In the city of London . . . he had never, in the whole course of his life, found above three or four whom he could call throughly honest.
Tobias Smollett (1721-1771)
All posts by Gibson Square
London Trivia: Green Park bomb
On 9 October 1975 a man, thought to be the bomber died and 20 people were injured, two of them children, by a bomb planted at a bus stop close to Green Park tube station and the Ritz Hotel, Piccadilly.
On 9 October 1991 the first Sumo wrestling tournament ever staged outside Japan in the sport’s 1,500 year history took place at the Royal Albert Hall
Rudolf Hess was the last prisoner to be kept in the Tower of London, in 1941, after the plane he had been flying solo crashed in Scotland
St George the Martyr, Borough has 4 clock faces only 3 are illuminated as the 4th faces Bermondsey who refused to contribute to the funding of the building
A ‘cockney’s luxury’ is the slang term for breakfast in bed, followed by a good defecation in a chamber pot – just saying
In 1815, West Hampstead was such a quiet, rural enclave, that its residents were reported to have heard the cannon fire from the Battle of Waterloo at Brussels
Both Hampstead’s New End Theatre and Knightsbridge’s Pizza On the Park were entertainment venues converted from hospital mortuaries
Opened in 1652, Pasqua Rosee’s was the first coffee house in London. It was located on St Michael’s Alley and burned down during the Great Fire of 1666
London’s oldest surviving sports structure dates from 1534 and is the wall of a tennis court built at Whitehall Palace by Henry VIII, which now forms part of the Cabinet Office, backing onto Downing Street
Five stations on the Underground system are named after pubs: Elephant and Castle, Angel, Swiss Cottage, Royal Oak and Manor House
The first all-British plane was constructed under the viaduct on Walthamstow Marshes in 1909. Alliott Verdon Roe flew for record 280 metres
In 1994 The Stage newspaper advertised for streetwise, outgoing, ambitious girls auditioning at Dreamworks in Mayfair from 400 five became Spice Girls
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: Press 1 if you want to report a fault
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.
Press 1 if you want to report a fault (01.01.09)
I’m thinking of reporting a persistent fault to mobile phone manufacturers. It would appear that over use causes the device to adhere to the user’s ear.
Cabbies are getting increasing annoyed by our punters complete inability to communicate in the normal way. They hail you and mumble their destination while continuing a conversation on their mobiles. If you have the temerity to ask for clarification, Mobile Man, as yes dear reader it’s always the male of the financial services species, shoots you an annoyed glance designed to imply that you are a complete idiot.
They continue earnestly talking on their phone for the duration of the journey; I swear if I got a job from London to Manchester (if only) Mobile Man would not stop talking. Ladies reading this might like to reflect on the accusation that women rarely stop talking.
Now comes the clever part. After being told “why have you gone past my house” or “why did you take that route” Mobile Man alights. He then performs a feat worthily of Billy Smart’s Circus; phone in left hand, trying to retrieve money from one’s pocket with right hand and shutting the cab door with his foot, he juggles with commendable dexterity to pay you. Then and this is his piece de resistance, he asks for a receipt without breaking the flow of conversation on the phone.
He then wanders off, still talking; I suppose to find someone to help him prise the phone from his left ear.
Test Your Knowledge: October 2022
This month’s quiz is about all the street furniture in London we take for granted and therefore it could be titled: It’s a load of old bollards. 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. For what purpose did London’s first bollards originally serve?
Old lampost bases
WRONG The first bollards installed in London were French cannons. So many were captured at the Battle of Trafalgar, that the Government decided rather than waste them, they could protect kerbs from the thousands of iron-shod wheels of London’s carts. A cannonball was often inserted into the barrel, although copied in later years, some originals can still be found near Shakespeare’s Globe.
Captured naval cannons
CORRECT The first bollards installed in London were French cannons. So many were captured at the Battle of Trafalgar, that the Government decided rather than waste them, they could protect kerbs from the thousands of iron-shod wheels of London’s carts. A cannonball was often inserted into the barrel, although copied in later years, some originals can still be found near Shakespeare’s Globe.
