onionbagblog

It all started off rather innocently along Platform One of Wivenhoe Station early on Thursday evening. To @15QueenStreet! was the rallying cry for a young (ish) chap about town, still wearing some silly headgear.

The monthly Creative in Colchester night was on the agenda – a chance to meet up with like-minded folk from the area who are y’know – keen to Keep Colchester Cool n’ all that.

It wasn’t quite a red carnation and a copy of the Telegraph clasped underneath my right arm that was the identifier, but a beautiful fixie and a poking away on an iPhone that first alerted my attention. Life long relationships are built upon such moments.

My man happened to be @pmmikes – a true Wivenhoe local, and the current squeeze of @15QueenStreet favourite, the good (and very jovial) @Singyamatokun. I’ve never met Mike before, apart from following various online activities within the very informal network that is now centred around @15QueenStreet.

In years gone by I would have made a nervous mental note of possible recognition, and then carried on about my business in not so splendid isolation. But the online world, and the very real sense that some form of community is springing up around @15QueenStreet has changed all of that.

“Greetings, fella. Um, you must be Alex’s bloke, right?”

The train journey from Wivenhoe passing through the Hythe and then on to the Oldest Recorded is pleasant enough itself. Catching up with an online friend, and then filling in the offline gaps, made it all the more merry.

And so soon we were both @15QueenStreet bound for an evening that covered muso photography, online social experimentation with images, live music, DJ music, conversations, collaborations, laughter and alcohol. I didn’t really want to head back to Wivenhoe, to be honest.

This was without a doubt the most successful of the Creative in Colchester events to date. It is almost impossible to offer up a system to rank the effectiveness of these evenings. I’m simply going with my memory of grinning on the train all the way back to the Hoe – I’m not talking about the brashness of @LeePugh10‘s shirt, either.

Blimey.

Right from the start of the evening and the overspill @15QueenStreet snaked out along the corridors and headed upstairs. Something quite tangible is happening here in Colchester, and on Thursday evening, the usual daytime studio for the outrageously talented @hiddendingbat’s was at the epicentre of it all.

What was great to witness was the number of new faces that are appearing. These are folk that I recognise from being out and about @ColchesterArts or Arts on 5. As @coolcolchester commented to me later:

“The creative talent in Colchester has always been there. @15QueenStreet is bringing people out of the shadows and offering up a central space for the community to grow.”

The now traditional tombola style raffle offered up some fine artwork from Brightlingsea based @papershed37. I (finally) had the chance for a proper catch up with @sarahkplatt, finding out more about her video production and streaming business that is based @15QueenStreet.

And then it was time to head up to the boardroom for a couple of informal talks, explaining and exploring the work and ideas of some friends from @15QueenStreet.

New resident member @jjdoyleoriginal gave a fascinating insight into the world of rock ‘n roll photography. He dismantled the myth behind the art, and explained the techniques behind capturing that perfect image.

I couldn’t but help overlook some of the notepad scribblings that a lady sitting in front of me was jotting down. It wasn’t a shopping list, but the rather lovely observation of:

“jjdoyle – a very genuine man.”

Awwwww…

@webponce then opened up for discussion ideas and themes around the Disposable Memory Project. This is essentially a beautiful analogue meets online take on the traditional message in a bottle idea.

Cheap, disposable cameras are dispatched around the world, with basic instructions to capture any moment, and then pass the camera on. Once the film is complete, participants are then encouraged to return the cameras back to @webponce for the sharing of the journey, and the story behind the images.

Both speakers rightfully enthused at length about their projects and passions; this wasn’t a distraction from the rest of the evening – it actually added to the flow and diversity of the event.

Past Creative in Colchester meet ups have often ended up ‘tired and emotional.’ I felt on Thursday evening that the perfect balance had been found between the social conversation and the social collaboration.

And so back down from the boardroom to the main studio space, and then we were in true Colchester rock aristocracy territory. @adyjohnsonuk had plugged his acoustic guitar into a small amp, and we were treated to a very intimate and secret gig from the true rising star on the Colchester music scene.

Ady is an incredibly humble chap, and was happy to discuss at length after his performance about future plans looking towards London. There’s a Water Rats gig on 7th April for any of m’London colleagues. Many thanks to Ady for kindly agreeing to let me post up the impromptu performance form Thursday below.

Time was then tight with thoughts turning towards the last train back to the Hoe, not to mention a shared journey with @LeePugh10 (hope you bought an extra train ticket for the shirt as well, fella.)

Apologies to @jojocolchester who I really wanted to catch up with – Jardine on Monday, m’dear? Likewise I didn’t get a chance to say hello to @ColchesterInst tutor Janet, who I had met earlier in the week as part of #hiddenkiosks. How wonderful for her to return the favour and come out to support @15QueenStreet.

