LUCID BODY BASICS, a physical acting process for everyone
Lucid Body is a process of self exploration designed for actors but accessible for anyone who wants to reconnect with their body and explore the habits that are locking them into unwanted patterns.
When a person is connected to their body we feel it – we sense their intentions, emotions, we feel their presence in the room, they seem alive and in the moment.
In January and February 2015 we are offering a six-week Basics class to explore the fundamental elements of this challenging Psycho-Physical Integration Process.
We will work to:
Create a safe and challenging environment for deep exploration.
Draw awareness to, and break, the postural habits and emotional patterns that bind us.
Use our unique physical and emotional impulses in our creativity.
Connect breath to body.
Gain an in-depth understanding of the Seven Energy Centres of the body.
Let go of control and anticipation.
Live and work in the moment.
You don’t need to be an actor to participate, but you do need a brave heart, a willingness to play and some comfortable clothes to do movement work in.
Immediately following this course, we are offering a four-week Advanced course which can be taken separately or in conjunction with this Basics course. See website for special pricing package when booking Basics and Advanced together.
Raniah Al-Sayed currently teaches Lucid Body at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, The Drama Studio London and Arts Educational Schools London. She trained as an actor, firstly as a young artist at the BRIT School and, later, at The Michael Howard Studios NY where she met Lucid Body Founder Fay Simpson. After completing her teacher training with Fay, Raniah returned to her childhood city to found Lucid Body London. She continues to act, write and direct while teaching in schools and privately.
LUCID BODY BASICS, a physical acting process for everyone
Lucid Body is a process of self exploration designed for actors but accessible for anyone who wants to reconnect with their body and explore the habits that are locking them into unwanted patterns.
When a person is connected to their body we feel it – we sense their intentions, emotions, we feel their presence in the room, they seem alive and in the moment.
In January and February 2015 we are offering a six-week Basics class to explore the fundamental elements of this challenging Psycho-Physical Integration Process.
We will work to:
Create a safe and challenging environment for deep exploration.
Draw awareness to, and break, the postural habits and emotional patterns that bind us.
Use our unique physical and emotional impulses in our creativity.
Connect breath to body.
Gain an in-depth understanding of the Seven Energy Centres of the body.
Let go of control and anticipation.
Live and work in the moment.
You don’t need to be an actor to participate, but you do need a brave heart, a willingness to play and some comfortable clothes to do movement work in.
Immediately following this course, we are offering a four-week Advanced course which can be taken separately or in conjunction with this Basics course. See website for special pricing package when booking Basics and Advanced together.
Raniah Al-Sayed currently teaches Lucid Body at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, The Drama Studio London and Arts Educational Schools London. She trained as an actor, firstly as a young artist at the BRIT School and, later, at The Michael Howard Studios NY where she met Lucid Body Founder Fay Simpson. After completing her teacher training with Fay, Raniah returned to her childhood city to found Lucid Body London. She continues to act, write and direct while teaching in schools and privately.
As part of an going series I am hosting for 2015 celebrating Irish culture, history, politics and literature, I will be interviewing Jesse Norman about the life of Edmund Burke, in the Boogaloo Pub, Highgate.
LUCID BODY BASICS, a physical acting process for everyone
Lucid Body is a process of self exploration designed for actors but accessible for anyone who wants to reconnect with their body and explore the habits that are locking them into unwanted patterns.
When a person is connected to their body we feel it – we sense their intentions, emotions, we feel their presence in the room, they seem alive and in the moment.
In January and February 2015 we are offering a six-week Basics class to explore the fundamental elements of this challenging Psycho-Physical Integration Process.
We will work to:
Create a safe and challenging environment for deep exploration.
Draw awareness to, and break, the postural habits and emotional patterns that bind us.
Use our unique physical and emotional impulses in our creativity.
Connect breath to body.
Gain an in-depth understanding of the Seven Energy Centres of the body.
Let go of control and anticipation.
Live and work in the moment.
You don’t need to be an actor to participate, but you do need a brave heart, a willingness to play and some comfortable clothes to do movement work in.
Immediately following this course, we are offering a four-week Advanced course which can be taken separately or in conjunction with this Basics course. See website for special pricing package when booking Basics and Advanced together.
