An idea that arrived from an American contact, who was asked to create her own, by the university professor who is leading a course about music therapy. An interesting idea.
Reading a UK report from last year which reported the idea that music services should be funded through Music Education Hubs rather than through local authorities and, that those Hubs have themselves received a funding reduction for 2014/15 of some 30%, I thought now was a good time to write my own musical autobiography. My musical life began at home, but was nourished through the Education System and maintained through my working life. Music is a deeply-rooted part of my life, so it is particularly pleasurable that certain of our younger friends are as deeply involved with music and are finding so much enjoyment.
Part One:
1. Started playing the piano aged I think 7.
2. Participated in a school musical entertainment.
3.Wrote my first play aged 10, which included music composition.
4. Listened to classical music with my father, who as a boy had
learnt to play the church organ.
5. Sang songs with the brownies each week.
6. Went to first ballet at Royal Festival Hall
Part Two:
1. Continued with the piano and started the clarinet.
2. Joined the school orchestra and the school choir.
3. Supply music teacher arrives and introduces us to Ramsey Lewis.
4. Finished piano exams
5. Joined local drama school and started entering music and drama festivals.
6. Joined the guides. Sang songs each week and during the summer camp.
7. Became aware of and then totally addicted to David Munro and early English music -
television series on Granada.
8 Riveted to Daniel Barenboim's Beethoven Sonata series on the BBC which if I remember correctly was on a Sunday morning.
9. Lost place in National Youth Theatre as very ill. Hospital for nearly a year.
10. Recovery. Changed school, new music, new everything.
Part Three:
1. Saw Canned Heat, Lindisfarne, Genesis and Van der Graaf Generator
2. Worked in independent music shop.
3. Went into Arts Centre Management as Arts Development Officer, programming music amongst other things.
4. Continued in Arts Management, but this time at The Arts Theatre/Unicorn Theatre for Children
5. Started learning to play the saxophone. Finished all the exams in three years.
6. Went to University. Joined a samba band, and a quartet.
7. Briefly part of the University choir.
8. Saxophones stolen while performing at Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
9. Going to concerts and gigs became the main outlet.
Part Four:
1. Started to play the accordeon and kazoo: everything and anything.
2. Currently co-organiser and singing in group (4 of us) covering pop classics French, British, American, Jazz, French chanson, Blues.
3. Gigging in France.
Tales from Cravant
A Cravant View
Friday, January 30, 2015
Times have changed
I remember the first time we visited York in 1984. It was just before the Viking Centre opened, which we have since visited. At the time we were totally engrossed by York Castle Museum. On this first visit, to both my surprise and horror, I saw a virtual replica of my parents front room, from when I was about seven, and we were living in the East End of London. Strange feeling when your own life becomes a point of historical reference.
Felt the same on reading a posting of an article from the N.Y.Times, about "America's Worst Mom", who had been vilified for allowing her nine year old son to travel the metro alone. From the age of about eight until I was thirteen, when the family moved to Sussex, I used to make the journey quite regularly from Plaistow to the City, to visit my Uncle and Aunt for the weekend. It was a different world in the East End then. Of course it would be. Come the late fifties and early sixties we/London/the country were on the cusp of major change. I've never been back and probably never will, although a friend Gary who I discovered also lived there, has suggested we should.
At the time, my mother felt it safe enough to put me on a bus, with strict instructions not to talk to anyone, whilst the conductor was given strict instructions to keep an eye on me. In those days, such an arrangement was possible, even expected and always accepted. It was the same informal agreement that existed with the postman and the milkman. The likelihood then of someone being taken ill or dying and not being found for days or months wasn't feasible with such a network of regular contact - at least not where we were.
My journey was on the Greenline bus, which I think was an older version Routemaster, instead of the regular Red Routemaster. The route made very few stops so once you were on, your travelling companions pretty much remained the same, meaning less risk involved. Plaistow did have an underground but it wasn't possible to make the journey, without various changes on route. The bus allowed me to get off pretty much where I needed to be, with my aunt waiting for me at the stop. This of course wasn't the time of the mobile phone. I've no idea how long the bus ride took, but it was only once we'd got back to my aunt's house, that my mother would know I'd arrived safely the other end.
