Search: 2000-2009

I have worked for King’s College for almost twenty years but little did I know that I had another family link to the Strand.  This emerged as a result of my deciding to research our family tree for my father’s 80^th birthday.  He has ancestors, as far back as the late 1700s, who moved from all over England and Wales to Yorkshire, presumably following jobs in the coalmining and manufacturing industries.  When I researched my mother’s family history I found records for one family in a local mining village (Kippax) that went back well over 300 years.  As several c Read more »

As part of the Strand Lines Project I met with Dr Barrie Morgan to talk about his associations and interactions with the area whilst working at King’s. Dr Morgan was initially a Lecturer in the Geography Department when he first joined King’s in the late 1960’s. Read more »

 

 

My son Cosmo Davenport-Hines was an undergraduate studying English and film at King’s on the Strand from 2005 until 2008. His tutors there have told me that he was a brilliant pupil in his first two years. His zest, his piercing intuitions, his leadership among his contemporaries, his gentle percipience about people, the arresting and precise way he spoke, his wittiness – all these were for a time undiminished in seminars. He was an omnivorous reader, who found joy in many kinds of literature, from Shakespeare’s sonnets down to Bill Burroughs. Read more »

 ‘Discover a local Golden Moment’: advertisement for Symonds cider, on the bus stop outside the entrance to King’s College London, April/May 2011 (now removed). Read more »

Wayne stopped me short in the Strand in 2001. I walked past him while he was sitting on his blanket, long greasy hair and angry skin with his sickly dog, soliciting contributions, and I paid no attention: I was deep in conversation with one of the Vice Principals at King's on the impending merger of our academic departments. Wayne wasn't happy about being ignored, and observing my portly build and man-boobs, called after me: "Oi, if you didn't have a beard I'd think you were a woman". Read more »

Sad Lady  

It was late Saturday evening
when I saw the Sad Lady
Slumped on the pavement
by busy Holborn station

She looked a benign, loving, person
White hair, large glasses
Sturdy cardigan and floral dress
But her shoes were forlorn

In front, was a small paper cup
from the ominous betting shop
Entreating alms, but ignored
by the disengaged horde

Sad Lady appeared so saintly
but bore the stigma
of a tainted medieval leper
And the little cup was bereft Read more »

This recording was made on 16th May 2011 at the Connection by Michael and "Stan" who both interviewed Stuart, AKA "Chelsea". Stuart's footprint together with the words "Jocks on tour" can be seen at stop 4 on the Rags and Riches walking tour. Stuart talks about coming to London, becoming a carer and ending up homeless. He also talks about his volunteering work with the Simon community and the importance of giving something back.

A tranquil image of Pushka sleeping