On 2 November 1936, the BBC’s first high definition television service was officially inaugurated with a transmission from Alexandra Palace. The programme was received by only 20,000 television-owning homes within 35 miles of the palace and was described as ‘flickering’.

On 2 November 1953 the Samaritans, based in the crypt of St Stephen’s Walbrook, received its first call. It was founded by the Revd Chad Varah, vicar of St Stephen’s, with the stated aim ‘to befriend the suicidal and despairing’

On 2 November 1824 Henry Fauntleroy, a partner of Marsh, Sibbald 81 Co., bankers of Berners Street, was sentenced to death for forgery. He was executed at Newgate before an estimated 100,000 people

In Star Yard Holborn stands a late Victorian gents’ ‘pissoir’. Another one in is to be found in Twickenham, a similar example is in Regency Street

In 19th century London, middle class men lived to 45, workmen and labourers life spanned half that time and children were lucky to survive until five

It was at the Merchant Taylor’s Hall, in 1607 in honour of King James I, that the National Anthem was first sung

The West End’s oldest theatre, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, is also reported to be haunted by the Victorian music hall star and panto dame Dan Leno, whose spirit is said to exude the scent of lavender oil

You are allowed to use a camera in a London Royal Park, but not a tripod, nothing is mentioned about the use of a monopod

Richmond Golf Club’s 1940 rules: Known unexploded bombs are marked by red flags at a not guaranteed safe distance, a player whose stroke is affected by a explosion may play another ball from the same place

There are thirty-three bridges of all types across the tidal Thames up to Teddington Lock, a distance of just under 99 miles

Filming on location in the Underground costs £500 per hour (plus VAT) unless you have a crew of less than five

At 440 feet the village of North End on the edge of Hampstead Heath is the highest inhabited point in London

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.