Raniah Al-Sayed currently teaches Lucid Body at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, The Drama Studio London and Arts Educational Schools London. She trained as an actor, firstly as a young artist at the BRIT School and, later, at The Michael Howard Studios NY where she met Lucid Body Founder Fay Simpson. After completing her teacher training with Fay, Raniah returned to her childhood city to found Lucid Body London. She continues to act, write and direct while teaching in schools and privately.
LUCID BODY BASICS, a physical acting process for everyone
Lucid Body is a process of self exploration designed for actors but accessible for anyone who wants to reconnect with their body and explore the habits that are locking them into unwanted patterns.
When a person is connected to their body we feel it – we sense their intentions, emotions, we feel their presence in the room, they seem alive and in the moment.
In January and February 2015 we are offering a six-week Basics class to explore the fundamental elements of this challenging Psycho-Physical Integration Process.
We will work to:
Create a safe and challenging environment for deep exploration.
Draw awareness to, and break, the postural habits and emotional patterns that bind us.
Use our unique physical and emotional impulses in our creativity.
Connect breath to body.
Gain an in-depth understanding of the Seven Energy Centres of the body.
Let go of control and anticipation.
Live and work in the moment.
You don’t need to be an actor to participate, but you do need a brave heart, a willingness to play and some comfortable clothes to do movement work in.
Immediately following this course, we are offering a four-week Advanced course which can be taken separately or in conjunction with this Basics course. See website for special pricing package when booking Basics and Advanced together.
Raniah Al-Sayed currently teaches Lucid Body at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, The Drama Studio London and Arts Educational Schools London. She trained as an actor, firstly as a young artist at the BRIT School and, later, at The Michael Howard Studios NY where she met Lucid Body Founder Fay Simpson. After completing her teacher training with Fay, Raniah returned to her childhood city to found Lucid Body London. She continues to act, write and direct while teaching in schools and privately.
Sex, love and violence in black, pink and turquoise.
A twisted, mystical tribe have gathered in a black fortress. As music, specially composed for the performance, takes over and the family reunion goes awry, the end result is shattered minds and damaged bodies. But who are these people? What do they need? It is universal. It is globally wanted.
The iron cube on the stage is a small mansion, a family home for the strange characters, and it fills with vulnerability and violence. Globally Wanted is a performance of absurd happenings told through circus, acrobatics, parkour, physical theatre and an ingenious design. It pulls the audience so deep into the performance that it is rarely experienced.
Finnish company, Company Uusi Maailma performs for the very first time in London with the UK premiere of Globally Wanted.
”Globally Wanted is a blackish burlesque belch straight at your face. – I have no idea what this could be compared to. Not to anything. Scary, and at the same time pleasurably filling the senses.”
– Helsingin Sanomat, Finland’s leading newspaper
Globally Wanted shows at Jackson’s Lane has been carried out with the support of Finnish Circus Information Centre.
Sex, love and violence in black, pink and turquoise.
A twisted, mystical tribe have gathered in a black fortress. As music, specially composed for the performance, takes over and the family reunion goes awry, the end result is shattered minds and damaged bodies. But who are these people? What do they need? It is universal. It is globally wanted.
The iron cube on the stage is a small mansion, a family home for the strange characters, and it fills with vulnerability and violence. Globally Wanted is a performance of absurd happenings told through circus, acrobatics, parkour, physical theatre and an ingenious design. It pulls the audience so deep into the performance that it is rarely experienced.
Finnish company, Company Uusi Maailma performs for the very first time in London with the UK premiere of Globally Wanted.
”Globally Wanted is a blackish burlesque belch straight at your face. – I have no idea what this could be compared to. Not to anything. Scary, and at the same time pleasurably filling the senses.”
– Helsingin Sanomat, Finland’s leading newspaper
Globally Wanted shows at Jackson’s Lane has been carried out with the support of Finnish Circus Information Centre.
Sex, love and violence in black, pink and turquoise.
A twisted, mystical tribe have gathered in a black fortress. As music, specially composed for the performance, takes over and the family reunion goes awry, the end result is shattered minds and damaged bodies. But who are these people? What do they need? It is universal. It is globally wanted.
The iron cube on the stage is a small mansion, a family home for the strange characters, and it fills with vulnerability and violence. Globally Wanted is a performance of absurd happenings told through circus, acrobatics, parkour, physical theatre and an ingenious design. It pulls the audience so deep into the performance that it is rarely experienced.
