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'a halfpennyworth of news'

gazette: Origin
Early 17th Century; via French for Italian gazzetta, originally Venetian gazeta de la novita 'a halfpennyworth of news' (because the news-sheet sold for a gazeta, a Venetian coin of small value)
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16th December 2022

Simpson's Tavern off Cornhill CLOSED! 

It was with some surprise, shock and horror we discovered in mid-October that Simpson’s Tavern had been closed without notice by the off-shore owner of the freehold. A foreclosure notice was pasted on the windows and doors, and the locks changed!
Not sure as to what was happening and why, we made a call to Simpson’s to have our worst fears confirmed, the chop house was unlikely to be opened for the Christmas Season. Our event on 8th December was not going ahead at our favoured venue.
As a chop house established in 1757, Simpson’s Tavern will be a huge loss to the City of London. Also, to the many people who have frequented it over many decades. Please note this affected more than the workers in the Square Mile.

The outcry of disgust and distress became international, so many remembered their happy days of feasting and imbibing at this traditional restaurant. The press jumped to it and not only the restaurant reviewers, local and national news took up the baton. Twitter chirped its soul out and Facebook demanded justice of the philistines who would consider such a closure of an ancient and revered haunt.

Crowdfunding was put in place immediately and today £112,696 has been raised of the required £385,000. Many supported fast and furiously, but as you can see funds are still required, and there are only 27 days to go. https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-our-simpsons-tavern

Simpson’s Tavern is back in the news on 15th December, when the support of Peter Dunphy, who is a City of London Councillor for the ward of Cornhill, joined in the support of ‘Save Our Simpsons’. A request was put before the Court of Common Council to grant protection of Simpson’s as an Asset of Community Value. The vote was was unanimous! Read about it here: https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/simpsons-tavern-granted-protection-as-it-fights-to-reopen-59416/

We now await the fate of the sale of the property, Simpson’s Tavern as was, is at the forefront and negotiating with the vendor.
For our part we found a new (temporary) venue at Ye Olde Watling. The manager and staff made us very welcome. The Dining Room was perfect, the menu excellent and we enjoyed ourselves in our usual Georgian manner. Also a special thank you to our guests, who supported us with the swift move.

It is with hope and trust we may return to our favourite chop house some day soon to celebrate the continuance of over 250 years of excellent dining and conviviality.

Please support ‘Save our Simpsons’ in any way you can, Crowdfunding, Facebook, and Twitter.
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Seasons Greetings & A Happy New Year

​Simpsons Tavern - Yuletide Fest - October 2019
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Necromancer
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Baritone - Alistair Sutherland
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Dr Matthew Green - Historian/Author
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Miss B & Miss Kitty Pridden - Grand Dames of the Salon
If you wish to make contact with our superlative entertainments:

Necromancer : www.thelondonspy.com/
Baritone: www.alistairsutherland.com/
Dr Matthew Green: unrealcityaudio.co.uk/





​A special treat - Alistair Sutherland serenading a guest to celebrate her birthday.

Bluestocking Salon - our very own unique assembly

4/11/2017

1 Comment

 
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We are truly  enjoying our research to enhance our own knowledge of this interesting group of men and women who gathered together over 'tea and lemonade' to discuss and debate amongst themselves the ideas of the time.  A well-heeled group most definitely, but also it was an opportunity for self-educated women to share their knowledge and ideas with the learned men of the time. The men in turn were captivated and admiring at the breadth and depth of their lady friends' intellect. 

Elizabeth Montagu 'created a space for the life of the mind' at her home and what began as an afternoon assembly ended well past midnight, so fervent and involved were the group. 

One of the most prominent members, Fanny Burney, wrote novels under a pseudonym as a man, was a best-seller, and eventually did not use a name at all. All her life she was most reluctant to use her own name, although it was known among those in literary circles! Fanny Burney also wrote a satire whose characters were so like the 'notables' of the Salon, she was advised not to present it in fear of estranging her friends.  Fanny Burney also coined the term witling, an anarchic and derogatory term meaning a person who considers themselves to be witty.  Wonder who she was referring to?
Fanny Burney
Elizabeth Montagu
Elizabeth Carter
Dr Johnson's House is an obvious choice for our Salon, although the actual gatherings were held at grand addresses, Johnson certainly enjoyed his friends company and often entertained at 17 Gough Square. He liked the company of women, especially clever and witty ones. 

Also among the group of admiring gentlemen (well most of them) were David Garrick, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Edmund Burke and Horace Walpole.  It was Benjamin Stillingfleet, however, who unwittingly gave the name to the group.

​He had just arrived from the country wearing his 'blue stockings' and had no time to change, as his hostess insisted he come on to a salon immediately, he was excused his 'formal' stockings. So the ladies who attended the literary assemblies became known thereafter as blue-stockingers.  By the Victorian period, the meaning began to change, still referring to clever women, but in a negative way, often associated with emancipation. 
David Garrick
Dr Samuel Johnson
Edmund Burke
One of our guests is Dr Judith Hawley, (Royal Holloway, University of London) her character will be the great reveal on the night! Dr Hawley can be heard talking about the Bluestockings on In Our Time, she also took part in the same series on the subject of Frances Burney.  Both are worth a listen and hope will encourage you to come and take part in this unique event.  

Once booked (see Events page) you will receive a list of the 'notables' and their friends, to choose whether you might like to read, talk, dress up or just come along to have an 18th century evening of wit, talk and convivial imbibing. Tea will not be served, although refreshment and food will be available. 
bluestocking
noun
derogatory
1. an intellectual or literary woman
​"A Victorian bluestocking"


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