Longest serving cabbie in London (BBC News)

Longest serving cabbie honoured

Mr Collins took his first passenger back in 1937London's longest serving black cab driver has been honoured with an award after 70 years of service.
Alfred Collins, aged 92, was given the award from Transport for London at a specially organised ceremony at the Public Carriage Office.

Mr Collins, from Colindale in north west London, drove his first passenger in 1937 and his last a few years ago.

Some of his most famous fares have included Margaret Thatcher, Joan Collins and Bruce Forsyth.

Treasured memories

The father of two said: "Life is all about communication and I have enjoyed sharing my vast experience of life as well as learning a lot with some of my passengers.
"I will treasure these memories for the rest of my life."
He added: "It has been a great privilege to serve the people of London.
"It really does not seem that nearly 70 years has passed by. I have had the pleasure of meeting people from all walks of life, politicians, celebrities and the great British public".
David Brown from TfL said: "We are proud of the invaluable contribution he has made to Londoners and visitors alike who value the black taxi as an iconic landmark."

Mr Collins said the secret to a long life was not to worry and always take a little exercise.

25 millionth ride for London Eye (BBC News)

25 millionth ride for London Eye

Abbie joined her dad for a VIP trip on the EyeThe London Eye has had its 25 millionth visitor, seven years after opening.

The milestone at the 450ft-high central London attraction was reached when tourist Steve Harland arrived.

Mr Harland, from Didcot, Oxfordshire, and his daughter Abbie, three, were given a special VIP ride and other perks including a magnum of champagne.

The Eye's managing director David Sharpe said: "Thanks to the support of Londoners and visitors, we have managed to exceed our greatest expectations."
He added: "Just before the turn of this century, we were a mere concept.
"Today we have become a global icon, a contemporary symbol for modern Britain and have changed London's skyline forever."

Tower of London Key Ceremony

I collected my ticket to London today. I am going to visit Pieter & Anca! They got tickets for the Tower of London Key Ceremony and I am really excited about it!

The ceremony takes place every night without disturbanceFor the last 700 years, the Tower of London has locked its gates at 21:53, exactly seven minutes before 10 o’clock. The Chief Warder, dressed in a Beefeater costume, marches his way to the front gate from the Byward Tower. Carrying a lantern in one hand and the Queen’s keys in the other, the Chief Warder walks to Traitor’s Gate and hands his lantern to a nearby guard. As he locks it and aims his way to the other ones, all Beefeater soldiers salute to the Queens Key’s. Never has a small piece of metal demanded so much respect.

As the soldier locks up all the gates, he makes his way towards the Bloody Archway tower, where he is stopped by a sentry. As part of its tradition, the sentry and Warder hold an exchange:

Sentry: ‘Halt, Who goes there?’
Warder: ‘The Keys!’
Sentry: ‘Whose keys?’
Warder: ‘Queen Elizabeth’s keys.’
Sentry: ‘Pass Queen Elizabeth’s keys – Alls well!’

After the traditional exchange the Chief Warder lifts his hat and proclaims ‘God preserve Queen Elizabeth.’ The clock chimes for 10 o’clock as the other Queen’s guards raise their bonnets and say ‘Amen.’ The entire process takes no more than 7 minutes, making the Ceremony of the Keys one of the shortest in London.

Despite it being a near millennia tradition, the ceremony has gone on every night without disturbance. During World War II, when German bombs rained down on London, the ceremony still took place with the exception of a direct hit. Even then, the ceremony was delayed by one-half hour.

I am going to see this :-)

BBC reports: Hybrid double-decker bus launched

Hybrid double-decker bus launched

The bus will operate on route 141London's first "green" double-decker bus has gone into service to help cut carbon emissions.

The hybrid vehicle, which runs on diesel and electricity, will produce 40% less carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions than regular buses.

It will operate between Palmers Green and London Bridge on route 141.
Mayor Ken Livingstone called for manufacturers to make hybrid buses more financially feasible to speed up their introduction across London.

The hybrid bus is a key part of a range of measures designed to meet targets for tackling climate change.