Finnish company, Company Uusi Maailma performs for the very first time in London with the UK premiere of Globally Wanted.
”Globally Wanted is a blackish burlesque belch straight at your face. – I have no idea what this could be compared to. Not to anything. Scary, and at the same time pleasurably filling the senses.”
– Helsingin Sanomat, Finland’s leading newspaper
Globally Wanted shows at Jackson’s Lane has been carried out with the support of Finnish Circus Information Centre.
Sex, love and violence in black, pink and turquoise.
A twisted, mystical tribe have gathered in a black fortress. As music, specially composed for the performance, takes over and the family reunion goes awry, the end result is shattered minds and damaged bodies. But who are these people? What do they need? It is universal. It is globally wanted.
The iron cube on the stage is a small mansion, a family home for the strange characters, and it fills with vulnerability and violence. Globally Wanted is a performance of absurd happenings told through circus, acrobatics, parkour, physical theatre and an ingenious design. It pulls the audience so deep into the performance that it is rarely experienced.
Finnish company, Company Uusi Maailma performs for the very first time in London with the UK premiere of Globally Wanted.
”Globally Wanted is a blackish burlesque belch straight at your face. – I have no idea what this could be compared to. Not to anything. Scary, and at the same time pleasurably filling the senses.”
– Helsingin Sanomat, Finland’s leading newspaper
Globally Wanted shows at Jackson’s Lane has been carried out with the support of Finnish Circus Information Centre.
Eight weeks of fundamental Lucid Body principles offered to those wishing to work with:
mind-body integration
energy release and unblocking
exploration of the layers of Self
character improvisation
conflict as part of the nature of drama
active space on stage and in life
the language of the Chakras
Class Fee: £225/ Course £203/ Concession
When: 11 January – 29 February, Mondays 6:30 – 9:15 PM
Where: Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Rd, N6 5AA
Event Page: http://www.lucidbodylondon.com/basics
We’re finally returning to the standard eight-week format for Basics, which will allow us to cover all the pillars of the work as well as create a final project.
This class is open to those with or without any Lucid Body experience.
A celebration of London life through the ages, with readings, riotous anecdotes and live music. Dickens, Emmeline Pankhurst, Pepys, Blake, Boswell, Ian Dury, Dostoevsky and Virginia Woolf are among those featured. The actors are Daniel Dresner and Kate Walsh, who is about to join Radio 4 as a continuity announcer; music is by Bow and Bellows (violin, vocals, horn, accordion).
Red Shed is the third part in a trilogy that started with the multi award winning shows Bravo Figaro and Cuckooed.
Mark returns to the place where he first started to perform in public, a red wooden shed in Wakefield, the Labour Club, to celebrate the club’s 50th birthday.
Interviewing old friends and comrades Mark pieces together the club’s history and works with the club to campaign with some of the poorest workers in the country for their rights.
It is the story of the battle for hope and the survival of a community in a small wooden shed.
It is part theatre, part stand up, part journalism, part activism and returns to Mark’s obsessions of community and struggle.
The show will involve the audience (in a nice way) to help recreate the shed and its inhabitants.
Red Shed is the third part in a trilogy that started with the multi award winning shows Bravo Figaro and Cuckooed.
Mark returns to the place where he first started to perform in public, a red wooden shed in Wakefield, the Labour Club, to celebrate the club’s 50th birthday.
Interviewing old friends and comrades Mark pieces together the club’s history and works with the club to campaign with some of the poorest workers in the country for their rights.
It is the story of the battle for hope and the survival of a community in a small wooden shed.
It is part theatre, part stand up, part journalism, part activism and returns to Mark’s obsessions of community and struggle.
The show will involve the audience (in a nice way) to help recreate the shed and its inhabitants.
16th January
The New Junior School and Fibonacci
David Smith, former Head of Physics
Highgate’s magnificent new Junior School opened for business in September of last year. After exploring the history of the Junior School, David will describe the philosophy behind the new structure, making particular mention of the Leonardo Bonacci – known as Fibonacci – and the features around the building that his sequence inspired.
