Mosaic flooring:
Neighbouring, plush, historical flats and park were incredible:
A zine and blog |
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I've only just discovered that Mayfair has a public library, dating back to 1894. An area largely associated with money and business, it is also a fairly mixed residential zone, and every pocket of London needs its library service. Nearby boroughs can also use their library cards in branch. This is a special library and it's quite the luxurious library experience. Mosaic flooring: Interior of the entrance in all its grandeur: Close up of the glorious stained glass windows: Weddings are held in another area of the building. The library itself houses a brilliant collection of mostly recent DVDs, and there was a book sale with a lot of interesting cookery books, recent novels, CDs, etc. Neighbouring, plush, historical flats and park were incredible: Mayfair also has a superb cinema, which is grade II listed and has origins in the 1930s and the 1960s, with a lot of old signs remaining. If you pick the right day, there are hunks of homemade chocolate square cakes that are worth almost any trek to taste!
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London College of Communication in south east London houses a long-running zine library. By coincidence it was during International Zine Month, and on zine library celebration day, that I went to access the collection. I've long been donating my work to the collection, but never made it over to visit properly till July. I was glad I did. The collection comprises thousands of individual zines, all boxed up in special archives - available to users of the library - including the general public, if you contact them in advance. You'll see from the above that the zine library is now 5 years old - so Happy Birthday to it! Athemaura zine turned 5 years old a couple of months ago, too, but I kept forgetting to make mention of that on here.
I'll recommend an indie pop fanzine called Whoosh. It boasted risograph print in bright colours typical of indie fanzines of the 80s and early 90s. References to Horlicks and sleepiness in relation to Galaxie 50. An early interview with my Bloody Valentine - which felt a bit of a privilege to pore over even if I'm not such a fan. I looked at a bunch of other music fanzines from the 80s and 90s, enjoying the transportation to other eras, and how many of the writers of music fanzines were freely critical and vitriolic, plus many titles were so scattershot in look, cramming as much in as possible - not conscientious or clearcut in design or in delivery, which was good to escape into. I recall a cartoon of John Peel upside down riding a skateboard. I hardly scratched the surface of the collection, since there are over a thousand individual zines in the collection, across various topics and eras. Also enjoyed reading and raiding from the bookshelves, a fair few books that collected zine works, such as the personal zine Doris, Savage Messiah (which provides healthy critique of gentrification of London), and the most famous fanzine of them all, Sniffin' Glue. Zines on display in glass cases in the library: There is an RHS library at Wisley! We stumbled across it towards the end of our visit to the gardens, but it was still difficult to tear myself away. Another reason to visit again in the future. You can become a member to borrow items, or look at reference books on your visit to the gardens. What a place it would be to work too. Just outside the library there was a display of mini gardens from a recent competition, which were full of the innovative and the wacky (sorry not to have names to credit - please comment, if either of these creations are yours)... I took a lot of photos on my film camera as well - yet to be developed, so that will be a nice surprise one day soon.
I will catch up on other stuff I want to write about from last few months when I get chance too - quite a back-log now... Surbiton library is one of the most astounding library buildings inside and out I have visited. If the art-deco style train station you alight at in Surbiton impresses you, then the walk up the hill is well worth it to be invited in to this library. I like that the library is not on the main high street and instead stands detached, in a haven of quiet, surrounded by greatly lush greenery. This is a traditional civic building that is grand and awe-inspiring like libraries should be. Majestic light pours in through the ceiling panes: The shelving is my favourite mahogany wood, old style. The variety of stock displays and promotions had a lot of creative thought put in. Art deco style writing in the Staff Recommends section: A healthy number of independent shops in Surbiton, it was good to see. Nice cafes and the odd brilliant old pub too.
