Wharf

What We're Reading

2010-03-22T10:39:04Z

BOOK
The Hidden Man by David Ellis
Quercus, £7.99
3/5

IN A NUTSHELL
In a story full of strong twists and turns, a lawyer sets out to save his childhood buddy and finds himself embroiled in something dark and dangerous.

]]> REVIEW
The US churns out these legal thrillers with the same grease-coated alacrity as it churns out lawyers and they are generally solid, predictable, occasionally absorbing pieces of work, good for flights, beaches and signal problems at North Greenwich.

Ellis has earned the "heir to Grisham" mantle which picks him out as a superior version of the breed although his race-against-time, dark-childhood-secret, lawyer-as-action-hero routine doesn't veer too far away from the genre paradigms.

The story centres on two childhood friends. One became the hotshot (though troubled) lawyer Kolarich. The other one - Cutler - went off the rails as a boy when his sister was abducted and killed.

Now the former must save the latter after the child killer is murdered 26 years later with Cutler placed handily at the scene brandishing an attitude and kitted out with a motive.

Kolarich is hired in mysterious circumstances and his investigations lead to something more than a routine revenge gig and the story twists and turns with admirable dexterity.

If it wasn't personal enough, Kolarich's brother is kidnapped and he must discover the truth to save all of those close to him.

Ellis's writing is clunky, predictable and erratic which grates badly until the story kicks in by which time the lure of a denouement overrides the prose filters.

Shadwell Basin victim named

2010-03-22T10:29:49Z

Police have named the man who was found dead in Shadwell Basin on Friday morning as Ibrahim Gharib.

The Fire Brigade, police and ambulance service were called to the scene on Thursday at 9.30pm. Ibrahim, a 20-year-old from E1, was discovered in the basin on Friday morning.

]]> A post-portem gave the cause of death as drowning.

Police are treating the death as suspicious and are appealing for witnesses.

They say a man and a 17-year-old girl were on the waterside at the time of the incident and became involved in an altercation.

Call 020 8345 3734 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you have information.

- A 20-year-old man was arrested on Friday in connection with incident. He was released on police bail until April 15.

Preview: Charlton v Gillingham

2010-03-19T14:23:42Z

Addicks boss Phil Parkinson has promised some changes following last week's collapse to Millwall.

That's no surprise for Charlton fans. Those who saw their side lose 4-0 to the Bermondsey boys it must feel like your neighbour coming round for a barbecue, stealing all the meat and kicking your dog.

]]> On the good side though, the last time a London derby for Charlton ended 4-0 was in 2007 when West Ham were on the wrong end of a beating from the Addicks.

That year, the Hammers stayed up and the Addicks sank. An omen?

For the team news, Kelly Youga played in the reserves this week as he looks to return after four months on the sidelines.

QPR's Gary Borrowdale has been brought in on loan as cover at left-back.

It's likely that Deon Burton will return to the starting line-up, while Jonjo Shelvey is also pushing for a recall.

Kick off: 3pm

Prediction: Charlton 2-1 Gillingham

Arsenal v West Ham

2010-03-19T13:15:54Z

Another week and another tough game for Gianfranco Zola's West Ham team against title-chasing Arsenal.

The Irons make the trip across London tomorrow evening hovering just above the Premier League drop zone but may return empty handed from the Emirates.

]]> Arsene Wenger's men have been knocking the goals in for fun in recent weeks, with the likes of Andrei Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner in good form.

It could be a long evening in front of the ESPN cameras for the Hammers, who were beaten 4-1 at Chelsea last Saturday.

Mark Noble and Herita Ilunga have both trained this week after recovering from arm and hamstring injuries respectively and could be included in the match-day squad.

If Ilunga doesn't make the starting line-up Fabio Daprela is likely to keep the left-back spot.

Julien Faubert is still a doubt as he recovers from the hamstring strain picked up in the defeat by Bolton two weeks ago.

West Ham (from): Green, Stech, Faubert, Ilunga, Daprela, Spector, Upson, Gabbidon, Tomkins, Kovac, Parker, Behrami, Dyer, Noble, Collison, Stanislas, Diamanti, Ilan, Cole, Mido, McCarthy.

