Test Your Knowledge: April 2023

Today is Good Friday, and as we enter the penultimate day of Holy Week, today’s quiz concerns Easter in London. As before the correct answer will turn green when it is clicked upon and expanded to give more information. The incorrect answers will turn red giving the correct explanation.

1. Since 2010 Trafalgar Square has been the venue for what open-air event?
Easter bunny play
WRONG A moving 90-minute portrayal of the final days of Jesus is performed twice during Good Friday afternoon which includes more than a hundred players in costume, as well as real-life horses, doves and a donkey.
The Passion of Jesus
CORRECT A moving 90-minute portrayal of the final days of Jesus is performed twice during Good Friday afternoon which includes more than a hundred players in costume, as well as real-life horses, doves and a donkey.
An Easter egg hunt
WRONG A moving 90-minute portrayal of the final days of Jesus is performed twice during Good Friday afternoon which includes more than a hundred players in costume, as well as real-life horses, doves and a donkey.
2. What Easter treat does a sailor climb up and hang from a pub’s ceiling every Good Friday?
Easter eggs
WRONG An old widow, on receiving news that her son would return from fighting in the Napoleonic Wars that Easter, traditionally baked him a hot cross bun to welcome him home. He did not return, and every year after that, on Good Friday, she would bake a fresh hot cross bun and hang it in her home. The Widow’s Son pub was erected on the site and they carried on the tradition.
A hot cross bun
CORRECT An old widow, on receiving news that her son would return from fighting in the Napoleonic Wars that Easter, traditionally baked him a hot cross bun to welcome him home. He did not return, and every year after that, on Good Friday, she would bake a fresh hot cross bun and hang it in her home. The Widow’s Son pub was erected on the site and they carried on the tradition.
Simnel cake
WRONG An old widow, on receiving news that her son would return from fighting in the Napoleonic Wars that Easter, traditionally baked him a hot cross bun to welcome him home. He did not return, and every year after that, on Good Friday, she would bake a fresh hot cross bun and hang it in her home. The Widow’s Son pub was erected on the site and they carried on the tradition.
3. The rector of St. Bartholomew the Great in Smithfield asks what question on Good Friday whilst standing over a grave?
Are any poor widows present who are in need of 20 shillings?
CORRECT A 1902 account details 21 widows raising their hands and each approaching the grave in turn and collecting from it a single silver sixpence. It then describes them being given a hot cross bun and offered a steadying arm as they completed a ritualistic walk across the tombstone.
Who believes in Christ’s Ascension to Heaven?
WRONG A 1902 account details 21 widows raising their hands and each approaching the grave in turn and collecting from it a single silver sixpence. It then describes them being given a hot cross bun and offered a steadying arm as they completed a ritualistic walk across the tombstone.
Are there any evil spirits within?
WRONG A 1902 account details 21 widows raising their hands and each approaching the grave in turn and collecting from it a single silver sixpence. It then describes them being given a hot cross bun and offered a steadying arm as they completed a ritualistic walk across the tombstone.
4. On Ascension Day, 40 days after Easter, what do children hit at the Tower of London?
Iron markers
CORRECT Beefeaters and children march the perimeter of the Tower grounds and whip its iron markers with sticks. Known as Beating of the Bounds its origins are in a 17thC riot. In 1698, an angry group of Londoners gathered outside the Tower in protest after the King had granted the expansion of the Tower’s boundaries, depriving locals of land that had formerly been theirs.
The White Tower
WRONG Beefeaters and children march the perimeter of the Tower grounds and whip its iron markers with sticks. Known as Beating of the Bounds its origins are in a 17thC riot. In 1698, an angry group of Londoners gathered outside the Tower in protest after the King had granted the expansion of the Tower’s boundaries, depriving locals of land that had formerly been theirs.
The execution site
WRONG Beefeaters and children march the perimeter of the Tower grounds and whip its iron markers with sticks. Known as Beating of the Bounds its origins are in a 17thC riot. In 1698, an angry group of Londoners gathered outside the Tower in protest after the King had granted the expansion of the Tower’s boundaries, depriving locals of land that had formerly been theirs.
5. The Cart Horse Parade and the Van Horse Parade traditionally held in London on Easter Monday amalgamated in 1966. The renamed Harness Horse Parade now takes place at which venue?
South of England Centre, Ardingly
