Another Christmas Carol

I've been doing a lot of carol singing lately. As a member of Ealing's Questors Choir, I sang in our brilliant Christmas Music Concert last weekend. And lately I've been rehearsing for the Questors Theatre Christmas show 'A Christmas Carol'. The choir are supplying regular interludes of carol singing throughout the show, based on the wonderful Royal Shakespeare Company's adaptation of the Dicken's novel.
It's been some time since I performed on the Questors stage and I'd forgotten quite what a challenge it can be. So much to remember - the words, the cues, to step carefully around the busy set in a full length skirt and petticoats, to stand in the right place, to sing at the right volume, when to engage and when not with other cast members and to smile all the time! And yes, it's tiring but also exhilarating and the extra bonus for me is that whilst I'm doing all that, I can't possibly think about my 'day job'. I love my work but switching off completely is very hard. Thankfully I'll be doing just that on several evenings and afternoons over the next 3 weeks. So this will be my final blog for 2009 - so much to do and so little time .... and meanwhile:
"We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!"

Christmas cards rule !

I hearby declare that I have not only ordered Christmas cards again this year but that they've already arrived! And I ordered them whilst we were still under threat of Christmas postal strikes. I just love Christmas cards, both receiving and sending them. Yes, I know they're not as eco-friendly as e-cards. But I do buy as carefully as possible on FSC certified paper. And my cards always contribute to my favourite charity, Centrepoint, which supports the young and homeless. Especially as a marketing person, I guess it could be considered rather quaint these days that I still send traditional cards rather than a singing, hopping or even dancing e-card, wishing everyone of you sincere seasonal wishes as with just one click, I broadcast away. But how can you compare an ethereal email with the sensory pleasure of receiving a real life card and envelope, hand-written, personally addressed, stamped and postmarked? Having said all that, don't let me stop you sending e-cards, especially to me. I'd rather have email greetings and wishes than nothing at all !

Healthy buildings

I attended the Museums Association Conference this week, the annual 3 day bash held this year at the QEII Conference Centre in London. It does what it says on the tin, that building. But it's oh, so cold and clinical in its deliberate efficiency. A colleague and I visited the loo together at one point, a quick break from the relentless programme of talks and seminars. As we clattered into the small room, we gasped in pleasure. From the window on that 5th floor was a sweeping vista over the undulating, green-tiled roof of the old Middlesex Guildhall, now the new Supreme Court, to the concertina of silver grey, Gothic arches of Westminster Abbey. We laughed and chatted together then as we scrubbed our hands, dutifully following the hygiene instructions now slapped on every public toilet in the wake of Swine Flu. That snatched Westminster view undoubtedly raised our spirits, ready for re-entry to the conference fray.

I was reminded of this happy interlude this morning. On one of my favourite Radio 4 programmes, Broadcasting House, there was an article on the soon to be awarded Stirling Prize for Architecture. The discussion centred on the 2 shortlisted buildings in the health sector, Maggie's Centre at the Charing Cross Hospital in Hammersmith from the Richard Rogers partnership and the Kentish Town Health Centre from the architecture practice Allford Hall Monaghan Morris. Was it true, they wondered, that buildings can promote good health? "Of course they can!", I shouted at the radio. Phrases such as "the building envelopes me in love" and "I feel re-connected and healed here" were testiment to the obvious truth that we need to cure the spirit as well as the body. And I was grateful for just a spoonful of that precious medicine in Westminster this week.

Festival assortment

Back home from another fabulous Edinburgh Festival weekend. In just 48 hours I encountered, amongst others, Michael Clark, Michael Mansfield, Frances Barber, El Greco, W G Sebald, Ray Charles, Picasso, Billie Holiday, David Bowie, Brahms, John Bellany, Renoir, Karin Schaupp, Tam White and Greg Behrendt. The Festival to me is like a chocolate box of art, music, books and theatre - all in easy to reach, bite-size chunks, wrapped up in the pleasure of Edinburgh streets, squares, slopes, parks and gardens. It seems I was part of a record-breaking audience this year. The Fringe recorded a 21% rise in ticket sales compared to last year with my tickets being just five of the 1.8 million tickets sold - let alone main International Festival and Book Festival tickets. The one blot on the landscape, quite literally, is the brutal gash of road works caused by the long term build for the Edinburgh tram. Goodness, I hope it's worth it! Right now endless traffic congestion and pedestrian re-routeing is disturbing enough for us visitors. So by the time of its completion in 2012, I reckon Edinburgh residents will deserve the best tram system ever in return for their patience.

