Author Archives: John S

About John S

I'm blogging about the things I love outside work: music, sport, culture, London, with some photos to illustrate aspects of our wonderful city. And anything else that I happen to think is worth writing about!

lovelondonscenes 145 – Fish eye fun from Southwark Bridge to Vauxhall

Posted on September 16, 2018

Yesterday I went for a stroll along the Thames, partly to clear out the cobwebs after an awesome leaving party (mine!) and to try out a couple of little lenses that you attach to your iPhone camera. A gift from … Continue reading →

Posted in Photos - lovelondonscenes | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Reflections on retirement

Posted on September 15, 2018

Yesterday was my last day at IPSA – the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, which regulates MPs’ expenses and decides their pay and pensions. I was the Director of Policy and Communications there. I’d been there since its creation in early … Continue reading →

Posted in Random stuff | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

End of the Road Festival 2018

Posted on September 5, 2018

As summer draws to an end, it must be time for End of the Road! Our third and year 13 for the festival itself.  Four of us went this year: me, Jon, his son Louis and Louis’ friend Tom. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Edinburgh Festival 2018

Posted on August 25, 2018

I’m just back from a few days in Edinburgh, enjoying the Fringe, the International Book Festival and just the vibes of that brilliant city. Kath and I hadn’t booked any shows in advance as we’d been unsure whether we’d be … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema, Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

RIP Aretha Franklin

Posted on August 16, 2018

Aretha Franklin died today, aged 76. She’d been ill for some time. She had quite possibly the most soulful voice of all time. A total inspiration. Of course I wrote about her in my music book, “I Was There – … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Have You Heard? – (88) “Talk of this Town” by Catherine McGrath

Posted on August 13, 2018

Catherine McGrath is a 20 year old country singer from Northern Ireland. She has recently released her debut album “Talk of this Town”. Regular readers of this blog will have seen all the reviews I have written about her concerts … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - Have You Heard? | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Sportsthoughts (163) – Premier League predictions 2018-19

Posted on August 9, 2018

So, less than a month after the World Cup final, the Premier League is back! Starting with Man Utd v Leicester tomorrow. And I’m more excited than usual. That’s because West Ham have bought well this summer and things just … Continue reading →

Posted in Sportsthoughts | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments