Wednesday, May 27, 2009

The London Welshman who invented =

We've already looked at the London Welshman who invented the pi symbol; today, we've another London Welsh mathematician who invented the 'equals' symbol.

Robert Recorde was born in 1510 in Tenby, and went to Oxford University in 1525. Having taught maths there for a while, he went on to Cambridge to qualify as a doctor before moving to London. There, he was physician to Edward VI and controller of the Royal Mint. Among his publications was The Urinal of Physick, which sounds disrespectful but was actually a guide to the then-mainstream practice of making diagnoses by inspecting the patient's urine. In 1558, though, he would die in debtors' prison after being sued for libel by his enemy, the hugely powerful Earl of Pembroke.

Only a year earlier, he had published the snappily-titled The Whetstone of Witte, whiche is the seconde parte of Arithmeteke: containing the extraction of rootes; the cossike practise, with the rule of equation; and the workes of Surde Nombers. Whatever the shortcomings in the name of the book, the contents contained one amazing innovation: the introduction of the equals sign.


How did mathematicians manage before this invention? By writing the word, often in Latin, or using one's own choice of abbreviation such as aeq. How much easier it is to draw two quick lines - something for which we have to thank Robert Recorde. Even ardent Scrabble enthusiasts, however, probably don't thank him for his other invention: zenzizenzizenzic,* the English word with the most zs!

* Zenzizenzizenzic = the 8th power of a number. It's useless for Scrabble, which has only one Z and two blanks!


Sunday, May 24, 2009

Gwyneth Glyn: contemporary Welsh folk at the London Welsh Centre

Wednesday 3 June will be a very special evening at the London Welsh Centre as we're visited by acclaimed singer-songwriter Gwyneth Glyn. The Welsh Herald has described her as having 'a wonderful voice, haunting melodies and an extraordinary eloquence - a sorceress at work.' She is also a published poet and author, and was Wales' Children's Poet Laureate in 2006-7.

Gwyneth will be singing songs from her first two albums. For a taste of her music, listen at her myspace page.


Practical info
Time: 7.45pm, Wednesday 7 June 2009
Venue: the bar, London Welsh Centre, Gray's Inn Road
Tickets: £5 each, email huw@lwcentre.demon.co.uk or buy online

Monday, May 18, 2009

Wales: not where we thought

Whatever your precise definition of 'London Welsh', it's a safe bet that you include some reference to a country west of England. You're wrong, apparently.

Wolfram Alpha, 'computational knowledge engine' and supposed future of the internet/successor to Google, launched today. It's meant to compute accurate information on all sorts of things, including places, in a clearer and more in-depth format than Google. However, it thinks Wales is a town near Rotherham.*


Happily, there is more accurate information on 'Welsh'. As spoken near Rotherham, presumably.

* There is indeed a town of that name near Rotherham. It's not usually the only search result for 'Wales', though!

Friday, May 15, 2009

Tonight: comedy club with Shazia Mirza

Don't forget tonight's comedy club at the London Welsh Centre, featuring Robert White, Jen Brista and headliner Shazia Mirza. Tickets are only £10 and include a free drink!

Practical info
Venue: London Welsh Centre, Gray's Inn Road
Time: Friday 15 May, 8pm (doors open 7.30)
Booking: 0207 837 3722 / pay on door.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

One-day Welsh course

Fancy learning Welsh but feel worried about mutations, consonants that turn out to be vowels, and the fact you haven't spoken it since school/some time last century/ever?

Already learning Welsh and would like an opportunity to practice without leaving the city?

We have the perfect solution!

The one-day Welsh course on Saturday 13 June is a chance to enjoy lessons in friendly, relaxed classes with an expert tutor. What's more, it's a real bargain at £30 for a full day, including tea, coffee and two-course lunch.

For more information and a booking form, contact Theo on tbpdc@anoeth.demon.co.uk
Location: London Welsh Centre, 157-163 Gray's Inn Road, WC1
Times: 9.30-5.30
Register by: 1 June 2009

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Fun and a free drink next Friday!

On Friday 15 May, There's Lovely See comedy night returns to the London Welsh Centre with a superb line-up. Come along to enjoy the 'quickfire wit and relentless energy' of Robert White, 'surreal ideas and slick banter' of Jen Brista and the 'life-enhancingly funny' Shazia Mirza - as seen on Have I Got News For You! The resident MC is Sion James and - as if all that wasn't enough to tempt you - there's a free drink with every ticket.

Practical info
Venue: London Welsh Centre, Gray's Inn Road
Time: Friday 15 May, 8pm (doors open 7.30)
Booking: 0207 837 3722 / pay on door.

Quotations courtesy of the
Brighton Argus, Sunday Times and Guardian.