Venue: Emirates Stadium

Kick-off: 5.30pm

Referee: Martin Atkinson

Travel: Nearest stations are Arsenal or Holloway Road (both Piccadilly line).

Naturally Ordering The Random

2010-03-19T12:09:52Z

Take a look at the facade of One Canada Square next month and do not be afraid to say what you see. A 14-metre artwork baring a striking resemblance to a Rorschach ink blot test, is on its way and it's likely to distract from the Wharf's most recognisable tower.

It is a one-off piece based on an organic ceramic work by the sculptor Peter Randall Page and forms part of a larger exhibition of his work scheduled to arrive on the estate in April.

]]>
His creations will do more than transform the exterior of the Wharf's iconic centrepiece however, with three pieces on show in the tower's lobby and a further seven in Jubilee Park.

I caught up with the sculptor on a recent visit to the estate, ahead of his exhibition to find out more about inspiration for the works he'll be showing.

Randall Page said: "I'm fascinated by the tension in the natural world, between order and random events.
"The pieces that will be on show in the park are all made using glacial boulders, which have been naturally eroded. The geometric patterns are carved in low relief.
"The geometry of the patterns has to adapt to the random natural shapes in the stone."

The pieces that will be displayed in the foyer are bronze casts painted matt white. Randall Page said he took the shapes from boulders and used smaller spheres to form a design on the surface using the balls' natural tendancy to lie in a hexagonal arrangement.

He said: "I'm very interested in science. I'm interested in patterns because the whole world is made up of patterns.

"We, as humans, are so attuned to finding patterns. we try to find the meaning in things even if there isn't a meaning to be found.

"Stars, for example are totally random but we name them and name patterns we find in them."

Randall Page said he impressed his own natural rules upon his work, both harmonising and battling with the original state of the stone.

He said: "The pieces I'll be showing in Canary Wharf are from a period of work I have been involved with for the last 10 years. I've always been interested in natural forms and plant growth."

Randall Page studied sculpture at Bath Academy of Art and has been a working artist for more than 25 years.

He is based in Devon and was a member of the design team responsible for the Education Resource Centre at the Eden Project in Cornwall.

The whole roof is based around his sculpture Seed, displayed at the heart of the structure and both the artist and architect worked closely together.

He said: "That was the most genuine collabrative thing I have ever done. We worked so well together, when one of us had a better idea than the other it was just obvious."

Peter Randall Page's sculptures will be on show at One Canada Square and in Jubilee Park from April 19-May 28. For more details go to mycanarywharf.com

Brunel's tunnel entrance to reopen this weekend

2010-03-19T11:58:52Z

Two days of walking tours along the Thames Tunnel were a huge success for organisers last weekend.

After selling out the walks, The Brunel Museum has now decided to open it's grand entrance hall to visitors for the first time in 145 years.

]]> The Brunel Museum held two days of walking tours of the tunnel to give people a look at the 19th century engineering feat, which was Isambard Kingdom Brunel's first project.

The museum's director Robert Hulse said the tours sold out with 2,500 people taking part.

Robert said the tunnel which was built by Marc Brunel, who appointed his son Isambard as engineer, was a wonder of the age.

He said: "It was the oldest tunnel in the London Underground. It was the first tunnel anywhere under a river and it was the birthplace of the Tube, not just in London, but anywhere.

"For the non-specialist visitor it was the first underwater shopping arcade, a festival and fun fare.

"There were people dancing to minstrel music, there were tightrope walkers, music from steam organs and a troop of performing horses. It was like a 19th century rave."

The tunnel was originally meant to take cargo under the river between Wapping and Rotherhithe but, as no-one could afford the ramps for wheeled vehicles, it was eventually used to host festivals.

Back in the 1840s there were 50,000 visits in its first day of operation and by the end of the 15th week that figure had reached more than one million.

Robert said: "In 1843 that was half the population of London and they came down here to party."

This time round, the sell-out tours saw many turned away disappointed, and Robert plans to ask Transport for London and Mayor Boris Johnson for another weekend.

