On Sunday our interactive zoom talk was lead by Martin Boiling who has been a member of the Woodland Trust for over 30 years. He has worked with the Trustees and senior management on a review of strategy, helped establish the volunteer programme nationally, run community engagement projects and, as a speaker, gives regular talks and leads guided walks around local woodlands. Martin shared with us what we can do in our community to protect trees and local woodlands and increase tree cover to mitigate climate change, provide a home for wildlife, and improve our wellbeing.
Agent in Berlinis Alex’s ninth novel and follows on from the success of the Spy Master and Princeseries: as of December 2021, Alex will have sold in excess of 350,000 copies of his novels, in paperback and eBook formats.
This novelis the first (of three) in a new series featuring an unlikely pair of British agents operating out of Berlin: an American sports journalist and an SS officer’s wife.
Nos 2 & 3 in that series should be out during 2022.
‘With war coming to Europe British spymaster Barnaby Allen is recruiting a network of agents in Germany. Despite constant danger and the ever-present threats of discovery and betrayal, Allen’s network unearths top-secret plans for a new German fighter plane – and a truly devastating intelligence prize… an audacious Japanese plan to attack the United States. But can they prove it?
The race is on.
An unputdownable and atmospheric Second World War espionage thriller, Agent in Berlin will grip you to the very end. Perfect for readers of David Young, Robert Harris and Rory Clements.’
Talk Matters began just over a year ago. The purpose is twofold – to raise awareness of co-operative Palestinian-Israeli initiatives and to serve as an umbrella group for likeminded organisations to exchange ideas and share resources.
Jenny says: ‘I believe that the projects that Talk Matters represent are vital not only for the future of Israel and Palestine but also for Christian-Muslim-Jewish relations here in the UK where there is so much ignorance and confusion surrounding Palestine, Israel, Zionism and Antisemitism.’
On Sunday, Rachel Vogler, the leader of Rene Cassin’s Right to Food campaign, and the charity’s Social Justice and Women’s Rights Campaigns Officer, discussed the theme of this year’s Human Rights Shabbat, the Right to Food,
Rachel is a sexual violence researcher, currently working on publications with the 1752 Group and supporting the Violence Against Women Research Network. Rachel has also worked for Jewish Women’s Aid and carries with her values of equity and justice. She is currently completing her MA in Gender Studies and will be published in a book of essays on sexual violence prevention in early 2022.
On Tuesday, Alex Gerlis interviewed Elise Italiaander , who is the Audio and Digital Manager at DK publishing.
Elise has interviewed a number of authors and celebrity narrators for Audible’s short-form content. At DK, she has launched their audiobook list, publishing over 170 titles to date, as well as working closely with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team writing recommendations and heritage & culture pieces for their newsletter.
On Sunday Beverly Peter introduced a fascinating film of Peter Higginson, Art Historian and Great-nephew of William Heath Robinson, giving an illustrated talk about “The Brothers Robinson” who were all amazing artists in their own right.
The Heath Robinson Museum was built 5 years ago in Pinner Memorial Park and is home to the largest single collection of the works of William Heath Robinson.
Beverly Peter is a retired GP and recent film maker.
The event was not recorded, but the following 2 films may be viewed on YouTube for the next 2 weeksContinue reading →
Steve Levinson interviewed Stephen Bush both in his role as Political Editor of the New Statesman and in his role as Chair of the Board of Deputies’ Commission on Racial Inclusivity within the Jewish Community.
Stephen Bush went to University at Balliol College, Oxford, where he studied history and was a member of the Oxford University Labour Club. He graduated in 2011. He started his career writing for the Daily Telegraph and has written for The Mirror, The Times, The Financial Times, The Observer, and The Guardian. He has appeared on the BBC programme Newsnight. He joined The New Statesman in 2015 and became Political Editor in December 2018.
The Board of Deputies decided, following the racist murder of George Floyd in mid-2020, to investigate whether black members of the Jewish Community felt instances of marginalisation and discrimination. As a result, the Commission for Racial Inclusivity in the Jewish Community was born with Stephen Bush invited to lead the Commission.
Stephen has won several awards including the Political Studies Association Journalist of the Year award in 2017
On Sunday, Gary Italiaander gave a presentation on the 170-year history of the Steinway piano. In 1836 Heinrich Engelhard Steinway built his first piano in his kitchen in Hamburg. The presentation included why the piano became the instrument of choice of every music composer and why Steinway pianos are unique. For all music lovers, Steinway is the gold standard of musical instruments.
Stars and Spies , Julius’ new book, written with Christopher Andrew, is being published on 14th October. It is a unique examination and a hugely entertaining and original history of the interplay between spying and showbiz, featuring Marlowe and Shakespeare, but focusing mostly on the twentieth century, the golden era of the Cold War and up to the present day.
On Sunday we had another chance to hear more of our prolific readers discussing their 2 book choices.
On Tuesday, author Alex Gerlis was interviewed by Steve Levinson about his 9th novel Agent in Berlin which has just been published.
On Sunday, Jenny Nemko, founder of ‘Talk Matters’ spoke about this initiative.
On Sunday, Rachel Vogler, the leader of Rene Cassin’s Right to Food campaign, and the charity’s Social Justice and Women’s Rights Campaigns Officer, discussed the theme of this year’s Human Rights Shabbat, the Right to Food,
On Tuesday, Alex Gerlis interviewed Elise Italiaander , who is the Audio and Digital Manager at DK publishing.
On Sunday Beverly Peter introduced a fascinating film of Peter Higginson, Art Historian and Great-nephew of William Heath Robinson, giving an illustrated talk about “The Brothers Robinson” who were all amazing artists in their own right.
Steve Levinson interviewed Stephen Bush both in his role as Political Editor of the New Statesman and in his role as Chair of the Board of Deputies’ Commission on Racial Inclusivity within the Jewish Community.
On Sunday, Gary Italiaander gave a presentation on the 170-year history of the Steinway piano. In 1836 Heinrich Engelhard Steinway built his first piano in his kitchen in Hamburg. The presentation included why the piano became the instrument of choice of every music composer and why Steinway pianos are unique. For all music lovers, Steinway is the gold standard of musical instruments.
On Tuesday, Alex Gerlis interviewed Julius Green.
