Sherlock Holmes

Sohemian Society presents Dr Helen Fry author of twenty books on intelligence, MI9 and social history of WWII. She will be talking to Ross McFarlane about her new book **The White Lady** I know many of you who follow me and have been on my walks are fascinated by the women spies of WWII as I am and so I have my ticket (£11 includes booking fee) already and if you would like to join me above the Groom & Horses we can enjoy a lovely evening in Fitzrovia. Get your tickets here: https://www.sohemiansociety.com/opening-page This is what they say about the author: **“It is not often that a writer is able to add to history rather than interpret it, but in her exploration of Belgian and Luxembourg archives Fry has done just that.” (Alan Judd, *The Spectator*)** Intelligence-gathering was essential to both sides in the First and Second World Wars. At the heart of MI6's efforts were two key networks in Belgium. Agents in the White Lady acted as couriers, saboteurs, and spies to facilitate the end of German control. And, when war broke out again two decades later, the leaders of the network regrouped and established a successor: the Clarence Service. Helen Fry charts the history of these pivotal intelligence networks for the first time. Drawing on recently declassified information, Fry examines who the agents were, how they were recruited, and how the intelligence they gathered directly impacted the outcome of both wars. Operators in the field sent over eight hundred radio messages to London and delivered more than a thousand reports, including groundbreaking information on Hitler's secret weapon the V-1. This is a compelling account of the agents who risked their lives and found ingenious ways to smuggle intelligence out of occupied Belgium. Historian and biographer **Helen Fry** is the author of *The Walls Have Ears*, *Spymaster*, *MI9*, and more than twenty books on intelligence, prisoners of war, and the social history of World War II. She appears regularly in media interviews and podcasts and has been involved in numerous documentaries. **Ross MacFarlane** is an archivist who has over twenty years’ experience working on the history of science and medicine. He has researched, lectured, and written on a range of topics, such as aspects of the occult, the history of early recorded sound, and the collection of amulets and charms in Edwardian London. He is a regular book reviewer for *Fortean Times* and has also published in magazines and journals such as *New Scientist*, *The Lancet*, *Folklore*, as well as *Notes and Records of the Royal Society*.

