Page 16 - HGS Suburb News 151 - Autumn 2022

S U B U R B Photo:

Michael

Eleftheriades

Rainbow over Proms at St Judeʼs

RON FINLAY organ and saxophone performed
by the Suburb’s Grace Davidson,
here was sunshine, showers Libby Burgess and Christian Forshaw
and finally a rainbow for the under the title of their recent
TProms at St Jude’s Festival album, Historical Fiction (see review
CULTURE
this year – metaphorically as well opposite). In the unprompted
as literally. words of one visitor, “It was superb
SUNSHINE – probably the best I’ve seen/heard
On the sunny side, the events at Proms ever. All the performers
were first-class and highly enjoyed were exceptional and they used
by everyone who attended. the church acoustics to perfection.
Perhaps the best loved concert I do hope they will return. Thank
was the one that might be least you again for bringing such wonders Enjoying the comedy (Photo: Michael Eleftheriades)
expected to ‘wow’, and that was to our doorstep.”
Grace Davidson the combination of soprano voice, Highly popular were Fantasia Audiences were also treated Cross Town, is likely to take over
(Photo: Michael Eleftheriades)
Orchestra with prize-winning to Suburb resident Claudia Roden the coming decade.
pianist Alim Beisembayev stepping reminiscing with Dan Saladino of GREAT ATMOSPHERE
in late to play Rachmaninov’s 2nd BBC Radio Four’s Food Programme It was wonderful to see Proms
Piano Concerto; the Darius Brubeck over recipes and places she come properly to life again after
Quartet performing jazz from associated with them; and BBC two years of running on half
South Africa and the Dave Brubeck Health Editor Hugh Pym discovering measures, with food and drink
portfolio; and the Joni and Me first hand from leading scientist being served, late-night comedy
evening, starring Joanna Eden with Jeremy Farrar and FT reporter on the second Saturday and a full
Chris Ingham and Andrés Lafone. Anjana Ahuja what happened at programme of free lunchtime
Suburb stars Noah and Robert the heart of government when a concerts by rising stars of the
Max were acclaimed, as always; new virus from China came on the music world. There was also a
Orchestra Nova charmed scene not so long ago. marvellous Schools’ Prom with
audiences with Mendelssohn and Fiction fans got a chance to hundreds of local schoolchildren
Schubert; the Gould Trio hear Francis Spufford talk about performing, a Sunday afternoon
impressed with their expertise; his new novel, Light Perpetual, concert for families and two
Nevill Holt Opera sang beautiful and Charlotte Mendelson describe amazing Teeny Proms for under 5s.
arias; and the Armonico Consort how she came to write The SHOWERS – BUT A RAINBOW
No longer in full time employment? brought cheers to their reprise on Exhibitionist. Magnificently, prize- The dampener on all this was that
winning author Colm Tóibín,
audiences were down on 2019 –
music for the Queen’s coronation.
Don’t be bored, come on board! The Henrietta Barnett School talking to Hermione Lee, revealed in common with the experience of
LITFEST
most festivals and public events
by video to Proms audiences the
Hall was filled early on a Sunday secrets of his approach to writing around the country. This
morning to hear Jon Sopel in over the course of his career. appeared to be a combination of
In a tour de force, political
More than 50 groups conversation with Simon Lewis. commentator Steve Richards more people on holiday, after two
years’ confinement, and still some
The two had known each other
ranging from arts & since their youth, when they had explained why The Prime Ministers wariness about Covid risk. For
crafts to yoga – summer jobs at the former H R We Never Had nearly made it, but many festivals, this would have
to exercise your mind, Owen garage in the Market Place. not quite, and made some meant a threat to their viability,
your body, and One subsequently became BBC interesting forecasts about who but Proms is fortunate to rely on a
your soul. North American Editor and the would succeed Boris Johnson. If hard-working team of volunteers,
you want to know what he said,
which keeps costs to a minimum.
other Director of Communications
All for a small annual at 10 Downing Street. you can see his, and the other And while lower audiences reduced
subscription. LitFest talks, online at the surplus available to donate to
www.promsatstjudes.org.uk. Proms’ partner charities, North
WALKS London Hospice and Toynbee Hall,
Many of Proms’ popular Heritage the good news is that fantastic
Walks around the Suburb and generosity by loyal sponsors,
other interesting parts of London Friends and donors has meant the
sold out well before their scheduled Festival will be donating £50,000
date. These have become more to these good causes this year.
and more professional over the
years, with guides now nearly all
being well established tour leaders.
Besides learning about the flora
and fauna of the Heath, Suburb
history and architecture and
famous former residents of the
area, participants were able to
discover what made Covent
Contact us by email: membership@hgsu3a.uk Garden the Las Vegas of its day
Website: hgsu3a.uk 250 years ago, what connects
Spitalfields and Whitechapel with
HGS U3A is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) serving Hampstead Garden the Suburb and what shape the Teeny Proms participants
Suburb and adjoining areas. Charity registered in England, number 1182530. Anjana Ahuja (Photo: David White) (Photo: David White)
new town on our doorstep, Brent
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