Discover some of Highgate’s twentieth century housing developments in this historic walk through Highgate. We will pass Lubetkin’s iconic High Point flats, learn about Highgate’s early history, walk through Waterlow Park and learn of it conception, pass Highgate Cemetery where Karl Marx is buried and explore Abrahmam Davis’s Holly Lodge Estate and Walter Segal’s 1950s St Anne’s Close.
Starts Opposite the Woodman Pub, Archway Road, finishes at Parliament Hill Fields at the bottom of Swain’s Lane. From here one has the choice to discover Highgate, see the views from Parliament Hill or further explore Highgate East or West Cemetery (additional fees)
You can check travel options at the Transport for London Journey Planner.
Footprints of London Walk www.footprintsoflondon.com
See Waterlow Park like you’ve never seen it before through the expert eyes of local historian Pam Cooper, who wrote the definitive history book on the Park.
In 1889 Waterlow Park was given as a ‘garden for the gardenless’ but it was a long journey from the Tudor nobles who claimed the area for country residences until the Victorian Sir Sydney Waterlow brought it together in a grand act of philanthropy.
Meet in the central internal Courtyard at Lauderdale House.
To celebrate the Highgate Heritage Weekend we have a wide range of free history themed children’s activities including:
- Dress up with your parents as one of the colourful characters in Lauderdale House’s history
- Pretend to be royal – take a photo behind our cut out of King Charles II, Nell Gwynn and their baby
- Explore our ‘artefacts’ box – a selection of curious household objects from the past. Guess what they are; what they were used for and how old they might be!
- Go around the House with our family trail
We also have the Arts Award Discover Trail -Free but £6 if you wish to apply for a certificate (latest start 3.30pm).
If you’re arty, love Lauderdale House and aged 6 to 11 you could receive an Arts Award!
This is an opportunity to go around as a family with our Arts Award Trail looking at the House and gardens in a new light, drawing pictures and making observations. It will take about an hour to complete. Children can do it just for fun or if you’d like recognition of all your hard work you can hand it in with the £6 fee and we will send it off and Arts Award so the child receives a certificate to say s/he has completed the first stage in a series of awards recognising their interest in the arts.
Curious about Highgate, its origins, stories, green spaces and buildings? Come in and talk to people who have an interest in and passion for local history. There will be representatives and stalls from the Roman Kilns in Highgate Woods, Camden Tour Guides, HLSI, Lady Gould’s Charity, Highgate School Museum, Friends of Kenwood, Highgate Horticultural Society, Friends of Hornsey Church Tower, Friends of Highgate Library Shepherds Hill, Highgate Society and lots of information about Lauderdale House.
Uncover the architectural secrets of this fascinating 16th century house with Peter Barber OBE, author of Lauderdale Revealed, who has been a vital figure in protecting our history from the devastating 1963 fire to the 2017 renovation. We will be opening up our 17th century trompe l’oeil just for today!
Meet in the central internal Courtyard at Lauderdale House.
Lauderdale House experts Nick Peacey and Peter Barber OBE join forces with our Heritage Education Officer Maddy Gilliam to share new discoveries about our fascinating former residents.
Friends of the Highgate Roman Kiln – Michael Hammerson and Nick Peacey – will tell you about its remarkable discovery in 1969 in Highgate Woods, how it was lifted out of the ground and divided for safekeeping at Bruce Castle Museum and the hut in Highgate Woods; and their mission to reunite it in its original location. Find out also how local people have tried to recreate the way it worked.
Stay on after for refreshments before the next talk.
Former General Manager of Ham House where Lord Lauderdale made his home when he married its owner Elizabeth Tollemache 2nd Countess of Dysart after the death of his wife and he left Lauderdale House. She will talk about Lauderdale, Elizabeth and Ham House – and Lauderdale’s music.
To celebrate the Highgate Heritage Weekend we have a wide range of free history themed children’s activities including:
- Dress up with your parents as one of the colourful characters in Lauderdale House’s history
- Pretend to be royal – take a photo behind our cut out of King Charles II, Nell Gwynn and their baby
- Explore our ‘artefacts’ box – a selection of curious household objects from the past. Guess what they are; what they were used for and how old they might be!
- Go around the House with our family trail
We also have the Arts Award Discover Trail -Free but £6 if you wish to apply for a certificate (latest start 3.30pm).
If you’re arty, love Lauderdale House and aged 6 to 11 you could receive an Arts Award!