Mr Livingstone said: ""This is a world-first for London, marking our commitment to a cleaner, greener public transport network."

A battery pack powers the wheels of the new hybrid bus through an electric motor.
Unlike conventional buses, energy generated from braking is recycled and used to charge the batteries.

A Transport for London (TfL) spokesman said: "We are hoping to add 40 double-decker hybrid buses to the fleet this year and then gradually increase that number."

By the time of the 2012 Olympics, TfL aims for every bus purchased for London - up to 500 per year - to be a hybrid bus.

Single-deck hybrid buses have been operating on London route 360 since March 2006.

Mrs Henderson presents...

Ek het vanmiddag na 'Mrs Henderson presents...' gekyk. Die storie is gebaseer op ware gebeure voor en tydens WO II.

Dis ook die storie van die Windmill Theatre in die West End. The Windmill was die enigste teater wat dwarsdeur die oorlog oop gebly het. Dit was ook die eerste teater wat non-stop vertonings gehad het.

Hier is 'n stukkie van hulle geskiedenis.

The Windmill Theatre Opened on the 22nd of June 1931 with 'Inquest!' a play by Michael Barrington. The Theatre's capacity as a proper Theatre was 322.

This part of London has a rural history. A windmill stood here from the reign of Charles II until late in the eighteenth century. This gave its name to the footpath leading to the mill from Piccadilly at the top of the HayMarket over Windmill Fields. From here could be seen the towers of Westminster and its palace. Great Windmill Street now runs from Coventry Street (Piccadilly Circus) up to Brewer Street, crossing Shaftesbury Avenue. in 1910 a cinema, the Palais de Luxe, was opened at the corner of a block of buildings which included the Apollo and Lyric Theatres (see Nos. 5 and 21) at the point where Archer Street joins Great Windmill Street just off Shaftesbury Avenue. This cinema was one of the first of the little West End homes of the early films. With the rise of the large super-cinema, it descended the scale and its programmes consisted of foreign films and classics. The property came into the possession of Mrs Laura Henderson who, in association with Bernard Isaac and J. F. Watts Phillips (The Windmill Theatre Co, Ltd), converted it into a theatre. The general manager was Vivian Van Damm. The architect, Howard Jones, remodelled the exterior in the style of a traditional windmill and the interior was entirely reconstructed to become a one-tier theatre of miniature size.

THE PLAYS

The theatre opened on 22 June 1931 with a new play by Michael Barrington called Inquest!, with Mary Glynne, Hilda Trevelyan and Herbert Lomas in the cast. This was only a mild success and once again films were shown which included The Blue Angel and Sous les Toits de Paris. In December 1931 it was announced that a policy of nonstop variety would be tried. Mrs Henderson gave her manager Vivian Van Damm carte blanche to try and help the variety profession which had been hit by the coming of the 'talkies'.
On 3 February 1932 this innovation began and Revudeville was introduced, a programme of continuous non-stop variety of a nature then new to London. The idea originated in Paris and proved most popular, drawing crowded audiences. The performances ran from 2.30 p.m. until 11 p.m.

During the first years the project lost £20,000, but the tide turned and the theatre became an established part of the London scene.

The Windmill was the only theatre in London which never closed, except for the twelve compulsory days between 4 and 16 September 1939, throughout the blitz, the performers often sleeping night after night in the theatre during the worst of the attacks from the air.
The death of Mrs Henderson in 1944 was a great loss to the Windmill, but it was announced that the policy of the theatre was to remain unchanged under the direction of Van Damm. After his death in December 1960 the theatre was carried on by his daughter Sheila, who had become his partner. Many famous comedians of today made their first impact here and a roll of honour was fixed to the exterior of the theatre. The full history of the venture has been told in To-Night and Every Night by Vivian Van Damm (1954). The last edition of Revudeville was seen in 1964.

In October the theatre was sold to the Compton Cinema Group and it closed on 31 October 1964 and was reconstructed as a cinema and casino. In 1973 a campaign was started to revive 'The Old Windmill Days' and re-claim the theatre. Eventually, in February 1974, the theatre was bought by Paul Raymond, from Laurie Marsh, who transferred a 114 year lease to him.

