Previously Posted: Keep on the right side

7 May, 2022 Gibson Square 2 Comments

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.

Keep on the right side (12.05.09)

The Savoy, one of London’s best-known hotels, opens soon after a £100 million refit although only 160 rooms will open while work continues on the remaining 100. The hotel, which overlooks the River Thames, first opened its doors to guests in 1889.

Apparently the building with its distinct Art Deco style is to be restored to combine its former glory with modern amenities. Under the new plans the hotel will be divided into Art Deco and Edwardian areas and the style in each will be distinct. In 1910 the external balconies were enclosed in order to add bathrooms to each room. Many felt the best views in the building were lost, including the view that Claude Monet painted when staying there.

The dry martini is thought by some to have been invented in the American Bar and a murder took place in the Savoy’s corridors back in 1923.

Much of the original internal fittings have been sold including 200 beds, curtains, a large oak parquet dance floor and an early 20th Century mahogany and gilt metal bureau from the Monet suite in addition the signature pink and white Savoy china. So CabbieBlog will be interested if this is an improvement, or some tacky expensive makeover.

Savoy Court is the only street in the United Kingdom where vehicles are required to drive on the right, and in addition the small roundabout needs a turning circle of 25 feet, this is still the legally required turning circle for all London cabs. For more than 100 years now vehicles, be they horse drawn or mechanical, have entered and left Savoy Court on the right-hand side of the road. When approaching and leaving the hotel it is easier to do so while driving on the right-hand side of the road. Savoy Court is privately owned property. It is not a public thoroughfare as it leads only to the hotel itself. Therefore driving on the right-hand side of the road does not contravene British traffic regulations. Finally, it may be of interest to note that when being chauffeured in a horse-drawn carriage the lady or dignitary would traditionally sit behind the driver. By approaching the hotel on the right-hand side of the road, either the chauffeur or the hotel’s doorman was able to open the door without walking around the car. This would allow the lady to alight from the carriage and walk straight into the hotel.

Puppydog tails

Test Your Knowledge: May 2022

6 May, 2022 Gibson Square 4 Comments

This month’s quiz is about London numbers. 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. What were the ‘seven sisters’ from which Seven Sisters Road takes its name?

Seven spinsters

WRONG Hundreds of years ago seven elm trees were planted around a walnut tree for reasons which have been lost in time. The trees appear on a map of 1619 though some believe that the original seven trees were planted as long ago as 1350. The seven trees have been replanted a number of times, always by seven sisters but they are now in a slightly different location to the earliest plantings.

Seven elm trees

CORRECT Hundreds of years ago seven elm trees were planted around a walnut tree for reasons which have been lost in time. The trees appear on a map of 1619 though some believe that the original seven trees were planted as long ago as 1350. The seven trees have been replanted a number of times, always by seven sisters but they are now in a slightly different location to the earliest plantings.

Seven churches

2. The sign at Belsize Park Underground Station says that there are 219 steps at the station. It is wrong, how many are there?

179 steps

WRONG Belsize Park Station has a sign claiming there are 219 steps when there are in fact just 189. Does Transport for London have a step counter who can’t count? Do they want to put people off using the stairs.

189 steps

CORRECT Belsize Park Station has a sign claiming there are 219 steps when there are in fact just 189. Does Transport for London have a step counter who can’t count? Do they want to put people off using the stairs.

199 steps

3. The Prime Meridian famously passes through Greenwich. How many European countries (including the UK) does it run through?

Three

CORRECT Three (UK, France and Spain) this imaginary line which runs from the North Pole to the South Pole also passes through Algeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo, Ghana and Antarctica.

Five

WRONG Three (UK, France and Spain) this imaginary line which runs from the North Pole to the South Pole also passes through Algeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo, Ghana and Antarctica.

Seven

WRONG Three (UK, France and Spain) this imaginary line which runs from the North Pole to the South Pole also passes through Algeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo, Ghana and Antarctica.

4. How many times does The Elizabeth Line cross under the Thames?

One

CORRECT A new tunnel was bored underneath the Thames between Plumstead and North Woolwich, stretching for almost 2 miles, the Thames Tunnel lays about 50ft below the existing river bed.

Two

WRONG A new tunnel was bored underneath the Thames between Plumstead and North Woolwich, stretching for almost 2 miles, the Thames Tunnel lays about 50ft below the existing river bed.

Three

WRONG A new tunnel was bored underneath the Thames between Plumstead and North Woolwich, stretching for almost 2 miles, the Thames Tunnel lays about 50ft below the existing river bed.

