Patrick George Callaghan

THE CARD 1952 A really delightful comedy romp with Alec Guinness in the lead character as the son of a washerwoman and set in The English Potteries of 1890. He is a young man who lives on his wits and soon becomes successful as a rent-collector and moneylender. He is popular and revives the local football team by securing them a star player. Later he becomes the Town Mayor and marries a local girl. The film also features Glynis Johns, Valerie Hobson, Petula Clark and Edward Chapman. It was directed by Ronald Neame and based on a novel by Arnold Bennett. An amusing addition to my film library. 

A Kid For Two Farthings 1955 Beautifully shot in London’s Petticoat Lane Market of the 50s, it’s a well crafted film by the famous director Carol Reed and based on the novel by Wolf Mankowitz who also scripted the movie. It tells the moving and often fairy-tale lives of most of the people living in and around the busy market. Little Joe buys a Kid because it has a horn and he believes it to be a Unicorn from the stories told to him by the kindly Tailor Kandinsky. Wrestler Sam wins a vital contest and is able to buy his girlfriend the ring she always wanted. Kandinsky gets the steam press he’s only dreamed about before. Lots of little miracles happen and there are lots of likeable characters in the bustling life of the Lane. Shot in Eastman Colour with a host of character actors of the day, it stars Celia Johnson, Diana Dors, and David Kossoff. I often dust this old movie off and sit down for an enjoyable watch!

Once more Adrian and myself spent a relaxing hour at The Calthorpe Project just before making our routine visit to the Eastman Dental Hospital built by George Eastman of the Kodak Company for the research and treatment of dental health. Set beside the Eastman Dental Hospital on the Grays Inn Road in North London is the Calthorpe Community Garden Project. The hot and sunny weather brought out many nearby office workers to enjoy their lunches in this wonderful little oasis in the heart of central London. Its aim is to provide a safe green space for the whole community and all cultures. It was opened by the Mayor of London on the 29th September 1984 and is funded by the London Borough of Camden. Local people fought and won against office development and created these community gardens, play space and under fives area.