Hais Abangmok ;’) This is fate guys I tell you cos the next few years is history ;’) Abang Mok has been my Instructor since MI days and to see him again after years and then do great things after Gentarasa really is fate that it’s meant to be.

4. Introspeksi 2015: IMAN (after May)

So after Gentarasa was over we held our first audition during puasa period in June. I auditioned along with 5 others. Then came Aishah baby along with 2 more guys. Thus in total including myself we had 8 cast members for the 1st Introspeksi. 1 guy from cast had to drop out of cast due to commitment (I was super sad lah. Nasrul if you’re reading this I hope you’re doing good Brother. It’s been a long time.) For Introspeksi we had Mr X and Mr Y, the best duo partners that came in as both our Directors and Scriptwriters. A lot of challenges came while doing Intro. The same script problem every year, low commitment, MIAs, lack of funding and sponsorships. I wasn’t sure of how the play will turn out because firstly we know there is our usual devise play that we will performed then suddenly we will have a group of dancers that will come on board that will perform with us as well. This is where in the dance group there was Nana, Dinie, Tutik and not forgetting Amalina! While doing Iman, we had Pesta Raya and also FBC to do. Was yup crazy busy. So while my time in Iman I observed how my seniors did their work. I thought to myself if this event have a good turnout and the outcome is good it needs to be continued to next year and Introspeksi shouldn’t be let off as a one-time thing. Thus that spark my interest during my rehearsals days in Iman to continue Introspeksi and being the PD next year. I didn’t really share this with people and all I did was just to continue observing the works, how things are being done and just help Iman in every way possible.

For Iman, I had a great time with my casts and most of my scenes was with Brother Qayyum, a very talented person indeed (go check out his works guys at Qayyumrocks, amayyzingg). I was his Boss in the play and he was the Main cast. There was a scene where both of us was supposed to shake hands hahaha and then he told me nicely with respect can I not hold your hands (this I respect you Brother). So apart from being his Boss I had another role that I had to play which is colleague to Aishahbaby. So in order for people to not be confuse with the roles I played, the other role I had to be an Indonesian and speak in Bahasa Indo.

One of the challenges I know we faced for Iman is that we wanted to postpone and pushed it back because there was some problems with the higher ups and there were talks about bringing AbangMok in. We have never had any combine trainings also and did our first combine rehearsals the week before bump in ;’). Thus you can see that Nana, Dinie and Amalina and I we have never talked or acknowledge each other during Iman. Tutik and I have cos we have known each other since FBC Camp. That was how segregated we all are and awkward to each other even till show day but look at us now hehe.

Some of my memorable memories from Iman besides Gentarasa was during Raya meeting that’s where we all see people coming together and of course bump in. Okaylah to be honest there was not much because of a series of things that had happened but let it be I and those involved and Him who shall know what had happened in Iman let it stay in Iman. Oh and Nizam was part of Crew too! Iman was the only Intro that had a full guys team as Crew and really like Abang2 (berg berg and tall and big haha) and I remember one of them smoke (okaylah I think this was ecigg) at the back stage and I was like ok Bro you do you! For food sponsorship during Bump in with got Kawkaw Burger yawww!! Sedap gilzzz.

All in all there were both good and bad moments during Iman. While I enjoyed my time in Iman with my cast mates, with some of the subcomss and of course my fellowship of the 9th there were some things that I disagree with the workings of Iman. There were A LOT of restrictions by some groups and ya lah some things I disagree that I just have to bury it deep down cos I was still learning back then. Oh do you know I was being kicked out of the PAT during bump in hahaha ;’) Okaylah I was just being told off to get out of the PAT by the higher ups (my fault my fault you correct I wrong chey. Okay I know I’m sometimes a nuisance too heh). Introspeksi Iman would not have happened without Brother Yoda and his team. They are the ones who make Introspeksi possible and making it happen with A LOT of uncertainties and risk to overcome. I hope Brother Yoda and the VP Cultural back then is doing great now. I will never forget the work and dedication you guys have put in to Intro 1.

Thus that was how Introspeksi 1 was formed.

Stay tuned to what happens next after Introspeksi 1……………….(jeng jeng jeng)

Dream, Believe and Make it Happen People!

Fitri Amalia.

[malvernstjamesblog]

Headmistress’s update: September 2017

With the autumn term in full swing it is lovely to see the School buzzing with life and purpose after the long summer break. I do hope that you enjoyed a happy family time with your daughters, so thank you for lending them back to us for the new academic year. A very warm welcome to all the new girls and families who have recently joined. For the first time, we held a Parents Service in York Hall at the start of term for all parents, not just new. I have received some lovely comments following this event so I’m sure that you will all very quickly feel part of our community. 

The end of the last summer term ended on a wonderful high note with the most beautiful and uplifting singing of our choir at our Commemoration Service at the Priory. Lynne Lindner, our Director of Musical Performance has the most extraordinary talent for developing our girls’ voices and their ability to sing together in such divine harmony. The girls are currently preparing for the Armed Man Concert this Saturday at Worcester Cathedral. This is a joint collaboration with the youth choirs of the region and promises to be a real musical highlight. I think the tickets have been selling fast!

This morning we have been celebrating National Poetry Day and were very fortunate to have in School today Remi Graves, who is a National Ambassador for National Poetry Day. She brought the whole School to life this morning with her extraordinary and powerful poetry, which she recited to the School community. All the girls who are enjoying a poetry workshop with her are very lucky to have such an inspirational mentor. We enjoyed a fun poetry slam in Lawnside this afternoon, where many girls recited the poems they had written during the course of the day. My thanks to the Friends of MSJ for supporting this event.

Our guest speaker at Prizegiving, was MSJ old girl Jennifer Kirby, (star of BBC Drama series, Call the Midwife) who drew much praise not only for her eloquence and candid humour, but also for her honesty about her experiences, both triumphs and tribulations. She was quite inspirational and motivational and moved all of us who heard her. We hope to provide a summary version of her speech and a corresponding interview that we can share, as I know that a number of parents have asked for this.

I was delighted last week to host another incredible old girl, Vicky Jones (MGC) who spoke to our Year 10 - 13 girls. Vicky now lives in Australia where she is a well-respected personal and career coach, who works with lots of individuals and corporations (like Lululemon and Fox) to inspire them, increase their confidence and resilience, and achieve greater satisfaction and success personally and professionally I think this talk will really help to keep us all motivated and stay focused on our goals with a clear path when the dark days of winter set in.