Is there anyone out there?

I know folks read my Blog because they talk to me about it. But no one has actually posted a comment for me yet. And as much as I enjoy writing it, I know I'm actually just a tiny, tiny part of that cacophony of voices out there in the vast virtual universe. But with so many people talking, is anyone actually listening? This question is beginning to worry some people. With so many of us 'ordinary' folks blogging and tweeting our views across the network, where does that leave the more knowledgeable commentator - political, religious, social - whose voice may not be heard amongs all our noise. Is there a danger that these expert views might be lost and so we'll all be less well informed. I must say that scripting my own blog has been a very unattractive prospect this past few weeks as I've been much preoccupied with writing professional text - brochure and promotional copy and reports. So blogging finds it own level in the hierarchy of my writing world. And maybe that's how this whole new media phenomenon will shake down - surely we can be trusted to pick and choose who we listen to and when, selecting the stories, comments and opinions of Everyman or Superman (or Superwoman), depending on our moods and circumstances.

Summer holidays

For the past few days it seems like everyone I know or work with is either going or about to go on their summer holiday, either for a week or even five or six. Because I've already had several trips away this year, I have deliberately decided to stay close to home for the next few weeks. And even so, I have a few excursions planned so I'm not exactly house bound. And yet, I can't help feeling twinges of envy every time I hear of others plans - isn't that awful? So think how pleased I was to read in the August edition of 'Prospect' magazine (yes, you guessed, the 'summer holiday' issue - grrr!) that "thanks to Google, you no longer need to jet abroad". According to the author, Joy Lo Dico, Google Maps can take you on a virtual holiday without the hassle of actual, real life travelling. So far I've checked out just a couple of the tours of Paris and New York, dragging the little orange avatar man as instructed. I reckon my Google skills need more practice as my tours seem a bit dis-jointed but I'm nonetheless sufficiently inspired by some lovely views and especially the 'user photos' to want to re-visit already. Let alone a quick browse through some of the destinations I haven't been to yet to want to add them to my list. So thank you, Joy - just when I thought I'd happily stashed my case away, I'm now itching to get back to the airport !

Compare and contrast

Over the past couple of weeks I've been fortunate enough to visit both Dubai and the Dordogne. Arguably it's unfair to compare the two but I can't resist! It was my first visit to Dubai which I was keen to see for myself , having heard so much about it. Whilst I was impressed by the driven ambition of the place - the spectacularly high buildings, the island and beach creations - and of course, I enjoyed the glitzy hotels and soaring shopping centres, but underneath the happy bling, I found it somehow empty and dispiriting. A return to the lushness of the French countryside on the other hand literally fed my soul - the pleasures of local food and wine, the miles of rolling, vine-packed fields, the rivers and lakes, markets and gardens - all glorious, good and fresh. What really struck me however, was the contrast in service levels and attitude. From the excellence of service faultlessly delivered in the international hotels and restaurants to the friendly courtesy shown in local bars, shops and markets, Dubai really impressed me. But in France I was really surprised by beligerent waiters and rude airport staff. I don't remember this from previous visits - maybe I've just been lucky in the past, or maybe the contrast with Dubai sharpened my attention or maybe it's true that some French folks just don't like the English, no matter that we may be valuable customers or visitors. All disappointing, whatever the reason.

Thames versus Seine

I had lunch in Paris last week - such a pleasure. An effortless and efficient journey on Eurostar followed by a short stroll around the Ile St Louis before a leisurely lunch at a restaurant on Place Dauphine at the far end of the Ile de la Cite. It was such a lovely day that rather than heading then for one of my pre-selected galleries, we opted to spend the short afternoon on a lazy Seine sightseeing cruise. But I couldn't quite agree with my friend's claim that "the Seine is so much more beautiful than the Thames". And having zipped up the Thames this Sunday, from the 02 at North Greenwich to Embankment, I'm now certain. Admittedly the busy atmosphere of a scheduled Thames Clipper service may not quite compare to the romantic floatiness of a Bateau Mouche cruise, and the Seine does have some fabulously ornate bridges, but the Thames is incomparably bulging with life, both past and present. And it's been years since I'd seen the Tour Eiffel close up - from a distance I love its fretted metalwork but up close from the river it's positively brutal. As opposed to the elegant curves of our London Eye, also seen both from afar and close up this weekend. And I read that the operator Merlin plans to refurbish all of the 32 capsules, removing one at a time, between now and 2012 so that it should require no major maintenance for the next 15-20 years. I wonder if it will last as long as the Eiffel Tower?

