We need volunteers for the BLOOMSBURY JAMBOREE this weekend. We offer goody bags of books in return. If you can help please email [email protected]

Come to hear James Binning tell the story of the Turner Prize-winning architectural collective ASSEMBLE next Sunday 16th November 12:15pm at the Bloomsbury Jamboree at Art Workers’ Guild in Queen Square WC1N 3AT. Tickets: shorturl.at/1xnaL

Ranunculus from Columbia Road Market this morning

Read my feature about Maureen Rose of Taylors Buttons & Belts at The World of Interiors online. www.worldofinteriors.com/story/taylor...

Today is publication day for Gillian Tindall's JOURNEY OF A MAN UNKNOWN and we are sending out copies with some freebies. Copies: shorturl.at/Q5rtg

Today is publication day for Gillian Tindall’s novel JOURNAL OF A MAN UNKNOWN. Although Gillian died last month at the age of 87, we take consolation in the knowledge that her final work is published thereby fulfilling her dying wish. Copies: shorturl.at/Q5rtg

You are welcome to join us for the launch of Gillian Tindall's novel at Hatchard's Piccadilly on 19th Nov. At 7pm Colin Thubron will speak and Alan Cox will read from the novel. To register a place email [email protected] Copies available from: shorturl.at/Q5rtg

Asters and eryngium from Columbia Road Market this morning

Such happy news! Button shops are marvellous places. There's a place in Dallas, #BennosButtons, that use to have fabulous early 20th century buttons. Not sure that they still do.

I am delighted to announce that we have reached the total in just 48 hours. The entire sewing, dressmaking and costume community rallied round to save our beloved Maureen Rose. Good job everybody!

spitalfieldslife.com/2025/11/01/b... this sounds wonderful hosted by @thegentleauthor.bsky.social

In collaboration with Mainstone Press and Design for Today, I am hosting our annual BLOOMSBURY JAMBOREE a festival of books and print, illustration, talks and seasonal merriment on SATURDAY 15th & SUNDAY 16th NOVEMBER at the magnificent Art Workers Guild , 6 Queens Sq, WC1N 3AT.

This wonderful shop is in the bottom of the house where Charles Dickens once lived as a boy:

Stopped outside this Fitzrovia Georgian house recently on a walk, due to the Dickens connection, and was amazed to see this little button shop operating inside! Endangered - I'm phobic of buttons but have donated, so hopefully you can, too. Please share.

“During the Covid-19 lockdowns, we were forced to close for many months. This led to £17,000 in unpaid rent. Our landlord is now pursuing court action and will not renew our lease unless this is paid in full. Without help, Taylors Buttons will close forever this November.“

I am delighted to have persuaded Ros Byam Shaw , author of the Perfect English series and writer for House & Garden, Cabana and The World of Interiors , to introduce her new book, 'Perfect English Small and Beautiful' at the Bloomsbury Jamboree. Tickets: shorturl.at/Y8HIm

Please help SAVE TAYLORS BUTTONS, Maureen Rose's legendary shop in Cleveland St. They will shut in November forever unless they can pay their rent arrears from the Covid lockdowns: crowdfunder.co.uk/p/taylorsbut...

My course is suitable for writers of all levels of experience – from complete beginners to those who already have a blog and want to advance or refresh their approach: spitalfieldslife.com/courses/

To all who wryte storyes & poemes, to everyone who doth wryte scriptes & screenplayes, to those who make art of all kyndes, and to those who designe and performe yn daunse, and theatre -- thanke yow. Whethir you make for a few friendes or an audience of millions, thanke yow. You helpe us all.

Thei wante us talkinge alone on our phones to a demon thei created, and not goinge places and being wyth each othir yn art and joy and communitye. Thei want cinemas to shut downe, and broadwaye to go darke. Thei want wryteres to stop writinge. Thei want to sell us hell and have us pay for it.

The last dahlias of the year from Columbia Road Market this morning

In the heart of the Kentish Weald, at the centre of the village of Charing, lies a collection of ancient flint buildings that comprise the remains of a majestic archbishops’ palace dating back to the eighth century. Read the full story: spitalfieldslife.com/2025/10/26/a...

Spitalfields Life @thegentleauthor.bsky.social Jimmy Pollock, Fruit & Vegetable Wholesaler spitalfieldslife.com/2025/10/23/j...

Spitalfields Life @thegentleauthor.bsky.social At Great Eastern Buildings, a candid memoir of his childhood by Steven Harris. spitalfieldslife.com/2025/10/24/a...