Raymond announced his intention of making it a home for nude shows 'a la Revudeville but without the comic element'.

Die rand en die Britse pond en vakansie-begrotings

Ek het op nog 'n oulike webtuiste afgekom.

Smartsave (http://www.discountbritain.net/) gee jou aflaaibare afslagbewyse vir die meeste toeriste-aantreklikhede in London.

Ja, die pond is sterker as die rand en ja, die rand verswak nou effens, maar dit beteken nie dat mens nie 'n baie lekker vakansie in London kan hou nie.

Daar is baie spesiale aanbiedinge en BAIE gratis goed om te sien. Byna al die museums & gallerye (waaroor ek later sal skryf) is of gratis of het gratis periodes.

Samuel Johnson het geskryf: "Why, Sir, you find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford."

Bottomline? Daar is ALTYD iets om te doen in London en dit hoef nie eens duur te wees nie :-)

Ek gaan kuier!

Ek gaan in April by Pieter & Anca kuier. In die lig van die kuiertjie het ek weer meer aktief oor London en die omgewing begin lees.

Ek het op 'n baie oulike site afgekom - http://londonwalks.libsyn.com/ (ook onder die lys van links op hierdie blog) - waar jy staptoere heeltemal gratis kan aflaai in mp3 formaat.

Die gids se naam is Robert & hy woon in Kensington.

Kersfees is verby & die lewe gaan aan!

The Christmas tree at Trafalgar Square was shredded by Deputy Mayor Nicky Gavron and children from a green spaces scheme to urge Londoners to recycle waste (BBC News)

Britse nuwejaar :-)

Weather hampers New Year revelry (BBC 01/01/2007)

London's celebrations went ahead, with about 350,000 revellers Edinburgh's Hogmanay street party was among a string of events cancelled as bad weather hampered New Year's Eve celebrations across the UK.



A firework event in Newcastle was called off and one in Liverpool moved to 5 January, while in Belfast an outdoor concert was scrapped.

Glasgow's Hogmanay party was also cancelled due to the weather.

But in London around 350,000 revellers came out to watch a midnight fireworks display at the city's Eye attraction.

The Metropolitan Police - which had 3,200 officers on duty - said all viewing areas on the Thames were full. Fifty people were arrested.

Organisers of the annual London New Year's Day Parade due to take place later say it will go ahead.

Australian singer Kylie Minogue launched the British leg of her Showgirl Homecoming tour at Wembley Arena in London on New Year's Eve.

Gusts of wind in excess of 70mph had been predicted in northern parts of the UK.
Power in around 8,000 homes in lowland Scotland was also affected by the poor weather.
About 100,000 people in Edinburgh had to be make alternative plans after the official celebrations were cancelled.

A concert headlined by the Pet Shop Boys and Paolo Nutini had been planned.

Pyrotechnic display

Glasgow's cancelled event, in the city's George Square, had been expected to attract 25,000 revellers.

Also in Scotland, a party in Stirling was cancelled.

Belfast City Council said the decision to cancel its outdoor Rock the Hall concert, due to be broadcast live on BBC Radio 2, had been taken entirely because of safety reasons.
The Met Office had predicted gusts of up to 80mph in the city, a spokesman said.
The bands involved performed indoors without an audience.

Storms and high winds have caused accidents across the country this weekend.
On Saturday, Rebecca Smith, 18, died when a 60ft tree toppled in high winds on to a caravan in Cheadle, Staffordshire.

A house in Aghalee in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, was damaged on Saturday by what the Met Office believes was a tornado.

The New Year's Day parade in London begins at noon in Parliament Square and is expected to attract more than 400,000 spectators.

Event spokesman Dan Kirkby said: "We are here and we are going to have great fun."
DJ Fatboy Slim will host a New Year's Day party on Brighton beach.