Parlez vous francais

I had cause recently to look into the use and teaching of foreign languages. Apparently giving up a language at school remains the biggest regret from adult Britons' schooldays, according to a recent survey of UK adults. Government plans now underway will make language teaching available in every primary school in England by 2010 - starting young has to be an advantage. And although 300 languages are spoken in London alone, many young people who speak another language with their family are unaware of the benefits that their community language skills can bring them - so that's another task on the Government's language learning agenda. Fortunately for me, I was able to study French up to A level and then spent two successive summers working as an au pair in France, determined to improve my language skills - as well as adventure into a foreign country and earn a modest living along the way. Regular trips to France since then, plus a few years working for the very Francophile tour operator, VFB Holidays, just about kept me au courant. But these days I find that je cherche mes mots as, like most things in life, if you don't use it, you lose it. And I'm off to Bergerac in a few weeks' time, to celebrate a friend's birthday and I've spotted a new gadget called the mi-box, a portable, pre-loaded audio-book which apparently will help me "pick up the essentials of my chosen language quickly and easily". The French version is only £13.99 - I worry that it might be a bit basic - but then again, je profiterais surement des lecons en francais.

Not So Golden Algarve

Just back from a great Easter break on the Algarve, staying with friends in what's known as the 'Golden Triangle', the area of central Algarve between the two luxury resorts of Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo and the towns of Almanil and Quarteira. The 'Golden Triangle' - land of pleasure and plenty - though slightly less so these day it seems. Much local chatter about where to shop for bargains, from foodstuff to golf gear. And many developments remain empty or lie half-built, including the much anticipated 6-star Conrad apparthotel - rumour has it that buyers have been keen to withdraw and lose their significant deposits rather than maintain their 'investment' in a declining property maket. So the European recession impacts on even these golden shores. Further along the coast at Praia da Luz was another visitor, Gerry McCann, returning to the Ocean Club, the site of his daughter's tragic disappearance. The local newspaper reported him filming for a Channel 4 'Cutting Edge' documentary to be shown in May. And whilst the paper had respected his request for secrecy leading up to the visit, it gave full coverage of his 'on location' trip, including McCann's praise and appreciation of all that the local community had done for him and his family over the past two years, including his recognition that local jobs and tourism had also suffered. It seems that half the staff at the Ocean Club resort have just been fired with the 'Maddie Case' being cited as one of the reasons for the dismissals. And I noticed that in turn, Mark Warner has launched a legal action against its insurers, AIG, seeking compensation for loss of earnings following the 'Maddie Case' at the resort. It's not so Golden along the Algarve these days.

Staycations

I read that the latest holiday trend in these straitened times is not to go away at all but to stay at home, so much so that the 'staycation' is now on Collins English Dictionary's shortlist of new words to be included in their next edition. I do think there may be some confusion here regarding 'at home' - is that in your local neighbourhood, county or country - could it mean not leaving your street or not leaving these shores? Travel Weekly last week published a survey suggesting that 38% of a sample of 2,000 Brits were planning not to go away this year but to spend their annual hols 'at home'. Last week VisitEngland were claiming their research shows that 63% of Brits expect to take an English break or holiday this year with one in five who took an overseas holiday last year considering switching to the UK to save money. I must say that I'm all in favour of staying close to home and discovering what's on our doorsteps. Living as I do in West London, I'm luckily spoilt for choice for local days out such as: Kew Gardens,Osterley, Richmond Park, Ham House, Syon Park; quirky museums like the Musical Museum at Brentford and Kew Steam Museum; let alone miles of walks along the Grand Union Canal, literally just down the road. I did find myself vaguely considering a National Trust working holiday the other day - did I prefer dry stone walling or forestry?! Thank heavens an exhausting day's work in my own garden this weekend has convinced me that I can even fix one of those 'at home' for myself as well.

