Or at least domination of London. Isn't it frustrating when you get ideas fizzing through your head, and you never have enough time or money, or work gets in the way of carrying them out?
So here are some of my solid-gold, can't-fail bright ideas, from small to big. Maybe you have more time, or business/charity expertise, or can pass them on. Take them, run with them, own them!
- Yarn department store in central London.
Have you ANY IDEA how big knitting is as a hobby? Forget computer games, forget
blogging, it is HUGE. They're all at it,
they're crazy for the knitting.And yet... there is no specialist, dedicated yarn shop in central London, just little sections in John Lewis and Liberty's, or little high street shops. I'm envisioning it like
VV Rouleaux in Marylebone High Street, or
The Bead Shop in Covent Garden. People would travel from out of town just to shop there, you could have an online store, workshops, knitting groups, art exhibitions... you get the picture.
- Central music library for kids.
Music is fun, and "inclusive" (big buzzword in education), ie, everyone can join in. Plus, we're always emphasizing the academic subjects, but what are this country's most successful exports? Music, art, fashion. Get them to play instruments! Get them to sing and write music! Get them to record stories! A central music library, available to all schools in London, you could borrow instruments, CDs, DVDs, story tapes, all the big music labels could donate and would be happy to, because they'd be promoting their product. Story-telling sessions, music sessions, performances... etc etc.
- Big Apple Greeter - London style.
This is a fantastic service in New York, entirely staffed by volunteers. You email them ahead of your trip, telling them about your interests. A native New Yorker takes you around for the day, for free! It would work perfectly here - Londoners are just as proud of their city, I'm sure they'd be up for it. (I emailed
Ken about this a while ago, unsurprisingly got no reply.)
So there you have it. Just don't say I never give you anything.
9 comments:
Annie, for sure, these are great ideas. I especially like the one about music.
There's a guy called Chris Blackwell who's doing something similar with world beat music and culture. Very, very exciting.
Don't real knitters spin their own though?
That said. Great idea.
I notice there are no Gnome Emporia?
Chris Blackwell who set up Island records? Cooool...
Greavsie - only if they have their own sheep. You're right, I neglected the gnomes. Gnome-lovers have no "gnome" to go to... (ouch!)
American visitor: 'wow London is such a neat city!'
London greeter: (mutters) 'sallright'
AV: 'what shall we see first?'
LG: 'Don't care.'
AV: 'well what do you guys do for fun around here?'
LG: 'we get pissed.'
AV: 'I'll say ...'
I think we might all need a personality transplant first :-)
Disgruntled - can I just say, ha! ha! ha!
You may have a point.
Yes, THAT Chris Blackwell. He's Jamaican, isn't he?
He is. Introduced Bob Marley to the world, for which reason we like him a lot.
Oooh no! There is a local yarn shop - it's called Loop and is in Angel, I believe (although I'm told it's quite expensive).
As for knitting groups, - don't go for http://www.stitchnbitch.co.uk/ - the girl who runs this is horrid (details upon request).
Instead, come to ours http://www.knitchicks.co.uk/ It's by far the most comprehensive, and fun, and we're always in the papers or on telly (but don't let that put you off)
C
x
Oh Claire! I thought that was the link for your group, goddammit. Knew I'd choose the wrong one...
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