5. Number 133 High Holborn was better known by what name until 1933?

British Museum tube station

CORRECT The British Museum Station was opened by the Central London Railway known the Twopenny Tube in 1900. In 1933, with the expansion of Holborn Station less than 100 yards away, British Museum station was permanently closed. It was subsequently utilised as a military office and command post, but in 1989 the surface building was demolished.

Gamages

WRONG The British Museum Station was opened by the Central London Railway known the Twopenny Tube in 1900. In 1933, with the expansion of Holborn Station less than 100 yards away, British Museum station was permanently closed. It was subsequently utilised as a military office and command post, but in 1989 the surface building was demolished.

The Prudential Insurance Headquarters

6. Whose house, now a museum, was popularly known as Number 1, London in the 19th century?

Robert Peel

WRONG The original house was built on the site in 1778, for Lord Apsley, and the house was the first one on the north side of Piccadilly. At the time, it was next to the main turnpike or toll into central London, so became known as ‘Number 1, London’, because it was the first house you came to when you entered London. The property’s official address today is 149 Piccadilly, Hyde Park Corner, London W1J 7NT, but rumours still abound that if you posted a letter to ‘Number 1, London’ it would reach this address.

Duke of Wellington

CORRECT The original house was built on the site in 1778, for Lord Apsley, and the house was the first one on the north side of Piccadilly. At the time, it was next to the main turnpike or toll into central London, so became known as ‘Number 1, London’, because it was the first house you came to when you entered London. The property’s official address today is 149 Piccadilly, Hyde Park Corner, London W1J 7NT, but rumours still abound that if you posted a letter to ‘Number 1, London’ it would reach this address.

Benjamin Disraeli

7. There are 32 London boroughs. How many begin with the letter H?

Three

WRONG Seven (unless you’re a Cockney who drops their Hs, in which case it’s zero). They are Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon and Hounslow.

Five

WRONG Seven (unless you’re a Cockney who drops their Hs, in which case it’s zero). They are Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon and Hounslow.

Seven

CORRECT Seven (unless you’re a Cockney who drops their Hs, in which case it’s zero). They are Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon and Hounslow.

8. In 1977, Londoner Marie White became the first woman to do what?

Become Lord-lieutenant of The Tower of London

WRONG Remarkably the first woman to have completed the modern Knowledge of London to become an All London Green Badge driver was not until 1977 when Marie White (badge 25292) passed. She would regularly be seen on the St. Pancras rank with her little border terrier dog in the luggage compartment.

Drive a London Underground train

Qualify as a black cabbie

CORRECT Remarkably the first woman to have completed the modern Knowledge of London to become an All London Green Badge driver was not until 1977 when Marie White (badge 25292) passed. She would regularly be seen on the St. Pancras rank with her little border terrier dog in the luggage compartment.

9. How many floors are underground in the MI6 Headquarters?

Five

CORRECT The MI6 headquarters was blown up in two James Bond films (The World is Not Enough and Skyfall), and then demolished in Spectre. The exterior used in the movies is actually the real MI6 building, which is pretty safe since the main part of the building has five floors underground.

Three

WRONG The MI6 headquarters was blown up in two James Bond films (The World is Not Enough and Skyfall), and then demolished in Spectre. The exterior used in the movies is actually the real MI6 building, which is pretty safe since the main part of the building has five floors underground.

One

10. How many rooms are there in Buckingham Palace?

575

WRONG Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms. These include 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms.

775

CORRECT Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms. These include 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms.

675

WRONG Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms. These include 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms.

Thinking allowed

WordPress survey

5 May, 2022 Gibson Square 8 Comments

Recently I received a surprise from WordPress, with a survey popping up asking my opinion about their platform. “Would I recommend WordPress to friends and any aspiring bloggers…”

0=Not a chance

10=Best thing since sliced bread

Since Mr Blocky, no prizes for guessing which end of the spectrum I voted.

Puppydog tails

Johnson’s London Dictionary: Strand

4 May, 2022 Gibson Square 3 Comments

STRAND (n.) Throughfare doth devoid both of its definite article and with the water at its edge

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

The Grill

The London Grill: Gavin Marriott

3 May, 2022 Gibson Square 6 Comments

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.

I was born in New Zealand and brought up on a farm. My Yorkshire born dad was a NZ policeman who was sent to Samoa during WWII and my mum posted as a nurse there. Dad had to line up for an injection and I’m the prick as the result! In my 20s in an ambulance service in NZ, I found out I could get a British passport so ventured to London to the London Ambulance Service and posted to Chelsea then Battersea. I came back when dad was dying but wish I’d stayed. On retirement I wrote an autobiography (privately published). My dream to own an London cab.

What’s your secret London tip?

Make good use of the London cabs. They work out cheaper as you will save the crowds, the queues, the walking, the weather, and have more time available – plus the banter and the knowledge they have.