On Monday 2 October, we have Old Girl Professor Ursula Martin coming to give a talk on Ada Lovelace, the Victorian mathematician and computing pioneer. It’s taking place in York Hall at 4.30pm and I would encourage you to come along if you can.

On Monday 30 October, we have Old Girl tech entrepreneur and Artificial Intelligence specialist, Angie Ma, coming in to give a workshop and talk to girls studying Computing, Business Studies and who are part of Young Enterprise, as well as Prep girls. Angie’s client roster includes companies such as Tesco, the BBC and Siemens. This term’s speakers are leaders in their field and it is all the more fantastic that they are old girls giving back.

What I am constantly struck by is the phenomenal sense of these speakers being all rounded, interested and interesting women. I am delighted to see the links being forged between the generations and this is one of the key strengths of MSJ. I think it’s very important for our current pupils to have such powerful female role models.  

On which note, please save the date for our bi-annual Careers Fair  on Thursday 2 November from 4pm-6.30pm. We hope to have Old Girls, parents and universities at this event talking to girls from Year 9 onwards about their careers and ways in to the profession. Miss Marfleet is organising this event and we would like as many different careers represented as possible, so we welcome offers of help from mothers and fathers, guardians and friends. If you are able to volunteer your advice and time that afternoon to support this event, the girls will gain so much more from the experience. Please let Miss Marfleet know if you can help.  

I hope that you are as delighted as I have been by our new School videos in which our girls truly sparkle. You can see why I am so proud of them. They are confident, sparky, funny, honest, bright and courageous. The girls are terrific ambassadors and showcase why we put such great store in all round personal development. If you haven’t seen them already, do take a look, they are all available on the website.

Last week the girls signed up for a number of enrichment activities from the 60 that are on offer at the annual activities fair. Alongside a plethora of sporting opportunities and the traditional societies, new ones started by Sixth Form girls have sprung up including the Feminist Society which proved to be one of the most popular!  We always encourage senior girls to take on at least three activities and many do far more. Other new societies to make an appearance are the History Film Club and the Economics Society.

This term so far has seen the girls having lots of fun in teambuilding activities ranging from Prep’s trip to Aztec Adventure and Year 7’s Outdoor Activity Residential to Year 10’s day at Croft Farm and Year 12’s residential trip to Wilderhope Manor, where they learnt a range of key survival skills. All of the above is just as important as the girls’ academic life as it builds friendships, communication skills, teamwork and trust – all of which are important determinators of future success.

I am now looking forward to seeing what our senior ambassadors and prefects will bring to their leadership roles and how they will shape the School through their contribution.

Coming up soon is the Gambia Fundraising Gala on Saturday 14 October.  The evening will consist of a Gambian style meal, some musical entertainment from the girls and an auction. The hope is to raise money for a mechanised water pump to be installed in the grounds of the Success Nursery School which is the School established by Malvern St James 10 years ago. This promises to be a wonderful evening so please do save this date to support the girls in their fundraising project.

Alongside all this, of course sits the girls’ academic life. We hope that you found the Prep, Year 5 and Welcome to Sixth Form Information evenings helpful at the start of this term. Thank you to all of you who came along.

We are all here to provide the girls with a stimulating and enriching academic experience where they have fun in their learning.  Unlike some of the Schools that you read about in the press, who turn away pupils because they haven’t passed a certain number of examinations to keep up their position in the league tables, our philosophy is that we aim to do our best for each and every girl. The personalisation of care and dedication from our teachers is what makes MSJ so special and leads to such fantastic individual success.

The Sixth Form boarding programme is developing apace. Poulton was refurbished over the summer and has received a very positive response from its residents! Greenslade is currently under refurbishment to become a ‘transition to university’ boarding house, enabling Year 13 to experience what it is like to stay in university style accommodation, with numerous study and relaxation areas similar to a students’ union.

We are looking forward to talking to our current Year 11 girls about this further, and their Sixth Form course options, at Open Morning this Saturday, 30 September. Year 11 girls and parents also have the chance to try out A Level taster lessons and learn about Sixth Form enrichment on Friday 6 October as part of our Sixth Form Experience Day.

Open Morning will also be attended by prospective parents and is our opportunity to show the School in its best possible light. All senior girls will play a crucial role in demonstrating the wide-range of subjects, activities, and support available here at MSJ – it really is our chance to shine and give visitors a glimpse of what life really is like here.

In order to bring the Malvern St James community to life even further, I am delighted to tell you that MSJ News is about to move from a termly magazine to an e-newsletter so that we can keep you up to date with the latest news and developments within the school in a much more timely way. MSJ News will be sent to you monthly, with the first e-newsletter arriving in early October.  

This is going to be an exciting year in so many ways and I look forward to keeping you updated throughout the year ahead.

By Mrs Olivera Raraty Headmistress

[peckhampeculiar]

On the run

When four running enthusiasts got chatting at a party, they decided to set up a running club with a difference. The result is Runhead, a free weekly running group that combines fitness, friendship and fun

Words: Luke G Williams; Photo: Orlando Gili

If you’ve been to Nunhead Green or its renowned Beer Shop London on a Tuesday night, you might have noticed a group of friendly, energetic locals dashing past, clad in shorts, running vests and trainers.

Runhead AC is a local running group whose popularity has soared in the year since it was formed. Founded by four running-mad locals – Camilla Swain, Anthony Matthews, Gregory Hills and Léonie Hope – Runhead began after the quartet got chatting at a party in 2016.

One balmy Tuesday evening before their latest run – across Peckham Rye, up Barry Road and on to Sydenham Woods via Dulwich Park – I sat down with this passionate group to get the lowdown on how Runhead began.

“Anthony had a party,” Camilla recalls. “We didn’t all know each other but we’d had a couple of drinks and got chatting about running. We all wanted to be part of a club, but something relaxed and friendly and a bit different to other options we’d come across.

“We wanted a social running club – one that wasn’t caught up in tradition and, most importantly, that nobody would have to pay to be a part of. So we decided to form it ourselves.”

Gregory adds: “For the first month or so it was just four or five of us running. Then we started posting photos on social media and all of a sudden people started turning up. Within two months we had about 25 people coming along every week.”

Every Tuesday three groups run for about 45 minutes. One group runs four miles at 10-minute mile pace, one runs five miles at nine-minute mile pace and the other runs six miles at eight-minute mile pace.

“That way we set off together and all get back to the Beer Shop at roughly the same time,” Gregory explains. “When we get back we have a few beers and chat for an hour or so.”