*This event is supported by [languagecalendars.com](https://www.languagecalendars.com/)* Get **£5 off** their language calendars, posters & tees 👉 use code **HOLA5** or click this link: [https://www.languagecalendars.com/discount/HOLA5](https://www.languagecalendars.com/discount/HOLA5) **🌍 Connecting locals and internationals in London 🌍** Join us every Wednesday evening in Holborn for the London Language Exchange, where over 40 people gather each week to practice new languages, share cultures, and make new friends. See pics of our previous events on our [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/babblelondon), and chat to other members who are coming via our [whatsapp group](https://languagexchanges.com/whatsapp/). **🙋 Who is this for?** All languages and levels are welcome, and we are inclusive of all ages, races, religions etc. Whether you're a polyglot, a beginner just starting with Duolingo Spanish, or you just want to come and socialise, you will be welcomed to our community of language learners and international friends. **🙌 What to Expect:** * **Language Practice:** Whether you’re fluent in Spanish, Italian, English, Arabic, Russian, Mandarin, or any other language, our hosts will help you connect with people who match your language interests. * **Friendly Hosts:** Our hosts will greet you at the entrance, give you a label where you can write the language(s) you speak and the ones you’d like to learn or practice. * **Inclusive Atmosphere:** We welcome all languages and levels, and make sure everyone feels comfortable—especially if you're coming alone! It’s a relaxed environment perfect for making new friends and practising languages at your own pace. * **Socialising:** Coming alone or with friends, this is a great opportunity to meet new people in the city. Unlike some other meetup ‘groups’, we do not fill our events with fake members, and you can check how many people attend each week via our [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/babblelondon). **👋 How does it work?** * **Arrive!** No need to register, just come to our event any time between 7-9pm and our event host will welcome you. They will have an orange lanyard and will be sitting next to our sign. * **Write your ‘Language Label’.** Here you can write your name, the languages you are learning, and the languages you can help others with. * **Pay.** Our £1 event fee pays for our lovely event hosts and keeps the event going. Card only please. * **Get talking!** With the help of our host you will be able to find other people attending the event with compatible language interests - we are all very friendly and the majority of our attendees come alone, so there’s no need to worry about getting involved! **📌 Where are we?** We are normally at The Queens Head Holborn 64 Theobalds Rd, London WC1X 8SF. There are several Queens Head pubs so make sure you have the right one: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tEkiztRurEFEd6HK9 Always check the location on this meetup event and in our [WhatsApp Group](https://languagexchanges.com/whatsapp) just in case there is a change. **💡 Important Info:** Please disregard the attendee numbers shown on Meetup or Facebook. Because we meet at the same time and place every week, many regulars do not sign up beforehand, but we always have a great turnout, often exceeding 50 people. We also have many more participants who join through other platforms. **🔗 Connect With Us:** Stay updated by joining our WhatsApp and Facebook groups or following us on Instagram. You’ll get event updates and stay connected with the community! [https://linktr.ee/londonlanguageexchange](https://linktr.ee/londonlanguageexchange) **FAQ:** **Who is this for?** Anyone interested in languages, from complete beginners to fluent speakers! We welcome all levels and languages. **Do I need to sign up?** You don’t need to sign up, but feel free to join our WhatsApp group for updates and announcements. **Can I come alone?** Absolutely! Many people come solo, and it’s a great way to meet new friends in a relaxed environment. **How does the event work?** When you arrive, you’ll get a sticker to write your native language and the one(s) you’d like to practice. Our hosts will help you find people to chat with based on your preferences. **What if I don’t speak multiple languages?** No problem! Whether you’re fluent or just starting out with a new language, everyone is welcome. **More Questions?** Check out our [full FAQ here](https://languagexchanges.com/what-is-a-language-exchange/) **💛 WHAT THEY SAY** **🗣** “It's so great that people are very friendly and nice here. I practised my English speaking and listening.” - Gerome 🗣 “The language exchange events are a really great way not just to practise languages but also to meet new people in your area. I’ve made many local friends since I moved to the area” - Monika 🗣 “Everything was perfect. The host was so friendly and wonderful!” - Mojtaba 🗣 "It was a lovely language exchange, with lovely people. I practised so much German!" - Sara **About Languagexchanges:** We started in Leeds back in 2014 with the desire to provide a welcoming space that brings people together from all different walks of life, with a shared love of learning languages and culture. We now have communities across the UK including Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and York - [see all our locations.](https://languagexchanges.com/product-category/events/) 👔 Interested in working with us? [https://languagexchanges.com/work-with-us/](https://languagexchanges.com/work-with-us/) ✍️ Feedback form: [https://languagexchanges.com/events-feedback](https://languagexchanges.com/events-feedback) 📩 Email: [info@languagexchanges.com](mailto:info@languagexchanges.com)

**This month:** What if moral action makes you inconvenient rather than heroic? Over a single morning, this story strips away comforting myths about bravery and exposes the loneliness of resolve. A philosophical exploration of moral courage, social conformity, and the price of refusing to look away. **Can you guess this classic film?** (hint in the event title) **Or come and find out on the day!** This year’s films all revolve around the theme of “**choice**” – plenty of opportunity for philosophical exploration! Details of specific films will be revealed closer to the time of each event. PFA Film Club hosts free screenings of thought-provoking films, followed by a discussion about the raised philosophical issues, for general public. In 2026 meetings are held every third WEDNESDAY of the month at the Cafe of St. Hilda's East Community Centre, 18 Club Row, London E2 7EY. The nearest station is **Shoreditch High Street** on the Overground. The screening starts at 6:30 pm (or at 6pm for longer films) and we need to vacate the building by 9:00pm. We offer complimentary light refreshments during the event. For the most up-to-date schedule of the upcoming film club events, visit our [website](http://pfalondon.org/#rec767601373).

Join for a unique 🧑🏻‍🎨 BrushTherapy 🎨 Paint workshop focused on healing through creativity. 🌈 DiVe iNtO the WoRLd of CoLOuR🌻 🦄 Whether you are new to art or looking to deepen your practice, this Art Therapy workshop promises to ignite your creativity and nurture your soul. 🦋 We explore how art can be a powerful tool for healing and self-expression. 🪲This workshop will also delve into the cultural aspects of art, offering a rich learning experience for participants. 🪷 During this class, participants will engage in hands-on activities, guided by experienced instructors, that will tap into the healing arts of painting and crafts. 🧚‍♂️ Discover the therapeutic benefits of creativity while connecting with a community of cultural creatives.