The Greenline still exists, although the cross London routes, of which mine was one, stopped in 1979. Increasing car use and faster parallel rail services meant passenger use rapidly declined. But between 1957 and 1960, when my family and I were using it, Greenline ridership was at its peak of 36 million passengers a year.
Felt the same on reading a posting of an article from the N.Y.Times, about "America's Worst Mom", who had been vilified for allowing her nine year old son to travel the metro alone. From the age of about eight until I was thirteen, when the family moved to Sussex, I used to make the journey quite regularly from Plaistow to the City, to visit my Uncle and Aunt for the weekend. It was a different world in the East End then. Of course it would be. Come the late fifties and early sixties we/London/the country were on the cusp of major change. I've never been back and probably never will, although a friend Gary who I discovered also lived there, has suggested we should.
At the time, my mother felt it safe enough to put me on a bus, with strict instructions not to talk to anyone, whilst the conductor was given strict instructions to keep an eye on me. In those days, such an arrangement was possible, even expected and always accepted. It was the same informal agreement that existed with the postman and the milkman. The likelihood then of someone being taken ill or dying and not being found for days or months wasn't feasible with such a network of regular contact - at least not where we were.
My journey was on the Greenline bus, which I think was an older version Routemaster, instead of the regular Red Routemaster. The route made very few stops so once you were on, your travelling companions pretty much remained the same, meaning less risk involved. Plaistow did have an underground but it wasn't possible to make the journey, without various changes on route. The bus allowed me to get off pretty much where I needed to be, with my aunt waiting for me at the stop. This of course wasn't the time of the mobile phone. I've no idea how long the bus ride took, but it was only once we'd got back to my aunt's house, that my mother would know I'd arrived safely the other end.
The Greenline still exists, although the cross London routes, of which mine was one, stopped in 1979. Increasing car use and faster parallel rail services meant passenger use rapidly declined. But between 1957 and 1960, when my family and I were using it, Greenline ridership was at its peak of 36 million passengers a year.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
We have a new neighbour!
A very warm welcome to Anna Lassier, who came into the world on Sunday 18th January at 10h28, weighing in at just over 7lbs and just over 19 inches in length. Everyone is doing well. We have seen a photo of this gorgeous bundle on FB which her father Julien posted. Fast asleep and wrapped up warmly. So a family of three is now a family of four, and older sister Lily will before too long have another playmate. Félicitations!
Monday, January 19, 2015
Flexible and Creative
Essential factors for 18-30 years olds here in France, if they expect to have a future in the job market.
Been reading various articles to try a get an idea of the work market for young people. It's as challenging here as it is in the UK. What I've gleaned is as follows - it comes from various sources.
There was an enquiry at the beginning of 2014 concerning this age group, which numbers 21% of the workforce. Half of them seem to believe they will never have as good a life as their parents and about 30% believe they will never escape being in financial crisis. Statistics support these views.
22% of young people are still unemployed three months after having finished their studies. This % increases to 48% amongst the less qualified. There is a precariousness attached to any employment these days which functions on temporary or fixed-term contracts. Amongst these young people, the feeling of social injustice is well-established. Qualified or over-qualified, the reality for many is reliance on the minimum wage.
The family in France remains a huge source of emotional and material support, with the 40 or 50 year old parents themselves affected by the crisis and at times, periods of unemployment. The enquiry revealed that amongst the young, more than half receive financial aid from their parents, even when they are working. 36% of 18-30s are also still living with their parents at home - a situation which was made the subject of a film called Tanguy, which we watched on t.v. last year. Excellent film.
Although supportive, the parental generation can find itself at odds in the working world, with their own children, who reproach their parents for not making room for them. To some extent there has always been inter-generational tension in the job market. However whilst their professional lives are often difficult, the younger generation are actively pursuing other aspects of their lives that they want to achieve as citizens.