Disused distance waymarkers
WRONG The first bollards installed in London were French cannons. So many were captured at the Battle of Trafalgar, that the Government decided rather than waste them, they could protect kerbs from the thousands of iron-shod wheels of London’s carts. A cannonball was often inserted into the barrel, although copied in later years, some originals can still be found near Shakespeare’s Globe.
2. All over London are to be found blue plaques, many erected by English Heritage. The Square Mile has only one official English Heritage plaque, who does it commemorate?
Charles Dickins
WRONG The brown plaque at 16 Gough Square is one of the earliest to survive, having been erected by the Society of Arts in 1876. Shortly thereafter, the society came to an agreement that any commemorations within the Square Mile would be handled by the City of London Corporation. Johnson’s was the only one to have been erected in the City up to that point. It is an anomaly in that it lies within the City of London which has no Blue Plaques commemorating historic sites.
Samuel Johnson
CORRECT The brown plaque at 16 Gough Square is one of the earliest to survive, having been erected by the Society of Arts in 1876. Shortly thereafter, the society came to an agreement that any commemorations within the Square Mile would be handled by the City of London Corporation. Johnson’s was the only one to have been erected in the City up to that point. It is an anomaly in that it lies within the City of London which has no Blue Plaques commemorating historic sites.
Samuel Pepys
WRONG The brown plaque at 16 Gough Square is one of the earliest to survive, having been erected by the Society of Arts in 1876. Shortly thereafter, the society came to an agreement that any commemorations within the Square Mile would be handled by the City of London Corporation. Johnson’s was the only one to have been erected in the City up to that point. It is an anomaly in that it lies within the City of London which has no Blue Plaques commemorating historic sites.
3. Once ubiquitous on London’s streets, police call boxes now only live on in the popular imagination thanks to Doctor Who. Outside which tube station can you still find a police box, albeit a 1990s pastiche?
Earls Court
CORRECT By 1953, there were 685 police boxes on the streets of London, but the arrival of the personal radio started to render them redundant. Back in the mid-1990s, Earl’s Court was still a very run-down area with plenty of prostitution and drugs, part of the clean-up was the introduction of a police box to give the local bobby somewhere to use as a local base of operations.
Barons Court
WRONG By 1953, there were 685 police boxes on the streets of London, but the arrival of the personal radio started to render them redundant. Back in the mid-1990s, Earl’s Court was still a very run-down area with plenty of prostitution and drugs, part of the clean-up was the introduction of a police box to give the local bobby somewhere to use as a local base of operations.
Tottenham Court Road
WRONG By 1953, there were 685 police boxes on the streets of London, but the arrival of the personal radio started to render them redundant. Back in the mid-1990s, Earl’s Court was still a very run-down area with plenty of prostitution and drugs, part of the clean-up was the introduction of a police box to give the local bobby somewhere to use as a local base of operations.
4. Behind the Savoy in Carting Lane can be found a lampost which gets its power from a very unusual source. What powers its illumination?
Methane
CORRECT The Webb Patent Sewer Gas Lamp was a sewer gas destructor lamp, designed to remove the dangerous build-up of methane in the sewers, it is the last of its kind in London.
Butane
WRONG The Webb Patent Sewer Gas Lamp was a sewer gas destructor lamp, designed to remove the dangerous build-up of methane in the sewers, it is the last of its kind in London.
Hydrogen
WRONG The Webb Patent Sewer Gas Lamp was a sewer gas destructor lamp, designed to remove the dangerous build-up of methane in the sewers, it is the last of its kind in London.
5. Where would you find a memorial to London’s last wolf?
Aldgate
CORRECT Aldgate pump has a wolf’s head protruding from its base, said to mark the spot where the last wolf was shot in the City of London.
Bishopsgate
WRONG Aldgate pump has a wolf’s head protruding from its base, said to mark the spot where the last wolf was shot in the City of London.
Moorgate
WRONG Aldgate pump has a wolf’s head protruding from its base, said to mark the spot where the last wolf was shot in the City of London.
