Bruice Daisley
"Working in tech firms like Google and Twitter I learned that they're often better at promoting their culture externally than creating it internally - I didn't feel hoodwinked, but I did feel inspired to make a difference. The good news is that we don't need any special qualifications to create a great culture - but insight really helps. My podcast gave me the chance to chat to the world's leading experts in team dynamics and how to make work more enjoyable.
During August I love the way that even when you\re working the pace of our jobs becomes more calm, more reasonable, more creative. In August I always find I've become the version of me that I like the most.”
Bruce Daisley’s new book, Fortitude: Unlocking the Secrets of Inner Strength is out on August 25th, published by Cornerstone Press. Pre-order here.
Bruce Daisley - Writer/Podcaster
Food: Feast on Cloud 9
The Wormsley Estate in Buckinghamshire is a quintessentially beautiful private estate, first mentioned in the 1106 official records, and one of the Getty family’s private residences since 1985. Perfectly situated in the rolling countryside of the Chilterns,, this easily accessible hidden jewel is the location of Feast on Cloud 9, an incredible pop-up, 9 course tasting menu served in beautiful tethered bespoke hot-air balloons. Guests will be greeted with a welcome drink and canapés within the Walled Garden, with the freedom to wander and wonder at the stunning floral displays alongside beautifully manicured topiary. Play a game on the Croquet Lawn or enjoy live music and wonderful surprises. Once invited through a ‘secret garden’ style gate to the Ancient Orchard, diners discover their own hot air balloon set whimsically amongst the apple trees where the gourmet FEAST tasting menu is served. This is set under a transparent marquee roof, ensuring the best of al fresco dining whilst protected from the elements. These ten specially commissioned, handmade red-and-white-striped replica hot air balloons will be floating gently in the breeze, tethered above their wicker baskets, creating a creative dining pop-up second to none. As with all FEAST events, you can expect creative twists to the presentation of each course, including edible clouds. Guests will enjoy Lobster en Croute, Tourneds Rossini and a host of other delectable courses. Every year, Wormsley produces apple juice from the apple harvest, which will also feature in a special part of the menu. In addition a full bar will be available to purchase a selection of drinks, including Champagne, wine, and cocktails. Tickets are sold in tables of six with adult tickets at £125pp (VAT inclusive), and child tickets available for lunch sittings at £55pp.
Book: Common Decency
In an apartment building in Belfast, two women wrestle with the sorrows and spectres of love and loss. Since her mother's death, Lily has withdrawn from the world, trapped between grief and anger. She has to break out of this damaging cycle - but how? Upstairs, Siobhán is consumed by her affair with a married man. Her days revolve around his sporadic texts and rare visits. She barely notices the strange girl who lives below and dawdles in the foyer. But Lily is keeping a close eye on her neighbour, whose life seems so much better and more fulfilling than her own. When resentment evolves into something darker and more urgent, she decides to teach Siobhán a lesson...This is the latest novel from Susannah Dickey, the critically acclaimed author of Tennis Lessons. A darkly powerful novel about two lives running closely in parallel but divided by gulfs of misunderstanding. With boundless wisdom and deep empathy, Dickey charts the anonymity and hidden intimacies of modern existence, and our profound human need to connect. Elizabeth Day says of the novel “Common Decency is a study of alienation and connection, of love and grief, written by an author who truly cares about language and understands its power from within. Susannah Dickey is a phenomenal talent and I loved this novel” Available to buy now via Penguin Books.
Festival: Greenwich and Docklands International Festival
Kicking off on the 26th August is 18 extraordinary days of free theatre, art, dance and circus in London, specifically Greenwich and the Docklands! GDIF forms part of the Royal Greenwich Festivals, an annual series of high-quality events organised by the Royal Borough of Greenwich to celebrate cultural vibrancy, and is the flagship annual event produced by FESTIVAL.ORG. Events take place across the borough, from the beautiful historic setting of the Old Royal Naval College, to Eltham’s bustling high-street as well as the dynamic twin Woolwich locations of General Gordon Square Royal Arsenal Riverside and the outdoor public spaces of Canary Wharf, the City of London, the Royal Docks, and Tower Hamlets. What’s best is GDIF is free for everyone to enjoy. Please note that a handful of performances are partially ticketed each year because of capacity constraints. Some of the magical events we’re heading to include the family friendly island of Foam where German artist Stephanie Lüning will transform Greenwich Peninsula with mountains of rainbow coloured foam. There’s a fairground ride with hammocks in Rathbone Market called De Relaxerette and the more poignant presentation of Ukrainian cultural heritage through a digital artwork that celebrates the deeply rooted Ukrainian tradition of publicly sited mosaics- an important way of ensuring that Ukraine’s cultural legacy is remembered, supported and celebrated.
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Exhibition: Africa Fashion
The V&A has opened the UK’s most extensive exhibition exploring the vitality and global impact of the African fashion scene, which is as dynamic and varied as the continent itself. Spanning iconic mid-20th century to contemporary creatives through photographs, textiles, music and the visual arts, Africa Fashion celebrates the irresistible creativity, ingenuity and unstoppable global impact of contemporary African fashions. With over 250 objects, drawn from the personal archives of influential contemporary African fashion creatives alongside textiles and photographs from the V&A’s collection, we are invited to explore how fashion is an integral part of African culture historically, looking at the work of contemporary designers, stylists and photographers working in the continent today and the impact that this new wave of creatives are having globally. More than 45 designers from over 20 countries across the continent have been featured including names such as Thebe Magugu, Imane Ayissi and Sindiso Khumalo. The exhibition is free to view but book tickets via the website here. We have until April next year so plenty of time to head over and enjoy.