Personal fulfillment and community are very important. This younger generation is well informed, well connected and are, intuitively, IT whizzes. Being unable to integrate immediately into society, means they have had to find other ways to engage, which are frequently through community organisations.
Those who have found work often surprise business leaders in their attitude to it. Adaptability seems to be the key amongst today's 18-30s in terms of level of salary and job opportunity. In return they can be less attached and don't give a corporate career structure the same degree of importance as previous generations have done. There is a preference for acquiring a range of professional experience, rather than staying in one place. What counts above all else is the balance between the professional life and the private life.
In some respects this mirrors my own work experience when I first started in the late 60s. You gained experience by moving around. The difference being that then there was always something to move to, without the need to be overly motivated. Motivation and adaptability (amongst other things) have kept me employable my entire working life, including a number of career changes and being head-hunted. So there are aspects within current trends that I totally relate to.
Heaven help anybody though who doesn't 'fit the bill' and doesn't have the resources to help themselves.
Been reading various articles to try a get an idea of the work market for young people. It's as challenging here as it is in the UK. What I've gleaned is as follows - it comes from various sources.
There was an enquiry at the beginning of 2014 concerning this age group, which numbers 21% of the workforce. Half of them seem to believe they will never have as good a life as their parents and about 30% believe they will never escape being in financial crisis. Statistics support these views.
22% of young people are still unemployed three months after having finished their studies. This % increases to 48% amongst the less qualified. There is a precariousness attached to any employment these days which functions on temporary or fixed-term contracts. Amongst these young people, the feeling of social injustice is well-established. Qualified or over-qualified, the reality for many is reliance on the minimum wage.
The family in France remains a huge source of emotional and material support, with the 40 or 50 year old parents themselves affected by the crisis and at times, periods of unemployment. The enquiry revealed that amongst the young, more than half receive financial aid from their parents, even when they are working. 36% of 18-30s are also still living with their parents at home - a situation which was made the subject of a film called Tanguy, which we watched on t.v. last year. Excellent film.
Although supportive, the parental generation can find itself at odds in the working world, with their own children, who reproach their parents for not making room for them. To some extent there has always been inter-generational tension in the job market. However whilst their professional lives are often difficult, the younger generation are actively pursuing other aspects of their lives that they want to achieve as citizens.
Personal fulfillment and community are very important. This younger generation is well informed, well connected and are, intuitively, IT whizzes. Being unable to integrate immediately into society, means they have had to find other ways to engage, which are frequently through community organisations.
Those who have found work often surprise business leaders in their attitude to it. Adaptability seems to be the key amongst today's 18-30s in terms of level of salary and job opportunity. In return they can be less attached and don't give a corporate career structure the same degree of importance as previous generations have done. There is a preference for acquiring a range of professional experience, rather than staying in one place. What counts above all else is the balance between the professional life and the private life.
In some respects this mirrors my own work experience when I first started in the late 60s. You gained experience by moving around. The difference being that then there was always something to move to, without the need to be overly motivated. Motivation and adaptability (amongst other things) have kept me employable my entire working life, including a number of career changes and being head-hunted. So there are aspects within current trends that I totally relate to.
Heaven help anybody though who doesn't 'fit the bill' and doesn't have the resources to help themselves.
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Alternative Paris
Came across a really interesting initiative today which aims to rehabilitate people who are excluded or on the outer edges of society, back into work. Alternative Urbaine is an association coordinating a programme of guided walks led by someone who is homeless or unemployed.
The guides are paid by the association and enable visitors to discover a Paris that is authentic and unknown in the north-eastern districts of Belleville and Ménilmontant
(11th and 20th arrondissements).
Belleville and Ménilmontant were absorbed into Central Paris in the 1800s. The districts were initially used to house immigrants from rural France, then people from the former colonies of North Africa and Asia arrived. These days Belleville is home to a thriving artists' community and Chinese quarter. Ménilmontant has some of the buzziest venues in Paris, loads of nightlife and hip bars.