Step into the gas-lit streets of Victorian London and uncover the chilling story of Jack the Ripper. This evening walking tour takes you deep into Whitechapel, where one of history’s most notorious serial killers stalked his victims. Follow your expert guide as you: Visit the actual sites of the Ripper’s murders Explore hidden alleys and cobblestoned lanes Hear the true stories of the victims and the suspects See rare photographs and police reports Learn how the crimes shocked London — and the world Your guide will separate fact from fiction, using historical evidence and forensic insight to paint a vivid picture of life in East London in 1888. ⚠️ **IMPORTANT**: Attendance Confirmation Required To help us manage attendance, please complete the form below if you will be attending. You will only be added to the confirmed list once the form has been completed. **Confirm here:** https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfO_ujT7S1q-3EiZgkxHfPxJGgG8CnlYNCrHqQkLPNXmEC4Gw/viewform?usp=header If you are unable to join, please just send us a message to let us know.

Casual multiplayer *Magic: The Gathering* Commander session Join our [MTG Facebook group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/darkspheremagic)!

Join OverBoard to play the brilliant social deduction game Blood on the Clocktower in person at the brand new board game cafe Otter Chaos in Brixton. If you haven’t heard of Blood on the Clocktower before it is an evolution of classic party games like Mafia/Werewolf where a hidden evil team takes on the good team by lying and killing. The good team has a few tricks up their sleeve but will have to work together to deduce who the evil doers are in their midst. **This is a beginner friendly event so no experience with the game is necessary.** Please note that a gaming cover charge of \~£5 will be payable by each attendee to the venue so that we can make use of the space. We also encourage you to buy food and drink from the bar so we are supporting the business (I can highly recommend their pizzas!) If you want to know more about the rules of the game check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-aZP47Nm9g

**THE SECRET AGENT!** **Director:** Kleber Mendonça Filho **Cast:** Wagner Moura, Gabriel Leone, Maria Fernanda Cândido The acclaimed Brazilian thriller The Secret Agent is finally here! In a Brazil tormented by the military dictatorship, Marcelo, a man in his forties fleeing a troubled past, arrives in the city of Recife where he hopes to build a new life and reconnect with his family. That's without taking into account the death threats that lurk and hover over his head. Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UfrzDKrhEc Cinema: Crouch End Picturehouse. Schedule: The film starts at 7:50 pm. We meet at 7:00 pm at the Queens pub for drinks. I'll book a table under the name David! After the film we'll head back to the pub to discuss the film. Address for the The Queens pub: 26 Broadway Parade, London N8 9DE If you have any questions, use the event chat in the meetup app. Or join our Whatsapp group: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/CqLyvsscZ8QCCtHAy9LrwI](https://chat.whatsapp.com/CqLyvsscZ8QCCtHAy9LrwI) The link will take you to a waiting room where you write your Meetup username. Once verified, you’ll receive the link to the main WhatsApp group. Book tickets: https://web.picturehouses.com/order/showtimes/024-75992/seats?_gl=1\*3imu83\*_gcl_au\*MTQyMjAwOTAwMS4xNzcwNzE1NTIy

**Address: 210-212 Southwark Park Road, London SE16 3RX** **Doors Open 12pm Event starts 12:30pm-5pm** **Player Capacity: 20 players** Welcome toour **Hololive TCG** Constructed Tournament. The event consists of 3 to 5 rounds of Swiss and prizing is distributed to players with a positive record. To participate in the event, alongside your **ticket purchase on [our website](https://www.thebrotherhoodgames.co.uk/hololive-events)**, you will be asked to register on the desk to be entered into the tournament. We will hand out a promo pack for entry to the tournament. If you are unfamiliar, please ask our member of staff upon arrival to the store where a member of staff will be happy to assist. If you haven't already, please join our Instagram, YouTube and Discord Server for news about upcoming events, announcements, and social interaction with your fellow players! *The Brotherhood Games Discord* https://discord.com/invite/SJaQXyeNXx