CORRECT There were several initiatives in the 19th Century to try to improve the conditions of the city’s horses, one of which was the Cart Horse Parade, established in 1885 to encourage the owners of horses to take pride in their animals and to show to their peers and the public in a formal annual parade.
Essex County Showground, Brentwood
WRONG There were several initiatives in the 19th Century to try to improve the conditions of the city’s horses, one of which was the Cart Horse Parade, established in 1885 to encourage the owners of horses to take pride in their animals and to show to their peers and the public in a formal annual parade.
Kent Showground, Detling
WRONG There were several initiatives in the 19th Century to try to improve the conditions of the city’s horses, one of which was the Cart Horse Parade, established in 1885 to encourage the owners of horses to take pride in their animals and to show to their peers and the public in a formal annual parade.
6. Easter House is an apartment block in which London area?
Docklands
WRONG Situated in Drummond Road, Bermondsey, curiously the ground floor apartments are designed on two levels to negate the flood risk to bedrooms and the site straddles the Metropolitan Line underground.
Bermondsey
CORRECT Situated in Drummond Road, Bermondsey, curiously the ground floor apartments are designed on two levels to negate the flood risk to bedrooms and the site straddles the Metropolitan Line underground.
Greenwich
WRONG Situated in Drummond Road, Bermondsey, curiously the ground floor apartments are designed on two levels to negate the flood risk to bedrooms and the site straddles the Metropolitan Line underground.
7. Crucifix Lane can be found under the viaduct of which London station’s approach?
King’s Cross
WRONG An old inn existing here some years ago, having for its sign St. Christopher, associated it with the bearer of the cross, hence the Crucifix-Lane. The Victorian London Bridge railway lines were constructed at a later date. The houses now Nos. 37 and 38 are called ‘God’s Providence’ and are the gift of Robert Banyard in 1659 to the relief of the poor of the parish forever.
Paddington
WRONG An old inn existing here some years ago, having for its sign St. Christopher, associated it with the bearer of the cross, hence the Crucifix-Lane. The Victorian London Bridge railway lines were constructed at a later date. The houses now Nos. 37 and 38 are called ‘God’s Providence’ and are the gift of Robert Banyard in 1659 to the relief of the poor of the parish forever.
London Bridge
CORRECT An old inn existing here some years ago, having for its sign St. Christopher, associated it with the bearer of the cross, hence the Crucifix-Lane. The Victorian London Bridge railway lines were constructed at a later date. The houses now Nos. 37 and 38 are called ‘God’s Providence’ and are the gift of Robert Banyard in 1659 to the relief of the poor of the parish forever.
8. Who played the eponymous role in Jesus Christ Superstar when it opened in London?
Michael Crawford
WRONG Superstar opened at the Palace Theatre in 1972, starring Paul Nicholas as Jesus, this production was much more successful than the original production on Broadway, running for eight years and becoming the United Kingdom’s longest-running musical at the time.
Tommy Steele
WRONG Superstar opened at the Palace Theatre in 1972, starring Paul Nicholas as Jesus, this production was much more successful than the original production on Broadway, running for eight years and becoming the United Kingdom’s longest-running musical at the time.
Paul Nicholas
CORRECT Superstar opened at the Palace Theatre in 1972, starring Paul Nicholas as Jesus, this production was much more successful than the original production on Broadway, running for eight years and becoming the United Kingdom’s longest-running musical at the time.
9. In what year was April’s highest recorded temperature for the 20th century?
1949
CORRECT On Easter Saturday, the 16th of April 1949, an amazing 85°F was recorded at Camden Square, this is the highest recorded temperature in April for the 20th century in the British Isles, and not just for the Easter period.
1979
WRONG On Easter Saturday, the 16th of April 1949, an amazing 85°F was recorded at Camden Square, this is the highest recorded temperature in April for the 20th century in the British Isles, and not just for the Easter period.
1999
WRONG On Easter Saturday, the 16th of April 1949, an amazing 85°F was recorded at Camden Square, this is the highest recorded temperature in April for the 20th century in the British Isles, and not just for the Easter period.
10. The London-based drama Long Good Friday saw the film debut of which future James Bond?
Timothy Dalton
WRONG Pierce Brosnan was 25 when he played an IRA man alongside BAFTA-nominated Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren.
Pierce Brosnan
CORRECT Pierce Brosnan was 25 when he played an IRA man alongside BAFTA-nominated Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren.
Daniel Craig
WRONG Pierce Brosnan was 25 when he played an IRA man alongside BAFTA-nominated Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren.