TV puts Blair on trial 08/01/2007 15:56 - (SA) News24

TV puts Blair on trial08/01/2007 15:56 - (SA)

London - The British TV channel behind Death of a President- a drama in which US President Bush was assassinated - plans to broadcast a dramatisation of Prime Minister Tony Blair's retirement from office and the build-up to his trial on war crimes charges.

The Trial of Tony Blair, which airs on January 15 on Channel4 TV, takes place in 2010: Hillary Clinton is the new US president, and Gordon Brown, Blair's deputy, has taken over as prime minister.

But Blair is haunted by the continuing carnage in Iraq, and tormented by an obsession with his legacy so overpowering it blinds him to the looming threat of an indictment by the International Criminal Court.

Blair is played by respected British actor Robert Lindsay.

Channel 4, the broadcaster that operates the digital channel More4, said the show was a "comedy-drama," which would have light moments thrown in with darker ones. Still, the show's message was meant to be taken seriously, spokesperson Gavin Dawson said.
"Part of our remit is questioning authority," he said. "You want people to be provoked into thinking about the world around them."

Dawson said the show had been in the works before Death of a President generated enormous controversy - and buzz - for the station in Britain and abroad.
He denied any political motivation behind the choice of subject matter, although he acknowledged not everyone was likely to see it that way.

Powerful undercurrent of anger towards Blair

"It's a satirical drama, obviously it raises questions. ... I don't think the (US) Republicans will like it, but I think they should see it first," he said.

The feature-length show taps into a powerful undercurrent of anger many Britons feel toward the man who led their country into Iraq.

While it does not feature the actual trial - the show concludes with Blair flying off to defend himself at The Hague - it isn't the first time Britons have toyed with the idea of putting their political leader in the dock.

London's Tricycle Theatre is preparing a stage version of a Blair trial, using interviews with lawmakers, diplomats, international lawyers and UN officials as the basis for the dialogue.
Called to Account - The Indictment of Anthony Charles Lynton Blair for the Crime of Aggression against Iraq is due to premiere in April.

Investigation by the war crimes court

Not everyone has been content with simply pretending to indict the prime minister. Since 2003, a group of anti-war lawyers has repeatedly tried to have Blair and his foreign and defence ministers investigated by the war crimes court, each time without success.
Another attempt is planned for next April, said Legal Action Against War founder Chris Coverdale.

Alistair Beaton, who wrote the Channel 4 TV show, said he was not convinced his scenario was unrealistic.

"I gather Mr Blair is very concerned about his place in history. This film is my idea of where that place might be," Beaton said. "Whether it's fiction or prediction remains to be seen."
Blair's 10 Downing St office had no comment on the show. "We don't publicise other people's television programs," said a spokesperson, on condition of anonymity in keeping with the government's policy.

Beaton has previously written A Very Social Secretary, which lampooned an infamous affair by a member of Blair's Cabinet with his secretary.

'n Vrouewag vir die Toring van London! (Beeld 4/1/2007)

Ná 5 eeue bewaak vrou Britse toringJan 03 2007 08:08:45:393PM - (SA)

Londen. - Besoekers kan binnekort ná meer as 500 jaar die eerste keer foto’s saam met ’n vroulike lyfwag by die Toring van Londen neem.

Dié vrou, wie se naam nog onbekend is, was een van ses aansoekers, waarvan vyf mans was, vir die pos. Die hellebaardiers by die Toring van Londen poseer daagliks vir tientalle foto’s saam met toeriste en werk as toergidse vir dié toeriste-aanloklikheid se sowat 2 miljoen besoekers jaarliks.

Die aanstelling van dié vrou is glo nie ’n foefie nie. Sy het bloot baie beter as die manlike aansoekers gevaar.

Die lyfwagte doen sedert 1485 diens ná koning Henry VII se oorwinning in Bosworth.
Hulle het oorspronklik die kroonjuwele en gevangenes opgepas.

Volgens The Sun is die nuwe rekruut aangestel, maar sy het nog nie haar kontrak onderteken nie. Sy sal na verwagting in die somer begin werk. – Joylene van Wyk

Trafalgar Square vanoggend (28/12/2006)

Hierdie is 'n foto van Trafalgar Square vanoggend om 8:45 SA tyd (6:45 local time). Dit was sommer net 'n mooi prentjie met die rooi bus en die Kersboom.

