SYLVIA KENT'S READING & WRITING FORUM

A history and lifestyle journal www.swwj.co.uk

Saturday, July 27, 2024

ZANDRA RHODES - A COLOURFUL CLEVER DESIGNER FROM PAST CHELSEA FLOWER SHOWS


 It was lovely to hear last week's programme on BBC Radio 4 highlighting the work of Zandra Rhodes, who was one of the guests at that particular time. One of my annual delights was a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show in London each May and it was here I bumped into Zandra who was about to sip a glass of wine on one of the beautiful show stands, so I was lucky enough to be invited to join her and her guest. Colour was uppermost in my mind that afternoon and it was such a treat to talk to these fascinating folk about clothes, design and the fashion trends that were all around us on that fabulous sunny afternoon.   

Friday, July 19, 2024

ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO PAY A VISIT TO WATERSTONES PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO STOCK MY BOOKS

I love popping into the Waterstones chain of bookshops around Essex, particularly those I know who stock my books. The lovely Ross allows me to sign them for potential readers and place my golden 'signed by author' seal on front cover.  Although my latest book Brentwood in 50 Buildings enjoys its special 'local history section' in this fabulous newish store in Brentwood High Street, some of my other titles Essex Folklore and Voices of Brentwood can also be viewed and (hopefully) purchased there and, of course, on Amazon.


Ross has an interest in his authors and he organises a number of 'Meet the Author' events in his store - just check out the posters and flyers in his bookstore - such a lovely idea. 


Tuesday, July 16, 2024

INVITATION TO UNVEILING OF OUR FIRST BLUE PLAQUE DEDICATED TO MY LOVELY FRIEND JOAN ROSAIRE OF CIRCUS FAME (credit pic: Janice Davis KPCM)

 

Thanks to Ken Porter (far right) who organised the special blue plaque unveiling event in Billericay last week, remembering our super friend, Joan Rosaire whose life and times are presented in Ken Porter's latest book about this wonderful lady of the circus. The rain couldn't upset the warm atmosphere of that morning when the circus world came to us at The Fold in Billericay, Essex. With members of the Circus Friends Association of Great Britain, David and Janice Fiske editors of King Pole Journal, we had such a sparkling friendly gathering and an opportunity to meet Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, our HM Lord Lieutenant of Essex (and the first woman to hold this position). 

It was a great pleasure, too, to meet Basildon's Mayor, Councillor Allan Davies, President of CFA, Mark Twitchett and that well-known circus friend of Joan Rosaire, Tom Roberts. 




Sunday, July 14, 2024

HAPPY 102nd BIRTHDAY TO ONE OF OUR BEST BRENTWOOD FRIENDS - LARRY MORGAN

 Warmest birthday wishes to Larry Morgan on his 102nd birthday today.  Larry's photographic expertise has always been appreciated by the newspapers and journals I've worked with over many years.  He and Jean still remember my earliest features and I certainly appreciate his kindness and photographic skill.


Happy Birthday, Larry and warm wishes to both you and Jean. 

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

SEPTEMBER IS A'COMING AND WE'RE ALL LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR'S FUN WALK



Simon Johnson(r) and team from BBWCVS


 Essex Charities Prepare for September Virtual Fun Walk

The Fun Walk organisers are estimating that over 80 charities and a record 3,000 supporters will take part in this year’s walk, and look forward to seeing all the returning organisations as well as those participating for the first time.

There is still time for charities, local schools and churches, grass roots sports teams and other community interest groups to participate – they can register at www.thefunwalktrust.co.uk

The event allows supporters to complete their sponsored walk anytime during September, with sponsorship forms and guidance available from the Fun Walk team.

John Baron, Chair of the Fun Walk Trustees said:

“The Fun Walk has raised over £1,500,000 for local charities and community groups since it started in 2002, and many use this as a key funding event for the year. We have a ‘Bonus Pot’ ready to distribute, courtesy of our wonderful local businesses who have already pledged over £30,000 for this year alone. They include Greater Anglia, Brown & Carroll, Butyl Products Group, Tunnelcraft, IFE Global Logistics, Swan Housing Group, RIS Group, Mr Barrie Stone and others.”


Let's talk about the Fun Walk:

John Baron and his team started the Fun Walk in 2002 to commemorate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and raised £6,000 for six charities and projects. The event became an annual one and continues to grow.

To assist with its growth, in 2013 the Fun Walk became a registered Charity and it is now officially known as The Fun Walk Trust (Registered Charity number: 1151626). In 2019 Basildon Billericay and Wickford CVS was appointed to administer the event on behalf of the Trustees.

John continues his role with the charity as Chair of the Trustees and by soliciting support and sponsorship from local businesses. The BONUS POT is a unique feature of the event, into which local businesses and individuals kindly donate and which is then distributed to participating organisations on a pro rata basis in addition to the monies they themselves raise in sponsorship.

The 2023 event raised over £85,00 for local charities and community groups, and brought the total money raised since the Fun Walk’s inception to £1,535,000.

The Fun Walk Trust organises the walk and takes care of the paperwork, leaving the projects free to focus on raising sponsorship money and enjoying the event. The event is not confined to charities: any good cause or project may join us once approved by the Trust. For example, many pre-schools and schools, churches and community groups now regularly participate.

In 2020, given the challenges presented by COVID-19 and the recognition that our local charities and good causes needed our help more than ever, the decision was made to switch to a virtual format, allowing supporters to walk the distance anytime during the selected month. This proved to be very successful and will be continued for the foreseeable future.

 

Tuesday, July 09, 2024

IT'S ALMOST DUNMOW FLITCH TIME - DO TRY TO VISIT THIS FAMOUS SMALL TOWN AND LEARN ABOUT OUR ANCIENT CUSTOM.

 DUNMOW FLITCH TRIALS : SATURDAY 13 JULY 2024

The Dunmow Flitch Trials are an ancient custom which dates back over 900 years, is unique in the world as far as we know, and we are rightly very proud to keep this wonderful event running.


Tickets for the next Flitch Trials in July 2024 are now on sale. Please buy online or visit Flitch Travel in Dunmow High Street with cash. This year there will be 3 Trial Sittings: a single trial in the morning, 2 trials during the afternoon, and 2 in the evening.



The historic trials, which date back to the 1100s, are held every four years and set out to award a flitch (or side) of bacon to married couples from anywhere in the world, if they can satisfy a Judge and Jury of six maidens and six bachelors that in 'twelvemonth and a day' they have 'not wisht themselves unmarried again'.

Couples must have been married for at least a year and a day. If they are successful, they are carried shoulder-high in the ancient Flitch Chair to Market Place to swear the Flitch Oath before being awarded their prized Flitch of Bacon.

Dunmow Flitch 2024

› 2024 Roll of Honour

The Dunmow Flitch Trials is an historical event of which this town is rightly proud. However, as anyone who has been involved in organising such events will know, it takes an extraordinary amount of time, commitment & money to make it happen.