However there's more to be discovered. And part of the uniqueness of Alternative Urbaine project is the opportunity the guides offer to visitors, to meet and talk with Parisiens in places and spaces that are off the beaten track, but are important to the local area.
Generally organised at the weekend, each walk lasts between 1 and 2 hours. There isn't a charge. Instead each visitor pays a contribution directly to the guide.
There is a quotation on the site of Alternative Urbaine credited to Alexandra David-Néel, a Belgian-French explorer, Buddhist and writer, born in the mid 1800s, which eloquently expresses the concept at the heart of the project:
Someone who travels without meeting another isn't travelling, he's just moving.
www.alternative-urbaine.net
The guides are paid by the association and enable visitors to discover a Paris that is authentic and unknown in the north-eastern districts of Belleville and Ménilmontant
(11th and 20th arrondissements).
Belleville and Ménilmontant were absorbed into Central Paris in the 1800s. The districts were initially used to house immigrants from rural France, then people from the former colonies of North Africa and Asia arrived. These days Belleville is home to a thriving artists' community and Chinese quarter. Ménilmontant has some of the buzziest venues in Paris, loads of nightlife and hip bars.
However there's more to be discovered. And part of the uniqueness of Alternative Urbaine project is the opportunity the guides offer to visitors, to meet and talk with Parisiens in places and spaces that are off the beaten track, but are important to the local area.
Generally organised at the weekend, each walk lasts between 1 and 2 hours. There isn't a charge. Instead each visitor pays a contribution directly to the guide.
There is a quotation on the site of Alternative Urbaine credited to Alexandra David-Néel, a Belgian-French explorer, Buddhist and writer, born in the mid 1800s, which eloquently expresses the concept at the heart of the project:
Someone who travels without meeting another isn't travelling, he's just moving.
www.alternative-urbaine.net
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Mr. Turner comes to Chinon
Couldn't be more appropriate really. Turner filled several sketchbooks with his impressions of famous Loire chateaux, such as Amboise, Saumur, Blois and Chambord, which supplied him with the perfect combination of hill, castle, town,bridge, river and people.
In 1826, when he was in his fifties and at the height of his powers, Turner spent two weeks travelling up the Loire from Nantes to Orléans. The results of his project were produced in his book Wanderings by the Loire, published in 1833, as part of a Rivers of France series.
Turner with his passion for sail, water, light and reflection, chose a good time to make the trip. Loire navigation was in the process of transformation. It appears he took the steamboat from Nantes to Angers - a new service - and then afterwards travelled by coach. so Turner was able to see the juxtaposition of steam and sail at close hand.
Clearly a very useful study source.
As to the film, well anything with Mr. Timothy Spall in it has a head-start as far as I'm concerned. The film was a really classy piece of work. Beautiful opening scenes of the Dutch landscape evoked Turner's colour palette. Came away with a real sense of person, place, the times. But strangely although engrossed by the film, I wasn't moved by it.
In 1826, when he was in his fifties and at the height of his powers, Turner spent two weeks travelling up the Loire from Nantes to Orléans. The results of his project were produced in his book Wanderings by the Loire, published in 1833, as part of a Rivers of France series.
Turner with his passion for sail, water, light and reflection, chose a good time to make the trip. Loire navigation was in the process of transformation. It appears he took the steamboat from Nantes to Angers - a new service - and then afterwards travelled by coach. so Turner was able to see the juxtaposition of steam and sail at close hand.
Clearly a very useful study source.
As to the film, well anything with Mr. Timothy Spall in it has a head-start as far as I'm concerned. The film was a really classy piece of work. Beautiful opening scenes of the Dutch landscape evoked Turner's colour palette. Came away with a real sense of person, place, the times. But strangely although engrossed by the film, I wasn't moved by it.
Friday, January 9, 2015
The beloved phone box . . .
Or at least it used to be. When was the last time I had to use a phone box. I actually can't remember. Probably from a railway station somewhere in the sixties, perhaps the seventies. But with the arrival of the mobile my allegiance changed.
