On the Beat in Constable country

A trip to visit friends in Wales was cancelled at the last minute, so what to do instead last weekend? Turning to my inbox I found the weekly email from Liz Leatherdale, Colchester Classics, which gives details of local concerts. (Why not sign-up to her newsletter?) The Vanburgh Quartet, East Bergholt, 4 pm. Sunday. Perfect! - time for a nice lunch at the Sun Inn, Dedham, then a stroll over the fields into darkest Suffolk for the concert. Torch for the walk back (it really was darkest Suffolk by then).

The 1531 temporary bell-cage.

I love it when a plan comes together - particularly a last-minute one. East Bergholt church is an interesting structure, particularly the 'Bell Cage' - a temporary structure erected in 1531 - and still in use today.
The Stour Valley Arts and Music Society is in to an impressive 66th season, and they are obviously well-organised, as the 67th season, starting next October, is already planned. There's still a couple of concerts left this season - check out their website for details.

Song - sadly I have used Blondie's 'Eat to the Beat' before (Feb 16th 2016 if you want too hear it). how about Aztec Camera - Walk out to Winter - soon be Spring though! (Yes, Roddy Frame is still alive!)

I would have posted a picture of my lovely food - but I'd eaten it all before I remembered!

Batter(ed) In Wivenhoe!

Some pancake ingredients

Visiting local farmers' markets you get to meet all sorts of people working hard at community events. They have to work hard to get their products sold - no marketing or advertising budget for small farmers, bakers etc! I had a great chat to one half of the Norwegian Bakers at Wivenhoe Farmers' Market last week (the non-Norwegian half I guess), who has great ideas to get involved with all sorts of events, including a Pancake Day event from 6 pm. next Tuesday (Shrove Tuesday). details below.

So If you're in Wivenhoe - some nice waffles for  supper look essential! The Norwegian bakers will also be at the Minories Bazaar on Saturday 4th March - see you there!
Song - well, I didn't know that 'Pancake' is a hip-hop dance move, but I do now! - if you want to try it watch this (of course you may already be an expert). A beautiful dance  I found is Pillows and Pancakes - song by Miguel Jontel, dance by Isiah Munoz

Gee what a show...at last!

Fine words at Firstsite, with thanks to the gallery and Gee Vaucher

What with one thing and another I hadn't made it to Firstsite to see the Gee Vaucher show until today. So you've just got Saturday and Sunday to take in this important show. It made me laugh, it made me think, it made me angry (all this anger from the Seventies, and yet here in 2017 we're just going in so much the wrong direction, making all the same mistakes and some), but it didn't make me feel.
If you go on Saturday you get the bonus of the counterculture fair 'Cultural Traffic' and the popular and very tasty Syrian Café. See you there!

Song: Crass - Punk is Dead - discuss.....(did the very act of creation kill it?)