Monthly Archives: February 2022
London in Quotations: Iain Sinclair
London is a city that sleeps too much. This is the mould of its quality. A magnetic contract: to reinvent itself on the other side of dream, each day. And such dreams, smouldering against the tidal spine of the river, telling and retelling the tales that must be told to manifest a city’s bones. Whispering the night architecture back into stone.
Iain Sinclair (b.1943), London: A City of Disappearances
London Trivia: England on the bench
On 6 February 2007 uniquely in the history of world football, London staged four internationals that night, not one of which involved England. There were 60,000 at the Emirates Stadium for Brazil v. Portugal; 24,500 at Loftus Road for Australia v. Denmark; Craven Cottage hosted South Korea v. Greece, and Griffin Park saw Ghana play Nigeria. An estimated 400 million worldwide watched the matches.
On 6 February 2005 Tony Blair became Labour’s longest serving Prime Minister after 2,838 days in office, in 1997 he became the youngest premier of the 20th century, when he came to power at the age of 43
Wapping High Street is home to the Thames Police, founded in 1798 as the Marine Police, the world’s oldest organised police force
Medieval London’s streets moral impurity was underlined by their names: Codpiece Lane, Sluts’ Hole, Cuckold Court, Whores’ Nest, Maiden Lane
King William III’s statue in St. James’s Square, shows his horse riding over a molehill which caused it to rear and the king fell dying as a result
Bridewell Palace was where in 1528 a papal delegation had preliminary meetings to discuss Henry VIII’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon
A blue plaque commemorates the site of the Tabard Inn, immortalised in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, in Talbot Yard, Southwark
Waterstone’s Piccadilly London’s largest bookshop claims to be Europe’s biggest, six floors, over eight miles of shelves, with over 200,000 titles
The Surbiton Club hired a ‘marker’ for its billiard room with an allowance of 18 gallons on beer a month. The first was not surprisingly sacked for drunkenness
The Central Line has the most tube stations with no surface building (Bank, Bethnal Green, Chancery Lane, Gants Hill, Notting Hill Gate)
The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers possesses the world’s oldest collection of clocks and watches, now housed at the Science Museum it possesses some 600 watches, 80 clocks and 25 marine timekeepers
Next time you call someone a ‘right Charlie’ think twice. It’s Rhyming Slang origin is Charlie ‘HUNT’ – so not very polite at all!
Trivial Matter: London in 140 characters is taken from the daily Twitter feed @cabbieblog.
A guide to the symbols used here and source material can be found on the Trivial Matter page.
Previously Posted: Your number’s up
For those new to CabbieBlog or readers who are slightly forgetful, on Saturdays I’m republishing posts, many going back over a decade. Some will still be very relevant while others have become dated over time. Just think of this post as your weekend paper supplement.
Your number’s up (13.03.09)
Now all of you from countries that take pride in your national identity take note. It is now officially illegal to have British, English, Scottish or Welsh flags displayed on your vehicle number plate or for that matter French, German or Italian flags displayed – but it goes without saying that you can have the European Union flag.
Thousands of ordinary motorists have been unwittingly breaking the law after this mendacious Government backtracked on a promise to legalise the display of National flags on vehicle number plates. Ministers had said they would take action to exempt British drivers from European Union inspired legislation, which also outlawed the Cross of St. George, the Scottish Saltire and the Red Dragon. But of course, that promise was never kept and it is only now that the true purpose of this legislation has been revealed. This absurd fiasco means that for the past seven years motorists with national flags displayed on their number plates have unknowingly been risking prosecution, a fine of £1,000, an MOT failure for their vehicle or a stop note and an overhaul failure on their taxi if they have the temerity to display a national flag on their number plate and indeed some motorists have been successfully prosecuted for this.
Under the current regulations in their original form, the only insignia allowed is the 12-star circle of the European Union. Motorists have to choose either a plain plate without a symbol or one with the European Union emblem and the letters GB on the left-hand side. Of course, these so-called ministers, who think they are speaking for the whole country, claimed the move was justified, like English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Ireland symbols would only confuse the police forces of other European Union countries. How can these Ministers even contemplate this thinking? Do England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland not exist then? This shows you how far the corrupt European Union has intruded into the workings and laws of ordinary citizens all over Europe.
When the entire population has been given a criminal record and is on the National Register Database, will our wonderful politicians finally be happy and sleep peacefully? Is this some sort of master plan to stamp out any last vestige on national identity or pride?
Gordon Brown and his fellow European bureaucrats’ should note that people want a national identity, going down this long slippery slope increases jingoistic feeling and an attitude of Little Englanders. Stop it now before it is too late because across Europe we have some serious identity problems, your well-paid gravy trains are not worth it.
