Misummer Picnic, June 21

The Groucho midsummer picnic will be on the longest day as usual, June 21, which is Friday. And in the usual spot: around the plane tree in the middle of Rye Common. From 7pm. If wet or windy, in the Clock House.

After this, Groucho is going to take a break...

Tuesday, June 4, @ The Clock House

The next Groucho is on Tuesday, June 4, at The Gowlett (moved from The Clockhouse, as it clashes with their quizz night)

Tuesday in the Cherry Tree

The Cherry Tree garden proved warm enough till late. Here we learned...

Hylda Sims is performing at the next "Beyond Words", the regular Tuesday night poetry and spoken-word event at Gypsy Hill Tavern. She recommended Little Machine, an evening of poetry and music sat the EDT on Tuesday, May 14.

Joan Byrne's Feckham Peckam photo book has gone on sale at the Photographers' Gallery.

Sarah Alexander had just come from an hour's practice at the Goose Green Adult Community Choir. They meet every Tuesday at Goose Green School and are in search of members of whatever (in)ability.

Martin Fidler has an exhibition at the Uptown Gallery in Ramsgate. Grouchos are invited to the Private View on Friday 17th May, 6-8pm. A print-out of the invitation is necessary and will be circulated by email.

Simon Tait arrived late and looking dapper -- it was a privilege to see him. He had come from the South Bank, viewing the new development plans, having lunched at the Barbican with the Critics Circle, where he had taken over as president from Tom Sutcliffe in this, their centenary year. Clare Colvin had been at the lunch, too.

Nigel Soper mentioned The Ivy House, which we gather has managed to raise half the money it needs to survive -- some Grouchos have bought shares.

Chris Clack was absent, preparing for the Dulwich Artists' Open House weekend.
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Local stuff:
• Goose Green Fair is on Sunday, 12th May
• W.H. Smith in Rye Lane is closing. Where will we buy our 2b pencils now?
• Space Station Sixty-Five gallery in North Cross Road is to become an upmatket hair dressers. Just what the road needs.
• Cafe Viva in Choumert Road gets a plug in Time Out this week.

Don't forget Elizabeth David Picnic Sunday, May 26.

We are picnicking by the Round Pond in Kensington Gardens. 

See the new website 

The Cherry Tree, Tuesday, May 7

The next Groucho is on Tuesday, May 7, at The Cherry Tree (formerly The Grove, now a "gastro-pub") opposite East Dulwich station. It might even be warm enough to sit in the garden...

Last night at the Clock House

The Ivy House: put your money here

It was agreed that the Clock House is rather good, and that the upstairs Blake Room has possibilities. It's a Young's house with chips and more.
Hugo Simms brought round flyers for the Ivy House, which he has helped to make London's first co-operative pub. They are looking for investors @ £200 a share. Read about it in today's Time Out
Joan Byrne has been treading the boards at a Workshop at the Young Vic linked to A Perfect Mind.
Nigel Soper is designing on a book about Eric Ravilious and he recommends Radio 4's Open Air.
Chris Clack is showing with the Bermondsey Artists' Group in Southwark Park (Apl 6-12, preview on the 5th) and at Hilly Fields Studios in Brockley (April 7, May 12, June 2)
Christopher Bowden is about to embark on a tour of jazz clubs in New York and Philadephia.
Clare Colvin talked of the new BBC boss, Tony Hall, who is of course, late of Covent Garden Opera House.

Next Groucho: May 7 at the EDT

Tuesday April 2 at the Clock House

Next Groucho: Tuesday April 2 at the newly refurbished Clock House, from 7.30pm.

To talk about (apart from the weather):
• Pay Wall for Telegraph and Sun: The Guardian will surely be next.
• Book Fair coming up (April 15-17)
• Pompeii & Herculanium: Can't get a ticket? How about a trip to Naples instead?
• Anybody see A Thousand Miles of History at the Bussey Building? Or go to the Hill Festival on Telegraph Hill?

What else is happening on April 2?

• Hylda Sims is performing in Beyond Words at the Gypsy Hill Tavern, a regular First Tuesday slot. 
• One Mile Away, an award-winning documentary about two gangs in Birmingham, is showing at PeckhamPlex at 8.15, followed by a Q&A with director Penny Woolcock.

Coming up: 

April 7 Chris Clack is among artists showing at the Sunday Arts Salon at Hilly Fields Studio at 12 Montague Avenue, Brockley, London SE4 1YP. 11am–5pm, with afternoon tea. 

First Tuesdays March to June

Here are the next 4 provisional Grouchos, from 7.30pm:

Tuesday, March 5 at the Cown & Greyhound in Dulwich, known locally as The Dog
   (+Sunday May 26: Elizabeth David Picnic Sunday)
Tuesday April 2 The Clockhouse -- should have reopened by then.
Tuesday May 7 at the Cherry Tree, formerly the Grove, opposite East Dulwich station (with garden)
Tuesday June 4 at the Gowlett
    And then, of course, it will be midsummer, and time for a picnic around the plane tree on Peckham Rye Common

Meantime Hilda Sims has something to blog about. Click on the captions for link to info:

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