Month: November 2023

Mansion House – The official residence of the Lord Mayor of the City of London

Originally the Lord Mayor of the City of London would use their own home or livery hall in their elected position deafening up the City’s governmental, judicial and civic functions. After the Great Fire of London, the idea arose that the Lord Mayors should have their very own official home. It took almost a century… Continue reading Mansion House – The official residence of the Lord Mayor of the City of London

Saltburn – Film Review

I’ve managed to see a lot of great films this autumn and the tail end of summer and one or two less good ones but one that I’d been waiting to see for months based on the trailer alone is Saltburn, written and directed by the up and coming Emerald Fennell. It looked audacious and… Continue reading Saltburn – Film Review

An off the cuff tour for two Bobbies

On Armistice Day this year I was preparing to give a Darkest Hour Tour which involves a guided tour around some of the most important political places in Westminster including inside the Houses of Parliament as well as a few hidden places before heading off into the Churchill War Rooms. The last few weekends had… Continue reading An off the cuff tour for two Bobbies

Chad Varah and the Samaritans @ St Stephen Walbrook

A few days ago I wrote a blog on St Stephen Walbrook church but deliberately left out a very important part of its modern history, that of its vicar Chad Varah who didn’t just oversee the repairs of the church after WW2 but did something that possibly changed the world and if not did something… Continue reading Chad Varah and the Samaritans @ St Stephen Walbrook

St Stephen Walbrook Church – Prototype for that famous dome

Last week in a rather cool and stormy London, I arrived early for an appointment as I often do. This time I was attending a function at Mansion House so I decided to visit the neighbouring old Church, St Stephen Walbrook. I’m sure you’ll agree St Stephen is a fine name for a church, particularly… Continue reading St Stephen Walbrook Church – Prototype for that famous dome

The Anglo/Portuguese Treaty of 1373 – The Worlds oldest alliance

With the various high profile wars going on at the moment (and many more low-level ones the people don’t care about), I thought it was high time to post about something which is kind of the opposite of a war. The worlds oldest Alliance, some might say peace treaty though it didn’t involve two warring… Continue reading The Anglo/Portuguese Treaty of 1373 – The Worlds oldest alliance

Saving the home of the Gunpowder Plotters Last Stand

With Remember Remember The Fifth of November having just taken place a few days ago, it’s interesting that a pivotal site related to the plot to blow up Parliament has just been given protection. After their failure to blow up Parliament and assassinate King James I in November 1605, the gunpowder plotters fled to Holbeche… Continue reading Saving the home of the Gunpowder Plotters Last Stand

Meeting King ‘Kev’in Keegan

Back in 1983 my football team, Newcastle United, signed the then England Captain Kevin Keegan. I remember writing to him as a young boy and being incredibly happy when a few weeks later I received a signed photo back. It had pride of place in my bedroom on the windowsill which retrospectively might not have… Continue reading Meeting King ‘Kev’in Keegan