The club’s USP is its social emphasis and that it’s free to join. “The fact it’s free is a big plus,” says Gregory. “In London fitness facilities are expensive – you might pay £10 for a yoga class and if you join most running clubs it’ll cost £40 upfront and another couple of quid per run. We never charge anyone a penny.”

Although the club does not have an official membership, there are about 170 members on its Facebook page and their Tuesday evening sessions, which always begin at 7.30pm at the Beer Shop with a pep talk from Anthony, regularly attract 25 to 30 runners a week.

“We’ve got a solid core, a group who come every week, so it feels like a real club,” Léonie says. “One of the main reasons I live here is because there is so much green space around – we don’t have to spend much time running on the road.”

Anthony adds: “We want to encourage people to see new places. From here we can run to Nunhead Cemetery, Brenchley Gardens, One Tree Hill, Dulwich Park, Brockwell Park, Sydenham Hill, Crystal Palace. It’s about exploring.

“There’s so many good runs in this area. We’ve got about 15 routes now that we pick and choose from. Setting those up took a little bit of work at the beginning but we’ve all contributed.

“I’ve lived in the area for about three years now and I feel like I really know it well – the streets, the parks – because I run around, explore and get lost. Running connects you to the local area.

“Another great thing about running is that there are no limits in terms of what you can achieve – you can always go further or faster. People can come along and run for fun or run to improve their times and fitness.

“We make sure everyone feels comfortable – there’s always someone leading each group, who makes sure everyone is running together and no one gets left behind.”

As someone with a lifelong dislike of running – bred by horrific memories of school cross-country events – Runhead certainly does a good job of convincing me how enjoyable it can be, especially when you’re in the right company and part of a supportive group.

“Running is an hour in my day of complete escapism, when in London so many things feel constrained – people are often packed on a busy train or rushing to meet work deadlines,” Camilla says.

“The joy of running somewhere in a group and seeing somewhere new is immeasurable. It doesn’t matter whether you’re trying to improve your time or just want to get outside in the fresh air with lovely people.”

Léonie concurs: “The attraction of running is the sense of freedom it gives. If you get on the treadmill you have to pay your gym fee and then you stare at a blank wall. There’s nothing better than running outside and discovering new places you never knew existed.”

Charlie De Grussa was one of Runhead’s earliest recruits and also oozes enthusiasm when speaking about what makes the club special. “It’s perfect for people who like running but don’t want to join a ‘serious’ running club,” he explains.

“That’s where I was at. I was one of the first people to come along. I’d run for ages, I didn’t want to join another club because they all felt too competitive. This club is accessible and you can be sure you won’t get laughed at.”

As well as their regular Tuesday evening runs, Runhead have also branched out into organising other events, including a recent run which took in five local breweries and a planned trip to Amsterdam later this year when 12 members will be running a half-marathon.

“There’s a real community feel and as the group has grown it’s been great to see friendships form and grow too,” Camilla says. “People have brought their mates or got to know each other through the group. That’s part of the appeal, everyone is really welcoming and chatty.

“It really helps that we’re based at the Beer Shop – they have been amazing at supporting us. They look after our stuff when we go running, make sure there’s water waiting on our return and they’ve put on events for us such as a fundraising quiz.

“It’s like having our own clubhouse. People see us in here or outside as they pop in or walk past and they want to know what Runhead is about. It’s very easy for people to get involved – just approach us any time and have a chat.”

[ol-plots-blog]

WEREWOLF ATTACKS RISE: CORNWALL HIT AGAIN

Cornwall, England was this morning the subject of another werewolf attack, this time in Portreath, a small fishing village. Devastated townsfolk woke to find the centre of their town covered in blood with the bodies of several noteable families “on display.” The Ministry were quick to react and quickly obliviated muggles who had stumbled upon the scene, as well as secured the area for further investigation. The infamous Mark of the Werewolf is said to have been etched into many surfaces at the scene.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Jasmine Dunleary, a witch who has lived in Portreath all her life. “I didn’t know that anything like that was possible. To see the way the people had been killed... I hope I never see anything like it gain.”

Ms. Dunleary was one of the first witches on the scene in Portreath after two muggle men raised the alarm. Sensing that something was wrong, Ms. Dunleary followed the men to the Millennium Community Hall to find what she described as “a bloodbath.”

“The entire parking lot and footpath had been painted with blood,” she said, recounting the scene that she uncovered. “And on the fence, which were tipped with wrought iron spikes, there were bodies. People.” 

The Ministry has so far kept a tight lid on the identities of the victims in this attack, but Ms. Dunleary was one of the first to look for survivors and was able to identify many of them. Portreath, with only a two thousand strong population, is a tight-knit community, especially among its wizarding folk.

“I saw the entire Jamison family,” Ms. Dunleary said. “Glenda and Michael, and their two small children, Duncan and Pria. They were five and three. The four of them were strung up together.”

Among the other victims that Ms. Dunleary saw were members of the Birchstock family, Dressen family, and VIssic family.  

“They were my friends,” she said. “Just last week we’d had a meeting between the wizarding families in Portreath to look into organising a fundraising event for a boy who’d contracted dragonpox in Redruth. I simply can’t believe that something like this has happened.”

Ms. Dunleary’s shock has been echoed among other members of the community, who described the victims as “good people” with “upstanding morals.”

“Michael Jamison was a good man,” said a neighbour. “He and his family deserved better than this.”

At the moment, details and backgrounds on the victims remain shrouded in mystery, as does evidence for those responsible. The Mark of the Werewolf, as it has been dubbed by the general public, hints at the possibility of it being the work of rebel, guerilla werewolf extremists - as does the general destruction and brutality of the attacks. Much like the attack in Falmouth, Cornwall, this attack was unprovoked and brutal in its execution. The Quibbler won’t stop digging until it uncovers more detail on why this occurred, and who might be next.

[acadden]

I’ve been reflecting during Volunteer Week on what volunteering means to me. During the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s also been heartening to see a ‘volunteer movement’ with many people helping others in their communities. 

I hope we come out of this pandemic with a fairer, compassionate society where we continue to help and care for each other. I also know there’s so many great volunteers out there, doing amazing things. 

I’ve volunteered in various roles over the years, and I’ve gained so much from every experience. I thought I’d highlight a few amazing organisations I’ve been lucky to have become involved with. 

