Category Archives: Puppydog tails
Test Your Knowledge: November
As David Bowie sang in his seminal song – Changes, this month’s quiz is about changes that have been made 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. On what product was the image updated to show scaffolding?
HP Sauce
CORRECT To mark the 160th anniversary of Big Ben’s first chimes, HP Sauce bottles now show the iconic tower in its current scaffolding-swaddled state. The new labels will stay on bottles until sometime in 2021 when it’s hoped the iconic clock tower is fully restored.
House of Commons tea
WRONG To mark the 160th anniversary of Big Ben’s first chimes, HP Sauce bottles now show the iconic tower in its current scaffolding-swaddled state. The new labels will stay on bottles until sometime in 2021 when it’s hoped the iconic clock tower is fully restored.
Tourist postcards
WRONG To mark the 160th anniversary of Big Ben’s first chimes, HP Sauce bottles now show the iconic tower in its current scaffolding-swaddled state. The new labels will stay on bottles until sometime in 2021 when it’s hoped the iconic clock tower is fully restored.
2. . In 2013 Roger Federer was told to change his shoes during Wimbledon – why?
They had Adidas branding
WRONG They had orange soles, and players are meant to be dressed in all white.
They had orange soles
CORRECT They had orange soles, and players are meant to be dressed in all white.
They were built up, thus giving him an advantage
WRONG They had orange soles, and players are meant to be dressed in all white.
3. In 1905 two brothers named Stratton were convicted of robbery and murder at a paint shop in Deptford High Street. What methodology was used to secure convictions and change detection?
The first case in which fingerprints were successfully used to convict
CORRECT On 27th March 1905, Chapman’s Oil and Paint Shop was raided and the shopkeeper murdered. A thumb mark was left on the emptied cash box. Using a method of identification that had been in use for a couple of years, it was the first time the Crown achieved a murder conviction and one of the first in the world to use the methodology still in use today.
Their getaway car, which had an early number plate was identified leading to the police tracking them down
WRONG On 27th March 1905, Chapman’s Oil and Paint Shop was raided and the shopkeeper murdered. A thumb mark was left on the emptied cash box. Using a method of identification that had been in use for a couple of years, it was the first time the Crown achieved a murder conviction and one of the first in the world to use the methodology still in use today.
The first identikit portrait from a witness, the local milkman
WRONG On 27th March 1905, Chapman’s Oil and Paint Shop was raided and the shopkeeper murdered. A thumb mark was left on the emptied cash box. Using a method of identification that had been in use for a couple of years, it was the first time the Crown achieved a murder conviction and one of the first in the world to use the methodology still in use today.
4. Which Underground station was known as Westminster Bridge Road until the name was changed in 1917?
Lambeth North
CORRECT The station was opened by the Baker Street & Waterloo Railway on 10 March 1906, with the name Kennington Road. On 5 August 1906, when Elephant & Castle station was opened, the station’s name was changed to Westminster Bridge Road in July 1906 and it was again renamed, to Lambeth North, in April 1917.
Westminster
WRONG The station was opened by the Baker Street & Waterloo Railway on 10 March 1906, with the name Kennington Road. On 5 August 1906, when Elephant & Castle station was opened, the station’s name was changed to Westminster Bridge Road in July 1906 and it was again renamed, to Lambeth North, in April 1917.
Southwark
WRONG The station was opened by the Baker Street & Waterloo Railway on 10 March 1906, with the name Kennington Road. On 5 August 1906, when Elephant & Castle station was opened, the station’s name was changed to Westminster Bridge Road in July 1906 and it was again renamed, to Lambeth North, in April 1917.
5. What was Marble Arch before it changed to its current position in well – Marble Arch?
It was at the entrance to Buckingham Palace
CORRECT The Marble-covered arches sat at the entrance to the courtyard of Buckingham Palace was only meant to be walked under by Royals and members of the Royal Guard. Today in its present position, only Royals pass through the central arch.
It spanned Park Lane before the road was enlarged
WRONG The Marble-covered arches sat at the entrance to the courtyard of Buckingham Palace was only meant to be walked under by Royals and members of the Royal Guard. Today in its present position, only Royals pass through the central arch.
It stood outside Paddington Station
WRONG The Marble-covered arches sat at the entrance to the courtyard of Buckingham Palace was only meant to be walked under by Royals and members of the Royal Guard. Today in its present position, only Royals pass through the central arch.
