Docklands Light Radio (DLR)

Docklands Light Radio’s interview guest has had the task of converting a commercial rented property into a state of the art training facility the London’s Police Service, and in so doing, creating a technological tour de force, an equality mirroring catchment for the capital’s wide-reaching diverse communities, a teaching institution to compete with local, national worldwide tertiary educational competitors and at the same time, represent the values of Anglia Ruskin University: a thoroughly “modern” institution which reaches out to students from all over the world as well as local learners, of whom a large proportion are the first in their family to have been involved in education at such an elite level.

Having spent time in a white, neoclassical-headquartered campus of a business school located among the rolling green lawns abutting the Thames on which the annual Royal Regatta is rowed, Ashley is now working in a neoclassical facade-ed, granite concrete constructed "gritty" university in the East End of London's Tower Hamlets... better known, in the past, for being within the Kray Brothers' neighbourhood.But Queen Mary University punches above its weight, attracting students from all over the world (some of whom come to London have their "digs" in £4,000 a month flats) - QMU being their choice among the stable of competitors which include renown institutions such as London School of Economics.What inspires Ashley to commute for two hours each way? His passion for marketing an organisation whose values match his own: "Best Practice" of Diversity Equality, it's unique location, extensive campus breadth of student intake...The interview is not about piety political correctness, it's peppered with anecdotes about the small things in life which all add up to a household with different people with a common purpose, is class or race or the way one puts the bread back in the freezer or the logo on a Playstation a dealbreaker ... the signs of a family in stress? Quite the opposite: they are the demonstrations that a mother, father children can laugh at each other's differences, pull together grow to show their contemporaries that contrasts complement each other... enhancing experience tolerance which create more cohesive communities.

Marcus doesn't have an easy "job" - he's the pastor of a church in a most unique part of London's East End: the financial riches of Canary Wharf are less than 50m away, the poverty of Tower Hamlets arguably even closer.

 As winter 2020 approaches, since the beginning of the year, Marcus has delivered his sermons from St Peter's Barge, London Museum Docklands, the local Vue Cinema now... via the internet!

There are, of course, all "side" issues in relation to administering to his congregation leading / caring within the community:

The Census identified at least 90 different languages (or groups of languages) being used in the borough. Research  found that Tower Hamlets is the 4th most linguistically diverse area in England and Wales, in terms of the mix of languages spoken.

Over a 1/2hr interview with Docklands Light Radio, Marcus discusses our live's choices, God's options in response to our choices and also explains how he found initially his way into his profession... vocation... calling.

He also gives his answer its reasoning to the question of "what's the relationship between faith religion"

Helicopter Pilot Ambition, Sighthound Owner, Four Bomb Neighbour Osteopath... the man who wants another bridge across the Thames!

Is it really a work environment we were proud of or want to return to?

Perhaps it's amusing and the pandemic puts a temporary but different perspective on life but "being driven" by a grind of deadlines, a never ending mountain of responsibilities, feeling the need to wear a symbol, lose touch with with health no longer talk to strangers is maybe not something to aspire ... especially looking backward regarding it as a model for going forward

It's somebody very sure of themselves, or who really wants to help to get forward into a gang who have demolished several litres of vodka, many sports/high energy drinks and then have started on the NOS (those little silver capsules of "laughing gas"). Robin's been fortunate in life but in retirement, he's now busier than ever before, helping those around him whether in start-up businesses, roaming the streets, his family who fancy some home comforts central heating... or even just fellow dog-owners!

It's difficult to decide on whether somebody asking for money who seems to be sleeping on the street... do they need sympathy or money or food or practical support... or in some cases, are they a student "blagging it" or a professional beggar.

Canary Wharf hosts all these variations - visible invisible... and they are now becoming more apparent now "lockdown" ends habits behaviours change from  those of the spring the summer.

https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lgnl/housing/housing_options_service/homelessness_advice_and_supp/helping_the_homeless.aspx

Cris' description of his work is "we're serving the neighbourhood, our church is the container for the local community. To some, we’ve been the Sunday pitstop. Since the pandemic we're also now part of a lot more people’s Monday to Saturday.

Corporate lawyer, philanthropist business mentor Robin chats to Matthew about some of the things he's noticed about his 'hood... the interesting calming places to visit but in addition, some of the interesting new business opportunities which are growing during this time of adversity.

Laurent's compelling story runs from today's "despite Covid I'm Good Busy" back as far as "I was successful but nobody wanted anything to do with me" and in the middle, involves a life change and unexpected career switch.

Laurent explains the person he was, the positivity he now lives by and some of his "life beliefs" which he has found on the way. Religion money don't feature in his story but Andy who interviews him hears about the transformation which has resulted in a person who is happy in his own skin whose task it is to bring positivity to those around him