The Simon Community

I started volunteering with the homeless charity, The Simon Community in 2019. I’m part of their StreetReads project, which brings books and reading to homeless and vulnerable people who have difficulty accessing things we take for granted. There are plans to develop a library in a hub in Glasgow, which is on hold at the moment due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We have however gathered donations of books which we have been delivering to various people we look after, including sourcing some books in other languages. We’ve also been able to give children’s books to some families who need them. And we’re always on the lookout for book donations to keep our stocks up. The Simon Community also launched their #GiveHope emergency appeal. Many people and businesses have came together to help. A silver lining of the pandemic has been the eradication of homelessness, what the future holds – I’m not sure – but it has been great to see people not sleeping on the streets and occupying some of the city’s empty hotel rooms. 

The Simon Community

Donate to Simon Appeal

 MCR – Pathways

I’ve been a volunteer mentor with the MCR Pathways programme for nearly four years. I meet a young girl at her school every week. Again, things are a little different during Covid – and we have recently managed to do some supervised online video chats, which has been fun. MCR has a focus on positive outcomes for the future of young people, which could involve staying on at school, going to college or university, looking at apprenticeships and job experience. It’s hugely rewarding. I was so nervous the first time I was due to meet my mentee. Would she like me? Would we get on? What would we talk about? And now four years later, she’s growing up fast, and I’m in awe of the young woman she’s becoming . I couldn’t be prouder of her! I can’t wait to see where life takes her. I’ve learned so much from her. MCR Pathways says – two lives are changed by mentoring – this is true.

https://mcrpathways.org

   LEAP (Enhancing the Lives of Older People in Lanarkshire)

Leap is an organization based in Cambuslang who I am new to. I offered to help during the Covid-19 pandemic. They identified a need to further their reach and their remit – and they now offer a free personal shopping service to people in their area. I’ve been impressed by their organization and how quickly they have set up this operation. It’s very well organized with every detail carefully considered. I’ve helped with shopping and prescription deliveries and it has highlighted to me how many people in our communities are vulnerable and need help, and especially at the moment, where people are still being ‘shielded’. 

https://www.leap-project.co.uk

 Pancreatic Cancer Scotland / Pancreatic Cancer Action

Although I am not a volunteer, I’m constantly inspired by the volunteers I meet through the work I do for pancreatic cancer charities. Pancreatic Cancer Scotland (PCS) was born in 2010 when a group of volunteers comprising patients, carers, nurses and doctors got together to share knowledge and take action in the fight against the disease. Ten years later PCS has made huge strides and merged with another pancreatic cancer charity joining forces and a combined effort to make the 2020s the decade of change for pancreatic cancer. I’ve heard to many inspirational stories and witnessed the great efforts people go to to support the cause. From sponsored football matches, charity balls, runs, cycles, walks, theatre shows, cake sales and all manner of creative ideas. It’s very humbling, and all their efforts really do make a difference. 

Pancreatic Cancer Scotland (PCS)

Pancreatic Cancer Action (PCA)

Manorview Hotels & Leisure Group

The Manorview Group has a charity ethos embedded into its culture. In the past three years their team has donated over £100k to various good causes. I’ve been lucky to have been involved in their charity committee. I have seen the team’s efforts grow and I have witnessed many creative ideas, along with a genuine passion, caring, enthusiasm and willingness to help and make a difference for others. It’s been inspiring to watch this grow and become part of a company culture where people are encouraged to care for others. The team get involved in everything from fundraising, organising events, donating time and raising awareness for organisations such as Chest Heart and Stoke Scotland, Scottish Autism, LAMH (Lanarkshire Association for Mental Health), SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health), Achieve More and When You Wish Upon A Star.

Read Manorview’s Charity News

Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT)

The GFT is a Glasgow institution. Again, this lovely cinema is sadly affected by Covid. I’ve been a volunteer usher at the GFT. This means being there for people and ensuring everyone is safe and happy while at the cinema. It’s a lovely community, with loyal customers and a great team of volunteers. I hope it’s able to open again soon and when it’s safe to do so. 

https://glasgowfilm.org

2014 Commonwealth Games

The 2014 Commonwealth Games was a great time for the city of Glasgow. I volunteered at swimming at Tollcross where I was part of the press and media team. I met many lovely people and found myself hooked on a sport I knew virtually nothing about. 

ChildLine

ChildLine is probably the organization that started my volunteering pathway. I was a volunteer telephone counsellor for a number of years, in the early 90s – before social media was a ‘thing’. I’m sure much has evolved in ChildLine during the years. They will have adapted to the many changes that technology has brought, it’s many advantages and also the disadvantages with increased risks and pressures on young people.

https://www.childline.org.uk

  Volunteers Week 2020 I've been reflecting during Volunteer Week on what volunteering means to me. During the Covid-19 pandemic, it's also been heartening to see a 'volunteer movement' with many people helping others in their communities. 

[swimmersdaily]

On Friday 28 February 2020, Capetonian marathon swimmer, musician and mother-of-three Carina Bruwer will attempt to swim approximately 20km to cross Nelson Mandela Bay in Port Elizabeth, in support of Muzukidz, an organisation that offers underprivileged children the opportunity to learn the violin.

If successful, Carina will be the first woman and the second person to complete the gruelling crossing from Pollock Beach in Summerstrand (PE) to Bluewater Bay on the Coega side of the bay.  She will enter the water at approximately 08:00 on Friday, where a group of children from the Muzukidz project are expected to see her off.  The exact finish point will be determined on the day, depending on visibility and/or shark activity in the harbour vicinity.

“Crossing Nelson Mandela Bay has been on my bucket list for longer than I can remember” says Carina, an  open water swimming veteran whose resume includes numerous records and iconic crossings such as the English Channel, False Bay, the Gibraltar Straits, and dozens more.  “I just never quite got round to it but now that Muzukidz, the NPO that I support with all my heart and efforts, opened a branch in Port Elizabeth, the time has certainly come!”.

Over the past 20 years, three male swimmers have crossed the bay. PE swimmer / adventurer Kyle Main did the 20km crossing from Hobie beach to Coega on two occasions (first of which was in 2000), while Chris Malan completed a 15km crossing across the bay in 2003 at the age of 15, a route which internationally renowned Lewis Pugh also followed in 2006.

Local sports company Adventure Swims ZA will oversee the crossing and provide support in the form of two boats (one from Raggy Charters and one private vessel) and a team consisting of pilots, a power / rescue swimmer and a medic. The Port Authority, NSRI, KB Surf lifesaving and Guardmed will also be on standby.  The boats will be equipped with shark shields, while there will also be a dedicated shark spotter on each boat. Carina’s swim is expected to take anything between 5 and 7 hours, depending on the conditions. The main challenges, apart from the distance, are unpredictable currents, wind, rough water, shipping lane activity and ocean life.