6. Which Underground line changed direction?
Northern Line
WRONG The Circle Line has taken on a new shape. It is now more like a lasso, or a figure six turned on its side, with a beginning and end. The old circle has been broken at Edgware Road, in west London, and stretched all the way to Hammersmith.
Circle Line
CORRECT The Circle Line has taken on a new shape. It is now more like a lasso, or a figure six turned on its side, with a beginning and end. The old circle has been broken at Edgware Road, in west London, and stretched all the way to Hammersmith.
Bakerloo Line
WRONG The Circle Line has taken on a new shape. It is now more like a lasso, or a figure six turned on its side, with a beginning and end. The old circle has been broken at Edgware Road, in west London, and stretched all the way to Hammersmith.
7. Which Underground line changed its name on the day it was opened?
Crossrail
WRONG Originally the Jubilee line was to be named the Fleet Line after the river Fleet that runs through the capital. A name change happened when London Transport was planning to introduce the Silver Jubilee bus line in anticipation of the 25th anniversary of the Queen’s reign. They re-named the Tube line instead. Crossrail renamed the Elizabeth Line has yet to open.
Central Line
WRONG Originally the Jubilee line was to be named the Fleet Line after the river Fleet that runs through the capital. A name change happened when London Transport was planning to introduce the Silver Jubilee bus line in anticipation of the 25th anniversary of the Queen’s reign. They re-named the Tube line instead. Crossrail renamed the Elizabeth Line has yet to open.
Jubilee Line
CORRECT Originally the Jubilee line was to be named the Fleet Line after the river Fleet that runs through the capital. A name change happened when London Transport was planning to introduce the Silver Jubilee bus line in anticipation of the 25th anniversary of the Queen’s reign. They re-named the Tube line instead. Crossrail renamed the Elizabeth Line has yet to open.
8. The Theatre, Shoreditch, opened by James Burbage in 1576, was one of London’s earliest playhouses. It was taken in 1598, and repurposed for what?
The seating ended up used as seats in public toilets
WRONG The Globe was reconstructed on Bankside using much of The Theatre’s components. Shakespeare had a share in the new theatre staging Romeo and Juliet, Othello, Macbeth and King Lear here.
The thatch was used to burn Burbage for heresy
WRONG The Globe was reconstructed on Bankside using much of The Theatre’s components. Shakespeare had a share in the new theatre staging Romeo and Juliet, Othello, Macbeth and King Lear here.
The timbers were used to build The Globe on Bankside
CORRECT The Globe was reconstructed on Bankside using much of The Theatre’s components. Shakespeare had a share in the new theatre staging Romeo and Juliet, Othello, Macbeth and King Lear here.
9. During World War II the All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon changed from hosting tennis tournaments to what?
Allotments
CORRECT During the war Wimbledon was used to grow vegetables, the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden became a dance hall.
A billet for GIs
WRONG During the war Wimbledon was used to grow vegetables, the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden became a dance hall.
An army parade ground
WRONG During the war Wimbledon was used to grow vegetables, the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden became a dance hall.
10. Following a petition from Arsenal Football Club, Gillespie Road underground station in Highbury was re-named Arsenal (Highbury Hill) in 1932. For five months in 1939 which other London sporting locale had its own dedicated tube stop?
Craven Cottage, Fulham
WRONG On 11 June 1939, the St. John’s Wood station on the Metropolitan line near the famous cricket ground was renamed Lord’s Station. Unfortunately, the extension of the Bakerloo (now Jubilee) line to Stanmore that November resulted in the creation of another station serving St. John’s Wood. During the war, the Lord’s Station was closed and never reopened.
Lord’s Cricket Ground, Marylebone
CORRECT On 11 June 1939, the St. John’s Wood station on the Metropolitan line near the famous cricket ground was renamed Lord’s Station. Unfortunately, the extension of the Bakerloo (now Jubilee) line to Stanmore that November resulted in the creation of another station serving St. John’s Wood. During the war, the Lord’s Station was closed and never reopened.
White Hart Lane, Tottenham
WRONG On 11 June 1939, the St. John’s Wood station on the Metropolitan line near the famous cricket ground was renamed Lord’s Station. Unfortunately, the extension of the Bakerloo (now Jubilee) line to Stanmore that November resulted in the creation of another station serving St. John’s Wood. During the war, the Lord’s Station was closed and never reopened.
