|
response : ten london minutes
Meet the LIVE Voices writers
At londonlostandfound we bring you the best of what’s
going on in London, but we also want to suggest things you might not have
heard of, or know about, or thought of doing. But we are not alone in
our mission to put a different perspective on life in a big city; there
are other alternative magazines out there. The fourth in our five part
series on alternative magazines is an interview with Dave Witts and Walter
Wilson of LIVE Voices, a magazine for the over 50s living in
the East End, produced by the homeless charity Thames Reach Bondway with
support from Groundswell, E1.
Can you briefly describe LIVE Voices
DW: We give out information that would concern people that are homeless,
or have just got a flat, or are in a hostel, and write reviews. We also
have a cinema club, once every four weeks, and there's a poetry page,
and the other articles can be any kind of information.
How did you get involved with LIVE Voices?
DW: I got involved through the Dellow Day Centre and I've been working
on Live Voices ever since. That was about two years ago.
WW: I got involved some time ago now and it went from there. I was involved
from the second issue.
What has been your favourite feature?
DW: I think the article on an Indian guy who goes down to Temple
area every Wednesday night with his van. He's a real extrovert and he
pulls up at The Temple every Wednesday with food, clothes, and puts a
load of books out on the pavement as well, and helps the homeless as much
as he can. For example if some-one doesn't have a coat he provides clothes,
and blankets. I wrote an article about the tenth anniversary of him going
there, and took pictures of him. When I had written the article, I showed
him and he was well pleased with it!
WW: The chance to participate is the main thing. I've never done anything
like this before in my life.
How long have you lived in London?
DW: I've had spells in London over the years, but this particular
time I have lived in London for four years, since 2000.
WW: On and off I've lived in London since 1958.
What is your favourite London tube station?
DW: Possibly my favourite would be one of the tube stations near
where I live. The one I prefer is the Edgware Road tube station on the
Bakerloo line. It's still got the old lifts, and when you come out of
the station it's got that distinct art deco style, with the tiles and
the underground sign. It's a nice station; when you go through the barriers
the lifts seem as if they haven't changed since it opened.
WW: Victoria, which brings back happy memories. There are so many facilities,
and it's the biggest one in the country.
Who would you most like to be Mayor of London?
DW: I would stick with Ken to be honest. I was waiting on Baker Street
a few weeks ago and he got on in front of me; I wanted to talk to him
but it was too busy. He seems quite a humorous guy.
WW: Ken again! I remember him from the Town Hall. He was just taking Maggie
on then, but he went about it the wrong way I think. He actually destroyed
the GLC in the end. But he's changed a lot this time. I think he knows
the limits now. He's done well; since he's been in power there's definitely
more buses and I rather like the bendy ones! I would say Ken all the time.
Better the devil you know!
What one thing would you change if you were Mayor
of London?
DW: The most crucial thing is to sort out the underground; if they
could make major improvements on the underground that would be the most
beneficial change. It's a tricky one, whether it should be funded privately
or publicly. I would go for public funding, but there has to be a massive
injection, but it would benefit London no end, and might even win the
Olympic bid.
WW: Crime. I would ensure that all the police were trained properly and
would do their job properly.
What is your favourite or most vivid London memory?
DW: The most vivid would be at the time I was living in East London.
There was a girl living there and I used to take her daughters out, and
I took the older one along to Diana's funeral. Even though it was on the
TV 24 hours a day after she died, you had to actually be there to even
contemplate the amount of flowers. When you actually saw the areas the
TV didn't cover, for instance in Kensington Park, you saw the masses of
flowers outside the Palace, under every tree, outside on the main road
coming out of the park, and along the railings. To see it was phenomenal.
Even outside Buckingham Palace.
WW: When I worked in the BBC in the canteen and met all the stars, in
Broadcasting House. Then I worked in the mail room and delivered post
to all the stars. I met all the disc jockeys, like Sam Coster, who was
one of the first DJs. I really enjoyed myself working there, despite the
beaurocracy.
What is your favourite thing about London?
DW: I think it would be the diversity. Everything is in London!
WW: The River Thames. I like going up and down there. There aren't many
buildings in the way of the view, although maybe not for long. We should
use the River more often to travel, with the bus boats.
response home
top of page
|
