Simon Schama and I
Simon Schama and I
I may not have Simon Schama’s brains and erudition but, watching episode 2 of ‘Whose Britain is it any way’ made me realise that we share the same attitude to the evolution of this country- a realistic optimism not blind to the dark side of life.
He tells the story of the cultural enrichment of our culture by the Windrush generation though music. Simon highlights the role of the Jacaranda Club and how exposure to the music of these brave newcomers, made the Beatles. One moment jarred – a reminder of a dreadful murder in Coventry where Satnam Singh Gill was murdered for having a white girl friend. My motivation for letting Claret Press publish my memoir was a desire to tell the untold story of women like me who married men who were not white at a time when relationships like ours were regarded with hostility. Here’s how Atam and I met at a time of visceral hatred of immigrants stirred up by venal politicians.
Simon uses music and I use food to tell my story of cultural enrichment. Simon’s fellow historian Professor Rana Mitter seemed to find it a good read.
Told with brio and verve, this is an astonishing life story that takes in working-class life in post-war Britain, and the transformation of society in the decades that followed. Encounters with India and China shape a life where enthusiasm for food, art and politics come together in a combination of profoundly serious issues and the laughter of liberation: Rana Matter, Professor of the History and Politics of Modern China, University of Oxford
People often fear difference but nothing illustrates better the richness that has come to the UK from immigration than the recipes in my book. My mother’s English cream tea and my grandmother’s Cornish pasties have not gone away but my family and friends have added recipes from the countries of their origins and they include Italy, France, Iceland, China, India, Jamaica, Mauritius, Kenya and the Americas.
With food comes love and with love comes hope.
Once a month, I go to Confluence Café where people of all backgrounds come together to share music and that experience influences them and their creativity. Today we had a taste of West Papua Independence music. Simon Schama and I believe that British culture is expansive and embracing so we have nothing to fear from immigration.
The Water of Life: Bill Nighy, Victor Glynn and I
The Water of Life: Bill Nighy, Victor Glynn and I
Do you find that life is like water –rivers flowing alongside crossing, meeting and blending?
Thursday was like that for me. The film producer Victor Glynn suggested I be an extra in the new film his son Phin Glynn is producing. The lead role in & Sons is taken by Bill Nighy. We were in the funeral scene, shot in the delightful Worcester College Chapel. Sat behind me was Chris Gray and his wife Rosemary (Rosemary is in the pic) Chris was editor of Weekend during the ten years that I wrote reviews for it. Thanks to him I met the artist Qu Leilei when I reviewed Everyone’s Life is an Epic for the magazine. I’d say ‘thank you, Chris’ but it led to ten years work and this
I was lucky enough to meet Victor when he taught for one year only on the Diploma in Creative Writing @ Oxford University when I chanced to be a student. I had to cast him away on Oxtopia, didn’t I – a no brainer! Anyone interested in the film industry will enjoy the feature.
A few of us students continued to meet and write and I suggested Shakespeare in Oxford as an umbrella of scripts which we pitched to Victor. It led to this video which he used to pitch the series as a reality TV format to BBC 4. It didn’t happen but its an interesting short video to watch.
https://vimeo.com/123886243 Joe and Zara
In a break from shooting on Thursday I was brazen and gave Victor a copy of my novel, Current of Death. Why? Victor was the producer of The Morse series on ITV. Most crime dramas set in Oxford are filmed in central and North Oxford with occasional glimpses of the Cowley Rd. South of the city tends to be ignored. Kennington, where I live on the southern edge, is on a picturesque stretch of the Thames. But it has dangerous places. Jerome K Jerome said that Sandford Lasher is ‘the perfect place to drown yourself in’. Indeed many students drowned there including Peter Pan, at least JM Barrie’s adopted son who inspired the character. A great place for a whodunit… So I lie awake in hope… well no..’ but I am working on a sequel as some good reviews of Current of Death are coming in. (See below)
So there we are – lives connecting and reconnecting on Thursday 16 January 2025!
Reviews of Current of Death
https://promotingcrime.blogspot.com/2024/07/current-of-death-by-sylvia-vetta.html
Colin Wade sent me this great review by an Oxford Brookes student.
‘Sylvia Vetta’s crime fiction is a short but gripping read that tackles big issues like modern slavery, climate change, and diversity in the police force. Alex Hornby, a resident of Thames Reach and fellow crime author, stumbles upon a corpse floating in the River Thames. Set in the much-loved Thames Reach, the setting is so vividly described it feels like a character in its own right. Vetta’s passion for nature and the environment shines through on every page, offering a beautiful contrast to the gruesome murders at the heart of the story. The book is packed with quirky, memorable characters whose stories gradually intertwine as the plot unfolds. With two unexpected murders and even more unexpected killers, it’s fast-paced, thought-provoking, and hard to put down. A cosy yet modern crime novel that’s thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.’
What have Michael Rosen, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Professor Irene Tracey, Korky Paul, Paterson Joseph and me in common?
I love the Today programme during the Christmas period, when it has guest editors. Their choice of in depth subject matter is inspirational. First off was author and screenwriter, Frank Cottrell Boyce, on a subject dear to my heart – access to and the importance of books. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00268mh
He talked about books in a tactile way that gives joy. ‘A story can hold you in an embrace.’ He suggested that reading to your child is like a hug that will last the rest of your and his/her life. I am guilty of talking a lot about books for upward mobility because I wouldn’t be an author if I didn’t have access to a library as a child. It may seem that I’m forgetting the pleasure but the two are married. Michael Rosen, the famous children’s author, was the curator of stories at the Story Museum when I cast him away on Oxtopia. He told me that the evidence from everywhere in the world is that children who read for pleasure, do well academically. Read his castaway feature here:.Michael Rosen
I’m delighted that the Oxford Indie Book Fair is growing in size and in public awareness. Our aim is that books should be available to EVERYONE.Tomorrow the Today guest editor will be Professor Irene Tracey, the Vice Chancellor of Oxford University. She generously opened the Oxford Indie Book Fair in 2023.(Seen in the pic enjoying a joke with Korky Paul) Like Paterson Joseph, this year she represents what we want to stand for- inclusion and access to books for EVERYONE. Unlike previous Vice Chancellors, Irene was educated at a comprehensive school- Gosford Hill in Kidlington so she represents Town AND Gown. Most previous vice chancellors have been humanities graduates. Irene is a scientist. OXIB is about that kind of inclusion too – all knowledge, all genres for all ages. Books, art and illustration for knowledge but also for joy and lifelong friendship.
This year Paterson Joseph the actor and Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University opened the fair. He told me how he, like me, would not have had the career he has had without access to Willesden Library–Luton in my case.(See pic at the end) That is why I’m passionate about saving and creating libraries. In my memoir, there’s a chapter on how the illustrator Korky Paul helped us save 22 Oxfordshire Libraries from closure. At the memorial to broadcaster ,Bill Heine, the former Chair of OCC, Keith Mitchell told me that, when we invited him to tea, seeing us demonstrate the importance of libraries in the community helped change his mind . The Pied Piper Procession I organised was the novelist’s way – a case of Show not Tell. We didn’t lecture or hassle him but he had to listen while Korky read to the children. Here’s the chapter with the story :Chapter 30 The underestimated importance of libraries and reading
Korky is also patron of a project I initiated to build the first community Library in Musanda in west Kenya. We hope it will open at the end of 2025. As part of the project bringing our communities together, I produced Cosmic Cats – a book of stories by children from my village school and a school in west Kenya. The zoom launch linking the schools was filmed on South Today. You can watch it on this blog.
Oxford Indie Book Fair on Dec 1, the biggest in the country and a challenge!
Andy Severn, James Harrison Ray Foulk and I had a dream of an event for book lovers which was free to enter, welcoming of everyone whatever their age or background. I tell the story of how it all began on this link https://www.oxfordindiebookfair.co.uk/history/ Lots of pics on the website.
On Dec 1, the Fifth Oxford Indie Book Fair took place at the impressive Oxford University Examination Schools in the High Street. We believe it was the biggest Indie Book Fair in the country. ‘Indie’ is short for ‘Independent’ so our event supports small publishers as well authors, illustrators, artists, poets and publishing services. Go to the website and Exhibitor Directory to see who exhibited. I suspect that there are more authors per square mile in Oxford than anywhere else in the world. I’d love to put out a challenge to Oxford researchers to discover if my assumption is true. My fellow Oxib organiser, Ray Foulk, author of Stealing Dylan from Woodstock and other books wants oxib to go national in 2025.
