Category: history

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

Treasures of Gold and Silver Wire at the Guildhall

A few weeks ago, on opening day actually, I went to see a new exhibition at the Guildhall Art Gallery which features over 200 items dating from the Middle Ages to the present day, many of them viewable for the first time.  There is a wide range of historical items, royal, military, ecclesiastical, and theatrical… Continue reading Treasures of Gold and Silver Wire at the Guildhall

How to spot when a London bridge is undergoing repair work

Having reached its third decade of use, the Millennium Bridge in London has been closed for repairs, maintenance and a thorough cleaning. I use the Millennium Bridge several times a week and its one of my favourite bridges if only for the amazing views it affords. There is also lots of miniature artworks that some… Continue reading How to spot when a London bridge is undergoing repair work

A notorious local murder 200 years ago today!

Originally I started composing this blog post for halloween but then I noticed how today is the anniversary of this awful crime so I thought it was rather fitting to post today. Just 3 or 4 miles from where I live is the scarily affluent town of Radlett, brimming with actors, socialites and premier league… Continue reading A notorious local murder 200 years ago today!

John Clayton – The man who planted the most famous tree in the world!

Not many people have heard of John Clayton but most of us have enjoyed his farsighted benevolence even if from a distance. There is a saying that a person is truly generous when they plant a tree that they will never live to see mature. If that is the case then there are few better… Continue reading John Clayton – The man who planted the most famous tree in the world!

Standing under the shoulders of giants

A few days ago I was fortunate to be invited on a private behind the scenes tour of the Guildhall in the City of London. Imagine that, me on a tour! It’s one of a handful of buildings I’ve always wanted to look around that I’ve never properly been in. I did once get a… Continue reading Standing under the shoulders of giants