Step into the gas-lit streets of Victorian London and uncover the chilling story of Jack the Ripper. This evening walking tour takes you deep into Whitechapel, where one of history’s most notorious serial killers stalked his victims. Follow your expert guide as you: Visit the actual sites of the Ripper’s murders Explore hidden alleys and cobblestoned lanes Hear the true stories of the victims and the suspects See rare photographs and police reports Learn how the crimes shocked London — and the world Your guide will separate fact from fiction, using historical evidence and forensic insight to paint a vivid picture of life in East London in 1888. ⚠️ **IMPORTANT**: Attendance Confirmation Required To help us manage attendance, please complete the form below if you will be attending. You will only be added to the confirmed list once the form has been completed. **Confirm here:** https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfO_ujT7S1q-3EiZgkxHfPxJGgG8CnlYNCrHqQkLPNXmEC4Gw/viewform?usp=header If you are unable to join, please just send us a message to let us know.

Join Tim on a walk through Soho, Fitzrovia and Bloomsbury in the footsteps of Karl Marx. We'll see where Marx lived and studied; where he wrote the Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital, two of the most influential books ever published; where his daughter, Eleanor, performed Ibsen with George Bernard Shaw, fell in love with a French revolutionary and lectured with Keir Hardie. We'll see where his children were born, grew up, died and were buried; where Karl agitated, organised and got blind drunk. It's a secret history of a remarkable man and, perhaps, an even more remarkable daughter. More generally we'll be looking at London in the second half of the nineteenth century; a place of grinding poverty and disease but also of intellectual ferment, awash with political refugees from every country in Europe. We'll be walking through some of the most historic parts of London with a history stretching back over 350 years. We meet at All Bar One in Leicester Square at 10.30 to start walking at 10.45 and end in a pub by the British Museum frequented by Karl and Eleanor after a hard day's agitating. Cost is £12 payable on the day, by card, via PayPal or bank transfer. Tel: O7846899156

A casual Thursday night writing session in Crouch End, North London, for anyone who is looking for writing accountability and to make some likeminded friends! Writers of all levels, backgrounds and genres are welcome, whether you’re working on a novel, a screenplay, a short story, or something else entirely, feel free to join for some focused writing, editing, or plotting time. This group is purely for accountability and quiet writing time, nobody will see what you’ve written and we don’t host critiques or readings (this is part of the Shut Up and Write! ethos). Time: 7pm-9pm Venue: 26 Broadway Parade Crouch End, London N8 9DE Exact timings: 7-7.15pm Welcome/introductions 7.15-8pm Silent writing #1 8pm-8.15pm Break 8.15-9pm Silent writing #2 9pm End of session/social time I look forward to writing with you! Your host, Anna :) **Other Important Details:** WiFi name/password: [PLEASE INCLUDE DETAILS] Travel / Parking info: [PLEASE INCLUDE DETAILS] For our full event schedule, visit https://shutupwrite.com.

