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Edith Lanchester (Wikipedia) Edith Lanchester, the mother of Bride of Frankenstein actress Elsa, would probably forever remain in her daughter’s famous shadow had it not been for the events that unfolded in October 1895. For Edith was abducted and incarcerated in a lunatic asylum by her own family, simply for being ‘too educated’. But although this incident is what found Edith lasting fame and notoriety, she had always been a trailblazing rebel. I'm going to dedicate this mon

Shop mannequins melt in a heatwave in London in 1929. Many of us can relate. In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past few weeks (and if you have - that’s probably been the coolest place you could possibly be…) ITS SUMMER EVERYONE!!!! and don’t we know it! with record-breaking June heat causing everyone to melt and combust across Blighty. We doughy Brits are ill-suited to heat, we were all forged in drizzle and disappointment (to paraphrase a recent funny meme I sa

Self-portrait, 1821. On her sleeve can be seen her paintbrush, sewn in. I came across Sarah Biffin’s extroadinary story a few years back and then was reminded of it at a recent exhibition of rare Elizabethan portraits at the Philip Mould Gallery in London. Philip Mould has written a book on Biffin called ‘Without Hands’ and held the first exhibition of her work in 2022 in 100 years!!! Its certainly about time this incredible woman got some attention. So here she is - this mo

Here comes June - officially summer isn’t it? Well it’s the month of the solstice, so in my book, summer is ‘ere, and that’s that! What’s on this month? Well firstly, excitingly, I’m getting a shout out in the Londonist tomorrow. If you don’t already subscribe or follow them, do so - not just to see me (!) (good enough reason though to be fair) but because they will keep you updated on all the latest fun things to do in London. What’s ON in June Last month… It was a bit of a