Peter Batten is amazed by what he’s discovered about Oliver Sacks . . .
These three words form the title of one of the most famous English poems of the 1950s. It was written by Thom Gunn, who went on to spend most of his life in the United States. He became a well-known resident of San Francisco.
Recently, I was surprised to find the same three words used as the title of the autobiography by Oliver Sacks. You may remember him as the author of a book which became the successful film ‘Awakenings’ or of the best-selling collection of essays, ‘The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat’. I was even more surprised to see on the book’s cover a picture of a young and handsome Dr Sacks seated astride a motorcycle (pictured). Continue reading On the Move→
There have been Jumble Sales and Grand Sales and Craft Sales in West Hill Hall for many years. To celebrate our 40 years, we’re holding a magnificent, festive, traditional, jumble sale including clothes, books, records, festive treats, Personalised Santa Plates and handmade Xmas decorations.
Aubrey Vincent Beardsley – fin de siècle artist and draughtsman and artistic figure of the late 19th century – was born at 12 (now 31) Buckingham Road in 1872. He was baptised at St Nicholas Church and brought up in ‘genteel poverty’. In 1885 Aubrey attended Brighton and Hove Grammar School, also in Buckingham Road (at the corner with Upper Gloucester Road) for 4 years, moving on to London by the early 1890s and moving between there and Paris for his remaining short life. Continue reading Aubrey Beardsley→
Peter Batten’s thoughts turn to the possibilities of knowing others . . .
Recently I had an experience which I am sure all my readers will recognise. I was leaving a meeting when a lady, who was entering the room, gave me what seemed like a smile of recognition. Puzzled, I asked, “Do I know you?” The answer was, “No”. So why the smile? I blame a very English tendency to establish a friendly relationship with every one you meet. But there is a more interesting point. During your life, how many people do you know? How many people know you? Continue reading Do I know you?→
Your article, ‘No Deal’ by Peter Batten in the June/July issue, was of great interest to me as I have been studying the subject of coincidences since 1988.
Although everyone experiences coincidences, some people seem to experience them more than others. Mr Batten admits to having a chain of coincidences in his own life, which he sensibly puts down to shared interests, educational opportunities or friendships. He says, “surely a coincidence is just a coincidence?” He is very dismissive of the Law of Averages, probability theory and other scientific research. Many famous scientists agree with him, including Richard Dawkins. Stephen Hawking and Ian Stewart. Continue reading Coincidences→
Everything you ever wanted to know about life in Brighton (OK, and Hove)
Sacks. You may remember him as the author of a book which became the successful film ‘Awakenings’ or of the best-selling collection of essays, ‘The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat’. I was even more surprised to see on the book’s cover a picture of a young and handsome Dr Sacks seated astride a motorcycle (pictured). Continue reading On the Move 
The Whistler 