This is an opportunity to go around as a family with our Arts Award Trail looking at the House and gardens in a new light, drawing pictures and making observations. It will take about an hour to complete. Children can do it just for fun or if you’d like recognition of all your hard work you can hand it in with the £6 fee and we will send it off and Arts Award so the child receives a certificate to say s/he has completed the first stage in a series of awards recognising their interest in the arts.
Uncover the architectural secrets of this fascinating 16th century house with Peter Barber OBE, author of Lauderdale Revealed, who has been a vital figure in protecting our history from the devastating 1963 fire to the 2017 renovation. We will be opening up our 17th century trompe l’oeil just for today!
Meet in the central internal Courtyard at Lauderdale House.
Soundworlds of Lauderdale House from Tudor times to today, a programme specially created for the Lauderdale House Local History Weekend (24 and 25 February), featuring words and music by Henry VIII, Charles I, Purcell, Beaumarchais, Haydn, Verdi, Debussy and Zeigenmeyer.
Insieme – Italian for ‘together’ – share their love of music and words with you through skilful, imaginative and joyful performances.
‘we listen with rapture and watch with glee; a sensational two hours bursting with charm’ Fringe Opera
Insieme, chamber opera ensemble are a new creative residency for 2018 at Lauderdale House featuring 10 talented singers and musicians who combine strings, woodwind, piano, voice and the spoken word:
Johanna Byrne – Artistic Director
Clare Clements – Musical Director
Eleanor Hemmens – Soprano
Brian Parsons – Tenor
Joe Corbett – Baritone
Caoimhe de Paor – Recorders
Mona Kodama – Violin
Guillem Calvo – Violin
Juan Drown- Viola
Frederique Legrand – Cello
Clare Clements – Piano
Johanna Byrne – Spoken Word
Discover some of Highgate’s twentieth century housing developments in this historic walk through Highgate. We will pass Lubetkin’s iconic High Point flats, learn about Highgate’s early history, walk through Waterlow Park and learn of it conception, pass Highgate Cemetery where Karl Marx is buried and explore Abrahmam Davis’s Holly Lodge Estate and Walter Segal’s 1950s St Anne’s Close.
Starts Opposite the Woodman Pub, Archway Road, finishes at Parliament Hill Fields at the bottom of Swain’s Lane.
Turning Points in Modern Jewish History
Turning Points in Modern Jewish History
Turning Points in Modern Jewish History
Turning Points in Modern Jewish History
After moving from Germany to London over ten years ago to live and work in a more diverse community, renowned sword swallower, circus artist and dazzling burlesque artist Livia Kojo Alour learned that life-long feelings of self-hatred and otherness are part internalised racism and part survival techniques. With a successful career under her stage name MisSa, but tiring of playing someone else full-time, Black Sheep has been long in the making, serving as a candid autobiographical work and a euphoric reclamation of Livia’s identity and ongoing fortitude.
Black Sheep is a story about a Black woman finding love and a testament of personal strength, developed through transcending the white gaze, overcoming institutional racism and leaning into radical vulnerability. Securing her place as a pivotal UK Queer Black voice while telling her story via a heady mix of physical theatre, spoken word, song and sword swallowing, Black Sheep is timely, unsettling and deeply personal.
Suitable for ages 14+
After moving from Germany to London over ten years ago to live and work in a more diverse community, renowned sword swallower, circus artist and dazzling burlesque artist Livia Kojo Alour learned that life-long feelings of self-hatred and otherness are part internalised racism and part survival techniques. With a successful career under her stage name MisSa, but tiring of playing someone else full-time, Black Sheep has been long in the making, serving as a candid autobiographical work and a euphoric reclamation of Livia’s identity and ongoing fortitude.
Black Sheep is a story about a Black woman finding love and a testament of personal strength, developed through transcending the white gaze, overcoming institutional racism and leaning into radical vulnerability. Securing her place as a pivotal UK Queer Black voice while telling her story via a heady mix of physical theatre, spoken word, song and sword swallowing, Black Sheep is timely, unsettling and deeply personal.
Suitable for ages 14+
After moving from Germany to London over ten years ago to live and work in a more diverse community, renowned sword swallower, circus artist and dazzling burlesque artist Livia Kojo Alour learned that life-long feelings of self-hatred and otherness are part internalised racism and part survival techniques. With a successful career under her stage name MisSa, but tiring of playing someone else full-time, Black Sheep has been long in the making, serving as a candid autobiographical work and a euphoric reclamation of Livia’s identity and ongoing fortitude.
Black Sheep is a story about a Black woman finding love and a testament of personal strength, developed through transcending the white gaze, overcoming institutional racism and leaning into radical vulnerability. Securing her place as a pivotal UK Queer Black voice while telling her story via a heady mix of physical theatre, spoken word, song and sword swallowing, Black Sheep is timely, unsettling and deeply personal.
Suitable for ages 14+
After falling asleep on the last train, the long journey home will be something he never forgets…
Temper Theatre return to Jacksons Lane with their signature mix of fluid muscular movement, soul-shaking soundscapes and fragmented imagery.
★★★★ “Vehement but cogently delivered” The Herald
After falling asleep on the last train, the long journey home will be something he never forgets…
Temper Theatre return to Jacksons Lane with their signature mix of fluid muscular movement, soul-shaking soundscapes and fragmented imagery.
★★★★ “Vehement but cogently delivered” The Herald
After falling asleep on the last train, the long journey home will be something he never forgets…
Temper Theatre return to Jacksons Lane with their signature mix of fluid muscular movement, soul-shaking soundscapes and fragmented imagery.
★★★★ “Vehement but cogently delivered” The Herald
Baby Gospel is an uplifting family concert of soul, Motown and gospel music, featuring the astonishing vocal talents of London’s CK Gospel Choir.
The whole family can enjoy singing and clapping along to hits by Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, Adele, Jackie Wilson, Pharrell and more – as well as some traditional Gospel songs and nursery rhymes. Concerts are baby-friendly and open to all ages from newborns to school age to grandparents.
CK Gospel Choir are a versatile professional group from London who are united by their love of gospel music and have provided backing for artists such as Beverley Knight, Peter Andre and Alfie Boe.
“The most uplifting and relaxing activity we have ever done together as a family” Curious Life of a Mummy
Suitable for newborns and up
Baby Gospel is an uplifting family concert of soul, Motown and gospel music, featuring the astonishing vocal talents of London’s CK Gospel Choir.
The whole family can enjoy singing and clapping along to hits by Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, Adele, Jackie Wilson, Pharrell and more – as well as some traditional Gospel songs and nursery rhymes. Concerts are baby-friendly and open to all ages from newborns to school age to grandparents.
CK Gospel Choir are a versatile professional group from London who are united by their love of gospel music and have provided backing for artists such as Beverley Knight, Peter Andre and Alfie Boe.
“The most uplifting and relaxing activity we have ever done together as a family” Curious Life of a Mummy
Suitable for newborns and up
Join us to discover the history of three local venues: Lauderdale House, Jacksons Lane and Upstairs at the Gatehouse.
Speakers from three of Highgate’s key entertainment venues join us for a special Heritage Weekend talk! With each building facing uncertain futures at one stage or another, this talk will provide a fascinating insight into the transformations and challenges involved in converting each into the venues we know today.
We will hear from Nick Peacey, one of the driving forces behind Lauderdale House’s conversion to an Arts and Cultural Centre, alongside John Plews – long time manager of the award-winning Upstairs at the Gatehouse theatre. Finally, we will be hearing from the team at Jacksons Lane and their amazing journey from derelict church to thriving community venue!
Highgate has more than its fair share of locations if you’re looking for a pint, a bite to eat…or a historic ceremony involving antlers!
Originally a village outside of London, Highgate has long been a welcoming spot for travellers and visitors alike. Join us for this fascinating talk as we discover the history of some of its more interesting watering holes!
Hear from an expert on the history of the local pubs and hostelries and open your eyes to some of the more bizarre rituals such as the ‘Swearing of the Horns’. You’ll find out all about St Joseph’s Parish Centre, which has hosted everything from boxing matches to beauty contests and is still the cheapest pint in Highgate! And we chat to Kate Fugallo who ran the Lauderdale café with her husband Salvatore, from 1985 to 2014, helping take the organisation from one century into another! As she says, ‘we didn’t realise when we pitched up in 1985 it would turn out to be a major part of our lives and of our childrens’.