Previously Posted: Your number’s up

5 February, 2022 Gibson Square 4 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.

Your number’s up (13.03.09)

Now all of you from countries that take pride in your national identity take note. It is now officially illegal to have British, English, Scottish or Welsh flags displayed on your vehicle number plate or for that matter French, German or Italian flags displayed – but it goes without saying that you can have the European Union flag.

Thousands of ordinary motorists have been unwittingly breaking the law after this mendacious Government backtracked on a promise to legalise the display of National flags on vehicle number plates. Ministers had said they would take action to exempt British drivers from European Union inspired legislation, which also outlawed the Cross of St. George, the Scottish Saltire and the Red Dragon. But of course, that promise was never kept and it is only now that the true purpose of this legislation has been revealed. This absurd fiasco means that for the past seven years motorists with national flags displayed on their number plates have unknowingly been risking prosecution, a fine of £1,000, an MOT failure for their vehicle or a stop note and an overhaul failure on their taxi if they have the temerity to display a national flag on their number plate and indeed some motorists have been successfully prosecuted for this.

Under the current regulations in their original form, the only insignia allowed is the 12-star circle of the European Union. Motorists have to choose either a plain plate without a symbol or one with the European Union emblem and the letters GB on the left-hand side. Of course, these so-called ministers, who think they are speaking for the whole country, claimed the move was justified, like English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Ireland symbols would only confuse the police forces of other European Union countries. How can these Ministers even contemplate this thinking? Do England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland not exist then? This shows you how far the corrupt European Union has intruded into the workings and laws of ordinary citizens all over Europe.

When the entire population has been given a criminal record and is on the National Register Database, will our wonderful politicians finally be happy and sleep peacefully? Is this some sort of master plan to stamp out any last vestige on national identity or pride?

Gordon Brown and his fellow European bureaucrats’ should note that people want a national identity, going down this long slippery slope increases jingoistic feeling and an attitude of Little Englanders. Stop it now before it is too late because across Europe we have some serious identity problems, your well-paid gravy trains are not worth it.

Puppydog tails

Test Your Knowledge: February 2022

4 February, 2022 Gibson Square 2 Comments

Ihope you enjoyed January’s questions and even managed to answer a few. This month’s quiz is about memorials and monuments 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. Which Blue Plaque uses the typeface designed by its recipient?

Edward Johnston

CORRECT Johnston’s eponymous font was introduced onto London’s transport system in 1916 and with minor modifications is still in use. The blue plaque at 3 Hammersmith Terrace is the only one using a typeface designed by the person so commemorated.

William Caslon

WRONG Johnston’s eponymous font was introduced onto London’s transport system in 1916 and with minor modifications is still in use. The blue plaque at 3 Hammersmith Terrace is the only one using a typeface designed by the person so commemorated.

Emery Walker

2. What is Florence Nightingale’s statue made from?

Bronze

WRONG The statue of Florence Nightingale on the north terrace of St. Thomas’ Hospital is an oddity, the bronze original was stolen in 1970 and has never been recovered. Its replacement is a plastic-composite.

Plastic

CORRECT The statue of Florence Nightingale on the north terrace of St. Thomas’ Hospital is an oddity, the bronze original was stolen in 1970 and has never been recovered. Its replacement is a plastic-composite.

Marble

3. Why was Ben Jonson buried standing up?

To use less space

CORRECT Approaching death in considerably reduced circumstances, Ben Jonson managed to bag a place at Westminster Abbey in Poet’s Corner, by having a plot of only 18in square. Paying just eighteen pence for the inscription the stonemason misspelt his name: O Rare Ben Johnson. I guess you get what you pay for.

He said he would never lie down to die

WRONG Approaching death in considerably reduced circumstances, Ben Jonson managed to bag a place at Westminster Abbey in Poet’s Corner, by having a plot of only 18in square. Paying just eighteen pence for the inscription the stonemason misspelt his name: O Rare Ben Johnson. I guess you get what you pay for.