Carina, an International Marathon Swimming’s Hall of Fame nominee who was also ranked as one of the World Open Water Swimming Association’s top 50 most “daring, courageous and audacious” open water swimmers in the world in 2015 and 2018, has been training 30km per week and says she feels ready for the distance.   “I am feeling fit and am looking forward to spending the time in the ocean; it is my happy place and the little aches and pains that creep in after a few hours of swimming are quickly forgotten when I am swimming for a cause”, says the 40 year-old mother of three.  “When I swim in the open water and I get into my ‘zone’, I often experience a beautiful state of clarity, where the world makes sense to me and I feel enormously optimistic and filled with hope.  I realise that I am hugely fortunate to be able to experience moments like this while so many people in this world are limited by their circumstances – certainly most people in South Africa – so Swim For Hope is all about sharing this optimism and spreading the feeling of hope that I experience in the open water”, says Carina.

Carina is also a well-known musician who performs with the internationally renowned instrumental group Sterling EQ, She founded Swim For Hope in 2014 as a fundraising platform through which open water swimmers can dedicate a solo or group swim to a worthy South African cause.  Since its inception, Swim For Hope has raised over R600,000 for different charities, in addition to media coverage to the value of more than R1 million. The project’s current beneficiary is MUZUKIDZ which, after 5 years working exclusively in Cape Town, has now also opened a branch in Port Elizabeth.  Operating from Settlers Park Primary in Walmer, Muzukidz has one teacher in PE, who has taken 50 young children from townships in and around PE under her wing. Children are taught at no cost to the families and Muzukidz relies solely on external funding to cover costs for teachers, instruments and teaching material. The organisation hopes to be able to appoint a second teacher and reach 150 children by mid-2020.

“Muzukidz is the perfect beneficiary, as I truly believe in empowering South Africans and growing South Africa through education, and being more of a performer than a teacher myself, I was delighted to discover this amazing organisation as it represented everything I was hoping to support as a musician. I believe that giving a child the opportunity to learn a musical instrument goes way beyond the ability to make music or the possibility of being a musician one day. Music stimulates the brain in a very special way; in fact studies have shown that children who do 14 months of musical training displayed more powerful structural and functional brain changes. Imagine what this can do for a young child who comes from a poor background and who has limited opportunities and a limited support structure. I am convinced that organisations like Muzukidz are helping to mould our future leaders, inventors and change makers.”

Members of the public, as well as corporates are invited to follow the swim online, and are encouraged to sponsor and donate.

DONATIONS:

https://www.givengain.com/ap/carina-bruwer-raising-funds-for-muzukidz-24503/

VIEWING / FOLLOWING OPTIONS:

Regular live streaming and updates will be posted on Carina’s Facebook page and Instagram account: www.facebook.com/carinabruwerofficial www.instagram.com/carinabruwer

Carina’s progress can also be tracked online on https://www.mapmytracks.com/events/carina-bruwers-20km-swim-for-hope-across-nelson-mandela-bay1/race/20km-nelson-mandela-bay-swim-crossing

Press release and images courtesy of Swim For Hope / Carina Bruwer

Carina Bruwer to attempt ultra distance ‘Swim for Hope’ across Nelson Mandela Bay On Friday 28 February 2020, Capetonian marathon swimmer, musician and mother-of-three Carina Bruwer will attempt to swim approximately 20km to cross Nelson Mandela Bay in Port Elizabeth, in support of Muzukidz, an organisation that offers underprivileged children the opportunity to learn the violin.

[dulwichdiverter]

Dance hall days

WORDS: RONNIE HAYDON; PHOTO: LIMA CHARLIE

In this year’s blue plaque celebrity contest, organised by the Southwark Heritage Association, the Grafton Dance Centre in Dulwich put its best foot forward and shimmied off with the prize. Its newly minted plaque will commemorate its most famous incumbents, Doreen Freeman and Bob Burgess.

Doreen and Bob were the queen and king of British ballroom dancing in their heyday, and famous the world over. When they moved into dance coaching, setting up an academy in Dulwich Village’s Grafton Hall in 1971, they really put the place on the map.

The pair’s dancing days may be over now (Doreen has retired to Scotland and Bob died in 1998), but their names are revered by the ballroom dancing community. Former Strictly Come Dancing coach Len Goodman backed the campaign for Grafton Hall’s plaque, citing it as the “hub of the ballroom dance world”.

Grafton Hall was built in 1910 as a village hall to host “whist drives and musical evenings”, among other wholesome events. It did so in some style for several decades before being requisitioned for the war effort in 1942. It was one of the first not-for-profit “British Restaurants” (community kitchens) run by the Ministry of Food to nourish the community in times of rationing. It fell into disrepair after the restaurant closed and was resurrected as a dance academy in 1957.

When Doreen and Bob, professional dance champions during the 1960s, took over the lease, the hall basked in the spotlight as one of the country’s leading ballroom dancing studios, attracting impossibly synchronised movers and shakers from all over the globe. After they retired from the Dulwich dance floor, another former dance champion, Brenda Bishop, took it on.

Grafton Dance Centre is now in the capable hands of former Scottish amateur ballroom champion Paul Burbedge, who’s delighted about that plaque.

“It reminds the community that at one point, this building was to dancing what Wimbledon is to tennis,” he says. “Every British dance champion has danced on this very floor since 1972, which is the reason I’d give to protect it as a dance centre for future generations. I’m determined to do that.”

Paul took on the lease in 2010, and the Grafton has been keeping him on his toes ever since. The polished maple dance floor that has had so many champions – including Anton du Beke and Shirley Ballas – quickstep across it over the years, will need replacing soon. Raising the funds for repairs and maintenance is an ongoing struggle.

“I knew when I took it on that the building was in a bit of a state,” says Paul. “The guttering and fascia boards were hanging off and there were mushrooms growing out of the ladies’ toilet. Within a month of getting here we had a major storm and the back roof flooded into the kitchen.

“It seemed as if everything I touched when I first got here broke, so fixing it all has been my priority. All the repairs I have undertaken so far have been paid for out of my income as a dance teacher, but I’m trying to raise funds by applying for grants.”

This is a labour of love for Paul. He’s known the building for a very long time, and remembers it as severely dilapidated even when it was the centre of the ballroom dancing universe.

“I used to come here when I was 15. I would practise here on a Monday night for two hours when I was competing. I can remember coming out of the hall after practice and my clothes would reek of the damp and mildew that seemed to hang about the place.”

