Modern History through the lens of Branding

The entrance

Probably about once every couple of months over the last year or so I've met up with a friend to chat and visit an Exhibition or Museum - our most recent visit was  this Friday and  the venue was The Museum of Brands Packaging and Advertising - it's currently located in Notting Hill (it's been moving around a bit).


The guiding light behind the project is a guy called Robert Opie - he describes himself as a social historian (not a crazed collector).


The Museum is actually quite delightful and somewhat eccentric but offers a nice route into modern history, there's a nice little cafe, which on the day in question meant we could have a pleasant cup of coffee and a pastry in the sunny courtyard.

Me and my shadow

Although the day was very hot - premises were comfortable and airy.



Rather oddly we traversed the collection in reverse starting out in the modern day and moving back in time to conclude in what could be described as Victoriana.




 Unlike many exhibitions this was 'text light' and relied on visitor putting in some work - as long as you've been around for some time (or are a student of history) you'll inevitably have some moments where you're transported back in time - as someone who has radios of various kinds for over 50 years there was plenty of items I could relate to.

Just opposite was a splendidly decorated old pub/hotel

Once the Kensington Park Hotel

Staff are nice there are various discounts available on £9 ticket (I was half price by virtue of being a National Trust member) , there's a shop and staff are very nice and friendly.

My companion for the visit was an ardent left wing environmentalist but was able to get something from the visit - although like me he was a bit puzzled by the growth of novelty products that can carry your own name (Marmite, Coke and Heinz beans to name just a few).

and here's a panorama of the current premises (Photography is prohibited).

Great entrance...

[On entering museum I was embarrassed by a tourist wanting to know the nearest police station sadly London has lost so many (seems more than 4 in 10 to me) - the guy had been pick-pocketed, he asked at reception of the museum and they struggled to help hi too - felt a bit like we were a developing country]

Heavenly Majestic Skylines at St George's Church

Simon on the left and John on the right 3 years ago?

So I was surprised to find from my invitation to Simon James Smith first Solo Exhibition that it's nearly 3 years sine I was part of a City Lit Photo Walk course, led by talented Armelle Skatulski that Simon was also on.


I'm in touch with John L but not really heard anything much from the rest so it was nice to catch up with Barra who was also on the course  at the viewing as we looked at Simon's beautifully printed work.


The 'Viewing' last night was pleasant, Simon's Photo's play to his previous experience in the travel industry and also have a 'spiritual' theme - 'Heavenly Majestic Skylines'  which fits the St George's church location (Lovely Hawksmoor designed Church with quite a history).

St George's Bloomsbury - Great Hawksmoor Church

And Simon yesterday 

Simon spoke a little about the path that he's pursued and the pictures - if you're going make a visit (on util 2nd May)  you can combine with a look at  the Museum of Comedy which is in the Crypt.


As I was in West End couldn't resist a couple of snaps too...

Centre Point

A London Cab

The end of 'Cash'

On Sunday we met some old friends after meeting at The Questors 'Grapevine' bar we took a walk to Charlotte's W5 - original I'd intended to go to Charlotte's Place (on Ealing Common) but this is closed following a fire so we expected something broadly similar at this other part of The Charlotte Group - I've had my eye on the restaurant/bar for some time.

So after looking at my pictures..

My 'Calendar' of Photo's in the Questors  Grapevine bar.

Well we had a few issues in Charlotte's Place -

Charlotte's W5 -They don't want your money 

1st Glasses cloudy
2nd Chairs difficult to get into
3rd Poached Egg overcooked..


and for me  the fact that Cash was not acceptable - I realise that we're in the 21st Century but I don't like the demise of cash it leads to state having (even more) powers.




I want to be able to reward individual service and  I fear too much knowledge is being accumulated about us all.

Dancing with the Captain

Richmond Theatre

Great production of Ronald Harwood's Play Quartet at Richmond Theatre yesterday - play is about so much more than a synopsis might suggest (ageing Opera singers in shared living space).



Very strong ensemble piece, with fine comic performance kept maudlin feelings at bay but there was pathos .



I have some sympathy with critics (of the play) who are troubled by the way it ends but ultimately it is (somewhat) 'life affirming' which is perhaps not such a bad thing.

Long while since I've seen Paul Nicholas and I was surprised to see him looking older (he's74) but in fact he was vital, energetic and showed great timing (as did other cast members) - Wendi Peters (of Coronation Street fame), the baby of the cast at just 50 - is fast becoming a great comic  actor - a sort of new version of the late Joan Sims.

I was surprised to find that Paul Nicholas (who found national fame as Vince in BBC sitcom 'Just Good Friends') when a young pop singer (he went on to have very big hits in the 70's) sang a song co-authored by a young David Bowie you can hear it here - it's no 'Heroes'.

Quite funny to see so many amongst the audience who could relate to the topic and a lovely spring day in Richmond..