Since 1865 it has been used as a railway line, eventually becoming the East London line.

This closed in 2007 when work for the extension began, but is due to reopen in April this year making further walking tours impossible.

However, the museum will still have access to an entrance hall where there is a large amphitheatre.

Visits to the hall will take place this weekend (March 20 and 21) and more are planned for April 10.

"When people descend this weekend they will be the first people in 145 years to go into this amazing space," said Robert.

"At the moment we want to show it off and let people tell us what they think should be here.

"We may have lost the tunnel to the trains but we keep the entrance hall."

Go to brunel-museum.org.uk for more information.

HOW THEY DID IT?

Marc Brunel built a revolutionary 'shield', the height of three men and weighing 80 tonnes.

As the shield progressed through the clay under the Thames, workers lined it with rings of bricks.

The boring technique was copied throughout the world, including recent engineering such as the Channel Tunnel from Dover to Calais.

Brunel, who employed his son Isambard Kingdom as resident engineer on the project, thought it would take three years to build the Thames Tunnel.

However, it ended up taking 18 years as there were financial problems and leakages which caused collapses - the worst of which happened in 1828 when six workmen died.

Isambard was caught in that flood and was found close to death. However, he survived to have distinguished career.

*source - London and Docklands Historical Reader And Picture Collection, written by University of East London professor of civil engineering Professor Shafik Naib.

Preview: Ideal Home Show

2010-03-19T11:57:03Z

It's got a bit of history to it this Ideal Home Show business. Unlike many of the massive events gracing London's exhibition centres, this one has a lineage that goes back more than 100 years. It was founded by the Daily Mail in 1908, the same year Suffragettes were chaining themselves to railings in a bid to get the vote, Ford's first Model T rolled off the production line and work on the first tower in the UK to use reinforced concrete - The Royal Liver Building - had just begun.

]]> Times were very different, not least in the property market.

The overwhelming majority of British citizens rented their homes.

But post-industrial revolution methods of mass production were starting to have an effect on society.

A rise in living standards and an increase in disposable income led to a demand for luxuries and eventually for private home ownership.

And the Mail sensed this change of mood and provided a forum for designers, architects and gardeners to show off their latest products and ideas to an eager public.

The paper also intended the show to be a publicity tool in a bid to boost circulation.

It took more than 3,000 men a week to set up the first exhibition at Olympia and the Lord Mayor of London turned up to cut the ribbon.

Since that first show, more than 60million people have attended at least one exhibition during its 102-year history.

The Queen has been 11 times. She first visited in 1949when she was still a princess, touring the fully furnished homes and stands.

While theses elements remain in the modern show, the cult of celebrity has become the dominant theme, with organiser Media 10 recruiting Fiona Phillips, Monty Don, Linda Barker, George Clarke, Gregg Wallace and Suzi Perry to help create this year's event.

Rather than a single exhibition, 2010 will see eight shows in one covering interiors, home improvements, food, gardens, gadgets, shopping, village and women.

So, if you're looking for a novel place to get your nails done, while perusing some cutting edge product design, head on down.

The Ideal Home Show 2010 takes place from Mar 20-Apr 5 at Earls Court. Go to idealhomeshow.co.uk.

British Music Experience celebrates great first year

2010-03-18T16:48:30Z

Considering the importance of popular music in British culture the opening of the British Music Experience was long-overdue.

The interactive museum at The O2 celebrated its first anniversary last week and over 150,000 visitors have passed through its doors.

]]> Using state-of-the-art technology, visitors interact with displays on Britain's rich musical heritage - which includes £6million-worth of memorabilia - and can download information to peruse at home.

It's proved a winning combination, much to curator Paul Lilley's delight.

"The range in the museum is phenomenal," said Paul (pictured above with Mayor of London Boris Johnson, BME founder Harvey Goldsmith and AEG chief executive David Campbell at last year's launch).

"Condensing 65 years of popular music was a pretty big brief, with hundreds of important artists, plus art and fashion.

"With the clever use of technology we've achieved it and it's been be very successful. Because we are a new museum we've been able to include that and it makes the BME great fun. We're thrilled at how it's been received.

