Evolution Evolving

I`ve neglected this blog far more than I meant to in recent times.

In the unlikely event that anyone`s missed my humble offerings during that time, you might wish to know that I`m currently working on a review of  `Evolution Evolving ; Part One - Dr Erasmus Darwin` by Jonathan Powers.

I`m only part way through Mr P`s booklet but am hoping to post a review very soon.

Figures of Africa

Afficionados of African art might like to check out a recent article of mine ;


Nick Osmond - African Art in Derby - Thurs 17 May 2012 at  http://bookshelvesandbrownale.blogspot.com .

A Trip to the Library

Staying in the UK, a recent decision by the London Metropolitan University to dispose of two of it`s special collections has proved controversial.

The collections concerned are the Women`s Library and the Trade Union Congress Library. The university has said it is looking for a new home, a new owner or a new sponsor for these.

Cynics have suggested that this because the LMU has been caught `upgrading` figures on the number of students it has in order to get more state funding. I myself had no idea that was the case and couldn`t possibly comment !

A lively campaign is underway in respect of the Women`s Library, which houses everything from early suffragette memorabilia to the archive of the National Women`s Register. For details, see my article Save the Women`s Library , posted earlier today at http://angpav.blogspot.com. 

At present there does not seem to be an equivalent campaign in respect of the TUC collection. However, these sites may be of interest ;

www.londonmet.ac.uk/libraries/tuc

www.unionhistory.info

www.londonmetunison.org.uk

Hopefully new homes and/or new sources of funding will be forthcoming for these unusual collections. As I`ve said elsewhere, it`s worth remebering that documents and artefacts aren`t the only assets these collections have, there`s also the expertise of the staff that maintain them and their familiarity with the stock.

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists - Live and Local - Derbyshire

If anyone wants to read my recent review of a stage adaptation of Robert Tressell`s `The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists`, it was posted earlier today at http://bookshelvesandbrownale.blogspot.com .

Bana Congo Review

If anyone would like read my review of a performance by Derby-based Congolese band Bana Congo, it can be found at http://bookshelvesandbrownale.blogspot.com and was posted earlier today.

Exploring Ethiopia In Eastwood

The Rainbow Gallery at Durban House Heritage Centre, Eastwood, Nottingham is currently playing host to an exhibition of photographs of Ethiopia by Alan C Clayden FRPS.

For a review, see my article `Exploring Ethiopia in Eastwood` , posted earlier today at http://bookshelvesandbrownale.blogspot.com.