Does anybody have a better ear than Rick Jones? I think it unlikely. For a decade Rick was the Evening Standard’s chief music critic. And what goes with that of course is that he writes beautifully.
Wait for it: Rick guides his tours in blank verse. That USP* enough for you? Should be. Several thousand guides in London – but Rick’s the only one who guides in blank verse. Blank verse he’s written. And speaks. Performs. Guides in.
He remains Secretary of the Critics Circle (founded 1913). He developed a form of costume journalism in which he reconstructed journeys, mostly walks, by famous individuals in costume. As JS Bach he walked across Germany, as Felix Mendelssohn he hiked across the Highlands of Scotland, as Edward Elgar he cycled across the Malvern Hills and as Shakespeare’s clown Will Kemp he danced across East Anglia.
What a hoot!
Anyway, this one is about Mrs. Thatcher and her Chelsea. In – this bears repeating – blank verse. By the former chief music critic of the Evening Standard. He’s a top-flight – and extremely creative, innovative – Blue Badge Guide these days.
*Unique Selling Point