They couldn’t find a casket long enough

4. Who has the most equestrian statues in London?

Queen Victoria

WRONG Arthur Wellesley, otherwise known as the 1st Duke of Wellington, can be admired in two public statues, both equestrian. One stands in front of the Royal Exchange above Bank station, the other lurks close to his former home of Apsley House on Hyde Park Corner. Once an enormous equestrian statue stood on top of Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner, hated by the public it has long since moved to Aldershot Barracks. Queen Victoria has, at more than 10, the most statues in London, but none seated on a horse. Churchill has three, one of which is sitting, not on a horse but on a bench with Theodore Roosevelt.

Winston Churchill

Arthur Wellesley

CORRECT Arthur Wellesley, otherwise known as the 1st Duke of Wellington, can be admired in two public statues, both equestrian. One stands in front of the Royal Exchange above Bank station, the other lurks close to his former home of Apsley House on Hyde Park Corner. Once an enormous equestrian statue stood on top of Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner, hated by the public it has long since moved to Aldershot Barracks. Queen Victoria has, at more than 10, the most statues in London, but none seated on a horse. Churchill has three, one of which is sitting, not on a horse but on a bench with Theodore Roosevelt.

5. Sir Sidney Waterlow’s statue can claim a first. What is it?

He holds an umbrella

CORRECT In Waterlow Park off Highgate Hill the statue of Sir Sidney Waterlow Bt, MP is almost certainly the first statue ever to depict a man with an umbrella. He also holds a key, signifying his generosity in giving the eponymous park to the people.

He holds a key

WRONG In Waterlow Park off Highgate Hill the statue of Sir Sidney Waterlow Bt, MP is almost certainly the first statue ever to depict a man with an umbrella. He also holds a key, signifying his generosity in giving the eponymous park to the people.

He holds some scales

6. A carving of St Matthew in Henry VII Chapel at Westminster Abbey could be a world’s first. Why?

Jesus is looking over his shoulder

WRONG St. Matthew is reading a book wearing a pair of glasses.

He is wearing spectacles

CORRECT St. Matthew is reading a book wearing a pair of glasses.

The Devil is under his foot

WRONG St. Matthew is reading a book wearing a pair of glasses.

7. William Huskisson has what claim to fame?

He opposed female emancipation

WRONG In Pimlico Gardens stands a toga-wearing William Huskisson, a man whose sole distinction was to be the first man ever to be knocked down and killed by a train, dubbed ‘Boredom rising from the Bath’.

His statue celebrates the freedom to wear one’s choice of clothing

He was killed by a train

CORRECT In Pimlico Gardens stands a toga-wearing William Huskisson, a man whose sole distinction was to be the first man ever to be knocked down and killed by a train, dubbed ‘Boredom rising from the Bath’.

8. John Wilkes has a life-sized statue on Fetter Lane, what is unique about it?

He has an extra finger

WRONG Once given the accolade as ’the ugliest man in England’ John Wilkes’ statue on Fetter Lane faithfully reproduces his likeness and is thought to be the only cross-eyed statue to be found in London, his other attributes: protruding jaw, dropsically ugliness, a pug-jawed appearance are to be found, but his spectacular drunkenness has not been reproduced standing upon his plinth striking a frankly rather camp pose.

He has one ear

He has a squint

CORRECT Once given the accolade as ’the ugliest man in England’ John Wilkes’ statue on Fetter Lane faithfully reproduces his likeness and is thought to be the only cross-eyed statue to be found in London, his other attributes: protruding jaw, dropsically ugliness, a pug-jawed appearance are to be found, but his spectacular drunkenness has not been reproduced standing upon his plinth striking a frankly rather camp pose.

9. Fred Peters has what unique inscription on his memorial plaque?

A Braille inscription

CORRECT Written in Braille, a memorial tablet is affixed to the railings of St. John’s in Hackney. It is in memory of ‘Blind Fred’, apparently a cheery match seller who for many years had his pitch on this spot.

A map

WRONG Written in Braille, a memorial tablet is affixed to the railings of St. John’s in Hackney. It is in memory of ‘Blind Fred’, apparently a cheery match seller who for many years had his pitch on this spot.

