Jeni Barnett

You dont ramble in the city, you may wander but you don’t ramble. Wandering through Soho. Wandering round Tower Hill. You don’t ramble up Regents Street you wander and mooch. When I moved down to East Sussex, 40 years ago, I didn’t wander or ramble anywhere. I was fixated on my work. I could have … Read more

It’s 3.00 a.m.and the wind is mighty. I can hear the pentatonic clanging of the mobile in the garden, The fire died around ten o’clock, the house is now silent all the occupants in bed ‘cept me. On Facebook I call Bonnie in Holloway, she dips her hand into a pot, sifting through a pile … Read more

What a time it is. What a time when an unhinged arsehole is leader of the free world. What a time when not agreeing to a war is an act of sedition. What a time when a right wing journalist can stand at a Washington podium and spout hate. I want to write fun stuff … Read more

I’d been working for at least twenty years before I realised there was a revenue stream for the voice. Kate Hardie, a delicious young actress, told me to contact Yakety Yak a voice over agency to see if they would take me on. I called and Helen picked up the phone. ‘Make a show reel, … Read more

I know a woman who decorates her house every five minutes. From pale blue dados to blushing pink borders. I have never said anything but her house is boring. The space is neither comforting nor vibrant it’s just clean. Modern interior design is not my taste. Bland colours and square kitchen islands do not speak … Read more

I tried praying as a child, kneeling at the side of my bed and putting my hands together. I’d seen it in picture books, all be it that it was often blonde white children wearing dressings gowns their hair immaculately combed. I seen them do it. How hard could it be? I didn’t factor in … Read more

I’ve been sleeping on the settee for three weeks. It’s not a bad thing only psychologically it feels like I haven’t slept for twenty one days. My shoulder fracture is getting better, but I still can’t drive or pull my socks up. I sat at the computer and asked the God of Kidneys to find … Read more

The Buddhist monks walking through America with their rescue dog Aloka is an extraordinary sight. The calm they bring. Hundreds of people lining the road as they walk for Peace. Their orange robes wrapped round them through rain and snow. Quietly entering peoples hearts. Talking with children, accepting flowers, Aloka padding along beside them. The … Read more

As if things couldn’t get any worse I am now writing one handed. Of course I feel sorry for myself, and for himself and for the dawter who is trying to live her life while everything around her swims into double vision. On last Wednesday I baby stepped to my car, rain lashing my glasses … Read more

My first professional job was at The Watford Palace Theatre. I was familiar with the beautiful theatre as my mother took me regularly to see all sorts. I liked the front row, touching the stage and smelling the grease paint. I went to Watford School of Music aged thirteen. Studying to be a concert pianist … Read more