A Thing of Beauty

To the National Geographical Society last week for a National Trust Debate on 'Britain has become indifferent to Beauty' of which more below. Firstly I should confess to being chastised by my companion as we enjoyed a pre-debate glass of wine and I was moaning about how much my hands were hurting, having carted heavy work bags around London all day. Did I not realise that I was standing below the portrait not only of the legendary "Scott of the Antarctic" but also that of the missionary Dr. Livingstone and how dare I winge about a little bag carrying in the presence of such brave adventurers who really knew about suffering !? Anyway, back to the Debate with Roger Scruton and David Starkey speaking for the motion and claiming that beauty is central to life and politics and something to be contemplated and not 'sold' as in Britain where beauty has become priced but not valued. These opinions countered by Germaine Greer and Stephen Bayley, arguing that the British today are visually very sophisticated and that it is folly to patronise with yearnings for the past but rather to look to the new and equally beautiful as Britain excels in music, architecture, art and fashion. I disagreed with the motion at the start of the debate and with the majority of the audience, still disagreed by the end and thoroughly enjoyed the witty and intelligent performances. But what about inner beauty - that which can't be seen nor measured but which when encountered is so rare and special ? If only the National Trust could protect that too, the world would be a lovelier place.

That Movie Magic

I read this week that new research commissioned by Travelsupermarket.com "revealed" that 34% of British travellers had been inspired to visit a destination after seeing a film. That's hardly new, is it? English Heritage and the National Trust have been benefiting for years from the impact on visitor numbers of films and TV costume dramas filmed on location at many of their sumptuous properties.The latest historic house to push the 'brand extension' is Chatsworth which I see will this summer host an exhibition of costumes from The Duchess, filmed on location both there and incidentally, in the lovely Courtyard of my previous client, Somerset House. And apparently it works long as well as short haul - the US Department of Commerce claimed an amazing 18% conversion rate for a tourism campaign which originally ran in the UK in 2005 called "You've Seen the Film, Now Visit the Set", amongst folks who saw the campaign and who visited the US in the following year and claiming their visit was as a direct result of seeing the ads. So with a survey sample of one, yours truly, I can certainly endorse the 'film effect', at least as regards intention to travel. A recent visit to the fabulous Byzantium exhibition at the Royal Academy (the first sultans of bling, apparently) for sure made me want to rush back to Istanbul. And having seen Woody Allen's delightful Vicky, Christina, Barcelona the other day, I also now want to get back to Barcelona this summer. Maybe it would be wise for me to take time out this Wednesday and fix to watch Channel 4's broadcast of Kind Hearts and Coronets, one of Ealing Studio's most famous 1940's hits - surely brilliant enough to make me want to stay right here at home in lovely West London!

The Royal Mail Saga

No doubt like many of you, despite endless emails, I also get masses of post most days, all delivered by my trusty Postman. So I was keenly interested in his recent request to sign the CWU petition 'against the privatisation of the Royal Mail' - reading the CWU Response to the Hooper Review, one might almost believe that Mandleson was recommending the wholesale sell-off of the Royal Mail and the Post Office to some dastardly European operator who would close down half of the network and fire half the staff - probably including my Postman! Trying to understand other views in the debate has been more difficult. The issue is fast becoming a political football with the Royal Mail being kicked about between what The Guardian describes as 'New Labour zealots versus the Luddite Union' , Harriet Harman apparently using it as a 'party leadership contest tool', Mandleson being unhelpfully vague on detail when questioned on both TV and radio, the Tories supposedly proposing full privatisation and the Lib Dems opting for a 'third way' , a sort of ' John Lewis Trust style model'. In fact the Royal Mail does make a profit -£255m in the first nine months of this financial year but weighed down by a pension fund deficit of £9bn. So, yes, it's insolvent but no more so than the banks. Meanwhile the cover article of February's Marketer magazine profiles the Media Director of the Royal Mail, waxing lyrical about the brand strength of the Royal Mail and the fact that according to 2007 Neilsen research, only 30% of e-mail is actually opened and read, compared to 80% for direct mail. And that the Royal Mail is presently investing £1.2bn on modernising its mail sorting processes and apparently is going from strength to strength. So I intend to muddle along and try to monitor the progress of the Royal Mail footie match - for me too much a part of my daily life to be ignored.

The Scrivener Blog

With a name like 'Scrivener' I thought it only appropriate that I had my own Blog. The Dictionary definition of my name is 'a person who writes out deeds; a notary'. And I certainly do like writing and regularly use cards, postcards and letters to keep in touch with both personal and business contacts. But these days any marketing campaign worth its salt uses a combination of traditional and digital media so as a Marketing Consultant, I decided it was high time that I joined the Web 3.0 community. So this Blog will be my regular take on incidents and events that interest or affect me and my business and of course, any feedback is welcome.