On Mother’s Day we sent Anne and her family to check out The Floating Showroom as it hosted an Origami Poetry Cafe.
Here’s what Anne had to say….
“It’s as original as it sounds.
Last Mother’s day, a cold, rainy and windy Sunday, I dragged my partner and two daughters (4 and 7 years old) across London. Just ten minutes from Oxford Circus found us at Warwick Avenue, a short walk from the Grand Union Canal, where the Pop Up Origami Poetry Café was moored, gently rocking and waiting for us.
Elizabeth helped us onto the boat and into her barge-come-café, beautifully decorated with origami swans and birds.
It was a lovely refuge from the dreary weather and as soon as our coats were taken, we were seated around a table and presented with an array of cakes – lemon drizzle, carrot, a delicious nutty tart! The choice of tea was fabulous and each of us got our own unique teapot to pour from. Mine (containing Jasmine tea) was an exotic flower; other guests had Earl Grey in teddy bear teapots. My daughters absolutely loved this!
Calories were put to one side (well, it was Mother’s day!) when we were given bowls of melted chocolate – really rich and velvety – and plates of strawberries and marshmallows for a chocolate fondue.
Then came the Poetry part. I confess, I didn’t know quite what to expect and was a little dubious. However, the poet in residence was really welcoming and explained exactly how she was going to create her poems. We each picked slips of paper with things like “A precious memory”, “A fun family time” on them and she left us to think of anecdotes to tell her. The poem she created for me brought me to tears it was so lovely (apparently, 75% of the mums she’d seen that day had done the same, so I didn’t feel too silly) because it was so personal to me and my family.
Last, but not least, the origami. I wasn’t sure my 4 year old would be quite up to the standard required, but Elizabeth was really patient and demonstrated each step. We had a choice of things to make, but we plumped for a doll’s dress – and I’m very proud of our results. The origami dresses now form a string of bunting in my daughters’ bedroom – a pretty reminder of our afternoon on the river.
If your little ones are in an overactive mood, this would not be the place to bring them, but my two were perfectly content to gorge themselves on chocolate and strawberries, and Elizabeth was great in keeping them amused with the origami that festooned the table.
The barge travels up and down the canals of London so you need to check the website to see where they’re going to be.”
Thank you Anne and family for your superb investigating work.
For more information please visit the website of The Floating Showroom
Future events on The Floating Showroom
Spring Time! – SUNDAY 3rd April (all day cafe)
Let’s welcome SPRING together! We will be folding some beautiful flowers, swans and singing birds. We will also refresh our wardrobe by folding some new dress and shirts designs. The Poems by Michelle Tiwo will be blooming…
Location – Kings Cross
Please email events@thefloatingshowroom.com or message on www.facebook.com/OrigamiPoetryCafe/ if you wish to attend, walk-ins are welcome but we cannot guarantee the space.
Noah’s Ark Kid’s Tea Party (2h workshop)
Every child loves animals and can roar like a lion. We will learn how to fold elephants, lions, giraffes and monkeys and we will place them on an origami boat. That will keep your child entertained for weeks!
SATURDAY 16th April 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm
SUNDAY 17th April 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm
Location – Angel
£15 per child includes a personalised poem, origami workshop, and snacks such as savoury buns, cakes and cupcakes decorated with animal faces, and a goody bag! There is a space for a parent if you want to join us or you could just drop your child with us.
Please email events@thefloatingshowroom.com or message on www.facebook.com/OrigamiPoetryCafe/ what date and time slot you would like to book and for how many children.
Disclosure – Anne and her family were guests of The Floating Showroom for the purposes of this review