What ‘Chinese New Year’ Looks Like in South London! (22.1.2023)

It is the Year of the ‘White’ Rabbit and the traditional year in China is ‘4721’ since the reign of the Yellow Emperor! This surprises many people, as all they have known throughout their lives is the Judeo-Christian calendar. As this calendar became ‘secularised’ due to the rise of the rich merchants (Bourgeoisie), the industralisation of society and the development of capitalism – many ‘Socialist’ countries have adopted its use as an expedient device designed to aid international relations – and China is no exception. Of course, we are effectively discussing comparative mythology, but my point is that China currently represents the ‘oldest’, ‘continuous’ and ‘unbroken’ culture in the world – and not the ‘West’. Today, the temperature is 3 – Celsius in Sutton, South London, and I do not think any sane rabbit would be hopping about amongst the crisp frost! Whilst the family still slumbers – I thought I would share a video and some photographs whilst hoping the Revolution will come sooner rather than later – and that all the unjust suffering humanity is experiencing due to the capitalist system will be brought to an end! We can live in hope!

Monument: Water-Trough and Cross – William Francis Gamul Farmer (1812- 1860) – BellGate Entrance – (East) Nonsuch Park [Cheam] (11.8.2022)  

Willian Francis Gamul Farmer married one ‘Matilda Farmer (nee ‘Wilkinson’) [1815-1889] and produced eleven children with here – seven boys and four girls. The names of his children were William Robert Gamul Farmer, Thomas Allix Farmer, Matilda Frances Farmer, George Lancelot McLean Farmer, Margaret Anna Farmer, Emily Mary Farmer, Charles Edward Farmer, Revd. James Edmund Gamul Farmer, Henry Lowth Farmer, Catherine Augusta Farmer and Francis Colebrooke Farmer. He inherited from his grandfather when aged 26 years old (in 1838) and again from his father – William Meeke Farmer (1778-1840) – when he was 28 years old in 1840! This is why he lived the care-free life associated with the landed gentry. Willian Francis Gamul Farmer was appointed Deputy Lieutenant for Surrey before reaching the Office of High Sheriff of the County of Surrey – when he received his appointment in 1849 (when he was around 37 years old). Indeed, so important a person was he – that an oil painting was commissioned to record this important event – which seems to show him around 37 years old (although I cannot find any verification for the date or the name of the artist, etc).  

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