‘Blest is the man …
whose bowels move and melt with pity to the poor'… is a marvellous hymn by the great Isaac Watts. It is obviously true - especially for any of us (man or otherwise) that have had times of suffering the opposite. But clearly, Watts isn’t talking about digestive rhythms, he [...]
Life After London Wall
Firstly, thank you to everyone who has been to one of our Lease Extension Information sessions. We will continue these regularly to make sure that everyone has all the information they need to get them done in time. The next one is on the 16th May so let us [...]
It’s that time of year again!
With the changes announced in the autumn budget, a thorough review of your financial arrangements is more important this tax year end than ever. Capital Gains Tax (CGT) allowances are being reduced starting from April as well as tax on dividend income being set to increase. This is in [...]
St Giles’ Book Fair
Tuesday 21 February to Friday 10 March Open Daily 11am to 4pm and until 6pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays. If travelling far, call Jake on 07766 202 731 to check we aren't unexpectedly closed. Flash Sale and other prices On Wednesday 8 March we'll have a flash sale with books [...]
Interview with a Local
*** Erin Summers interviews Emma Markiewicz, Director of the London Metropolitan Archives, London’s Largest Treasure Trove *** A short twenty-minute walk from the Barbican, you’ll find the London Metropolitan Archives (LMA) just north of Farringdon. Although I used to be quite a regular to their events and exhibitions, I [...]
INSIGHT Exhibition Review
Janet Wells’ quarterly review of the Arts, Gallery and Museum scene. Tate Modern The EY Exhibition: Cezanne 5th Oct to 12 Mar 2023 Paul Cezanne (1839 -1906) It is always my plan to arrive at any popular exhibition when the doors open for the day, however the entrances for [...]
It’s a horse thing!
Suzy Waite gives us some background on the City of London police horses and their welcome autumn trample through our Barbican Wildlife Garden. Horticultural Horses “Clyde and Trug are outside!” Jo Rodgers exclaimed. “Come say hello!” Clyde and Trug visit the Barbican Wildlife Garden during London Open Gardens [...]
Become a Trustee
Age UK City of London is recruiting new Trustees and they are looking to target those who work or live in the City of London area. Age UK City of London (AUKCOL) is the charity for older people who live, work, study or volunteer in the square mile. Our [...]
Brutalist Britain
: Buildings of the 1960s and 1970s by Elain Harwood. An illustrated guide to Britain’s finest examples of Brutalist architecture Brutalist architecture has a growing number of admirers who are finally questioning Prince Charles’s claims of concrete carbuncles made nearly 40 years ago. Yet these dramatic, monumental buildings are [...]
Alternative Voices
Fred Rodgers laments the 1 Golden Lane planning approval What is it about Barbican residents who are either Alderpersons or Common Councillors for Wards other than Aldersgate or Cripplegate? There are several amongst us but, as revealed by two of them considering the 1 Golden Lane planning application at [...]
Kevin Kiernan’s Afterthoughts
*** Kevin has come across a manuscript in the London Library which is a previously unpublished story featuring Sherlock Holmes receiving an unexpected Xmas present *** The yellow fog swirled around the street and drifted across the gas lamps, producing surreal, somewhat tacky, pastel colours not seen outside the [...]
Community Camaraderie
In the winter issue of Barbcian Life, we have Summer Party photos galore for you, to recall the heady afternoon of community togetherness we all shared. Not since the Barbican’s 50th have so many neighbours gathered socially; we’ve just had our “lessons learnt” meeting with great comments and suggestions [...]