Grafton Hall is not whiffy now; in fact it’s a handsome building and the changes that Paul has effected and paid for make it a pleasant place for dance classes and socials.

Ballroom and Latin classes take place most evenings of the week, led by Paul and his team, and Grafton is one of the venues for the Dulwich Ballet School. Tap and musical theatre are also on offer for younger participants, while yoga and pilates classes led by various local instructors also take place weekly.

“We also hire out the hall for parties and events,” adds Paul, “although I have to be quite selective about whom I can let in as this main dance floor is delicate. This is not your average church hall floor – it has to have a certain amount of bounce for the dancers and I need to look after it.”

The floor was buffed up nicely a couple of years back when it had a “walked-on” part in the Michael Caine vehicle King of Thieves: Jim Broadbent and Tom Courtenay’s characters attended a grandchild’s ballet class filmed in Grafton Hall.

The starry highs and lavatory-mushroom lows of being in charge of a veteran dance venue are met with equanimity by the philosophical Paul, who has been dancing – winning major titles along the way – since he was nine.

He also trained as a mechanic in his early 20s, when he feared that making a living out of his talent for dance might be too much of a challenge. How did he get into the ballroom scene in the first place?

“My mum used to go to dance classes in Norbury, which was in those days London’s ballroom dancing hub,” he says. “There were several world-famous studios including the Top of the Stairs, which is where I started training and the Semley Dance Studio.

“It was around the time that the movie Saturday Night Fever was released and the studio started running dance classes on that theme, which didn’t seem uncool, so I went for it. Then one thing led to another and I started winning the medals and doing more competitions.

“There used to be so many dance studios in south London but most have been sold and converted into flats. These days I feel like I’m a one-man band desperately trying to stop that happening here.”

Surely no one has designs on the venerable Grafton?

“I hope not,” says Paul, “but you never know in the long term. Certainly the most recent interview I had with the Dulwich Estate [who own the property] was positive.

“I’m told they want to keep the building as a dance academy but prior to that meeting my biggest fear was that they wanted to knock it down and go down the well-worn luxury housing route. But the director of property at the moment is someone who’s into preservation, I think he understands the significance of this place.”

Paul has plans to open up the studio at the back and create more practice space, extending a little into the spacious garden and creating a new outdoorsy yoga studio.

His ideas have been, in principle, approved by the Dulwich Estate, so it’s all systems go on the fundraising front.

The main motivation behind Paul’s campaign to secure Grafton Dance Centre’s future is his enduring love of dance and its ability to change lives for the better. He cites the centre’s popular First Dance training (for brides and grooms wanting to start out on the right foot at their reception) as an example of this. For some people, it’s their first experience of the rigours of ballroom dancing.

“Couples quickly learn what a test of skill, fitness and stamina it is,” Paul says.

“They see the experts on Strictly Come Dancing making it look so easy but their First Dance lesson proves it really isn’t.

“When two people are dancing, their bodies have to look as if they’re moving as one but each dancer has to attend to their own limits of balance, poise and structure. You can’t just try to take every step together or you end up pulling each other over.

“It’s like tuning multiple carburettors under a car – I hate to use an automotive analogy but I am a mechanic. You’ve got to get both running right in order for them to run really well as one.”

Seeing dancers of all abilities out there on the Grafton Hall dance floor, having a ball, communicating and socialising through the medium of dance and doing wonders for their physical and mental health, is what keeps Paul going.

“Ballroom dance is a great leveller,” he explains. “It brings a whole community together, and that’s what I want this place to do.

“All types of people love to dance, from south London mechanics like me, to doctors, lawyers, rich and poor, old and young. We make it happen for them all.

“When I see them all out on that floor at our summer or new year’s ball, getting a real buzz from the music and the dance, it’s wonderful. Everyone’s on a real high, there’s really nothing to beat it.”

[euroman1945-blog]

The Daily Thistle

The Daily Thistle – News From Scotland

Sunday 26th August 2018

"Madainn Mhath” …Fellow Scot, I hope the day brings joy to you…. Sandra is at home, Thank You for all the inquiries to her health, she’s fine and recovering, Bella and I left her sound asleep and set out to see what we can tell you about this morning… Well, The first this its hot and sticky..we could do with a bit of breeze, that would certainly help… no moon its slipped below the horizon so the stars are in “Look at Me” mode as the fight to see whose brightest…but I think Jupiter wins today as it sparkles in the South South East this morning … Bella tugs she wants to go home, she’s thirsty and hungry, and I could do with a cup of Java ….. Enjoy your Sunday where ever you are on this little blue planet spinning through space and time…

ESCAPED PIGLET RESCUED BY POLICE NEAR LHANBRYDE…. An escaped piglet has been found a new home after being rescued by police in Moray. The piglet was found on the A96 near Lhanbryde in the early hours of the morning earlier this week. It was taken to a police station while inquiries were made. It's thought one explanation could be the piglet fell from an animal transporter. Later named Branston Piggle, the piglet is now being cared for by a local family. Insp Neil Campbell said: "Our officers often face a variety of incidents in the course of their duties and regularly deal with more than crime. "We're pleased to see a new home was found for the piglet, who now sports the rather catchy name Branston Piggle. "We wish him a long and happy life in his new home, where he seems to already be quite the hit."

REPLICA OF WALLACE MONUMENT GOES ON DISPLAY AT LEGOLAND….  The miniature version of the famous monument stands at 1.2m tall and is featured next to other Scottish attractions including Edinburgh Castle at the Windsor Resort. Model maker Tim MacPhee used 7548 bricks for the construction, which took 92 hours to design and build. A 10cm tall bagpiper made from 91 bricks stands in pride of place outside the monument. Mr MacPhee, model maker at the Legoland Windsor Resort, said: "We love to keep introducing new models to our world-famous Miniland attraction, and are delighted to be adding the National Wallace Monument into the Scotland area. "It was a challenging solo project for me, which took around 92 hours to design and build." The Miniland attraction is at the heart of the Legoland Windsor Resort, recreating iconic landmarks from around the world in miniature form. The Wallace Monument is now a permanent feature on display at the resort, which is visited by more than two million people every year.