His poem

10. The Achilles statue on Park Lane has had what addition?

A sword

WRONG Nude and originally anatomically correct, if you get my drift, but after the women who had paid for its erection realised that all parts of a man’s anatomy scale up in size proportionately, a fig leaf was added later to save blushes. The addition has been chipped off twice – in 1870 and 1961, probably to see what’s underneath.

A fig leaf

CORRECT Nude and originally anatomically correct, if you get my drift, but after the women who had paid for its erection realised that all parts of a man’s anatomy scale up in size proportionately, a fig leaf was added later to save blushes. The addition has been chipped off twice – in 1870 and 1961, probably to see what’s underneath.

A shield

Thinking allowed

Saving the planet

3 February, 2022 Gibson Square 4 Comments

I had to replace the porch as the double glazed windows had blown and the door leaked. The replacement showed the outside light, which only worked during nighttime to be shabby. You cannot now buy a light which turns on and off according to the light levels. I now have to use a mechanical timer. Saves the planet I suppose.

Puppydog tails

Johnson’s London Dictionary: Sarf (of The River)

2 February, 2022 Gibson Square 3 Comments

SARF (OF THE RIVER) (a.) (colloq.) Hinterland lokated beyond the south shore of the Thames devoid of Sedan chairs due to the propensity of the local population to become cutpurses and felons

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

The Grill

The London Grill: Jack Chesher

1 February, 2022 Gibson Square 2 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.

Jack is a London history lover. He is the founder of Living London History (www.livinglondonhistory.com); a blog with a focus on the quirky hidden history in the city. He has also recently launched guided tours to share his love of the city with others. When he is not guiding or walking around the city, Jack loves going to the theatre and a good pub quiz/pint!

What’s your secret London tip?

If open, always pop your head inside London’s churches. They often have amazing free little museums, such as the crypts of St Bride’s and All Hallows by the Tower. These are great places to see the layers of London’s history before your very eyes!

What’s your secret London place?

The City of London is full of little tranquil pocket parks and secret spots. My favourite would have to be the courtyard of St Vedast alias Foster off Foster Lane, but shush don’t tell too many people!

What’s your biggest gripe about London?

My biggest gripe would probably be the number of cars in London and the air pollution that comes along with them. If there were fewer cars, a greener public transport system and better provisions made for walking and cycling; then I think we would have a healthier, happier and more attractive city.

What’s your favourite building?

I think my favourite building is probably St Paul’s Cathedral but another, quirkier one is Two Temple Place off the Victoria Embankment. It was built in 1895 for the richest man in the world at the time, was built to the highest possible standards of the time and looks like an Elizabethan stronghold inside and out! Look out for its magnificent gold weathervane in the form of the Santa Maria; Columbus’s ship to America. They hold art exhibitions and are open for open house weekends.

What’s your most hated building?

I am not a fan of the newest member of the City of London’s skyscraper family: 22 Bishopsgate. I can see it from the window of my flat and I think it is a bit of a bland behemoth that just dominates the landscape too much.

What’s the best view in London?

For inner-city views, I would have to say the Sky Garden in the Walkie-Talkie. For seeing the city from afar I would say the majestic view you get from Greenwich Park with the Queen’s House in the foreground: it never gets old.

What’s your personal London landmark?

My personal landmark would be the Tower of London. I grew up in Essex, so when getting the train up to London, it is the first landmark you see after leaving the train. It, therefore, represents all those day trips up to the city and gives me that buzz of excitement of being in London.

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

My collection of research and local interest books for London is ever-growing. My favourite in terms of enjoyment would probably be Matthew Green’s London: A Travel Guide Through Time. It is very well written, immersive, fascinating and really sparks inspiration for London’s history.

What’s your favourite restaurant?

Currently top of the list is Dishoom. Both their breakfasts and dinners are amazing.

How would you spend your ideal day off in London?

Well, it would naturally be a day walking around London. If at the weekend I would walk around the City of London, as it is quiet and there is always something new to discover. I love being by the river so I would also walk along the South Bank and grab a drink at one of London’s historic pubs: the George in Southwark perhaps. I would finish the day off by seeing a show at the Globe; an experience that never disappoints.