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Coram Beanstalk turns 50

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Today Coram Beanstalk had a gathering on its London campus to celebrate its 50th birthday with its reading volunteers. Some of the volunteers joined online, and those that were close enough came through the door to listen to the talks, and to discuss the best ways to help young readers.

The big messages of the day were a ‘thank you’ to the volunteers from the staff at Coram, alongside some powerful talks from headteachers about the positive impact of the programme, which they said did so much to build up the confidence of the children, alongside a love of reading.

At the end of it all the High Sheriff of Greater London – probably melting in her official coat and hat, and looking wonderful enough to have stepped out of one of the books on display – handed out certificates to the longest serving volunteers, some of whom had volunteered for over fifteen years. Then came cake cutting and a final message – Coram Beanstalk are looking for more volunteers. The charity provides training, and books to begin, and is always there to offer on-going support.

Perhaps, if you’re interested and have a few hours a week to give to a local primary school in England, you might like to look them up online and take it from there.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023

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Some more about Smithfield, London

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This is a postcard so I’ll just keep it to snippets I’ve picked up during wanderings around this part of London.

I love the Smithfield area. To me it still has real character. It feels individual and properly alive, with some of its medieval roots still visible thanks to being spared by the Great Fire of London in 1666. It also seems to have resisted the need to stagger upwards into high-rise and glass, or to fill itself with corporate chains.

The old market itself is divided into many parts. Last night we walked through the section that links Long Lane to the start of Cow Cross Street. It felt a little quieter than usual, perhaps because the market is preparing for relocation. Its buildings are due to be taken over by the Museum of London.

Strange to think that the market’s been there since at least 1381, when the old city banned the slaughter of livestock within its walls, and forced the trade out to Smoothfield. Smoothfield then became Smithfield, and Smithfield became increasingly associated with butchery. Crowds of animals came and went, either alive or as carcasses. So did a number of men and women – some being tortured, some burned, some executed, and others hung, drawn, and quartered. Quite gruesome, but it wasn’t all like that.

The medieval priory of St Bartholomew’s used to be on the other side of Smithfield. It flourished until Henry VIII took against it, but thankfully its hospital and one of its old churches survived, both of them flourishing again and celebrating their 900th anniversary this year.

Maybe it’s their prayers and healing that have balanced out the bloody scars, leaving the soul of Smithfield at peace.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023

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It was a hot drive into London today

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Today felt warm, and then hot almost as soon as the thin morning cloud lifted. Driving into London in the afternoon felt hotter still, and it was – 31°C on the outskirts, and the air still as the sun. Around Trafalagar Square the pavements were full of shorts and flip-flops, and tourists melting their way around the sights, one or two wobbling into the road like bambis on their Lime Bikes.

It is only now, after midnight, that the temperature feels a properly pleasant 21°C. The moon, dusted orange with Sahara dust, is hanging on its side above the city, and the hot dog cart is still doing business outside the station where our train came in at the end of an evening with friends. From the station we wandered up the street to see the Smithfield Meat Market with its bright lights and white vehicles loading and delivering. Witnessing the traders at their work felt a little like stepping into a slow motion time warp, especially knowing that their move out of the area will happen in the next few years.

Their absence will change this slice of London.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023