Matchwomen Festival heats up on the hottest day of the year

Despite the intense heat, the Matchwomen's Festival in London's East End was a fascinating feminist experience.
    The day started with a walking tour of Bow, taking in the - now renovated as a residential area - match factory where women stood up for their rights in the late 19th century.
    Those women were prepared to take a stand and the rest of the day was dominated by others who are doing the same today. An inspiring day, if extraordinarily hot.

Levy's 'Small Island' bought to the stage

The award-winning 'Small Island' is a fabulous book and was even better brought to life by the National Theatre.
    Seeing the play streamed to the Broadway Cinema just a few miles from home was a great pleasure.
    Although I cried. A lot. If you have the chance to see the play, do.
    If you can find time to read book, do that, too.

Vegan afternoon tea at Shakespeare's Globe

An afternoon of complete delight with a class of students who have just taken their A levels.
    We decided to celebrate the end of exams with an afternoon at one of our favourite places - Shakespeare's Globe on London's South Bank. Tea at The Swan was just lovely.

New desk. Same fun.

For those who don't already listen in to Rubato on North Herts FM, this is where the magic happens.
    Once a week, I get to play the classical music I love. And chat a bit about it.
    It's a real joy, plus I've also had to learn how the technology works. Or at least some of it.

On being inspired

The inspirational Maggie Berry of WEConnect International has just been awarded an OBE. For the very good reason that she is both inspirational and effective.
    Maggie is one of those people who help others succeed. In the five or so years since we first met, she's been instrumental in helping me focus on my business.
    The latest event she laid on as part of her role with WEConnect International was in the Islington offices of RBS/NatWest. The entire day felt very entrepreneurial and it was good to be surrounded by so many positive women.

Flipping gender

Shakespeare's ideas about gender are fascinating, especially given the 400 years or so that have passed since his plays were first performed.
    The Taming of the Shrew is one of his most difficult plays. It can be very uncomfortable to watch, as Petruchio 'tames' his wife, Katherine. This new production by the Royal Shakespeare Company manages to enhance the discomfort by flipping the genders as men become women and vice versa. Suddenly, you have a woman bullying a man into submission and that's hard to watch.
    Director Justin Audibert does a brilliant job with a cast who take on the matriarchal world with ease. Alongside the performances, Ruth Chan's music adds to the tension to produce a stunning production.