The grand train station: Today has been an excellent day for art! First, I received by post from Hannah (author of Not Lonely Zine) this painting by her toddler son, which I think is just wonderful: Then this afternoon, I went to a library to take a free drawing class! Libraries are perfect places for such things - we definitely need more of this. It was a small, relaxed, friendly class, and everyone was encouraging, interested, and it was a really positive experience. We did a bunch of exercises to begin with - 10 seconds of drawing, 20 seconds, then 30 seconds. Also drawing without looking at the paper, then drawing without looking at the object (we had fresh flowers!). We had presentations that made us think, and we got to chat informally to our teacher who has lots of specialities. I really enjoyed these exercises. Here is my 10 minute drawing of flowers on a stalk: The double drawing was fun (drawing with pen and pencil in one hand, bit like handling chopsticks): When we got onto drawing using charcoal I felt like I had found my medium! The feel really suits me, and I love getting messy hands. The chalks were also great for this. I think I would love to draw with pastels soon. Chalk flowers: All pretty basic, and we only had a two hour class, but I absolutely loved it. My dad was an artist when he was young, my mum used to sketch, my brother was always a bit of a cartoonist, and my dear late grandad was an incredible watercolour artist and sketcher - I have quite a bit of his amazing art, much of it relating to nature or seafaring. I'm sure I shall keep at this, and experiment and progress more, as I have always sketched.
Came away with a bunch of colourful flowers, too, which are now in a vase. Found stacks of dusty old tomes in a library sale recently, and was overjoyed to find they were stamped with richly different and beautiful labels. This is for library lovers and those who appreciate old print materials and fonts as well as curious old customs and wordings... We could do with reinstatement of the last rule - on punishment! I'd love to know more about 'the Committee'. Reminds me of the characters stuck in the village under strict rule in the old TV show The Prisoner... It's good to imagine being able to renew your books by messenger. The rule at the end could never be forcibly implemented to the general public in the present day... ! Seems this library no longer exists, though there is a different branch library in Mile End area. I wish library labels had as much art to them as this nowadays - the official look adds a touch of grandeur, and inspires respect too. Searching online, it looks like in a rare feat all the Lewisham library services listed in the areas on the last label are all operational, though not sure if still in exact same buildings. Hither Green appears to be grade II listed, too.
Library worshipping for ever. I'd say we should have a national library museum - but libraries ought to be museums in themselves. I wish archives were far more greatly respected, cherished, kept. A lot of amazing free events coming up in Kensington and Chelsea Libraries in May and June. Their Festival of Learning has loads of taster sessions for adults, all for free, plus there are assorted talks going on. Feeling excited about a large number of them - everything from another local history talk from Tom Vague, to drawing classes. The last talk that Tom Vague did was great, and it is a rare chance to catch him in public (his 70s/80s punk/counterculture/psychogeography zines are amazing). I have been thinking about drawing classes, as it would be nice to improve and short courses can be a little expensive. There are lots more events too, including ones for kids and families.
I feel like listing my pick of events here, as I picked up the printed pamphlet recently but can't see everything listed up online yet: Creative Writing Workshop, North Kensington Library: 1st and 29th May Drawing Workshop for Adults, North Kensington Library: 7th May, Brompton Library 21st May, Chelsea Library: 11th June, Central Library: 20th June How to Be Happier at Work, Central Library, 14th June Notting Hill at War, talk by Tom Vague, North Kensington Library, 17th June Images of the Counterculture and the Rise of Eco Protest (an images workshop), Central Library, 24th July Looks like it is best to go and book in person at any of the libraries above. More stuff like this from libraries across the UK, all year round, please, it's wonderful! Rejoice! We've been offered rare chance to have our say about public libraries - their structure and their future delivery. An independent report has been commissioned and the public has the chance to comment on:
