Alexander Parkes – The man who changed and poisoned the world

Alexander Parkes is another one of those people from the Victorian Age that is forgotten despite him changing the world and his story is being told in a new exhibition in Bow, East London. The fact the the exhibition is in East London may give something of a clue that Alexander Parkes is the man… Continue reading Alexander Parkes – The man who changed and poisoned the world

The fake Number 10 Downing Street

It’s perhaps the most famous doorway in the world, number 10 Downing Street.  For centuries home of the British Prime Minister and I’m standing in front of it.  Except it isn’t and I’m not. Though until just the 1990’s, one could easily walk up and pose on the doorstep of Number 10, since the IRA… Continue reading The fake Number 10 Downing Street

The secret underground road right in the heart of London

It’s hard to believe that just a few minutes walk from the iconic Trafalgar Square or the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden, there is an almost forgotten and entirely buried street in the very centre of London. It’s rarely used by anyone these days save for those of us who know London like the… Continue reading The secret underground road right in the heart of London

York Watergate – The ceremonial gateway to the River Thames, out of sight of water.

Following on from Mondays post on the Lions of the River Thames, not to far away is one of the last remnants of an era of grandeur on the Thames that has largely been swept away.  The York Water Gate. However, if you walk along the River Thames you won’t ever find it.  That’s because… Continue reading York Watergate – The ceremonial gateway to the River Thames, out of sight of water.

The Thameside Lions that guard against flooding

There is always something to look out for in London, even in the most unlikely places.  One might not know that you’re seeing but there are points of interest all over the place. Should you happen to to be near the Victoria Embankment and peer over the wall without falling into the river below then… Continue reading The Thameside Lions that guard against flooding

Smithfield Market on the moo-ve after 900 years

One of my favourite less-visited parts of London is the area known as Smithfield.  Like many an ancient city in the Middle-East, India or elsewhere, London had and to an extent still has, districts that would specialise in certain produces such as gold, silver, fruit or meat.   Smithfield has been a meat market for more… Continue reading Smithfield Market on the moo-ve after 900 years

Less than 1% of the population own 50% of England…. how do I compare?

There can be few such good decisions by individuals in history as to have been a Norman baron in the mid 11th Century than pledging allegiance to William The Conqueror in return for land in the British Isles. It’s quite incredible that 1,000 years later one way or the other, an overwhelming number of their… Continue reading Less than 1% of the population own 50% of England…. how do I compare?

The Extinction Rebellion Protests in London

The environment is something I’ve always taken a keen issue in since when as a young boy I gave all my meagre savings to help seals in the North Sea.  I’ve written a few posts here and there on the subject and even had a few cover stories published in specialist publications. The death of… Continue reading The Extinction Rebellion Protests in London

Supporting BBC Comic Relief with a very special Sherlock tour

Today is Easter Monday and though I’m working as I have done every day so far this year, it seems like an apt time to make this post considering the time of year. One of the nice things I like about running my own company is that I can do lots of things to help… Continue reading Supporting BBC Comic Relief with a very special Sherlock tour