Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
—Thomas Edison
Summer Breeze
The weather in London this week has been positively summery.
And when I think summer, I think of this snapshot I took one summer afternoon four years ago. This little cutie is now a gorgeous six and a half year old, but I will always treasure this, taken when she was a couple of months shy of two. Sitting pretty in the garden like a little lady.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
—Max Ehrmann, from Desiderata
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Catherine Doherty
—How has eBay affected the second hand market trade and charity shops in London?
When online auction giant eBay was founded ten years ago, buying and selling online was a novelty.
Now, with one in every thirteen pounds in the UK spent online, set to increase to one in five in next decade, London’s once thriving second hand market trade, as well as high street charity shops, are facing some mean competition.
But the impact of the recession on the consumer market has had some unexpected benefits.
Catherine Doherty investigates.
All content © Catherine Doherty 2011. Do not use without expressed consent.
Professions of the Past: A Photo Essay
London 2011: an ethnically and culturally diverse society, yet one steeped in history. And for some inhabitants, their careers provide a unique insight into the London of centuries gone by.
I went to meet some of them at their niche nine-to-fives.
The Queen’s Guard march back to Wellington Barracks during a changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace in early spring. Seen here wearing grey coats over their iconic red tunics, the guards predate the English Restoration of 1660, and have been responsible for guarding the Sovereign Palaces since the reign of King Charles II.
A Beadle guards the entrance to the Burlington Arcade, Piccadilly. Originally recruited by Lord Cavendish from his family regiment the 10th Hussars, the beadles have been responsible for security duties at the arcade since the 19th century, when they were in charge of enforcing rules such as no singing, carrying of large parcels or opening of umbrellas.
A waitress at M Manze serves up pie and mash with liquor to waiting patrons during the lunchtime rush in Bermondsey. Established in 1902 by Michele Manze, an Italian immigrant, the shop is now run by his grandchildren, and still uses the same recipes today for the pies and liquor.
A Yeoman Warder keeps watch at the entrance to the Tower of London. Formed in 1485 by the new king Henry VII, the Yeoman Warders, more commonly known as ‘Beefeaters’, began guarding the Tower the same year. The five Yeomen Warders and one Chief Warder employed today are all retired from the Armed Forces of Commonwealth realms with at least 22 years of service.
A Trooper of the Household Cavalry outside Horse Guards, Whitehall. The Blues and Royals regiment of the cavalry can be distinguished from the Life Guards by their blue tunic, and red plume and collar. An inspection of the guard takes place at 4pm daily, dating back to Queen Victoria, who came through the gate late one afternoon and found nobody there due as they were drunk on ale.
All Images © Catherine Doherty 2011. Do not use without expressed consent.
We must be the change we wish to see in the world.
—Mahatma Gandhi
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City University has come under fire after spending an estimated £40,000 on a decorative bull and three sheep.
The plastic statues were placed in a new communal garden inside the university campus, but in a time of protests and rising student fees, their price label has not gone unnoticed.
Reporters: Luca Saviozzi; Catherine Doherty
Shot and Edited by Luca Saviozzi, Catherine Doherty, Bjorn Thomassen, Rema Gouyez-Benallal, Dinara Saruar and Radka Slovackova.
All content © the creators. Do not use without expressed consent.
My visit to London Central Markets, Smithfield.
London Central Markets, more commonly known as Smithfield Market, has been trading meat for over 800 years, making it one of the oldest markets in London. A livestock market has occupied the site since the 10th century.
Bargaining between buyers and sellers at the market sets the guidelines for meat prices throughout the UK, and approximately 120,000 tons of meat pass through the market each year.
Open from 3am to 12 noon each weekday, the market supplies inner city butchers, shops and restaurants with meat for the coming day.
All images © Catherine Doherty 2011. Do not use without expressed consent.
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Catherine Doherty
—Barnet Police Cadets
Paintballing, abseiling and sponsored silences: not necessarily words that would normally be associated with the police.
But one little known group of young people in the force have done all three, and are having a big impact on their community.
I went to Colindale Police Station to find out more.
All content © Catherine Doherty 2011. Do not use without expressed consent.