* The core principles of libraries (I read this as their purposes and their ethos) * The way libraries are currently run (if your libraries give you what you want, and if they include the things you want - I guess this could include stock, specific services like IT and education, opening hours, and who they cater for) * The role of libraries (what they give the local community, and the ways things are offered to you) It is rare that the public get consulted about libraries. I think it says a lot that as a library campaigner, I have only just heard about this public consultation now - and it's been live for over one month! Please take the time to HAVE YOUR SAY! Link to libraries consultation Deadline is 21st March. I have bought my first pair of vegan shoes! I had been hoping to buy some for more than a year, but couldn't save up the money before. I was so happy to be able to head over to The Third Estate where I intended to buy from. The last time I was in The Third Estate shop round Kentish Town way, I marvelled at all the upcycled clothing, made from two or three garments combined, with a personal touch, really inspiring and pretty - lots of dresses. They also sell handmade jewellery, and other assorted items... plus, of course, my main draw, vegan shoes and boots. I was a bit daunted, because I have difficulty fitting myself with shoes every time. It took me over a year to find my last pair of shoes that fit! I cannot easily go into any high street store and simply ask for my size and find they fit. It used to be that it was just a case of saying I have especially wide feet - but now I am older, the fitting and comfort are paramount, because too narrow a size is ever more painful, and this is a medical condition so I cannot compromise; I want to prevent problems in elderly life... The shop staff were so lovely and good-humoured, understanding and chatty, despite having to get various sizes in about half a dozen styles and pretty much all of them being personally unsuitable to me. I must have been in the shop for close to two hours, and I am not someone who ever relishes shopping at all! It's not the shop's fault, but shoe manufacturers separate shoes by gender and assume women have very narrow feet that are, what, triangular at the front?! A fair few of the vegan selection here come in wide style fit, but I wasn't very successful with my own feet. Does anyone else find the Doctor Marten shoe more narrow and tight when vegan made as opposed to the leather? Personally, I felt I couldn't risk them not stretching and being comfortable and sadly could not buy this style that I have favoured for years. I may keep trying in the future, perhaps a wide fit exists somewhere, or I might seek out others' experiences after wearing them in. In the end....! I found a 'desert boot' style unisex shoe. The style took a while to charm me, but when tried on, I fell in love. Quite cute in an ankle boot style way, not as clunky as they seemed on shelf. With a skirt and tights, there is something of the Scandinavian about them, maybe because they look handmade, sewn and kind of fairytale.
I am in love with these shoes, and so happy I could finally start buying vegan. I stopped buying leather when I first transitioned to vegetarian, and have just been wearing out my long existing leather shoes. Lots of thanks to The Third Estate shop for all their help and putting up with me! I am stomping about gladly, comfortable, freely, even happier for the vegan element! Visited Birmingham, and its Frankfurt Christmas market. This gigantic polar bear with Santa hat on was a hot drinks stall! Looks more sinister here than cosy and cute as it did on the night. Belgian hot chocolate abound. Myriad mulled wine too. Many sparkly, pretty lights and fancy, glittering items all about the market. Indulged in Bailey's hazelnut fudge, a vegan burger, and also bought a jasmine candle, but could have bought so many trinkets, had I come with spending money for gifts and things! All really lovely and warming for winter. Welcomed the opportunity to explore the new central library in Birmingham. It was as grand as expected from previously seen photos and reports. Largest public library I have ever experienced. Futuristic as it was, I still marvelled at the mezzanine - ladders and books on balconies always get my vote! Looks like the library respected its huge archive and kept many old volumes, which was gladdening. Spectacular views from atop the library. This was not even from the summit! Gardens and benches and all sorts lay on the various levels, open air. It must be a haven of pure adventure for kids - you'd be so overwhelmed by the size of the place, and all it contains. I did stop to think how that sense of overwhelming could be for the elderly, though - I mean, super libraries might seem super fantastic, but how on earth would an elderly person face coping with all those levels, cylindrical plunging glass lifts, and navigating the sheer scale of the place? Councils need to be more responsible with their thinking here. I would hope that small, local, branch libraries will always survive in order to serve this important section of the community, though. There were some impressive art displays all around Birmingham central library. I had to feed the zine kid in me, with pictures of this paper construct typewriter!!! This typewriter was made by artist Jennifer Collier. It is made from old typewriter manuals and encyclopaedia. I disagree with what is said on the Brum library site about typewriters being 'extinct technology', but this artefact is incredibly wonderful either way.
Now I have many Denim songs in my head, which sound-tracked much of my journey, since Lawrence is a Birmingham 'escapee'. |
AthemauraEnthusiastic about 'zines, libraries, gardening in the city, independent book shops/record shops/cafes, vegetarian and vegan, London in all its variety, local living/community. Archives
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