*"Joseph Wright of Derby has been described as the first professional painter to express the spirit of the Industrial Revolution."* – Tate Britain **Join us at the National Gallery for the first major exhibition dedicated to Joseph Wright of Derby's legendary 'candlelight' paintings.** Working during the Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution, Wright captured moments of discovery and wonder with a Caravaggio-like mastery of light and darkness. This exhibition reveals him as more than just a painter of scientific progress – his work explores death, melancholy, morality and the sublime. See his most famous painting 'An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump' alongside over twenty other works that continue to speak powerfully to contemporary audiences about what it means to observe, to learn, and to question. Read more here: [https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/exhibitions/wright-of-derby-from-the-shadows](https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/exhibitions/wright-of-derby-from-the-shadows) **MEET DETAILS:** **FROM 2.15pm: MEET IN Bar Giorgio Cafe** **(Optional)** Level 0 Sainsbury Wing Foyer, National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN **3.00pm: ENTER THE EXHIBITION** The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN **4.30pm - Late: PUB SOCIAL (optional)** We'll head to a nearby pub for a social chit chat over drinks. *Location tbc in Event Comments 24 hours before the event.* **TICKETS:** Please book your ticket **[here](https://my.nationalgallery.org.uk/10552/10784).** Select the 3pm time slot (or around that time). * Standard admission: £10 (Sunday off-peak rate) * Art Pass holders: £5 * National Gallery Members: Free - no need to book **GETTING THERE:** Please see **[here](https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/visiting/plan-your-visit?utm_source=google&utm_medium=google_paid_aip&utm_campaign=aip-grant&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20156872443&gbraid=0AAAAADjwvWmrlcpoafVnxrzxUIX2NIOQ4&gclid=CjwKCAiAwNDMBhBfEiwAd7ti1L5DjMc-gZnFokiVy_SkfB-YDycoef5X7pFWQSyeFi8I7oYZn5-pcxoCxdoQAvD_BwE)** for more information. **EVENT WHATSAPP GROUP** If you are on the 'Going' list, please join the event WhatsApp group to help you find the group on the day. The link will be shared in the Event Comments below at least 48 hours before the event. *Joining this WhatsApp group will make your phone number visible to other members in the group.* **PLEASE READ:** LoMAZ events are run by volunteers. This event has an attendee limit as we prefer a smaller, friendlier group. If you RSVP but can no longer attend, please change your RSVP as soon as possible, **otherwise you will be marked as a 'no show'.** We remove members from the group who: * repeatedly sign up for events then 'no show' * repeatedly change their RSVP to 'No' * are on the event waitlist or have not RSVPd but turn up anyway. Please see the **[About Us section](https://www.meetup.com/london-museums-a-z-for-30s-40s/)** for more information about the group and how it works. Thank you for your interest in the group & being part of LoMAZ. 📸 **[Follow LoMAZ on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/londonmuseumsatoz?igsh=MTl5N3doNmJ6OXN1cA==)** Photo credit: Trafalgar Square, London by Benhard Cranach, 2014. Via Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Join us for The Fisherman by John Langan. In upstate New York, in the woods around Woodstock, Dutchman's Creek flows out of the Ashokan Reservoir. Steep-banked, fast-moving, it offers the promise of fine fishing, and of something more, a possibility too fantastic to be true. When Abe and Dan, two widowers who have found solace in each other's company and a shared passion for fishing, hear rumors of the Creek, and what might be found there, the remedy to both their losses, they dismiss it as just another fish story. Soon, though, the men find themselves drawn into a tale as deep and old as the Reservoir. It's a tale of dark pacts, of long-buried secrets, and of a mysterious figure known as Der Fisher: the Fisherman. It will bring Abe and Dan face to face with all that they have lost, and with the price they must pay to regain it.

Join the Columbus AI community for our quarterly gathering — a casual, community-focused evening where everyone has a chance to share, learn, and connect. These open mic–style events give anyone in the community up to **5 minutes** to present a project, share a tool, pose a question, or offer a perspective on the evolving AI space. No slides required — just a welcoming space to exchange ideas and keep the local AI conversation moving. If you’d like to take the stage, message **Chris (the organizer)** with a **title and short description** of what you’d like to share. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.transformlabs.com/services)

**Our February novel is: Julia by Sandra Newman** **This month is a classic, dystopian, fiction, literary fiction, women’s fiction, and science fiction novel. The book is 394 pages in print and 14 hours and 20 minutes on audiobook.** **An imaginative, feminist, and brilliantly relevant-to-today retelling of Orwell’s 1984, from the point of view of Winston Smith’s lover, Julia, by critically acclaimed novelist Sandra Newman.** Julia Worthing is a mechanic, working in the Fiction Department at the Ministry of Truth. It’s 1984, and Britain (now called Airstrip One) has long been absorbed into the larger trans-Atlantic nation of Oceania. Oceania has been at war for as long as anyone can remember, and is ruled by an ultra-totalitarian Party, whose leader is a quasi-mythical figure called Big Brother. In short, everything about this world is as it is in Orwell’s 1984. All her life, Julia has known only Oceania, and, until she meets Winston Smith, she has never imagined anything else. She is an ideal citizen: cheerfully cynical, always ready with a bribe, piously repeating every political slogan while believing in nothing. She routinely breaks the rules, but also collaborates with the regime when necessary. Everyone likes Julia. Then one day she finds herself walking toward Winston Smith in a corridor and impulsively slips him a note, setting in motion the devastating, unforgettable events of the classic story. Julia takes us on a surprising journey through Orwell’s now-iconic dystopia, with twists that reveal unexpected sides not only to Julia, but to other familiar figures in the 1984 universe. This unique perspective lays bare our own world in haunting and provocative ways, just as the original did almost seventy-five years ago.

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Sunday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at noon on Sundays. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 12:00 - quick intros. 12:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 1:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 1-1:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Sunday!