Melissa Woolford is on the phone, having an animated conversation about powdered sugar. ‘We need it today,’ she implores. She is the founder of the Museum of Architecture and The Gingerbread City, a sugary masterpiece that has been created at Coal Drops Yard in London’s King’s Cross. It has been a big undertaking, although one … Read more
Let’s say they’re not quite in-laws yet because these aren’t the Victorian times. But perhaps you’ve been dating for a few months and the moment has arrived. You’re meeting the people who could, maybe one day, be your in-laws. Hopefully you won’t do as badly as one of my friends, who was caught, ahem, at … Read more
“As fast and reliable as express trains, and the greatest fun in the world to drive”. That’s how the famed author, soldier, Arabist, spy and bike nut T. E. Lawrence described his beloved Brough Superiors, the ‘Rolls-Royce of motorcycles’ (in the opinion of contemporary journalist H. D. Teague) that cost as much to buy as … Read more
The build up to Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for William Barsley. I first noticed his work in the Parliament Shop, of all places. Sandwiched between stuffed toys, rubber ducks in the shape of Big Ben, and other such mass-produced gifts were his delicate, intricately crafted wooden angels. William specialises … Read more
My flatmate has started taking online French lessons. It’s a lot harder than when we took the subject at GCSE, she says, because her current teacher insists on over-philosophising everything. Truthfully, I once overheard him lecture the class on how happiness has become a pipe dream due to technology and that people were far happier … Read more