Apparently there are still 65,000 red phone boxes in the UK and 8,000 in London. Seems the traditional reds have become synonymous with anti-social behaviour and are no longer a positive addition to public spaces. Hello to the trendy greens, otherwise known as the Solarbox, which by all accounts are reversing this trend, and are bringing a quintessentially piece of British design up to date. When we're in London this summer, we'll have to check one out for ourselves.
Here in France, the big telecommunications company, Orange, wants to finish with most of the phone booths by the end of 2015. Some will be kept going according to their strategic importance and daily usage levels, which must be more than three minutes per day. Phone booths positioned in hotels and stations will disappear by the end of December 2016.
While waiting for the changes to be introduced, the French have found another use for the booths. Some have been transformed into mini libraries, with people depositing and taking books freely. Phones and books, two great forms of communication, side by side.
Apparently there are still 65,000 red phone boxes in the UK and 8,000 in London. Seems the traditional reds have become synonymous with anti-social behaviour and are no longer a positive addition to public spaces. Hello to the trendy greens, otherwise known as the Solarbox, which by all accounts are reversing this trend, and are bringing a quintessentially piece of British design up to date. When we're in London this summer, we'll have to check one out for ourselves.
Here in France, the big telecommunications company, Orange, wants to finish with most of the phone booths by the end of 2015. Some will be kept going according to their strategic importance and daily usage levels, which must be more than three minutes per day. Phone booths positioned in hotels and stations will disappear by the end of December 2016.
While waiting for the changes to be introduced, the French have found another use for the booths. Some have been transformed into mini libraries, with people depositing and taking books freely. Phones and books, two great forms of communication, side by side.
We raised our pencils yesterday!
Thursday 8 January 2015. A large crowd gathered in Chinon yesterday outside the town hall for a minute's silence to mark the events of the last few days in Paris. Some held placards, some wore badges, some raised pencils. Then we drifted away as quietly as we had arrived.
A moment of great emotion and solidarity.
A moment of great emotion and solidarity.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
For chocolate fans both sides of the channel!
Thought I was going to be writing a little snippet about a 120th anniversary that is being celebrated this year, in France. But on delving a little further, found a bigger story that crossed the channel.
The village of Chambéry is the home of the chocolate truffle. Le pâtissier Louis Dufour created the now world-renowned Savoyarde speciality, at the end of the 19th century. The chocolate truffle's arrival was purely by chance when, during a competition Louis Dufour discovered he didn't have enough cocoa. He added crème fraîche, some vanilla to the mix and then rolled the little balls in powdered chocolate. Et voilà, the chocolate truffle was born.
In 1902 Antoine Dufour came to England, opening the first Prestat shop in South Molton Street, London. Another two were opened in Oxford Street and in the City of London. The business was passed to Antoine's son, Tony Dufour, who ran it into the 1950s. Trading difficulties emerging from WW2, saw the company sold on. The company received royal warrants in 1975 to Queen Elizabeth ll and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1999. The current flagship store is in Piccadilly. In 2009 Prestat opened in Harrod's Chocolate Hall.
Prestate has been owned by brothers Nick Crean and William Keeling since1998.
There wasn't much of the history to be found in terms of documents and packaging. However the two shop managers Peggy Cramer and Dilys Wilson, who combined, have worked for the company for over seventy years, were able to fill in some gaps and supply some information. The brothers have Antoine Dufour's original recipes for chocolate caramels, coffee caramels, chocolate fudge, Turkish Delight, violet fondant, rose fondant and of course, chocolate truffels.
So London friends, if you haven't already - go check them out, and have one for me!