Test Your Knowledge: February 2022
Ihope you enjoyed January’s questions and even managed to answer a few. This month’s quiz is about memorials and monuments in London. As before the correct answer will turn green when it’s clicked upon and expanded to give more information. The incorrect answers will turn red giving the correct explanation.
1. Which Blue Plaque uses the typeface designed by its recipient?
Edward Johnston
CORRECT Johnston’s eponymous font was introduced onto London’s transport system in 1916 and with minor modifications is still in use. The blue plaque at 3 Hammersmith Terrace is the only one using a typeface designed by the person so commemorated.
William Caslon
WRONG Johnston’s eponymous font was introduced onto London’s transport system in 1916 and with minor modifications is still in use. The blue plaque at 3 Hammersmith Terrace is the only one using a typeface designed by the person so commemorated.
Emery Walker
WRONG Johnston’s eponymous font was introduced onto London’s transport system in 1916 and with minor modifications is still in use. The blue plaque at 3 Hammersmith Terrace is the only one using a typeface designed by the person so commemorated.
2. What is Florence Nightingale’s statue made from?
Bronze
WRONG The statue of Florence Nightingale on the north terrace of St. Thomas’ Hospital is an oddity, the bronze original was stolen in 1970 and has never been recovered. Its replacement is a plastic-composite.
Plastic
CORRECT The statue of Florence Nightingale on the north terrace of St. Thomas’ Hospital is an oddity, the bronze original was stolen in 1970 and has never been recovered. Its replacement is a plastic-composite.
Marble
WRONG The statue of Florence Nightingale on the north terrace of St. Thomas’ Hospital is an oddity, the bronze original was stolen in 1970 and has never been recovered. Its replacement is a plastic-composite.
3. Why was Ben Jonson buried standing up?
To use less space
CORRECT Approaching death in considerably reduced circumstances, Ben Jonson managed to bag a place at Westminster Abbey in Poet’s Corner, by having a plot of only 18in square. Paying just eighteen pence for the inscription the stonemason misspelt his name: O Rare Ben Johnson. I guess you get what you pay for.
He said he would never lie down to die
WRONG Approaching death in considerably reduced circumstances, Ben Jonson managed to bag a place at Westminster Abbey in Poet’s Corner, by having a plot of only 18in square. Paying just eighteen pence for the inscription the stonemason misspelt his name: O Rare Ben Johnson. I guess you get what you pay for.
They couldn’t find a casket long enough
WRONG Approaching death in considerably reduced circumstances, Ben Jonson managed to bag a place at Westminster Abbey in Poet’s Corner, by having a plot of only 18in square. Paying just eighteen pence for the inscription the stonemason misspelt his name: O Rare Ben Johnson. I guess you get what you pay for.
4. Who has the most equestrian statues in London?
Queen Victoria
WRONG Arthur Wellesley, otherwise known as the 1st Duke of Wellington, can be admired in two public statues, both equestrian. One stands in front of the Royal Exchange above Bank station, the other lurks close to his former home of Apsley House on Hyde Park Corner. Once an enormous equestrian statue stood on top of Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner, hated by the public it has long since moved to Aldershot Barracks. Queen Victoria has, at more than 10, the most statues in London, but none seated on a horse. Churchill has three, one of which is sitting, not on a horse but on a bench with Theodore Roosevelt.
Winston Churchill
WRONG Arthur Wellesley, otherwise known as the 1st Duke of Wellington, can be admired in two public statues, both equestrian. One stands in front of the Royal Exchange above Bank station, the other lurks close to his former home of Apsley House on Hyde Park Corner. Once an enormous equestrian statue stood on top of Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner, hated by the public it has long since moved to Aldershot Barracks. Queen Victoria has, at more than 10, the most statues in London, but none seated on a horse. Churchill has three, one of which is sitting, not on a horse but on a bench with Theodore Roosevelt.
Arthur Wellesley
CORRECT Arthur Wellesley, otherwise known as the 1st Duke of Wellington, can be admired in two public statues, both equestrian. One stands in front of the Royal Exchange above Bank station, the other lurks close to his former home of Apsley House on Hyde Park Corner. Once an enormous equestrian statue stood on top of Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner, hated by the public it has long since moved to Aldershot Barracks. Queen Victoria has, at more than 10, the most statues in London, but none seated on a horse. Churchill has three, one of which is sitting, not on a horse but on a bench with Theodore Roosevelt.
5. Sir Sidney Waterlow’s statue can claim a first. What is it?
He holds an umbrella
CORRECT In Waterlow Park off Highgate Hill the statue of Sir Sidney Waterlow Bt, MP is almost certainly the first statue ever to depict a man with an umbrella. He also holds a key, signifying his generosity in giving the eponymous park to the people.