6. A bench opposite Boudica’s statue near Big Ben commemorates its use by a famous politician. What is it called?
The Boris Bench
WRONG In 1885 Bismarck, Germany’s Chancellor on a state visit was taken to the Barclay Brewery in Southwark and asked if he would like to partake in a ‘drop’ of the company’s strongest brew. Bismarck was given a half-flagon which he emptied, he then due to a misunderstanding proceeded to down a second. Passing over Westminster Bridge, he ordered his vehicle to stop, alighted and promptly lurched towards a bench. Giving instructions to be woken in an hour.
The Bismarck Bench
CORRECT In 1885 Bismarck, Germany’s Chancellor on a state visit was taken to the Barclay Brewery in Southwark and asked if he would like to partake in a ‘drop’ of the company’s strongest brew. Bismarck was given a half-flagon which he emptied, he then due to a misunderstanding proceeded to down a second. Passing over Westminster Bridge, he ordered his vehicle to stop, alighted and promptly lurched towards a bench. Giving instructions to be woken in an hour.
The Betty Boothroyd Bench
WRONG In 1885 Bismarck, Germany’s Chancellor on a state visit was taken to the Barclay Brewery in Southwark and asked if he would like to partake in a ‘drop’ of the company’s strongest brew. Bismarck was given a half-flagon which he emptied, he then due to a misunderstanding proceeded to down a second. Passing over Westminster Bridge, he ordered his vehicle to stop, alighted and promptly lurched towards a bench. Giving instructions to be woken in an hour.
7. Since Queen Victoria’s reign, most post boxes have carried the monogram of the reigning monarch. Which king or queen has the fewest examples in London?
George VI
WRONG Edward VIII was king for only 327 days, so it’s hardly surprising that there are only 57 countrywide. London accounts for 10: Beckenham, Finchley, Mill Hill, Peckham, Southwark (2), NW4, SE6 (2), SE15.
Elizabeth II
WRONG Edward VIII was king for only 327 days, so it’s hardly surprising that there are only 57 countrywide. London accounts for 10: Beckenham, Finchley, Mill Hill, Peckham, Southwark (2), NW4, SE6 (2), SE15.
Edward VIII
CORRECT Edward VIII was king for only 327 days, so it’s hardly surprising that there are only 57 countrywide. London accounts for 10: Beckenham, Finchley, Mill Hill, Peckham, Southwark (2), NW4, SE6 (2), SE15.
8. The London Borough of Lambeth is the only London authority (apart from the City) to use Albertus typeface on its street signs, the rest of London uniformly uses Univers Bold Condensed. Why is Lambeth different?
Lambeth is a nuclear-free zone, the signage indicates you’re in a safe place
WRONG Berthold Ludwig Wolpe was a Jewish German designer born in Offenbach, he emigrated to England in 1935 and became a naturalized British citizen in 1947. He resided in Lambeth until he died in 1989. He named his famous typeface after Albertus Magnus, a 13th-century German philosopher and theologian.
A former leader of Lambeth Council designed the typeface
WRONG Berthold Ludwig Wolpe was a Jewish German designer born in Offenbach, he emigrated to England in 1935 and became a naturalized British citizen in 1947. He resided in Lambeth until he died in 1989. He named his famous typeface after Albertus Magnus, a 13th-century German philosopher and theologian.
The typeface designer lived in Lambeth
CORRECT Berthold Ludwig Wolpe was a Jewish German designer born in Offenbach, he emigrated to England in 1935 and became a naturalized British citizen in 1947. He resided in Lambeth until he died in 1989. He named his famous typeface after Albertus Magnus, a 13th-century German philosopher and theologian.
9. Outside London Zoo’s Penguin Beach is an early example of an object found on many of the Capital’s streets. What is it?
A phone box
CORRECT The early K3 telephone kiosk is made from pre-cast concrete sections. There were originally 12,000 K3 kiosks across the UK, but today only three remain — and this is the only one in London.
A Victorian postbox
WRONG The early K3 telephone kiosk is made from pre-cast concrete sections. There were originally 12,000 K3 kiosks across the UK, but today only three remain — and this is the only one in London.