"The feedback has been overwhelming, not just from the public, but also from artists, record labels and other music organisations. It's really helped us be successful."

A major component of the BME's remit is education, particularly workshops with established professional musicians.

Paul said: "We fill a void in the education sector. We've had songwriting classes with Jeff Beck and Chris Difford which have been hugely popular. We started a series of producer ones, and have others planned, such as rock photography.

"The education programme complements the museum. The BME is the home of musical heritage but we also want it to be at the cutting edge, because music is an important industry in the UK and needs to be encouraged."

Many artists playing at The O2, have popped in to peruse the collection.

Paul said: "We've had people from every era here. Trad jazz musicians Acker Bilk and Chris Barber came in, then there was Pink Floyd's Nick Mason, even urban grime artist Kano was here, and they've all enjoyed it."

A temporary picture exhibition will open soon, while plans are being considered to expand the museum to house yet more artefacts. It's a constantly evolving project according to Paul.

He said: "British music history is being rewritten every day and we have the advantage over a traditional museum as we can update things very quickly."

Visit britishmusicexperience.com.

Green Living: Dressing baby

2010-03-18T16:26:03Z

By Andrew Williams

I hope you all remembered to phone your mums on Mothering Sunday. It's always nice to remember the special place that mums have in the world, and now one local business is making it even easier for hard working parents to shop ethically.

]]> Tabitha Potts runs Mimimyne, a Stepney-based company which sells a variety of fantastic products through its website, mimimyne.com. Everything on the site has an ethical or green twist, from organic cotton T-shirts to sustainably sourced wooden furniture.

Tabitha describes herself as a "mumpreneur" and runs the business single-handed while caring full-time for her two sons.

Mimimyne was born when she started looking online for products for her children and realised that there were not many websites aimed at families which combined a strong design ethos and environmental awareness.

Tabitha came up with the idea of creating an online shop to do just that. Since her company started trading, she has been a runner-up for the Mum Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 and a finalist in the Thames Business Gateway Awards.

Tabitha also writes a great blog on her website to keep shoppers up to date with trends and new products. The design conscious approach of the site is reflected in some of the products she sees as appealing to the market in the Wharf.

"Wharf readers would be very interested in the Wattson by DIY Kyoto, for example, which monitors energy use in the home and is a classic bit of design that can also save you money," said Tabitha.

"I also have some great gift ideas - the Cosytots organic knitted chick and hen toys would be a lovely Easter present or table decoration, for example."

- Do you or your company have an environmentally friendly product or service you'd like featured in this column? Let us know by contacting Seventeen, a sustainable alternative for your event management needs, at andrew@seventeenevents.co.uk.

Black holes must be filled in

2010-03-18T13:16:22Z

By Tim Archer

A budget has to balance sooner or later; black holes cannot be financed forever and they cannot be ignored. It's therefore interesting that the Labour-run council chose to overlook the fact that its books contain a £54million gap. Putting that into context, council tax in Tower Hamlets would have to rise by almost 30 per cent a year for the next three years just to plug that gap.

]]> What's the Conservative alternative?

We'd hand back the keys to the flash office block, currently half empty, that the council rents for £8million a year, and use the existing empty office buildings that the council already owns.

In fact, we've identified over £2.5million of savings from cutting spending on communications, consultants and councillor allowances, without reducing any frontline services.

The Conservative alternative budget would have invested in critical services like providing 17 extra police officers for the borough, additional dog, litter and park wardens and providing free English classes.

The parallels between Tower Hamlets Council and the Government could not be clearer.

The Government is now the biggest advertiser in the UK, while Tower Hamlets produces the biggest and most frequent free council newspaper.

Both are in denial about the effectiveness and the excess of their spending and, in both cases, it is the taxpayer who will have to pay the price.

- Tim Archer is Conservative councillor, Blackwall & Cubitt Town Ward & prospective MP

Ray Of Sunshine

2010-03-18T11:01:55Z

You've been a pint-sized soap star and a platinum selling singer. You've stepped out on the West End stage and survived two reality shows. But where do you go from there? If you're Ray Quinn, you get back on the ice.

