No this isn't a blog about a firm of estate agents or solicitors (though we've had dealings with both this week!) . Rather it's a testimony to the power of art, music and creative social and political thought from three masters of their genres. Sadly only one is still living , but all three are still inspiring .
An afternoon work assignment drew me to London on Tuesday and provided the opportunity to visit the Alexander Calder exhibition at Tate Modern, first.
I've long admired Calder's work , since I first saw some of his mobiles and
his stunning silver bed head at the Peggy Guggenheim gallery in Venice, years ago.
Calder (1898-1976) was a wonderful artist combining art and engineering in the most glorious mobiles. This exhibition gives a rich insight into his creativity and is a total delight.
Blue panel 1936
Black widow 1948
Ultimately his work is a celebration of our universe and a reminder of our small place in it . His ability to combine creative colourful art with engineering, playing with the impact of space , air and movement is inspiring , refreshing , and feels so modern.
Less inspiring on my way back through the West End , were the lights of Regent Street - not a patch on The ClockTower lights in Brighton or indeed Hackney'sTown Hall square.
Mind they served as a reminder of austerity , if one were needed , in the week of the Autumn statement and the next 3-year Comprehensive Spending Review. This week we learned of a welcome reprieve for policing but a continued reduction in Government investment in local public services for which Local Government is accountable.
It is not inspiring to see support for the wellbeing of citizens who require support in the face of joblessness, homelessness, domestic and child abuse , mental Illness, learning disability,older age and infirmity, deprioritised in the name of balancing the books in quick order.
And it's not inspiring to hear the debate reigniting about the need to go again to war. But the moon shone bright that night over London and lifted our spirits.
And on Thursday evening the source of inspiration was some fabulous jazz. The accomplished saxophonist, Jo Fookes , fresh from dealing with the impact of Bell's Palsy, treated us to an uplifting evening. Supported by the talented creative Smalls houseband ( Mark Edwards piano, Piers Clarke guitar , Steve Thompson,double bass ) and her husband Buster on drums, the evening swung!
Jo Fookes and Steve Thompson
And not only were the musicians inspiring as they moved between swing classics and Disney tunes that flew, so too is the impresario Dennis Simpson , who brings together such talented line-ups every fortnight in the jazz season . Come to the Caxton Arms soon for uplifting jazz!
It's a labour of love for Dennis and Liz , and it certainly achieves a great sense of wellbeing in all the attendees!
Finally, Saturday 28/11/15 ,saw an eclectic gathering at the British Film Institute, of many of the family, friends, pupils and admirers of the sadly lamented Professior Stuart Hall who died in February 2014. In his memory, a Foundation has been established " to support new generations of creative thinkers to challenge the status quo and provide original thinking ,debate and research ,illuminating connections between politics, culture and society." What a fitting mission for our times .
It was an honour to be invited by my friend Maria who is Programme Manager for the Foundation and who played a vital part in the organisation of this triumph of an event.
And what a treat to be hosted by one of my favourite broadcast journalists,Jon Snow, and to hear the keynote speech of one of my favourite newspaper journalists,Gary Younge. His was a fantastic critique of our times, enriched by his recent return from living in the US ,in order to give a better quality of life and opportunity to his children. "US has proved a black man can reach the White House ; yet to prove a young black man can walk the street without being shot..."
We were treated to some extracts of a yet to be published memoir , read by Catherine Hall , Stuart's widow , and the author Andrea Levy . The writing is extraordinary and the readings were moving. 
Catherine Hall and Andrea Levy
Stuart's daughter, Becky encouraged us to give to the Foundation and enable the first two scholarships already awarded to be built on. Becky recalled her father entreating her at the end of his life to "bring back the big beasts, Beckster" and the Foundation is a means to do this.
It was an inspiring afternoon. Sadly,I had to leave before tea, to return to my caring responsibilities ; I left a pledge and departed with a spring in in my step. Do look at the foundation website where Gary's
Paper should soon be available.
Becky Hall
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