The Lambeth Palace to Disney Dash

An evening of contrasts this week. Firstly to the reception to celebrate the opening of this summer's exhibition at Lambeth Palace Library, 'Out of the Original Sacred Tongues': The Bible and Translation, marking the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. The Archbishop of Canterbury brilliantly hosted the evening, having dashed back from Obama's Westminster Hall speech for a press photocall just before we opened to our Library guests. My colleague, Gail McGuffie, and I have been working hard on the presentation and PR for the exhibition and we're looking forward to another successful run. For the scholars amongst you, this exhibition complements those at the Bodleian Library in Oxford and at Cambridge University Library. The Lambeth exhibition tells the fascinating story of the power of sacred text and the suppression of and drive towards translations over the centuries. It closes on 29 July so book now - it's a hot ticket!
My second date of the same evening could not have been more different. I raced over to the new concept Disney Store on Oxford Street to "preview the re-imagined Disney Store and the unveiling of the signature Disney fragrance, Imagination". Here is display merchandising and retail presentation at its cleverest best. I defy anyone to visit the store and not leave without buying something. It's the biggest Disney store in Europe and yet the combination of different Disney story lines and screen shows, sounds and lighting, creates a magical atmosphere - even for a cynic like me. Though maybe their brand-new baby fragrance, Wonder, is a step too far. I think new babies already smell wonderful without the added scent of 'lemon sugar, apple blossom and marshmallow clouds'. But hey, what do I know - I can hear those Tinkerbell tills ringing now.