Open House
TOH and I have been promising ourselves that we would visit some of the places which take part in London Open House for the past couple of years - and this time we made it.
First we went to see the Brick Lane Music Hall which is no longer based in Brick Lane but Silvertown, just down the road from the Tate and Lyle factory.
We were shown round by Vincent Hayes - artiste and architect of the whole caboodle. He told us the history of the building (an old church designed by a French architect) and of the company, which has moved round East London as landlords consistently increased his rent.
Outside, the building is a gorgeous little church, quite flamboyant for a lost corner of London. Inside is a marvel of red velvet and Victoriana. He has built the stage and auditorium around the original stone features of the building and it makes a truly wonderful place.
He also mentioned that he had seen the ghost of a long-dead vicar but doesn't tell his work colleague in case it scares him too much!
TOH headed off to Watford afterwards to witness his team head towards a shambolic defeat at the feet of (cheating northern scum) Sheffield United.
I took the opportunity to cycle nine miles (!) to a Sikh temple in Ilford, which was also taking part in the open house thingy.
First I had to take off my shoes and cover my head with a scarf. Then I was shown round by an extremely nice man who was taking great pleasure in sharing his faith with the likes of me.
The building was fantastic and totally out of character sandwiched between a row of terraced houses and a 60s office block. Inside it was very light and airy. He showed me where the copies of the holy book sleep, a four-poster bed at the top of the building, the prayer halls, one of which contained women who were reading three copies of the holy book out loud. Each book is read completely over three days in a relay-style and when one is finished, the next one is started. The start of the books were originally staggered so they are always being read.
Finally, he showed me to the ground floor food hall where people go to eat and socialise. I was offered a plate of wonderful Indian food with flavours you just don't get in English Indian cooking. I was also given a pamphlet explaining the very basics of the religion and from that I have concluded it is a very nice one.
On the way home, I passed a little old church called St Mary Magdalene just off the A13. It is completely ancient, with the main part built just after the Norman conquest. Inside was very simple and very peaceful. It is famous for its ancient wall paintings and Elizabethan 'monuments' inside.
First we went to see the Brick Lane Music Hall which is no longer based in Brick Lane but Silvertown, just down the road from the Tate and Lyle factory.
We were shown round by Vincent Hayes - artiste and architect of the whole caboodle. He told us the history of the building (an old church designed by a French architect) and of the company, which has moved round East London as landlords consistently increased his rent.
Outside, the building is a gorgeous little church, quite flamboyant for a lost corner of London. Inside is a marvel of red velvet and Victoriana. He has built the stage and auditorium around the original stone features of the building and it makes a truly wonderful place.
He also mentioned that he had seen the ghost of a long-dead vicar but doesn't tell his work colleague in case it scares him too much!
TOH headed off to Watford afterwards to witness his team head towards a shambolic defeat at the feet of (cheating northern scum) Sheffield United.
I took the opportunity to cycle nine miles (!) to a Sikh temple in Ilford, which was also taking part in the open house thingy.
First I had to take off my shoes and cover my head with a scarf. Then I was shown round by an extremely nice man who was taking great pleasure in sharing his faith with the likes of me.
The building was fantastic and totally out of character sandwiched between a row of terraced houses and a 60s office block. Inside it was very light and airy. He showed me where the copies of the holy book sleep, a four-poster bed at the top of the building, the prayer halls, one of which contained women who were reading three copies of the holy book out loud. Each book is read completely over three days in a relay-style and when one is finished, the next one is started. The start of the books were originally staggered so they are always being read.
Finally, he showed me to the ground floor food hall where people go to eat and socialise. I was offered a plate of wonderful Indian food with flavours you just don't get in English Indian cooking. I was also given a pamphlet explaining the very basics of the religion and from that I have concluded it is a very nice one.
On the way home, I passed a little old church called St Mary Magdalene just off the A13. It is completely ancient, with the main part built just after the Norman conquest. Inside was very simple and very peaceful. It is famous for its ancient wall paintings and Elizabethan 'monuments' inside.
posted by The WyeBird @ 8:36 pm
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