Monday, January 5, 2015
On the road and back to France
 |
| Bridge at BOA |
Our final morning having got packed-up, met some of the girls for coffee at the Fat Fowl, where we'd virtually taken up residence since we arrived, with all the coffees, lunches and diners. Good to see owners Arlene and Mark again. We'd had a superb dinner there with friends the night before. Saturday morning as we left, the place was buzzing. Mike had moved the car up to the top of town, before picking me up on the way for a final visit to see our long-time friend John Salvat. Had a light bite there with him before heading off to Shoreham to stay overnight with more long-time friends, June and John, who we hadn't seen for about two years.
 |
| Harbour at Shoreham |
Eventually we had to leave for Portsmouth and the ferry home. A reasonable number of vehicles on board. No lorries though. Set sail on time at 22.45pm and arrived in France on time at 6.45 am (French time). Time on board is always British and there's an hour's difference. We were up at 4.30 British time., breakfast at 5 and off the boat by 6am or 7am French time. Driving in the dark for about an hour before dawn began to break. Good journey with a stop, and back in through our front door by 10.30am, feeling slightly weary. But a cup of coffee soon sorted that out.
A really good visit. Useful as well as good fun. Thanks and much love everyone - you know who you are.
Friday, January 2, 2015
A bit of TV
Not having access to British Television in France - our choice - it's been interesting to catch a tiny bit over the holidays. Not that it's the usual fare. The only thing that we really enjoyed was Wallender- the original Swedish version of a new 4-part series, two parts being show back to back on two nights. Parts 1 and 2 we watched during Christmas near Salisbury and parts 3 and 4 last night, in our little apartment in BOA. Never seen a Wallender before in any version. Really good we thought. Like the writing, the pace, the characters - well everything really. We avoided Spiral-series 4, which has just started over here and has already begun in France. Terrific series. Consistently good. Might by a Wallender DVD when we get back. Seem to remember news that another Foyle's War was being made. Classy piece of work that one. Will have to find out more.
Coming to the end of our visit to BOA, with dinner with friends tonight. It's been interesting spending a week here rather than 2 or 3 days. A little more time to see friends. Obviously different because of the time of year, but we try to keep up with what's happening in the town through various newsletters that we've subscribed to, and of course FB updates.
Here's to the next time.
Coming to the end of our visit to BOA, with dinner with friends tonight. It's been interesting spending a week here rather than 2 or 3 days. A little more time to see friends. Obviously different because of the time of year, but we try to keep up with what's happening in the town through various newsletters that we've subscribed to, and of course FB updates.
Here's to the next time.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
HAPPY NEW YEAR
First resolution for the new year is to write my blog regularly. As of today 1 January 2015, I'm starting as I mean to continue.
We've been in the UK for Christmas with family just outside Salisbury and New Year with friends in Bradford on Avon. In between there have been birthday parties and birthday dinners. We have three friends with birthdays on Dec 25, 26 and 27. A Nicola and two Nicks. We've also met friends for lunches, dinners, coffee. It's been a busy time over the last four days particularly, followed by a party with friends for NYEve. About 30 of us. It's been lovely seeing everyone. Managed to get into Bath for some shopping as well, which unsurprisingly was heaving. Fortunately we went in early.
One more day here, then it's off to Shoreham to visit some friends overnight and then back to France.
2014 was a terrific year. Life in France is just great. We're enjoying every minute. Thanks to the internet and Facebook, we're able to keep in touch with all our family and friends, in whichever country they are based. It's been a joy seeing the younger ones finding their way, facing at times, very difficult challenges with amazing courage, determination and humour.
Happy New Year to everyone and may 2015 be everything you would like it to be.
We've been in the UK for Christmas with family just outside Salisbury and New Year with friends in Bradford on Avon. In between there have been birthday parties and birthday dinners. We have three friends with birthdays on Dec 25, 26 and 27. A Nicola and two Nicks. We've also met friends for lunches, dinners, coffee. It's been a busy time over the last four days particularly, followed by a party with friends for NYEve. About 30 of us. It's been lovely seeing everyone. Managed to get into Bath for some shopping as well, which unsurprisingly was heaving. Fortunately we went in early.
One more day here, then it's off to Shoreham to visit some friends overnight and then back to France.
2014 was a terrific year. Life in France is just great. We're enjoying every minute. Thanks to the internet and Facebook, we're able to keep in touch with all our family and friends, in whichever country they are based. It's been a joy seeing the younger ones finding their way, facing at times, very difficult challenges with amazing courage, determination and humour.
Happy New Year to everyone and may 2015 be everything you would like it to be.
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