There was still time for cat tales with @corneliusjam (Takin’ Care of Business…) and then what I am putting down to youthful high spirits when @15percentkidney enquired:

“You’re Nu Labour, aren’t you?”

Steady the buffers, chap.

And so shortly after 11pm, the bar (*shhh*) had actually been drunk dry. This wasn’t a comment on creative booze consumption; simply that @15QueenStreet is growing.

This is only the start. There is a tremendous energy about the project that is almost impossible to resist. Colchester has many fine folk, who are only too willing to give up their time and help out others in their respective creative fields.

I left @pmmikes squeezing his latest squeeze. I trust *ahem* he didn’t miss the last train back to Wivenhoe. Hang on – I’ll check twitter and find out what is happening the morning after in the #Colchester network.

Lovely, lovely folk.

Great Titchfield Street, W1, The Way We See It.

“Great Titchfield Street runs from Oxford Street almost right up to the Euston Road. It is a street that has a sense of hustle and bustle.

Developed by the Dukes of Portland, the street actually appears in Rocque’s famous map of London of 1746. The street was always home to London’s fashion and garment industry, but now your more likely to find digital agencies and post-production suites.

The street does however keep it’s tradition and variety of eateries. If you can think of it, you seem to pretty much be able to get it here. Of particular interest is the Scandinavian Kitchen if you’re look for something a bit off-beat.”

Houndsditch, EC3, The Way We See It.

“An ancient street in the middle of the City with two very modern additions this week. Houndsditch is so called as it was once a ditch on one side of the London Wall, it grew so full of waste (let’s be nice about it) and dead dogs that it got it’s name.

It’s pretty much like any other City side street, until you reach the Liverpool Street end, where rises the rather ugly Heron Tower. What it lacks in aesthetics, it does make up for in size, being the tallest building in the City and the second in the UK.

At the other end is another new development, St Botolophs, which is nowhere near as tall and also, sadly, rather faceless.

Apparently as you near Bishopsgate there are gaps between the buildings. These are said to be the sites of plague pits.”

Hatton Garden, EC1, The Way We See It.

“We’re off to the centre of London’s Jewelery trade this week – Hatton Garden. Named after Sir Christopher Hatton (a favourite of Elizabeth I) it has had a connection with Jewelery since medieval times. Today it’s home to the whole gamut of shops from the downright tacky to the strictly A-listers only. In a way it’s this mixture that makes it so fascinating.

From the tree lined up-market end, nearest High Holborn, you walk up a slightly barren part until you get to the wonderful Wren House, a former chapel and school.

The place is usually buzzing on a weekday, particularly at lunchtimes. If you’re into street photography, this is a great place. Don’t forget to pop in for an ale at Ye Olde Mitre as long as you don’t miss the subtle entrance to it!”

Hammersmith Bridge, W6, The Way We See It.

“Another week, another bridge. I’m afraid I’m taking you a little further out this week, but I think it’s worth it. Hammersmith Bridge is not only colourful in decor, but also in history.

The current bridge is the second to stand in this location. It was designed by the civil engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette (he who instigated the Woolwich free ferry!) and opened in 1887.

Throughout it’s history it has had structural problems and has been closed frequently for repairs. Nowadays it’s only open to reduced traffic types and pedestrians.

But the problems have not all been down to structural weaknesses. The bridge has been bombed no fewer than three times by the IRA, in 1939, 1996 and finally by the Real IRA in 2000.

There’s a memorial plaque on the handrail that commemorates Lt Charles Campbell Wood, who in 1919, dived from the bridge to rescue a drowning woman. He saved her life, but sadly died later from tetnus.

The bridge is fascinating and full of picture opportunities, although it does wobble quite a bit so wind up those shutter speeds!”

Great Ormond Street, WC1, The Way We See It.

“I really enjoy going to famous London street that for some reason, you probably never visit. Great Ormond Street is one such street. It’s most famous inhabitant is the Children’s Hospital. It was founded in 1852 as the Hospital for Sick Children.

One source of income for the hospital comes from J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan. In 1929 he gave the rights to the book to the hospital on condition that they didn’t disclose how much they made from it.

The street it’s in is in two parts, dissected by Lambs’ Conduit Street and the part to the east is a wonderful, if short, stretch of residential properties that take you back into a bit of a different age.”

Wigmore Street, W1, The Way We See It.

This week we’re back in the centre of town for Wigmore Street. It’s a busy street running parallel to Oxford Street and you’d be forgiven for thinking there was little there. But it does have some rather stunning architectural features if you take a little look upwards.

There’s also the very wonderful Wigmore Hall. It was built by C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik, the German piano manufacturer whose showroom was next door between 1899 and 1901.

Other than this nugget of history, number 95 was the original home of The Beatles Apple Corp. It’s busy, hectic and I think there’s a lot to photograph. Enjoy!