Street art is a great love of mine. Once upon a time, it used to divide opinion and some saw it as little more than vandalism. But now it is seen as a sign of renewal, and councils and local authorities are welcoming and commissioning new artworks to bring colour and joy to neighbourhoods.
This month's pictures are of a gigantic and beautiful new street artwork in Ladywell, near Lewisham. One side welcomes people to the "Village" of Ladywell, which is a cute little area that remarkably does feel like a village in the middle of London! The other....
This month's pictures are of a gigantic and beautiful new street artwork in Ladywell, near Lewisham. One side welcomes people to the "Village" of Ladywell, which is a cute little area that remarkably does feel like a village in the middle of London! The other....
The other side is a huge mural, in the greens, creams and purples of the Suffragette movement, celebrating the struggle for universal suffrage. Last year was the 100th anniversary of the first rights of UK women to vote. The UK were following the lead of the Isle of Man, New Zealand and Canada. Those first UK rights were a big step, and make an anniversary worthy of celebration. However, women had to own property and be over the age of 30, in sharp contrast with the position of men under that same the law of 1918, who received unqualified voting rights to men over the age of 21. Eventually, in 1928, ten years later, women received the right to vote at 21 without the need to own property.
This particular artwork celebrates the suffragettes and Rosa May Billinghurst in particular. She was a Lewisham based campaigner for votes for women. She campaigned in her tricycle, after a bout of polio meant she was unable to walk. The police took advantage of her disability, letting the tyres down on her tricycle to prevent her joining protestsand even tipping her out of her tricycle! But Rosa was made of stronger stuff. A regular protester who was arrested multiple times, she eventually joined the hunger strike for votes for women, becoming severely ill in the process. Rosa was awarded a Hunger Strike Medal For Valour by the Women's Social and Political Union for her efforts.
Learning about Rosa has made me realise that wherever you live, there is hidden history. There are hidden heroes. Born in 1875, in Rosa's day and age, women had little power and disabled people were not expected to campaign and protest. Rosa May Billingham is an inspirational woman, one the people of Lewisham can be proud of.
My pictures don't properly capture the sheer size and ambition of the artwork. But nevertheless, I hope you enjoy my photos, some feature the detail of the mural.
I should add that today is the last day for registering to vote in the UK general election. You have until 23:59 to register. The brave Suffragettes didn't just fight for votes for women, but votes for people of all classes, including those without property. Register to vote and vote in the election to honour them.
Food writing:
An excellent and informative book review of MiMi Aye's
Mandalay Burmese cookbook by Nicky Bramley at Kavey Eats blog. I am slowly
cooking my way through this wonderful cookbook. One for your kitchen shelf! https://www.kaveyeats.com/2019/10/review-mandalay-burmese-kitchen-by-mimi-aye.html
What's in season for November? Parsnips, pears, celeriac and
kale: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/whats-season-november
A thoughtful article about New York's famous Jewish delis,
focussing in particular on Gottlieb's in Williamsburg: https://roadsandkingdoms.com/2019/keeping-it-kosher/
17 supermarket houmous products recalled over possibility of
salmonella: Aldi, ASDA, Lidl, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Spar affected. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/houmous-recall-salmonella-sainsburys-morrisons-aldi-nandos-symptoms-a9177201.html
How to make your cooking Masterchef worthy:
What might be a food trend in 2020? The Indy asked Whole
Foods. Do you agree?
Recipes:
Batch cooking at the weekend can help cut the work in making
midweek suppers. Here are some ideas for Autumn:
Jamie Oliver is exploring meat free eating with his new
book. Whether you are vegetarian or flexitarian, these recipes look worth a
try. I particularly like the look of the stuffed aubergines.
Lamb Cutlets With Mint, Chilli & Golden Potatoes. The
potatoes here are steamed and then fried, to make them golden and delicious.
From Nigella Lawson: https://www.nigella.com/recipes/lamb-cutlets-with-mint-chilli-and-golden-potatoes
I would make this in my cast iron casserole pan, herby cream
sauce with chicken thighs and mushrooms. Comforting and Autumnal!
If you're going to make a Jack O'Lantern for Halloween,
please don't waste the insides of your pumpkin! Here's a pumpkin soup recipe to
warm you up and prevent food wastage: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/pumpkinsoup_89904
When I am at work, I'll confess, I'm lazy and if I make
porridge, it is in the microwave. But at the weekend, taking my time is more
possible. This is a herby and gently spiced take on humble porridge: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/recipes/five-spice-pear-porridgewith-roasted-cobnutsyogurtand-rosemary/
I love Sake with Japanese food, its flavours are always
clear, precise and delicate. It seems to me to be incredible something made
from rice can smell flowery or have flavours like wood or aniseed. But Sake can
also be used for cocktails, and here is a Sake Cider Fizz for Sunday afternoon!
https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/entertain/sake-cider-fizz/
Want to get ahead this weekend for next week's food? This is
a freezable and reheatable soup. Celeriac, bacon and pearl barley soup: https://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/celeriac-bacon-and-barley-soup/
Anglo-Italian cottage pie? Yes, please! https://www.theguardian.com/food/2019/oct/28/rachel-roddy-cottage-pie-recipe
It is Bonfire Night tomorrow, and jacket potatoes have often
been a staple - easy to wrap up in foil and eat with your hands. This is like a
fish pie and jacket potato combo for standing out in the cold and watching the
fireworks:
Su Scott grew up in Seoul, South Korea, where kimchi is a
very important part of the food culture. Here is her kimchi jjigae recipe - a
stew for ripened kimchi, with mushrooms and tofu. This recipe won the Observer
Food Monthly 219 award for best reader's recipe:
What you might have missed at Snig's Kitchen:
Double spiced parsnip soup - a soup of serendipity: http://snigskitchen.blogspot.com/2019/11/double-spiced-parsnip-soup.html
The story of the Billable Hour Cookbook. Features a legendary crumble, an intrepid editor and the lawyers of Twitter and their friends. All working together to raise money for Save The Children: https://snigskitchen.tumblr.com/post/189290377259/one-evening-barrister-gordon-exall-who-writes-an
My other writings:
Starting your civil submission - an advocacy blog post: http://snigsclassroom.blogspot.com/2019/10/starting-your-civil-submission.html
5 steps to take when you haven't passed an exam: http://snigsclassroom.blogspot.com/2019/11/5-steps-to-take-when-you-havent-passed.html
TV:
Plebs Season 5
World On Fire
Traitors
Music:
Nils Frahm – Felt
Please note: as with every monthly Favourites List, all of
these items have been selected by me simply because I love them. I do not
receive any money, benefits in kind or other incentive for posting these links
or recommendations.
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