London is like a great bird-cage. She, that innocent, gentle and single-hearted, is fluttering in there along with other millions. She can’t get out. She’s at the mercy of any cold-eyed, rapacious brute who will get her into a corner.
Maurice Hewlett (1861–1923), Mrs. Lancelot
On 12 December 1988, three commuter trains crashed near Clapham Junction. One train stopped due to a signal malfunction, another collided into it, while a third train ploughed into the wreckage, 35 died and 415 were injured.
On 12 December 1898, Fulham London’s oldest football club was granted professional status
Serial billiard ball thief Harry Jackson received seven years jail for two convictions – how times have changed
The house numbering in Downing Street used to be different. Number 10 was originally No 5 and did not acquire its present number until 1779
Henry Campbell-Bannerman has been the only British Prime Minister to die at 10 Downing Street. He died there in April 1908
While Cromwell never readmitted Jews a London colony of Sephardic Jews was identified in 1656 and allowed to remain – first time since 1290
In Elizabethan theatre different coloured flags were used to advertise the play’s theme – black flag tragedy, white comedy and red history
Until 1983 women could not be served at the bar in Fleet Street’s El Vino – only when seated at a table served, presumably by a subservient waiter
On 12 December 1988 the first satellite pictures were beamed to over 2,000 London betting shopsbroadcasting live horse racing
The tallest escalator on the Underground is at the Angel with a length of 197ft (making it the world’s longest) and a vertical rise of 90ft
London Scientist Christopher Merret invented sparkling wine in 1662, Champagne didn’t come on the scene until 1697
17th century diarist John Evelyn proposed moving smoky industries out of London and then encircling with ‘sweet-smelling plants and hedges’
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.
CYCLE LANE (n.) A throughfare to assist the perambulation by those whose countenance carries a self-satisfied smirk as they pass stationary vehicles
Dr. Johnson’s London Dictionary for publick consumption in the twenty-first century avail yourself on Twitter @JohnsonsLondon
We challenge our contributors to reply to ten devilishly probing questions about their London and we don’t take “Sorry Gov” for an answer. Everyone sitting in the hot seat they will face the same questions ranging from their favourite way to spend a day out in the capital to their most hated building on London’s skyline to find out what Londoners really think about their city. The questions are the same but the answers vary wildly.
Born and raised in Barnes, SW London, I started in the print industry back in 1982, retrained as a journalist in the mid-1990s doing gig reviews for the Birmingham Post & Mail, freelancing for BBC MOTD magazine and BBC Radio 5. I then worked on a print & paper sector magazine and spent 6 years with Haymarket Publishing, travelling all over Europe and USA & Canada. I formed my own PR Consultancy in 2006, and have been dealing with clients across a vast array of sectors, most latterly as PR & Communications for London Taxi PR, promoting and organising media campaigns on behalf of the London Taxi profession.
I’ve written 2 books. London’s Loveable Villain is about my great uncle, Chick Cocky Knight. Son of a London Taxi driver, one of the first British Wrestlers on TV in 1938, he was also the only British sportsperson to be a triple lifesaver.
Tales of a Page tells the first part of my late father’s working life as a Page at London’s Dorchester Hotel in the early 1950s.
I’ve walked 8 London Bridges in a day, from Battersea upwards, across and back and along the Thames. It’s a fascinating Thameside combination of views, architecture and scenery. Well worth doing if you have the time and see how The Thames snakes through London and the architecture changes. Look up and look around. It’s amazing what you will see.
Mount Street Gardens off Mount Street in Mayfair and close to the Church of the Immaculate Conception. A tranquil and serene place where you can sit and ponder as the world passes by. It has its own unique history too, being the site of a former burial ground and workhouse.
Too many people all in a rush to get nowhere fast, be they on foot, bike or car!
Stationers Hall on Ava Maria Lane. A wonderful building steeped in history that I have been fortunate enough to visit and dine in on many occasions as a Liveryman and Freeman of the City of London. Its library is also one of the best in terms of ancient and rare manuscripts.
City Hall, for far too many reasons. Having been a visitor on many occasions it irks me in so many ways. The design, the wastage of space, the people, I could go on but I won’t!
I’m lucky enough to have been inside Tower Bridge, and the views from the top, up and down the Thames are simply superb. An amazing piece of historic London architecture.
St. Peter’s Italian Church in Clerkenwell. Opened in 1863, as an apprentice in the print at Back Hill, I often used to pass by and wander in. It’s rightly described as one of the most beautiful churches in London. One visit and you will see why.
Film: The Long Good Friday. A classic depiction of pre-developed Docklands and the vision portrayed by Harold Shand (Bob Hoskins) of a thriving business area that would go on to host the Olympic Games in 2012 was the frighteningly realistic prediction of what was to come.
Used to be (Pierre) Koffmann’s in Knightsbridge, now sadly closed. I’d have to say for food, service, ambience and value The Goring is now a personal favourite.
Breakfast at Pellicci’s in Bethnal Green, followed by a visit to Wapping and the fabulous old pubs of Turner’s Old Star and Captain Kidd. Pie and Mash at G. Kelly’s on the Roman Road, I’d then head to St. Katherine’s Dock for drinks and people watching, a cigar in C.Gars at Jermyn Street culminating with a meal at Sam’s Riverside Restaurant in Hammersmith and a Haymaker Cocktail, named in tribute to my great uncle Chick to round off the day whilst looking out over The Thames.
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