The 22-year-old winner of 2009's Dancing On Ice is strapping on his skates for three nights at The O2 next month and is keen to reclaim his title.

]]>
He said: "I'm still competitive; I'm still going to want to be the best. I still want to win. It's just about enjoying it though and having fun."

The Liverpudlian star, who let his show-stopping smile slip during training for the TV show, is adamant the pressure will not get to him this time.

Quinn said: "I don't let any stress into my head. I hate that word, stress. I'm quite a perfectionist. When it came to the moves I just wanted to do them justice. I'd let it really get to me. I really did like being perfect. I was more nervous about staying in than the actual performance."

Quinn first came to the public's attention in 2000 as Brookside's Anthony Murray, a devout Catholic school boy accused of murdering his classroom bully.

The role earned him numerous accolades including the British Soap Award for Best Dramatic Performance.

But just when we thought he had peaked in his teens, Quinn resurfaced three years after his departure from the soap, showcasing another talent as an X Factor contestant.

The show has a reputation for ending as many careers as it launches but that did not deter him.

Quinn said: "I knew the risks I was taking. You want to be known for who you are.
"There's always a danger people will know you as that guy from X Factor, and they do say that sometimes, but it doesn't bother me."

The gamble paid off and he made it to the final two, just pipped at the post by Leona Lewis. Quinn said he, "couldn't have been beaten by a better person".

Sony BMG snapped him up and his debut album Ray Quinn: Doing It My Way hit the UK charts at the number one spot. Leaping from solo singing success to the West End, he secured the lead role of Danny Zuko in West End hit Grease.

Now he's looking forward to the challenges Dancing On Ice The Live Tour presents.

He said: "I have a new partner and new boots so we'll have to wait and see. I'm not skating with Maria, I'm with Alexandra this time. I was very rusty, definitely, but it's great to be doing it again.

"I don't know what motivates me. I've got a lot of drive, dreams and ambitions.
"When I put my mind to something I have to do it. I want to know the results so I keep going."

As for future projects, Quinn is giving nothing away at the moment but a return to the small screen is not out of the question.

He said: "I'm just holding on to what I've got for now. I've got projects coming up but I can't really talk about it. It could be TV, it could be West End."

Ray Quinn will be taking part in Dancing On Ice the Live Tour at The O2 arena on April 17-20.
Go to theo2.co.uk.

Time to warm to chillis says Wahaca's Thomasina

2010-03-18T10:48:08Z

She's Britain's queen of Mexican cuisine and Thomasina Miers was stirring things up in Canary Wharf last week.

She's no stranger to these parts, having opened a branch of her Wahaca restaurant in Canada Square Pavilion last November, and was in Canada Square mall last Tuesday to promote her latest cookbook.

]]> Called Mexican Food Made Simple, it's packed with recipes encapsulating Thomasina's passion for the food of a country where she lived for several years and learned to cook, as she told The Wharf.

She said: "The book is all about being able to bring the vibrancy and colour of Mexican food into your home really easily. It's full of really simple recipes, but they're fun and full of flavour, completely different from anything else out there.

"Mexico is inspirational. It's an amazing country, hugely regional and full of people who love to eat and love to cook.

"As someone who loves food that's completely addictive and captivating. It's why I fell in love with Mexico years ago. So many people love food there.

"It's full of incredible ingredients, it's just the most amazing country. The food is so varied, much more than we know about in this country, so the book is just trying to explain that a little bit.

"It's kind of a toe in the water for people wanting to learn a bit about the food."

For newcomers to Mexican food, what would Thomasina recommend they try from the book?

She said: "There's an amazing grilled steak recipe in there. But there's also lots of lovely fresh vegetable recipes for people who don't eat meat. Really easy salsas.

"I'd definitely encourage anyone to go into the salsa chapter and start playing around with chillies. I'm trying to demystify the chilli and explain a bit about dry chillis and fresh chillis. How they are not all about heat but rather flavour. It's so easy to get that into your cooking at home. Hopefully people will give it a try."

Thomasina, 34, shot to national prominence when she won Masterchef in 2005. She revealed she has an indirect involvement in the latest series of the hit BBC show.