He holds a key
WRONG In Waterlow Park off Highgate Hill the statue of Sir Sidney Waterlow Bt, MP is almost certainly the first statue ever to depict a man with an umbrella. He also holds a key, signifying his generosity in giving the eponymous park to the people.
He holds some scales
WRONG In Waterlow Park off Highgate Hill the statue of Sir Sidney Waterlow Bt, MP is almost certainly the first statue ever to depict a man with an umbrella. He also holds a key, signifying his generosity in giving the eponymous park to the people.
6. A carving of St Matthew in Henry VII Chapel at Westminster Abbey could be a world’s first. Why?
Jesus is looking over his shoulder
WRONG St. Matthew is reading a book wearing a pair of glasses.
He is wearing spectacles
CORRECT St. Matthew is reading a book wearing a pair of glasses.
The Devil is under his foot
WRONG St. Matthew is reading a book wearing a pair of glasses.
7. William Huskisson has what claim to fame?
He opposed female emancipation
WRONG In Pimlico Gardens stands a toga-wearing William Huskisson, a man whose sole distinction was to be the first man ever to be knocked down and killed by a train, dubbed ‘Boredom rising from the Bath’.
His statue celebrates the freedom to wear one’s choice of clothing
WRONG In Pimlico Gardens stands a toga-wearing William Huskisson, a man whose sole distinction was to be the first man ever to be knocked down and killed by a train, dubbed ‘Boredom rising from the Bath’.
He was killed by a train
CORRECT In Pimlico Gardens stands a toga-wearing William Huskisson, a man whose sole distinction was to be the first man ever to be knocked down and killed by a train, dubbed ‘Boredom rising from the Bath’.
8. John Wilkes has a life-sized statue on Fetter Lane, what is unique about it?
He has an extra finger
WRONG Once given the accolade as ’the ugliest man in England’ John Wilkes’ statue on Fetter Lane faithfully reproduces his likeness and is thought to be the only cross-eyed statue to be found in London, his other attributes: protruding jaw, dropsically ugliness, a pug-jawed appearance are to be found, but his spectacular drunkenness has not been reproduced standing upon his plinth striking a frankly rather camp pose.
He has one ear
WRONG Once given the accolade as ’the ugliest man in England’ John Wilkes’ statue on Fetter Lane faithfully reproduces his likeness and is thought to be the only cross-eyed statue to be found in London, his other attributes: protruding jaw, dropsically ugliness, a pug-jawed appearance are to be found, but his spectacular drunkenness has not been reproduced standing upon his plinth striking a frankly rather camp pose.
He has a squint
CORRECT Once given the accolade as ’the ugliest man in England’ John Wilkes’ statue on Fetter Lane faithfully reproduces his likeness and is thought to be the only cross-eyed statue to be found in London, his other attributes: protruding jaw, dropsically ugliness, a pug-jawed appearance are to be found, but his spectacular drunkenness has not been reproduced standing upon his plinth striking a frankly rather camp pose.
9. Fred Peters has what unique inscription on his memorial plaque?
A Braille inscription
CORRECT Written in Braille, a memorial tablet is affixed to the railings of St. John’s in Hackney. It is in memory of ‘Blind Fred’, apparently a cheery match seller who for many years had his pitch on this spot.
A map
WRONG Written in Braille, a memorial tablet is affixed to the railings of St. John’s in Hackney. It is in memory of ‘Blind Fred’, apparently a cheery match seller who for many years had his pitch on this spot.
His poem
WRONG Written in Braille, a memorial tablet is affixed to the railings of St. John’s in Hackney. It is in memory of ‘Blind Fred’, apparently a cheery match seller who for many years had his pitch on this spot.
10. The Achilles statue on Park Lane has had what addition?
A sword
WRONG Nude and originally anatomically correct, if you get my drift, but after the women who had paid for its erection realised that all parts of a man’s anatomy scale up in size proportionately, a fig leaf was added later to save blushes. The addition has been chipped off twice – in 1870 and 1961, probably to see what’s underneath.
A fig leaf
CORRECT Nude and originally anatomically correct, if you get my drift, but after the women who had paid for its erection realised that all parts of a man’s anatomy scale up in size proportionately, a fig leaf was added later to save blushes. The addition has been chipped off twice – in 1870 and 1961, probably to see what’s underneath.
A shield
WRONG Nude and originally anatomically correct, if you get my drift, but after the women who had paid for its erection realised that all parts of a man’s anatomy scale up in size proportionately, a fig leaf was added later to save blushes. The addition has been chipped off twice – in 1870 and 1961, probably to see what’s underneath.
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