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Music: Summer Sounds
Free and Festival, two of our three favourite F words. This time it’s the Kings Cross’ Summer Sounds music festival that kicks off on the 10th August for 11 days of music and performances. Coal Drops Yard is the setting for this eclectic programme of sound with artists playing everything from folk and jazz to classical and experimental music alongside dancers and performers including the likes of Paco Peña and Friends, Tacla and the London Community Gospel Choir. From daytime into the evening, there are live concerts every day from 6.30pm to 8.30pm and from 1pm to 6pm on ‘Family Sundays’. If you don’t want the party to end then head to Goods Way for Sweetwater Lates, open every Thursday – Saturday from 8pm with an eclectic mix of DJs that will keep you dancing into the early hours. Community, music, dancing- all things that bring our souls joy.
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Restaurant: The Baring
Former head chef of Dabbous, Rob Tecwyn, has paired up with Adam Symonds, his ex Bull & Last General Manager colleague, to bring us The Baring in Islington, a mere stone;’s throw from Regent’s Canal and on the site of former pub The Poet. As is almost expected these days, the dishes served will be seasonal and with a low environmental impact and include dribble inducing plates such as Salt marsh lamb rump, köfte, aubergine & shishito pepper, Quail shish, pul biber chilli & garlic yoghurt and errrm Smoked eel & pig’s head terrine, horseradish & daikon which we are sure tastes far nicer than it sounds on paper. Drinks wise there’s a rotating selection from breweries like Burning Sky, Little Earth and Five Points with a focus on spontaneous fermentation beers. Wines will come from independent, low-intervention winemakers and there'll be a short cocktail list featuring London-based spirits and cordials they make in-house. Smart, wooden interiors complimented by refurbed second hand furniture and forest green panelling allow for a comfortable dining environment. Is this anything we perhaps haven’t seen before? Arguably no. BUT, the combination of the dynamic duo at the helm and their respective experience means this literally has to be great so we can’t wait. A sunday roast at The Baring is firmly on our to do list.
Theatre: 101 Dalmatians
For the first time in almost four decades, the majestic Regent's Park Open Air Theatre is dedicating the prime slot of its annual season to a new musical- 101 Dalmatians. Based more on the original Dodie Smith novel rather than the Disney adaptation, they do a more modern take on the tale but it’s still fun for all the family….except the under 4’s, sorry! Cruella de Vil is reconceived as a vape-wielding social media influencer, dressed as stylishly as you would hope. The other main characters, the puppies themselves, are brought to the stage using vivid puppetry and the two adult dogs have opposable heads, torsos, and front paws while their hind legs are fulfilled by the two actors who provide their voices. Much like War Horse and other stage productions with similar tactics, it’s surprisingly believable as you get pulled into the magic of the story. All the meanwhile absorb the additional magic of your setting with the revered open air theatre with a multitude of drinks and dining options to keep everyone happy. Oh how we love London summers!
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Art: This Bright Land
Created by Somerset House Studios artists Gareth Pugh and Carson McColl, this month This Bright Land will be transforming the courtyard at Somerset House into a colourful wonderland full of pop-ups, street parties, live music and a giant ferris wheel. The brand new series of events celebrates London culture and community and is a way to platform both established creatives and grassroots communities. Every weekend a series of performers will take to the stage, with scheduled acts including Vogue Rites, hosting Saturday night open-air Vogue Balls, and Friday night parties hosted by creative collectives Daytimers, Nine Nights, ESEA Sisters and Movimientos. During the week, they’ll provide a space to keep the kids entertained with street parties and treasure hunts. The grown-ups can hang out in the new innovative designed areas and the pop-up zone, which will feature immersive installations and complimentary light treatments. And for fun at any age, you can get a view of the city like no other from the 35m observation wheel combined with an exclusive audio commission. There will also be an ongoing global street food market from Black Eats LDN, plus a number of beauty activations, including a clubhouse sponsored by M·A·C and pop-ups by Clinique, Origins, Jo Malone, Dr Jart, Aveda and Bobbi Brown. Entry will be free during the day, with tickets at only £5 for special events – they won’t be around for long we think so hurry!
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app: Like to know it
We’ve told you about Instagram shopping apps before that help you track down and purchase your fave lewks but what makes Like To Know It slightly different is you can do this with home items, beauty, fitness, family and more. An instant one stop shop as it were. Dangerous really!! If you’re wanting to spend carefully then favourite your best bits and even get notified when they go on sale. With over 5000 brands and counting recognised on the app so far, Like to Know it is more Love to Have it really!
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Charity of the Month: MS Society
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition, meaning it affects your nerves- You get it when your immune system isn’t working properly. Your immune system is designed to protect you by fighting off infection, but in MS it attacks your nerves by mistake. Your nerves control lots of different parts of your body which is why you can get MS symptoms in many parts of your body but it’s also why everyone’s MS is different. Once diagnosed, MS stays with you for life, but treatments and specialists can help you to manage the condition and its symptoms. The Multiple Sclerosis Society (MS Society) is the UK's largest charity for people affected by multiple sclerosis and they’re here to help people live well with MS and fund research to stop MS for good. Not only do they fund research but they also back campaigns for social and political change and provide services that help people with MS and their families. It also compiles the only report of its kind on prevalence and living situations for people with MS across the UK. There are several ways you can help and donate on the website but even a simple £20 donation can pay for an hour of research to help us understand and manage MS fatigue.