She said: "Wahaca's going to be on the show later in the series, in the quarter or semi finals. They filmed at Canary Wharf and Covent Garden, so look out for that.

"Unfortunately, I haven't had time to watch much of the series, although I've heard it's absolutely addictive viewing."

Tuesday was a busy day for Thomasina, and her Wahaca partner Mark Selby.

They officially opened the cocktail and mezcal bar on the terrace of Wahaca's Wharf restaurant, with Mezcal maestro Ron Cooper giving a masterclass on the long-overlooked Mexican spirit.

Blonde's Eye View: Holiday fightmares

2010-03-18T10:47:49Z

Angela Clarke knows too much about one random man in Waitrose

What's worse than going to a group meal where one of the couples has a fight? Going on a group holiday, where one of the couples has a fight.

Few things beat the voyeuristic pleasure of seeing strangers having a barney. It gives you a warm feeling inside about your own stable relationship.

]]> Plus it's funny to learn the random guy in Waitrose has never given his partner an orgasm.

It's not so funny when the couple at war are your mates.

Watching friends whose wedding you attended row, is like walking in on your parents having sex: you know they probably do it, but you never wish to see it.

A few curt put-downs can be ignored, but a slanging match in the middle of a restaurant sours an evening out.

Imagine if that's the Friday night of a weekend away.

After the initial horrific explosion, an icy chill descends.

She makes whispered accusations at one end of the table, he downs whisky after whisky at the other.

Sides are taken, coalitions formed.

Saturday is spent torn between trying to have a good time and trying not to upset anyone further.

You find out he was banished to the sofa overnight.

Lunch sees another explosion. It's like being trapped in an episode of Hollyoaks.

I'm too old for all the drama. It reminds me of university; when everyone was full of drink, drugs and hormones.

When we had nothing better to do than analyse our relationships and start arguments to avoid doing coursework.

But now my weekends are precious.

I want to get away from the Wharf and work, and relax; not be huddled in the cold listening to a girl sob because her husband never replaces the toilet roll.

What's worse than going on a group holiday where one of the couples has a fight? Being one half of the couple that fights.

Matthew aims for world number one at Canary Wharf

2010-03-18T09:34:57Z

Britain's number one squash player has had a sensational start to 2010 but there's one tournament he's determined to add to his list of honours.

Nick Matthew, ranked second in the world, is the favourite for next week's ISS Canary Wharf Classic after winning a string of events this year.

]]> Should he win next week's event at the East Wintergarden Matthew could find himself top of the world rankings, although he's taking nothing for granted.

The 29-year-old Yorkshireman crashed out of last year's Classic in the first round against Egyptian qualifier Mohammed El Shorbagy and he's realistic about his chances this year. He faces another, as yet unknown, qualifier in the first round next Monday.

He said: "I want to go at least one better than last year. It's about time I did better at Canary Wharf as my record there isn't great, so I'm desperate to make some progress.

"I've been in good form this season, but then I was in good form last season and look what happened. I feel confident but I'm experienced enough now to know not to get too far ahead of myself.

"Playing a qualifier can be awkward, as Mohammed proved, but it can go one of two ways. They get the benefit of having played some competitive squash in the pre-tournament qualification so they can be sharp, but then they might be shattered if those matches have been hard. I'm hoping it will be the latter."

Winning Canary Wharf would earn Matthew 875 ranking points, which could move him to the top of the world rankings above Egyptian Ramy Ashour. But he isn't counting his chickens.

He said: "I'm not really looking at the world number one spot at the moment. Ramy is playing in another tournament at the same time and could pick up points there, so it's out of my hands.

"But I should pick up more points than I did last year, so I could be pushing for that top spot and if I did reach it, it would be an amazing achievement for me."

Whatever happens at the East Wintergarden next week Matthew's form, which has seen him win the British National Championships and North American Open in recent weeks, is the best of his career.

"If I knew what the secret was I'd bottle it and sell it," he said. "There's no magic formula. You can't go up five levels overnight, so what I've achieved this year has been down to years of hard work, plus having the experience to cope with things.

