Charlie's a shining example to the world

A pensive seven-year-old Charlie Simpson - pictured on his Unicef - JustGiving page. Wonderfully, today the donations he has inspired have reached £134,000 and continue to rise. Charlie for PM anyone?

Seven-year-old Charlie's Inspiration for Haiti's Children

One of the most heart-warming and thought-provoking stories of the week, with a major aah-factor, is that of Charlie Simpson. The articulate and totally charming Fulham seven-year-old was so deeply moved, when he saw television images of children in Haiti, that he determined to do what he could to improve their situation.

With his mother Leonora's help, a JustGiving page was set-up to raise funds, for those he had seen on the news, via a sponsored bike ride in his local park. Charlie hoped that his efforts would bring-in around £500, but by this evening - after the tiring five-mile ride with his dad - he has raised over £60,000 in promised donations.

You can watch Charlie's inspirational mid-event interview on the BBC, here.

Sicily's Rubbish...

I found the parts of Sicily I visited to be exemplary as far as cleanliness was concerned, contrary to reports I'd heard from acquaintances who'd visited last year.

This street bin in Erice was in keeping with its surroundings - almost a work of art - an inspirational way to encourage tidiness and pride in one's surroundings.

"Greatness is never a given"...

Is there a good person who can fail to have been moved, impressed to the core and deeply inspired by today's momentous events? Phew! Obama may have inherited the most hellish of in-trays but his stunningly inspirational and captivating Inaugural Speech was delivered so fluently and lyrically (what greater contrast with his predecessor) that only the hard-hearted won't have been touched by it. I confess that I sat riveted with tears (of happiness tinged with poignancy) trailing down my cheeks...

From the moment the new President started speaking - along with the record-breaking masses standing in the Mall - I was transfixed and captivated. He spoke not only to Americans but to all citizens of the world.

From "our patchwork heritage is our strength, not a weakness" to "common humanity shall reveal itself" to the emphasis on "what you can build not what you can destroy" and "...also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate" by way of the "errors of greed and irresponsibility", he truly is a man after my own heart.

"Mutual respect" should be bywords for all decent individuals. I hope that his intention to "extend a hand if you are willing to unclench the fist" will not fall on closed ears where much of its intended audience is concerned.

Extraordinary, as he stated, that "a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served in a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath". I hope that his mother, along with the admirable and unforgettable Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, were smiling down on him and that he will succeed in fulfilling his good intentions...

Poetic Inspiration in South Molton Street

For me, one of the real pleasures of walking in London (when I'm not in a rush) is in making little unexpected historical or cultural discoveries. I've known South Molton Street since I was a teenager but last week, ambling down there en route to Piccadilly, I happened to look upwards (a good thing to do in London, if you're interested in architectural detail). Outside number 17, I noticed an impressive blue plaque that I hadn't seen before and was surprised to discover that Georgian poet, lyricist and illustrator, William Blake had lived there.

The discovery led to me to investigate further and I learnt that he was born in London - in what is now Broadwick Street (off Oxford Street, towards Tottenham Court Road). For some reason I had always imagined him as more of a Counties boy. To discover more about the man and his works, or to revive school-day memories, it's worth exploring his society's website.

A Visit to Wisley

Vast, beautiful and diverse, RHS Wisley is a natural haven of beauty - moments from the traffic-laden A3. Although the crowds are likely to stay with you, when you visit at weekends, it remains a garden of delights with space for tranquillity, contemplation and inspiration.

Find your favourite tree and relish the glory of its changing colours through all its seasonal guises. Explore and track down plants and varieties - new and old - to transform your house and garden.

If it’s convenient enough for you to get to on a regular basis, you’re likely to make new discoveries with each visit. Frequent visitors should take advantage of the Royal Horticultural Society membership scheme; if you join-up you’ll save the £8 adult entry price and can bring along a friend for free.

You're having a laugh...

If you're anything like me, then you'll have been a happy bunny over the past few days - enjoying the gorgeous late (very) summer weather, in London.  I was beginning to think that the s(ummer) word no longer had a place in our vocabulary.

Well,  September was also back-to-school time.  Even if that no longer features significantly in your life, think again... It can prove great fun and a brilliant source of autumnal/winter inspiration, to take a step back and consider (that old cliché) evening classes.  There's so much to choose from... 

An option I can heartily recommend, is to go for a stand-up comedy course.  I signed-up for classes, a few years back, at Richmond's Parkshot with excellent tutor, Tony Kirwood.  We were a very diverse bunch of students, ranging in age from 17-70(!); every class was a great laugh (combined with some high anxiety levels...).  It was a brilliant way to inject some sunshine into the grey winter months. 

Although I never had any intention of going on the circuit (oh no - not for me - I'm far too much of a 'corpser') I wanted to try my hand at topical comedy writing and I loved it...  The class put on a very well-received end-of-term show and one of the group - Jude Mahon - made it to the finals of that year's Funny Women competition.

Market Driven - part two...

My market-themed weekend continued on Sunday with another one-off event, also held in celebration of the Kingston Food Festival. This time it was Fairtrade-focused: a joy - on many levels - highlighting some local foodie stars including Riverside Vegetaria (who produced the most delicious aubergine dip, as an introductory taste experience of their restaurant delights…); Montezuma's also did a roaring trade with white and dark chocolate samples to tantalise the sweet-toothed visitor. Neighbourhood allotment growers were on hand to inform, inspire and offer tastes of their freshly-picked produce.

I spent a very happy time exploring (and sniffing-out) the wonderful fresh herb stall, with myriad varieties (rare and mainstream) for cooking and medicinal purposes. The chocolate mint and lemon balm were especially fragrant… I left with some wonderful oregano, and a pretty chilli plant, to enhance my autumn dishes and add to my herb garden repertoire.

The Birthday Boy and Universal Hero...

Happy, happy 90th Birthday to one of the greatest heroes of our time: Nelson Mandela. What a magnificent example to mankind he is. If there were more of his ilk, in our world, it would truly be a better place to live.

For almost as long as I can remember, he has held a special place in my affections and been a great hero and inspiration of mine.  Who can fail to admire his extraordinary strength, determination and incredible forgiveness towards those who held him prisoner and the people who perpetrated such inhumane deeds in his homeland.  The benevolence of the man remains apparent today in his beautiful countenance.  

I was pleased that he recently spoke out - at last! - about evil M in Zimbabwe (I won't even credit the monster by mentioning his name in full) but I don't yet feel reassured - sadly - that it will be enough to radically change the horrendous situation that has gone from bad to beyond mentionable there.  I hope Mandela's universal words, actions and dignity will continue to inspire people positively for generations to come.

Pic credit: www.anc.org.za