Johnson’s London Dictionary: Routemaster
ROUTEMASTER (n.) Stagecoach with two floors manned by a clippie with a happy disposition ensuring the publik is taken to their destination safely. Now replaced by a leviathan robustly driven by a man with a sombre demeanour
Dr. Johnson’s London Dictionary for publick consumption in the twenty-first century avail yourself on Twitter @JohnsonsLondon
The M25’s Birthday
The M25 is thirty-five today. On 29th October 1986, Margaret Thatcher picked up a cone in each hand and symbolically marched them off to the side of the road. The Department of Transport, who produced a lavish 58-page illustrated brochure to commemorate the opening, had left nothing to chance, right down to a practice run of the removal of a single cone by an employee of a similar build to the Prime Minister.
The inauguration of the M25 was the last major road-opening to generate real public excitement. The queues at both ends of the final section materialised because drivers were itching to be the first to complete a circuit, with crowds waving from the bridges.
It wasn’t long before the M25’s 117-mile orbit was used as an illegal racetrack. Meeting at a service station early on a weekend morning to race round in Porsches and Ferraris trying to complete the circuit in under an hour and therefore at average speeds of over 117mph, including the time taken to stop and pay the toll charge at the Dartford Tunnel. The story of these Cannonball Runs was uncovered by a young reporter for The Times one Boris Johnson.
Dubbed ‘The World’s Longest Car Park’, Capital Radio endeavouring to inform their listeners of any trouble ahead, instigated the Flying Eye, a twin-engine light aircraft kitted out for the purpose. Their reporter in the sky for 20 years was broadcaster Russ Kane, who clocked up 10,000 flying hours and 1.5 million air miles without ever having his seat upgraded. He achieved more circuits of the M25 than any other man alive, but without any of the delays.
Apparently, the people of Norfolk became quite excited when the M25 opened, with many booking up for orbital coach tours with Ambassador Travel of Great Yarmouth. The tours were sold out for months.
In 1998 William Allen, at the ripe old age of 84, set out to drive the few miles to his daughter’s home near Ruislip. Having inadvertently driven onto the M25 at the nearby J16, he spent the next two days going round in circles.
According to satnav company TomTom, 29th July 2011 saw the longest traffic jam ever recorded on the M25, with a clockwise tailback of up to 49 miles between J19 (Watford) and J5 (Sevenoaks).
When in 2005 a £148-million road-widening project was completed between J12 and J15 and a new spur road to Heathrow Terminal 5, it was disclosed that those stuck on the interminable traffic jam are parked on the remains of Wembley’s iconic twin towers that footie fans wanted to remain intact. It’s all over, it is now!
There are 234 bridges under or over the M25 including an aqueduct, two tunnels and over 10,000 street lights.
M25 J8: Reigate Hill Interchange has the longest motorway slip road in the country climbing up Reigate Hill for 1.5 miles to a roundabout.
Approaching J15 on the M25 it has two six-lane carriageways, the widest stretch of motorway in the country, and yet it still gets jam-packed.
North Ockendon is the only settlement within the Greater London boundary to poke outside the orbit of the M25 motorway.
Chris Rea penned Road to Hell at J15 on the M25 in 1989 sitting in a traffic standstill, the scribbled the lyrics later went to charity.
On 20 July 2014 Shepperton Swan Sanctuary rescued 4 pairs of Canada geese and their offspring from the carriageway at J11 of the M25.
Only five London Underground stations lie outside the M25 motorway.
The font used on the road signs is called, unsurprisingly, Motorway. While all distances on signs are given in miles, the driver location signs set at 500-meter intervals for emergency services are, for reason unknown, calculated in kilometres from a point near junction 31. Thus: M25 B 63.4
If you thought the M25 was an original designation:
HMS M25 was a British warship launched by the Royal Navy in 1915 and scuttled in 1919;
The M25 engine powered a Mercedes-Benz racing car in the 1930s;
The M-25 is a star cluster in the constellation Sagittarius;
M25 isn’t even a very original designation for a road, because the Michigan Highway in the USA has been known as the M25 since 1933;
The Novorossiysk Federal Highway across the top of the Black Sea in Russia is also the M25;
The M25 is also a state-of-the-art sniper rifle used by US Army Special Forces and Navy Seals.
Johnson’s London Dictionary: London Mayor
LONDON MAYOR (n.) The elected leader of the Metropolis, whose sole purpose is to appear without a cravat in the Publick Occurrences Both Forreign and Domestick broadsheet to burnish his credentials
Dr. Johnson’s London Dictionary for publick consumption in the twenty-first century avail yourself on Twitter @JohnsonsLondon
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