"It helps that English squash is in such good shape, with six guys in the top 20. This is the best generation ever, so it means we have to be at our best when we play each other. But the nice thing is we all get on very well off the court."

Five of those Brits, including three time Wharf champion James Willstrop and local favourite Peter Barker, will be in action next week, so the rivalry will be intense but friendly.

Matthew said: "All of us are of the age where we should be coming to our best, in our late twenties. We're all great friends and we've all got a lot in common, so we do have a laugh when we get together for England squad training.

"There's a good camaraderie and a good spirit, although we're all fiercely competitive when we play each other."

Matthew is also eyeing gold at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October.

He said: "That's a big goal for me. It's our Olympic Games. I was there four years ago when Peter Nicol won and it was a special event. Hopefully I can carry my form through to that.

"There have been security concerns about holding it in India but that's something out of the players' control, so there's no point in worrying about it. I hope to be there."

Matthew is from Sheffield and is good friends with another native of the steel city, World Heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis.

He said: "Yes, we're good friends. Jess is a perfect role model for aspiring young athletes and she's shown people how to do things properly.

"She's had to cope with a lot of setbacks, especially with the injury that ruled her out of the Beijing Olympics, and she's been rewarded with some amazing success. I'm really pleased for her."

Matthew will be focusing on his own success next week. After a few days rest he will travel down to London on Sunday to ready himself for the assault on the Canary Wharf title.

He said: "I'm trying to do things a little bit different to last year, when I came down on the Saturday and then got knocked out on the Monday. Hopefully, the change of plan will bring a change of luck as well."

The ISS Canary Wharf Classic is at the East Wintergarden from March 22-29. For tickets visit canarywharfsquash.com.

Concrete Pencil: Sock it to me

2010-03-18T09:24:37Z

Dan Bourke treads carefully when it comes to wearing the wrong socks on the wrong day.

There are two types of people in this world. There are those who, if they own socks with days of the week on them, are absolutely fine wearing the wrong day's socks: Saturday on a Tuesday, say, or Thursday on a Monday.

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Then there are those who can't, just can't, walk around a day at work, a Thursday, say, with Sunday written on their feet.

I am of the second group. I'm very grateful that my wife bought me these socks, and I am too lazy and mean to buy replacements. But what was she thinking?

She knows me. I have, I must confess, certain ways, which make me a bit funny. Not in a good way.

Surely she must have known I'd be like this about the socks. In fact, I can only assume that she bought them on purpose, knowing the crippling effect having the wrong ones on the wrong day would have on me.

There is a phrase growing in office usage that sees people describe themselves or others as OCD. As in, "ooh, you keep you desk very tidy, you're OCD!" Or, "I like to keep all those files alphabetically, in a cabinet: OCD or what!"

Now, I don't want to sound like Gary The Fun Nazi or anything, but don't you think we're being a little unfair to sufferers of obsessive-compulsive disorder, which by all accounts sounds like it really rather sucks.

The last thing OCD's tormented sufferers need is office tosspots using the illness as a shorthand way to reemphasise their mighty wackiness. Anyway, that's what some people say when I explain the sock thing.

They say "OCD or what?!" verbally inserting the awful double punctuation (?!) with which they no doubt litter the endless emails of 'gags' they tediously forward to their contacts book when they're not being mighty wacky.

Other people, when I explain the sock thing, know what I mean. I told one friend that I was making progress, that I could just about wear the wrong day's socks, if the day in question felt a bit like the sock day.

So if it was a Tuesday but the first day of my working week, I could wear, just about happily, Monday socks. And if I wanted to rebel against the Wednesdayness of a Wednesday, I could purposefully slip on some Fridays - although not, I am certain,
Saturdays.)

His reaction was: how could you? How could you ever wear the wrong
day?

Hence my assertion that there are two kinds of people in this world.

(They keep saying this in The Good, The Bad And The Ugly, don't they? There are two kinds of people in the world. "Those that come in by the door, and those that come in by the window." People used to pump out quotes from that film at Laser Quest which I used to go to with that friend who also has trouble with day-specific socks.)

Anyway, anyway: our washing machine is broken and I'm wearing Sunday. I feel funny.