RARE FIRST BEANO ANNUAL FROM 1939 TO BE SOLD AT AUCTION…. A rare copy of the first Beano annual, published before the appearance of favourite comic character Dennis the Menace, is to be auctioned. The 1940 Beano Book was published around the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, a year after the weekly comic was first published by Dundee-based DC Thomson in July 1938. It is the first of 79 Beano annuals published to date and features comic strips, stories and illustrations - but does not include mischief-maker Dennis the Menace, who made his first appearance in 1951. His pet dog Gnasher was introduced in 1968. The annual is to go under the hammer at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers in Aylsham, Norfolk and is expected to sell for between £1200 and £1500. Robert Henshilwood, head of books for Keys, said: "Beano is the archetypal kids' comic, and it has been published without a break for 80 years. "It is very rare to see a copy of the first ever Beano Annual, especially in such good condition, and we are expecting a lot of interest from collectors from right across the UK and beyond." He said the annual had a small print run. It is one of a number of comics and children's books to be auctioned at the two-day book sale at Keys, which takes place on Thursday, August 30 and Friday, August 31. The Beano annual will be auctioned on the first day of the sale, which also includes a series of Rupert the Bear annuals dating from the 1930s onwards. According to DC Thomson, the word Beano is a shortened version of bean feast, meaning a rowdy jollification. The comic was reduced to 12 pages per fortnight during the Second World War due to paper shortages, and after the conflict the Beano editor's name was discovered on a Nazi assassination list for "gross disrespect".

ABANDONED FERRETS FOUND RUNNING LOOSE AROUND PARK…. Two abandoned ferrets were found running loose in a park. The ferrets, now named Lonnie and Lorna, were spotted in Ayr's Rozelle Park along with an empty pet carrier and a bag of food. The Scottish SPCA are caring for the pair until they can be rehomed. Deputy chief superintendent, Tom Gatherer, said: "The ferrets will stay in our care until we can find them a loving forever home. "If anyone recognises Lonnie and Lorna we'd urge them to contact us as we are keen to identify the person responsible for abandoning them." Anyone with information is asked to contact the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.

SOCIAL BITE LAUNCHES WEE SLEEP OUT FOR YOUNGSTERS…. Wee Sleep Out events will take place on Friday, November 9 across the country. Homelessness charity, Social Bite, has launched the Wee Sleep Out initiative for youngsters. The national awareness-raising and fundraising campaign aims to empower Scotland's young people to join the charity's mission to end homelessness. Young people between the ages of eight and 16 are being called upon to organise their very own Wee Sleep Outs on Friday, November 9. Supported by teachers, youth leaders, parents and guardians, the initiative is part of Scotland's Year of Young People 2018. Children can choose any location, from gardens and school grounds to community halls, living rooms or sports centres, and there will be no sign-up fee and no minimum fundraising target. The idea is to make it accessible to all, but young people are encouraged to raise as much as they can to contribute to the charity's campaign. Social Bite's adult version, Sleep in the Park, will take place on Saturday, December 8 and money raised from both events will go towards Social Bite's wider Sleep in the Park total. One of the charity's newest projects is the Housing First project, which is expected to take 800 rough sleepers off the streets by 2020. Co-founder of Social Bite and organiser of the Wee Sleep Out, Alice Thompson, said: "The success of Sleep in the Park last year was overwhelming. "To bring 8000 people together and raise £4m in the process was incredible, and this year we want the young people of Scotland to join us. "There's been a real appetite from the young people of Scotland looking to get involved, and a number of them got in touch after Sleep in the Park, offering their support." She added: "We even had Cody McManus, aged nine, brave the Beast from the East and sleep out in an igloo in his back garden - raising £1000 for the cause. "We're proud to launch the Wee Sleep Out during Scotland's Year of Young People and give the young people in this country a voice. "We want people of all ages to get involved with Social Bite's mission to eradicate homelessness and we're inviting young people across the country to get creative and take the lead by organising their own Wee Sleep Out."

On that note I will say that I hope you have enjoyed the news from Scotland today,

Our look at Scotland today is by Steve Buckland, from Cupar in Fife, who captured this image of a little egret flying up the Eden Estuary at Guardbridge.

A Sincere Thank You for your company and Thank You for your likes and comments I love them and always try to reply, so please keep them coming, it's always good fun, As is my custom, I will go and get myself another mug of "Colombian" Coffee and wish you a safe Sunday 26th August 2018 from my home on the southern coast of Spain, where the blue waters of the Alboran Sea washes the coast of Africa and Europe and the smell of the night blooming Jasmine and Honeysuckle fills the air…and a crazy old guy and his dog Bella go out for a walk at 4:00 am…on the streets of Estepona…

All good stuff....But remember it’s a dangerous world we live in

Be safe out there…

Robert McAngus #Scotland #News #Spain

[rnrmarineservices-blog]

Inner city sailing hero: teen Fastnet helmsman wins 2018's Young Sailor of the Year Award

Haringey schoolboy Montel Fagan-Jordan today won the YJA Young Sailor of the Year Award. The 17-year-old was one of the outstanding sailors who took part in the Fasntnet on the Greig City Academy's vintage Frers yacht Scaramouche. We found out more about the programme

Montel Fagan-Jordan was awarded the prestigious Young Sailor of the Year trophy, which features names like Ben Ainslie and Hannah Mills, after a vote by Yachting Journalist Association members. Greig Academy teacher John Holt, who runs the sailing programme, commented online before the announcement: “A lot of people know about our project but few know that [Montel] did EVERY talk for fundraising (over 50) and took EVERY sailing opportunity possible which came our way.

“Many other students in the project have been committed but he has been an understated leader of it. Helming downwind on the way back from the Fastnet Rock was a highlight of a year in which he did the fundraising and motivation of the other crew members. Everyone nominated tomorrow deserves it but for a lad who has at 17 charmed sponsors, pitched to big sailing companies, sailed over 3000 miles and done masses behind the scenes at school for Project Scaramouche I think if it goes his way, it will reflect his commitment and effort!”

Earlier this year, we found out more about the Greig Academy Sailing programme:

Project Scaramouche

There is a lot of well-meaning talk in the sailing world about how to make the sport more accessible – to women, to young people, and to those from different socio-economic groups.

Rather than wait for the sailing clubs to open its doors to them, one inner-London school has taken a very different approach to actually making it happen.

The Greig City Academy in the London borough of Haringey sees over 70 percent of its pupils receive free school means, and there are over 50 different first languages spoken at the school. Around 73 percent of pupils are statistically classified as disadvantaged. The demographics of the pupil body are markedly different to that of a typical RORC crew, yet this summer eight of its boys completed the Rolex Fastnet Race on the school yacht Scaramouche, becoming the first state school to do so.