The 150 exhibitors, the 1,500 visitors, the organisers, the Oxford Brookes student volunteers and Paterson Joseph, the actor, author and Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University who opened the Oxford Indie Book Fair on Sunday came away with the same impression –one of friendliness and welcome. Paterson Joseph was meant to stay for one hour but left, reluctantly, at 2pm for another engagement. He summed it up,
“I loved it more than I could have imagined! The welcome, the care taken of me, the infectious atmosphere of exhibitors, visitors and writers … inspiring is the perfect word. A great day all round. If you ever invite me again, I’ll make sure to stay longer and chat to more folks … and bring a bigger bag for the books I buy! Every member of your team is a star?”
We have tapped into a need. The oxygen of publicity goes to those books published by the big five. Traditional but small publishers like Claret Press who publish me and self -published authors struggle to be seen. Yet often they tell stories that need to be told. Telling the WHOLE story was the title of the talk I gave with Pen Farthing, whose reputation was trashed at the time of the chaotic exit from Afghanistan. Operation Ark – his side of the story is published by Claret Press. His previous big publisher wouldn’t publish it and no major paper was prepared to tell his side of the story.We believe in the need to know the ‘whole’ story and not just the version the powerful want you to hear. “Pen Farthing is still angry. It’s understandable” – Private Eye
Brushstrokes in Time by me is the only novel that tells the story of the revolutionary art movement at the heart of the birth of the Democracy Movement in China. When? 1989 ? No 1979! That’s why the story of these courageous artists needs to be known and only Claret Press in the UK was brave enough to publish it – because I am not ‘Chinese’! Journalist friends, Emma Woollacott and Gill Oliver were disappointed our talk was not LONGER!
Other speakers included the effervescent historian and TV presenter, Janina Ramirez interviewed by James Harrison and Hugh Warwick hot off the Infinite Monkey Cage in discussion with Rev Canon Charlotte Bannister Parker chaired by ‘green’ architect Ray Foulk.
Paterson told how he would not have had the career he has had without assess to a public library. So he was delighted that the County Library Service had a free stand as did the Abingdon based charity, the Nasio Trust who are building the first community library in a poor part of west Kenya.
There were lots to attract children and families, including activities provided by Korky Paul,Clive Goddard and Wild Boor. Non-fiction for children too .Rebecca Mileham, author of popular science most recent book is ‘Cracking the Elements‘ (2018) which takes a comprehensive look at the development of the periodic table – and reveals untold stories, unsung pioneers and intriguing science along the way.
Our aims:
‘We are a unique book fair based in Oxford that CELEBRATES Independent Creators—authors, writing groups, poetry writers and performers, local and independent bookshops, printers, publishing services, small press and independent publishers—all of whom bring fresh, original works to readers. We believe in Championing a Diversity of Voices across the cultural spectrum – embracing unique perspectives, genres, and backgrounds to enrich the literary landscape. OUR FAIR IS INCLUSIVE
We believe in Building a thriving community of readers, writers, and artists, rooted in local engagement and support. We believe in creating meaningful relationships between authors and readers, fostering a sense of community and shared passion for literature. OUR FAIR IS ABOUT COMMUNITY
We believe in Inspiring Lifelong Learning – Cultivating curiosity and intellectual growth through books, workshops, and discussions. OUR FAIR IS A NETWORKING EVENT’
Andy Severn, Felicity Dick, James Harrison, Ray Foulk, Shona Nicholson and Sylvia Vetta
To see the full programme go to
The Reith Lectures : Current of Death -not imagined?
Is violence normal ? In her 2024 Reith Lectures, Dr Gwen Adshead, addresses four questions that she has most commonly faced in her work as a therapist with violent perpetrators in secure psychiatric units and prisons: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0025cmg. It’s not surprising that I opened my first whodunit, Current of Death, referencing Hannah Arendt.
‘… Death by natural causes – a heart attack – Giovani’s body was found after considerable exertion in a bedroom at the Club …’Alex Hornby was imagining it all, so there had to be more to it than that. She’d just read The Human Condition by Hannah Arendt. It left her considering how easy it is to be deceived and to deceive oneself. She wanted to explore that theme in her latest book.’
Hannah Arendt described the ‘normality’ of Eichmann.
