Tuesday October 5 at the East Dulwich Tavern

A lively Tuesday: Les Burton was first in: other regulars soon followed – Simon Tait, whose Arts Industry reflects interesting times, and Martin Fidler, who talked about his Ruskin walk for sketchers.  Joan Byrne forsook the life drawing class at Review for an evening of our company. Hylda Sims, Chris Clack and Louise Murray expanded the table, and Nick Snow came briefly by. Newcomers included Katie Coyne, a feelance writer, formerly news editor of The Bookseller, now writing about pubs and about to leave for New Zealand. David Jennings runs  Alchemi – "An individual brew of learning, culture and technology". His book, Net, Blogs and Rock'n'Roll: How Digital Discovery Works and What it Means for Consumers, Creators and Culture, looks extremely interesting.

   Talking of which, Jessica Cargill Thompson sent apologies and news of her new book, The Midlife Manual – "a wry take on one’s middle years". The Times Magazine called it "the funniest book of the year". Co-writer John O’Connell, former Time Out book critic, is a Herne Hill resident.

   Also at the table was local accountant Ray Coman, who comes recommended.