Ja, ek mis Pieter & Anca. Hulle is in London en het vir die eerste keer vandat hulle saam is nie Suid-Afrika toe gekom vir Kersfees nie. Anca se ouers kuier by hulle.

Die weervoorspelling sê die word vandag 10 grade Celsius in London. Brr....

Princess lights up Christmas tree

The lighting of the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree, a highlight of London's festive period, has taken place.

A Norwegian Spruce, complete with garlands of energy-efficient light bulbs, was switched on by Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway.

The huge tree has been an annual gift from Norway since 1947 in gratitude for Britain's support in World War II.

It was felled from forests near Oslo in November and brought to Britain by sea.

A specialist rigging team erected it in the square, where it remains until 6 January before being recycled.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone said: "For many Londoners the Christmas tree and carol singing in Trafalgar Square signal the countdown to Christmas."

The princess was accompanied by her mother Crown Princess Mette-Marit for the switching on ceremony.

En dis ook nie net by jaareindfunksies waar daar vreemde geskenke uitgedeel word nie ;-)

Native American honoured by Queen

The Queen is handed a copy of the original 18th century petitionThe Queen was given a peace pipe at a memorial to a Native American chieftain to symbolise the righting of a wrong.
Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, she paid her respects to Mahomet Weyonomon, of the Mohegan tribe, who died of smallpox in London in 1736.

Tribal leaders in traditional regalia blessed a memorial stone in his honour.

Mahomet had travelled from Connecticut to petition George II about the capture of his tribe's land by English settlers but died before he met the king.

Foreigners were barred from being buried in the City of London so his body was interred in an unmarked grave.

'Proper burial'

The Queen and the duke were joined by tribal spiritual leader Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum and other Mohegans wearing deerskin leggings and headdresses made with turkey and eagle feathers at the memorial ceremony at Southwark Cathedral on Wednesday.
She was presented with a scroll containing a copy of the original petition and a red stone peace pipe.

Mr Bozsum said: "We are glad that we have given him a proper burial now.
We cannot right past wrongs but we can remember them and transform them
Very Rev Colin Slee, Dean of Southwark"The Queen said she was very pleased , very honoured to see us and have us here. It meant a lot to us. This is the highlight of my life to meet the Queen."

The Very Rev Colin Slee, Dean of Southwark, gave an address about the significance of the events.

He said: "We are here to dedicate a memorial, to complete an unfinished commission, to remember we share with the people of the United States a story which, like all human conduct, is marked by good and bad.

"We cannot right past wrongs but we can remember them and transform them to inspire better conduct throughout humanity now and in years to come."

The Queen also unveiled a stone sculpture, carved by Peter Randall Page, which stands in the south churchyard.

The five-tonne piece of pink granite came from the tribal reserve in New England. It is customary to name a boulder after a chief who has died.

En dis nie net in SA waar name verander nie :-)

Tube map to get new station names

Wood Lane and Shepherd's Bush Market will join the Tube mapThe Tube map is to get two new names in west London, it has been announced.

A new station called Wood Lane is to be built on the Hammersmith and City Line and Shepherd's Bush, on the same Line, will be renamed Shepherd's Bush Market.

There are currently two Shepherd's Bush stops on the Hammersmith and City Line and the Central Line and it is hoped the changes will end any confusion.

Wood Lane station, which should open in 2008, will be built between Shepherd's Bush Market and Latimer Road.
It will be the first time in more than 70 years there has been a new addition to an existing route which has not been extended.

London mayor Ken Livingstone said: "The naming of the new Wood Lane station and the renaming of Shepherd's Bush is the latest step in the massive improvements of transport links for west London.

"These improvements will bring in regeneration to the area and give this part of the capital a world-class service for the first time."

Energy row over Christmas lights

Concerns have been raised about the amount of energy used by the Oxford Street Christmas lights.