‘For when I speak of the banality of evil, I do so only on the strictly factual level, pointing to a phenomenon which stared one in the face at the trial. Eichmann was not Iago and not Macbeth, and nothing would have been farther from his mind than to determine with Richard III ‘to prove a villain.’ Except for an extraordinary diligence in looking out for his personal advancement, he had no motives at all… He merely, to put the matter colloquially, never realized what he was doing… It was sheer thoughtlessness—something by no means identical with stupidity—that predisposed him to become one of the greatest criminals of that period. And if this is ‘banal’ and even funny, if with the best will in the world one cannot extract any diabolical or demonic profundity from Eichmann, this is still far from calling it commonplace… That such remoteness from reality and such thoughtlessness can wreak more havoc than all the evil instincts taken together which, perhaps, are inherent in man—that was, in fact, the lesson one could learn in Jerusalem.”
That’s why a normal village, like Kennington, where I live is such a good location.
Geographical and historical reasons for the location of Current of Death
My village is home to the most dangerous stretch of water in the county of Oxfordshire. Sandford Lasher is the name given to the weir just above the lock at Sandford-on-Thames, adjoining the island known as Fiddler’s Elbow. The calm surface of the water is deceptive, hiding strong currents below. One of many young victims was Peter Pan- well the inspiration for Peter Pan! Michael Llewelyn Davies, the adopted son of J.M. Barrie drowned there in 1921.
Jerome K. Jerome in his classic Three Men in a Boat describes the spot as ‘a very good place to drown yourself in’ and comments that ‘the steps of the obelisk are generally used as a diving-board by young men now who wish to see if the place really IS dangerous.’ The obelisk is a memorial to drowned Christ Church students. So the obvious destination for a fictional watery death!
Some locations in Current of Death
Sandford Lane leading from the industrial estate to the Thames often floods.
To reach the lock, I crossed the Pooh Sticks Bridge where the World Championship now takes place.
WITNESSES ? Cormorants on the cormorant tree not far from Sandford Lasher.
One character lives on a house boat.
Alex and Kate meet in the Kings Arms and have a useful conversation with the volunteer lock keeper- a character inspired by John Argyle.
Proof Social Bakery which appears in Current of Death and was where I had a book signing event.
How can somewhere so peaceful and beautiful have a dark side? 15 years ago a Kennington house was raided. It was being used as a cannabis factory. Here is a recent example in an unexpected place.https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/27/there-are-worse-places-to-hide-armed-police-arrest-wanted-man-in-north-wales?
Lovely feature in Round and About Magazine
The launch of Current of Death was fun – discussion on Oxford Murder Capital of the World with the help prolific crime writer Peter Tickler and Chris Andrews who has photographed Oxford for forty years .
Wow! Philip Pullman and I had the same response to questions.
It’s the wonderful Oxford Arts Week. On Tuesday, I was on a panel in Littlemore church exploring the creative process. This evening, I attended the annual Arts Week Forum which had a distinguished panel including Sir Philip Pullman.
Imagine my delight to discover that I had answered a question in a similar way to him! Asked about how I begin, I explained that some writers know what will be in every chapter but I’m not like that. I have a vision, an idea of the end but mostly I create the principle characters and let them take me on journey.
Philip described how he created the character of Lyra and imagined her in a room where she was not meant to be, hiding and overhearing something she was not meant to hear. Then he let her lead him.
On my panel, some talked of the magic of creation. While Philip did not dismiss that idea, he said ‘The magic comes because you put in the hard graft.’ He stressed that writing is mostly about putting in the time and the effort and the discipline.
The previous evening, I had described an interview I did with Colin Dexter the creator of Inspector Morse. Colin began by saying ‘Education has dominated my being, indeed, my first books were educational not crime fiction. I was Senior Classics Teacher at Corby Grammar School when deafness struck and blighted my life. After that I came here, in 1966, to work as Senior Assistant Secretary at the University of Oxford Delegacy in Ewert House where I continued to work until I retired in 1988.’
I realised that meant he had written his first seven novels in his spare time after the day job and wondered how he did it? Colin joked that after supper, listening to the Archers and a pint of good ale at the local, if he wrote one page a day that was 365 a year and a book written i.e. the hard graft!
With Coli Dexter at an Oxford Castaways Oxtopian event .
To buy copies of Oxford Castaways 2
Go to
http://www.oxfordfolio.co.uk
and click on the cover image.