An Edwardian gas lamp
WRONG The early K3 telephone kiosk is made from pre-cast concrete sections. There were originally 12,000 K3 kiosks across the UK, but today only three remain — and this is the only one in London.
10. Sir Goldsworthy Gurney is credited with designing a lifesaving piece of street furniture. Can you name the object?
Pedestrian road refuge island
WRONG Two engineers Joseph Bazalgette, and the excellently-named Sir Goldsworthy Gurney were brought in to build a proper sewer system to contain London’s waste and to design a simple way to ventilate the gases produced by its rotting. Gurney’s stink pipes follow, more-or-less, the route of the main sewers, the gas they ventilate is a delightful cocktail that includes methane, hydrogen sulphide and ammonia — all flammable, all smelly.
A stink pipe
CORRECT Two engineers Joseph Bazalgette, and the excellently-named Sir Goldsworthy Gurney were brought in to build a proper sewer system to contain London’s waste and to design a simple way to ventilate the gases produced by its rotting. Gurney’s stink pipes follow, more-or-less, the route of the main sewers, the gas they ventilate is a delightful cocktail that includes methane, hydrogen sulphide and ammonia — all flammable, all smelly.
Traffic lights
WRONG Two engineers Joseph Bazalgette, and the excellently-named Sir Goldsworthy Gurney were brought in to build a proper sewer system to contain London’s waste and to design a simple way to ventilate the gases produced by its rotting. Gurney’s stink pipes follow, more-or-less, the route of the main sewers, the gas they ventilate is a delightful cocktail that includes methane, hydrogen sulphide and ammonia — all flammable, all smelly.
11. As a bonus, what was the fate of the inventor of the pedestrian road refuge?
A bus ran over him as he cut the ribbon at its inauguration
WRONG In 1864 London’s first traffic island was built in St James’s Street. It was funded by one Colonel Pierpoint who was afraid of being knocked down on his way to (and more likely from) his Pall Mall club. When it was finished, the good colonel dashed across the road to admire his creation, tripped and was bowled over by a cab.
He stepped off his invention and was hit by a taxi
CORRECT In 1864 London’s first traffic island was built in St James’s Street. It was funded by one Colonel Pierpoint who was afraid of being knocked down on his way to (and more likely from) his Pall Mall club. When it was finished, the good colonel dashed across the road to admire his creation, tripped and was bowled over by a cab.
The manufacturer killed him in a dispute over payment
WRONG In 1864 London’s first traffic island was built in St James’s Street. It was funded by one Colonel Pierpoint who was afraid of being knocked down on his way to (and more likely from) his Pall Mall club. When it was finished, the good colonel dashed across the road to admire his creation, tripped and was bowled over by a cab.
Gaslighted
A few years ago Time Out (when it appeared in printed form) ran a series: Bloggers picks:15 things to do in London this Autumn, naturally CabbieBlog made a contribution and this was my take on Autumnal London.
See Victorian London blaze into life
There aren’t many places left in the capital where you feel like you may be in Dickensian London, but Kensington Palace Gardens is one of them. At night you’ll notice the soft glow emanating from the street lights: they’re a handful of the 1,500 Victorian gas lamps remaining in the city. Just five lamplighters maintain them – it’s a job so popular that vacancies are rarely advertised by British Gas. As dusk falls and the birds start to roost in the trees, a clockwork device inside each lamp turns on the gas jet, which is ignited by the continually burning pilot light. The flame then heats a silk casing coated in lime oxide which turns white-hot and gives off that misty glow. For a short time, modern-day London is but a memory.
Now if it wasn’t for the pressure group The London Gasketeers, Westminster would have replaced the last of these lamps with LEDs. The council had argued that repairs on the lamps were difficult and expensive, and led to dangerously darkened streets. The local authority will now consult with Historic England, with Cllr Rachael Robathan, the leader of the council, stating:
We all want to preserve these beautiful heritage lamps for the future, but in order to do that we need to make sure they can continue to operate going forward.
We shall be keeping a close watch on this authority’s ambitions for modernity.
