Tales of South East London

"Tales of South East London" is a set of 8 pieces - musical portraits of various parts of South East London.

They can be performed as separate pieces or any number grouped together in any order.

"Ladywell Station" is a description of this rail station that, although lying in a busy part of inner city South East London has an old fashioned Edwardian country look. The music is a throwback to Edwardian times with its sounds of steam trains, train whistles and twittering birds.

"Lewisham Market" depicts this busy inner city market with its crowds of bustling shoppers, the calls of stall holders, the chats, jokes and the occasional argument.

"3rd Lamp post in Tressillian Road". The title came first and inspired the music and it is left to the listener to supply the tale.

"At the Rivoli". The Rivoli is an exotic 1950s art deco ballroom; the music is a waltz in 5 time describing an elderly couple's awkward dancing steps trying to relive their younger days.

"Hunt Hunt" is named after a British health minister who tried to close Lewisham Hospital in 2012. The hunting music describes the spirit of the local community who succeeded in keeping their hospital open.

"In Memory of Jane Clouson". A tribute to a 16 year old girl who was brutally murdered near Eltham, south east London in 1871; her murderer was acquitted with much local protest. There is a poignant statue of her in the Brockley and Ladywell Cemetery.

"The Lewisham People's Commission" was written for a video about this Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign event at which local people, patients, doctors etc. spoke in support of the campaign.

"Creekside" is an area near Greenwich by the River Thames where the old docks used to be. The music was inspired by this lively and historic South East London area and depicts a young local going for a stroll there pondering on his/her life and loves.