An opera singer was left “so angry” after the horrific fire at Grenfell Tower in June that she has arranged a fundraising concert in London. Nazan Fiktret, who grew up in Enfield, woke up to the news in her home in South Oxhey on her 30th birthday. She says: “I was on my way into opera rehearsals and wasn’t able to get it out of my mind, this tragic event really resonated with me. “I’m so angry about what’s happened as for me it represents everything that’s wrong with our society - ignore the poor and cut corners, until avoidable tragedy strikes.” Nazan went to school at Enfield County School and trained nearby at Ayres Clark Theatre School & Maxine Everett (ACTS). She has been singing opera around the world since the age of 11, currently performed as Euridice for Longborough Festival Opera, and studied singing at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in the City of London, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, … [Read more...] about ‘It represents everything that’s wrong with our society’: Grenfell Tower benefit concert arranged by soprano operatic singer originally from Enfield who now lives in South Oxhey
Society
Silence on vaginal bleeding cuts women off from society
There are many types of vaginal bleeding – healthy menstruation is just one of them. The taboo around periods makes women ashamed to talk about or seek help for other kinds of vaginal bleeding – some of which are symptoms of fatal disease, a study has found. In countries such as Nepal, India, Ethiopia and Ghana, the taboo around vaginal bleeding claims lives. Women aren't able to participate in daily household activities, touch livestock or sleep inside the house. Talking about menstruation – or any kind of vaginal bleeding – is extremely difficult. Many girls don't know about periods until their first one, known as 'menarche'. Chitra Karunakaran Prasanna, an assistant professor in social work at the Central University of Tamil Nadu in southern India, explained further. "When I was a child we couldn't even openly speak about it – especially in the family circle. When I had my period for the first time, I was not allowed to go outside for seven days," … [Read more...] about Silence on vaginal bleeding cuts women off from society
Zhu families: The Chinese villages where women are labelled witches and ostracised from society
Women labelled as "witches" by their rivals in rural China are more likely to socialise, trade, and form relationships with members of other witch's families, according to a new study. While belief in witchcraft has sensibly declined around the world with improvements in education, some communities are still suspicious of alleged witches and their supernatural powers. In rural China, such persons - mostly adult women - are called "zhu." The negative label, often linked with poisoning food or water and other supernatural abilities, is used to cast aside some families to the benefit of others. British and Chinese anthropologists and scientists analysed the social organisation of five villages – 800 households – of the Sichuan Province for three years. They looked at how the communities lived, worked and traded together. They specifically looked into how being labelled as "witches" influenced some families' status and social circles within the community. Their findings were … [Read more...] about Zhu families: The Chinese villages where women are labelled witches and ostracised from society
All-day workshop for Eastbourne Choral Society ahead of concert
Eastbourne Choral Society has enjoyed “a very successful” winter season of concerts and Christmas services at various venues in the town. Highlights were its performance of Haydn’s The Seasons, followed a few days later by an evening of carols performed with the Eastbourne Silver Band. Both these concerts were enthusiastically received at All Saints’ Church, while the choir also continued its tradition of charitable involvement in the local community, raising money for the Children With Cancer Fund at Polegate, and the Alzheimer’s charity, Memory Lane Eastbourne. The choir meets every Tuesday evening during term-time at All Saints’ Church hall, Grange Road, from 7.30 – 9.30pm, and is always happy to welcome new members. Eastbourne Choral Society is committed to providing a high standard of music, with rehearsals which are enjoyable as well as productive. Under its musical director, John Hancorn, the choir’s repertoire includes a wide … [Read more...] about All-day workshop for Eastbourne Choral Society ahead of concert
Tower of London’s macabre history will be subject of Spalding Gentlemen’s Society lecture
0 Have your say Spalding Gentlemen’s Society continues its Winter Lecture Programme this Friday. Captain William Wells, former Ship’s Captain and Commercial Marine Pilot, will be talking about the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. The lecture was originally commissioned by the London Tourist Board for cruise ship passengers visiting the Port of London. The Tower of London was built by William the Conqueror and has a macabre history of torture, executions and the imprisonment of Queens and nobles over the centuries. Now housing the Crown Jewels, it remains one of the most historically important buildings in London.The nearby Tower Bridge was completed in 1894 and at that time was the largest and most sophisticated bascule bridge in the world. Captain Wells will explore its history and construction and some of the ‘out of the ordinary’ events that have taken place there. SGS Lectures are held at the Spalding Grammar School in Priory Road and start at … [Read more...] about Tower of London’s macabre history will be subject of Spalding Gentlemen’s Society lecture