Freesias and Larkspur from Columbia Road Market this morning

And there’s a map to find the splendid mosaics. It’s beautiful book showcasing ‘The Hackney Mosaic Project’ which helps people with addiction & mental health problems, while also improving neglected corners of the city.’

So long Gary Arber, legendary printer of the Roman Rd: spitalfieldslife.com/2025/10/17/s...

Love this image.

Join me for a ramble through 2000 years of culture and history at the heart of old London followed by tea and cakes freshly baked from a recipe of 1720 served in a 300 year old house. thegentleauthorstours.com/p/booking

spitalfieldslife.com/2025/10/14/a... wonderful life a wonderful walk and a celebration of public service . Fascinating . Thank you @thegentleauthor.bsky.social

I am giving an illustrated lecture of Spitalfields & Whitechapel in Old Photographs on Thursday 16th October at 7pm at the Hanbury Hall in Hanbury St, E1 6QR. Tickets shorturl.at/I0Ywf

I am giving an illustrated lecture of Spitalfields & Whitechapel in Old Photographs on Thursday 16th October at 7pm at the Hanbury Hall in Hanbury St, E1 6QR. Tickets shorturl.at/I0Ywf

I am giving an illustrated lecture of Spitalfields & Whitechapel in Old Photographs on Thursday 16th October at 7pm at the Hanbury Hall in Hanbury St, E1 6QR. Tickets shorturl.at/I0Ywf

I am giving an illustrated lecture of Spitalfields & Whitechapel in Old Photographs on Thursday 16th October at 7pm at the Hanbury Hall in Hanbury St, E1 6QR. Tickets shorturl.at/I0Ywf

I am giving an illustrated lecture of Spitalfields & Whitechapel in Old Photographs on Thursday 16th October at 7pm at the Hanbury Hall in Hanbury St, E1 6QR. Tickets shorturl.at/I0Ywf

spitalfieldslife.com/2025/10/08/a... fascinating light shone on some of the skilled makers of the East End. Thank you , @thegentleauthor.bsky.social

I am giving an illustrated lecture of Spitalfields & Whitechapel in Old Photographs on Thursday 16th October at 7pm at the Hanbury Hall in Hanbury St, E1 6QR. Tickets shorturl.at/I0Ywf

I am giving an illustrated lecture of Spitalfields & Whitechapel in Old Photographs on Thursday 16th October at 7pm at the Hanbury Hall in Hanbury St, E1 6QR. Tickets shorturl.at/I0Ywf

spitalfieldslife.com/2025/10/07/a... a glorious combo - olive oil and electricals! Fab @thegentleauthor.bsky.social

“When you had twelve boxes of kippers on your head, you knew you’d got it on,” quipped Billy, displaying his “brand new” hat, made only in the nineteen thirties.” @thegentleauthor.bsky.social spitalfieldslife.com/2025/10/06/t...

I am giving an illustrated lecture of Spitalfields & Whitechapel in Old Photographs on Thursday 16th October at 7pm at the Hanbury Hall in Hanbury St, E1 6QR. Tickets shorturl.at/I0Ywf

I am giving an illustrated lecture of Spitalfields & Whitechapel in Old Photographs on Thursday 16th October at 7pm at the Hanbury Hall in Hanbury St, E1 6QR. Tickets shorturl.at/I0Ywf

Today is the 89th anniversary of the #BattleofCableStreet. Find out more about the Battle and East End radical politics, poetry and song in Episode 2 @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social @thegentleauthor.bsky.social @misssarahwise.bsky.social @zackpolanski.bsky.social open.spotify.com/episode/5Xib...

“On the road to the French house, Lesley performed with a python in cabaret before graduating to managing a strip club in Old Compton St in 1979, where admission cost 50p and senior customers brought sandwiches to stay all day.” @thegentleauthor.bsky.social spitalfieldslife.com/2025/10/04/l...

spitalfieldslife.com/2025/10/03/j... moving motivation to this publication - good for you @thegentleauthor.bsky.social

Very sad news, I loved her book uncovering the history of little house near The Globe, The House On The Thames. Her forthcoming novel, very appropriately published by Spitalfields Life, sounds fantastic.

Sad news. ‘The Fields Beneath’ and ‘The House by the Thames’ are two of the best books ever written about London’s history. I hadn’t realised till I looked her up how wide was her range, or that she started by writing fiction…