A stitch in time?
I write this in high summer - so of course I’m wearing a jumper and looking at the rain dance down the Rectory study window! But by the time this autumn edition comes out we may well be putting all summer clothes back in the bottom of the wardrobe, [...]
Review & Reset
I sincerely trust that everyone had a wonderful time at the upcoming summer celebration. As I pen this message, the event is only a few weeks away, and I'm hopeful that we'll be blessed with sunny weather. My gratitude goes out to Miranda Quinney and an extensive roster of [...]
Nothing ventured……
With additional rate tax now starting with earnings over £125,000, it’s more important than ever to maximise pension contributions as a way of reducing taxable income. However, once you have used your recently increased annual contribution allowance of £60,000, and also maximised unused allowances from previous tax years, options [...]
Hackney Foodbank
Barbican residents supported the Hackney Foodbank at last year’s summer party and raised over £900. Earlier this year, I went along to visit the hub of the Foodbank’s distribution network – the Warehouse in Cherbury Street, a 20 minute walk from the Barbican. Inside the work-worn 1960s building was [...]
St Giles’ Book Fair
St Giles' Book Fair reconvenes this Friday and runs until Bank Holiday Monday 28 August. As ever, a wonderful array of books, CDs, DVDs, records and special editions. They'll be open every day 11am-4pm except that: - they're closed 1.30-3.30pm on Monday 14th for a funeral, but then open [...]
Property News
Let's talk about something that's been making waves across the Barbican Estate: those pesky service charges that keep creeping up. I'm talking about those fees property owners have to pay for things like maintenance, repairs, and all the amenities on the estate. It's no secret that these charges have [...]
Coronation Big Lunch
*** The sun shone; Residents came – what a relief! *** With 21 days to go until the 7th May Coronation Big Lunch, a group of residents many of whom had never met before, collectively decided to use the opportunity to “do something” . We wanted to bring together [...]
Sing Gospel with the LSO
*** Sing Gospel with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican *** Join a chorus of 250 singers from our local community singing in concert on the Barbican stage on 5 November. Open to all levels of experience, all learning materials provided. Free to take part, no audition required [...]
Greenest Route
In my last article for Barbican Life, I discussed how growing up in the Barbican pushed me away from city life and instead towards a greater appreciation for nature and the countryside. I explored my experiences of nature-disconnection growing up and how I discovered the world outside when I [...]
Treats on the Elizabeth Line
Now that we have finished marvelling at long escalators (let’s hope they never break down) and the ridiculously long platforms, it’s time to explore some newfound treasures along the route. Stations Heading East Manor Park Probably best known for its large City of London Cemetery, but, in the Middle [...]
Coffee after Church, life after death
I suppose that’s our equivalent of an ‘elevator pitch’? It sort of says it all. Clever marketing is everywhere these days. Some of it obvious, some of it very subtle in its power and influence. Everywhere we look (online and in person) we are being promised something. Promised (explicitly [...]
Summer Soirees!
One in five London households (20 per cent) do not have access to a private or shared garden, according to the Office for National Statistics. This is the highest percentage of any region in the UK, so whether it’s a quick catchup party or a big do, let’s take [...]