Walthamstow, William Morris and a Borough of Culture

Last week I and a friend from a previous CityLit course met at the  William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow - of late we've met up fairly regularly to look around exhibitions and museums - it's great both in terms of the visits and the chats that we have.

A former home of William Morris 

This time our trip was to look around a house where the renowned Socialist William Morris lived - we've both been before (me about 4 years ago) - it was really good and as was subsequently pointed out to me May Morris (his daughter) is often overlooked but her life and talents are shown here and were of great interest to me.

A Plaque on the house

The London Mayor's initiative to promote a Borough of Culture (which has created interest in my home borough of Ealing) is also creating some traction in Walthamstow as well.




The idea of the Gallery is I suppose both to celebrate the man and his work - previously it had not really registered that he'd done so much in his 62 years - interesting too to learn that Jeremy Deller was also a fan.

The Borough looking to its heritage 

Looking at the work I was a little underwhelmed by much of the design and philosophy that implied all could aspire to it but the final part of the exhibition made clear that Morris recognised his privilege but wished for others to have what he did - he spoke at demonstrations, made speeches and wrote supporting his Socialist beliefs - I was won around.

Walthamstow is after the £1m too

The Brexit Budget Statement  & The Archers

Am  I the only one to see the current Radio 4 Archers stories as an Allegory against Brexit - who are Matt and his cohorts if not Messrs Farage, Gove and Co?

[Oh yes I think Auntie Chris could be Mrs May - the one who ran through a farmers field!]

Well of course I could be wrong but on a different tack nearly a week on from a barely noticeable Tory budget but a clear statement on the anticipated UK economy performance along with reports of dodgy dealing from those seeking influence with British voters.

So David Davis MP shows his discomfit by  spams of  awkward laughter suggests to the EU negotiators that they should not put  political posturing ahead of the economic good having been part of a campaign based pretty much on this sentiments seems rich but it's not only Davis who is out of his depth Dr Liam Fox racks up the air  miles (without his adviser friend) trying to get countries like NZ and Australia to replace the trade whole created by Brexit  (and in the meantime blaming UK exporters for the mess we find ourselves in).