Jeni Barnett

In 1949 I was born into the slums of the East End of London. I was surrounded by Jews, and more Jews. We ate hot bagels from Petticoat Lane. We ate at Blooms’ Kosher restaurant and were allowed to skip school assemblies because we weren’t Church of England. I felt different. We were rehoused in … Read more

There’s a stillness in the air. The rain has stopped, the Michaelmas Daisies are dead.  The tomatoes, spinach and runner beans are gone and a lone marigold is drooping her head by the pots of peonies. There’s a quietude; we’re waiting for something to happen. I keep getting emails and messages asking me what I … Read more

All of a sudden I was working. From out of the blue I had to do a self tape. A self tape is me sitting in front of a screen, Jim’s phone on a tripod, and me identifying myself as an ageing actress with an ageing profile and wrinkled hands. Jim joined me on the … Read more

Every human being has a right of reply. Every human being should be able to speak their truth and be listened to. Every human being should be given the basics of life; food, air, water and companionable relationships. Every human being that is except for Suella Braverman. I have read up on her. And by … Read more

Jupiter’s in retrograde, encouraging us all to be introspective and thoughtful, are you listening Rishi? Not content with saying and doing nothing the idiot that calls himself Prime Minister has now trashed Net Zero. We’re in the Hebrew year of 5784, which according to Jewish soothsayers is a year of open doors. Are you listening … Read more

On August 23rd the old git was 80. It was a long time coming. One minute he was 34 with all his teeth, a mop of curly hair, a motorbike, acting jobs coming out of his ears, and a fancy car that you had to slip into. And then kaboosh it’s a second hand Golf, … Read more

1981: I was working on a sit-com at ATV studios in Elstree. I was cast as the sexy secretary although my agent had sent me up for the role of the mother of two. I was 33 and even though I say it myself, was good looking in an exotic kinda way and fearless. Not … Read more

I’ve lived where I live for nearly forty years. I have no desire to keep moving on, up or out. My cottage is small – so small I couldn’t hang a Hockney if I tried, although we do have pictures and photographs and all sorts of bollox on the walls. We have a view from … Read more

There is absolutely no defence in awarding North Sea Oil new licences. There is no defence even if you are a simpering little Sunak who thinks he knows best. The world is on fire and Rodent Rishi believes that handing out money for oil and gas is the right way to go. The world is … Read more

To get to Forest Row – a Rudolph Steiner village where the organic veg grows on trees and the village hall hosts yoga, qi gong classes and theatrical performances, you have to drive down New Road then bare left over a cattle grid. The Duddleswell Tea Rooms have their chairs still stacked, waiting for summer … Read more