The school's sailing programme is not based on taking pupils out on the yacht as a one-off experience, but on developing their skills and involvement to as high a level as possible. Jon Holt, head of sixth form, explains how they started in 2013:

“We've got a school that really believes in outdoor education, but it didn't include any sailing because we thought it would be difficult to get large numbers of school children out. We've got to get a balance between providing for the whole school and also trying to improve individual performance.

“The only place we could go to that could provide sailing for 25 students at a time was in Poole Harbour. So we started dinghy sailing down there and effectively what happened is that 12 of the boys really enjoyed it and wanted to take it further. We tried to facilitate that, and initially we sort of made it up as went along.”

Holt found a dilapidated 22ft MacGregor yacht on eBay, which the school bought and restored, but the pupils had set their sights higher.

“We then decided that we wanted to enter races, but the only schools yacht race is the Arrow Trophy, and you have to be a fee paying school so we couldn't do that one.” Holt says the Academy approached the Arrow Trophy organisers twice, and was 'refused point blank'.

Undeterred, they decided to enter the association of sail training organisations regatta, the ASTO Small Ships race, with a plan to then do some RORC races. “But we didn't have a boat that could do the Small Ships, and we didn't have one that could do offshore racing.”

Famous Whitbread skipper Lawrie Smith was Holt's childhood hero, and he began searching online for Smith's old boats when he stumbled on Scaramouche for sale in Sweden.

Lawrie Smith coaching on Scaramouche

An impractical dream?

The Frers-designed 45ft Scaramouche was built in aluminium by Palmer Johnson and represented the USA in the Admiral's Cup in 1981. She originally sported many IOR race yacht features, such as wire sheets and guys and a hydraulic main, and was later refitted as a training vessel for the US Navy.

Despite several subsequent owners beginning restoration projects, when Holt found her she had been on the hard for four years and in need of considerable work.

“The designer emailed me, to say: 'That's too big a project, it's not a school boat,',” recalls Holt, “but by then momentum had built so we put in an offer of £17,000 and we ended up with Scaramouche. So this is like our mini-Rothmans. Or mini-Intrum Justitia!”

Scaramouche is not the typical cruiser-racer used by sailing schools. It is unashamedly rough and ready down below, with a sagging headliner and bits of pipe lagging covering rough edges. At the end of the Fastnet it looked very much as you'd expect a 37-year-old yacht crewed by teenagers offshore to look – Haribo wrappers and headphones strewn around, damp socks and an overflowing galley sink. But none of that matters, the boys were not onboard for comfort, they were there for the challenge.

All the important bits – safety kit, rigging, sails – have all been thoroughly restored or replaced thanks to a vast amount of determination from the pupils, and a lot of good will from the industry.

“We did our first ASTO race and we got line honours in that, which we weren't expecting,” recalls Holt, “and then they did a sequence of maybe 40-50 talks to sailing clubs and suppliers. The boys did all of it. All of the money for this, none of it comes from the school, it's all money they've raised through talks.”

The school uses the talks to raise funds, and also support from industry suppliers – Ocean Yacht Systems has donated standing rigging, Marlow Ropes and English Braids gave the boat new running rigging, Spinlock supplied lifejackets free of charge. Lawrie Smith has become a valued mentor, coaching the crew and negotiating with suppliers for donations or reduced fees.

“It needs a huge amount of work, and also I have to prioritise safety,” says Holt. “I've got to be clear that the work's done to a really high standard, so we've been using Hamble Yacht Serices refit and repair.

“Each time one of the invoices comes through, if we can't afford it then we just go out and do more talks, we do more applications to trust funds, we ask Lawrie Smith to wade in on our behalf, which he does really effectively.

“We've found that the industry wants to help, it wants people to be involved.

But a lot of schools find reasons for not doing stuff. Like our head teacher says, they always ask, what if it goes wrong? And they never ask, what happens if it goes spectacularly well?”

Holt believes that, rather than adding complexities to the programme, using a vintage yacht like Scaramouche helps draw in support from the industry. “I don't think the likes of Lawrie Smith would have been involved if we'd just bought a standard production yacht.

“Then the crew are unusual, and they know it themselves. Their ethnicities are not particularly well represented at the moment within sailing. But it's not because sailing has barriers it's the opposite, it's because not enough people ask to do it.”

Eat, sleep, sail, revise

One factor Jon Holt doesn't point out is that the Academy's sailing programme demands a lot of extra work and sacrificed weekends by the Greig City Academy staff. The Scaramouche crew train on Southampton Water at the weekends, and took part in cross-Channel RORC races to qualify for the Rolex Fastnet Race – most of the team logging some 1,500 miles. Many took revision with them during the summer term, and Holt says all of them have seen the rewards of their commitment.

“The boys basically build resilience all the way through. They have coped with every kind of condition you could possibly deal with: rough weather, being becalmed for several hours, and they've gained lots of things. They've gained an understanding that you have to work hard to get what you want, so they've done through the talks.

“They've had to learn interpersonal skills because the crew were selected on ability rather than a friendship group, so some of them are in a watch with students they wouldn't normally socialise with in school. And they've learnt how to manage themselves.

“The key thing they've learnt is resilience, and they are a resilient bunch of kids.

“Those boys just stuck at it. Four of them have got their Day Skipper qualification. What we found was that they found sailing qualifications really aspirational. My generation sometimes see them as a bit of a hassle, something you've got to get, whereas they were like see it as a really good exam pass.”

Besides the Fastnet, in which they finished 142nd overall out of the 368 boat fleet, a team raced at the invitational Getrude Cup in Etchells, where they finished an impressive 4th. The Academy also competed at Cowes Week with both girl and boy pupils onboard – safeguarding reasons mean that for the offshore race programme the crew had to be single sex. From taster sessions to competing at international events, over 1,000 pupils have gone sailing with the Greig City Acadmey since it began the programme.

Holt hopes to build on the success of the last season – he's already planning a return to the Fastnet in 2019, and looking to take an Etchells crew to compete in Miami.

“I honestly thought there would be bits of the Fastnet that they really might not like. I was worried that they would do the race and find it so overwhelming that they might say, ok, it was a good experience but never again.

“It's been the complete opposite. They were absolutely buzzing the whole way back from the Fastnet Rock. They coped well when it was hard. They enjoyed it when it was exhilarating. I will never forget Montel on the helm, surfing downwind in the middle of the Irish Sea with very big waves. The boat was on a knife edge between broaching and gybing, and he was holding it really well.

“And then as we were coming in, everybody's asking 'When's the next race?' So I think they've got the bug for it.”

In fact the bug has taken them to Miami, where they have represented the Cowes Etchells fleet at several international events. Who knows what next?

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