Gutenberg doesn’t work

I am back to complaining about Gutenberg. CabbieBlog’s theme is Twenty Fourteen released as WordPress’ theme of the year. Sidebar headings were displayed in black with a rule running above them. Now if I want to insert a new item I cannot incorporate this heading, even though they at WordPress developed the theme. I can see soon my days fighting Gutenberg will be over.

Johnson’s London Dictionary: The Met

THE MET (n.) Unarmed organisation of law enforcers, who upon accosting a criminal doth say “stop, or I’ll say stop again”.

Dr. Johnson’s London Dictionary for publick consumption in the twenty-first century avail yourself on Twitter @JohnsonsLondon

The London Grill: John Grindrod

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 think about their city. The questions are the same but the answers vary wildly.

John Grindrod is the author of Concretopia (2013), exploring the postwar rebuilding of Britain, Outskirts (shortlisted for the 2017 Wainwright Prize), which tells the strange story of the green belt, and Iconicon (2022), touring the landmark buildings of contemporary Britain. The books are a combination of social history, travel writing and architecture, and have grown from a personal geeky interest in the subject. John was born in Croydon and after 52 years in London has recently moved to Milton Keynes. He regularly gives talks and appears on radio and podcasts, and you can find out more at johngrindrod.co.uk or here.

What’s your secret London tip?

It’s not a secret, but Embankment Station is your friend. Takes no time to get down to the platforms, is a well-connected super-easy gateway into central London, and has a handy park next door if you need a quick nap on a bench.

What’s your secret London place?

I grew up in New Addington, on the edge of Croydon, and stayed there till I was 30. As a result, my secret London is concentrated around the edges there: the viewing spot in Shirley Hills; the record shops of the town centre; the strange concrete landscape beneath the 60s towers of East Croydon. They are still very much my London. I know how to have fun.

What’s your biggest gripe about London?

The constant building work. In the midst of a climate crisis shouldn’t we be knocking down fewer old buildings, council estates etc, and putting up fewer brand-new ones? It’s not even as if they are the things Londoners really need, like housing. For the most part, it’s speculative nonsense like more shops and offices, or more buy-to-leave apartments, based on a version of life we seem to be shifting away from.

What’s your favourite building?

Even if I just narrow this down to the Southbank, this is still a tricky one! I will say the National Theatre because I find it strikingly beautiful (both the form itself and all of that wood-shuttering grain on the concrete) and because it’s the perfect place to while away a day. As a teenager coming into London from the suburbs the area around Waterloo was a favourite spot. The National – back in the days when taxis used to rumble right past the front entrance – reminds me of hanging out with mates and seeing some incredible plays in that cosy modernist cave.

What’s your most hated building?

St. George’s Wharf on the banks of the Thames at Vauxhall is an absolute horror. Visually it’s the noisiest structure going, all those glass balconies and facets and tricks to maximise the value of every flat at the expense of the architecture itself. It’s incredibly confusing inside too because of the sheer number of entrances and routes. How I ever managed to find my way to those numerous what-I’m-going-to-call-‘dates’ in there back in the day I’ll never know. Beside it stands Terry Farrell’s MI6 building, which I love. It’s a big theatrical flourish – rather ironic for a secret service building.

What’s the best view in London?

I love the view from the Horniman Museum gardens in Forest Hill. It’s quite an idiosyncratic one, as much of central London is hidden behind Dawson’s Heights, the glorious 70s ziggurat in neighbouring East Dulwich designed by Kate Macintosh, but it means you focus on some of the less obvious landmarks instead. On a clear day seeing Wembley glinting in the sun in the far distance feels magical

What’s your personal London landmark?

In the 90s I worked for a while in Covent Garden at Waterstone’s (it still had the apostrophe then). I used to spend my lunch breaks sat on Seven Dials roundabout munching my sandwiches and watching the world go by. It remains my favourite people-watching spot, though it’s much harder finding a perch these days.

What’s London’s best film, book or documentary?

A fascinating and original insight into London can be found in Penelope Lively’s 1991 novel City of the Mind, about an architect working on a new tower in Docklands. In it, she manages to weave in the Empire history of Docklands and the ambitions of the modern rebuilding into a personal narrative that’s haunting and magical. The Covent Garden of Hitchcock’s Frenzy is full of ghosts too, of a rather less salubrious sort, captured in the early 1970s just as the market itself was moving down to Nine Elms. And I am in love with St Etienne and Paul Kelly’s documentary made up from archive footage, How We Used to Live, which captures post-war London in all of its muddle of change, dereliction and modernity.

What’s your favourite restaurant?

If I frequent a cafe in London it inevitably closes within two years. I’m like the grim reaper of hospitality. New Piccadilly? City Snacks? Gone and probably my fault. So I love Giovanni’s caff on Museum Street, but please don’t let the curse strike again. Mine’s a sausage sandwich with mustard on crusty bread and a black earl grey, bag taken out, thanks.

How would you spend your ideal day off in London?

Breakfast at Giovanni’s. Barbican exhibition and lunch in the cafe. Pointing at colourful geese in St James’s Park. Buy film and music in almost-defunct formats and heaps of paperbacks I can barely carry. Film at the NFT (old habits and all that). Drinks in the Retro Bar. Sandwich on the train home. Fin.

London in Quotations: Oscar Wilde

The amount of women in London who flirt with their own husbands is perfectly scandalous. It looks so bad. It is simply washing one’s clean linen in public.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) The importance of being Ernest

Taxi Talk Without Tipping