On Thursday girl band All Saints switched on the lights on the shopping street. The 260,000 bulbs will be on 24-hours-a-day until 6 January.

Organisers said they were using low energy bulbs and consume 50% less power than four years ago.

But Liberal Democrats on the London Assembly have called for renewable energy to be used.

Carbon emissions

Mike Tuffrey, of the London Assembly Liberal Democrats, said: "It's great there are lights and it's great they are going to be low energy but this whole exercise of lighting up Oxford Street is going to put out 80 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

"We think they (the organisers) should go that bit further and make the thing carbon neutral by using renewable energy."

He also proposed organisers spend £4,000 to buy 400 trees to offset carbon emissions.

We have over 40 million visitors coming from London, the UK and overseas to come and see these lights

Jason Tyrrell, New West End Company

Jason Tyrrell, of the New West End Company, said they had done an "enormous" amount to cut energy usage by 50%.

"Let's remember the lights are a major draw for London. We have over 40 million visitors coming from London, the UK and overseas to come and see these lights."

He said the lights remained on 24 hours a day was because people came at "all sorts of times" to see the lights.

Olimpiese Spele 2012

Olympic Games face huge tax bill

VAT on construction work was not included in the original bidOrganisers of the 2012 London Olympic Games have discovered they may be facing a huge additional tax bill.
Tory Olympic spokesman Hugh Robertson said the government had assured him the £2.38bn cost of construction sites would not be subject to VAT.

But the Treasury is demanding the tax, and has said European regulations state it cannot be seen to be supporting the organisers of the event.

It is in discussions with the Olympic Delivery Authority over the matter.

When the London bid was submitted to the International Olympic Committee in 2004 it included an estimate for building various sites in east London.
'Specific undertakings'

It estimated the cost at £2.38bn, but that did not include VAT on construction work or other costs.

Mr Robertson said forcing the Olympic organisers to pay VAT at a rate of as much as 17.5% would be devastating.

He said: "The issue of VAT on the Olympic sites was raised by the Conservative Party during the passage of the London Olympics and Para-Olympics Bill, and we received specific undertakings from the government that the Treasury would waive these costs.

It would be wrong for there to be any further council tax increase
London mayor, Ken Livingstone

"It would be catastrophic if (Chancellor) Gordon Brown were to renege on that commitment now."

A Treasury spokesperson said: "We are in discussion with the DCMS (Department of Culture, Media and Sport) and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) issues and we are confident we can find a way forward.

"But it would not be helpful to give a running commentary on those discussions."
Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone said: "It would be wrong for there to be any further council tax increase, I will not be proposing or making one, so there will not be one."
Officials at the Olympic Delivery Authority declined to comment.

New hybrid bus

Hybrid double-decker bus unveiled

The bus will produce 40% less emissionsMayor Ken Livingstone has unveiled London's first hybrid double-decker bus in a bid to make commuting in the city a greener experience.
Built at a cost of £285,000, the bus runs on a combination of diesel and electricity and will produce 40% less carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

The mayor said the bus was the first of a fleet that will make London "one of the world's most sustainable cities".

The hybrid bus will be on the road by the end of November.

Six single-deck hybrid buses are currently operating in London.

Attractive prospect

A battery pack, which is run by a Euro IV complaint Diesel engine, powers the wheels of the new hybrid bus through an electric motor.

Unlike conventional buses, energy generated from braking is recycled and used to charge the batteries.

Mr Livingstone said: "Creating a low-carbon bus fleet is an important part of our work to cut the emissions which are causing climate change."

He said the vehicles still needed a manufacturer and needed to be "financially feasible".
But he said it was a good opportunity for such a company.

"The first off the mark will get to corner the bus market until the others catch up with them - that should be a really attractive prospect."

The bus will be exhibited at the Euro Bus Expo 2006 in Birmingham next month.

When it returns to London it will operate on the route between Wood Green and London Bridge.

Royal Courts of Justice - the High CourtStrand, London WC1

The Royal Courts of Justice are the nation's main civil courts.

Here, the High Court presides over the most serious civil trials in the country including divorce, libel, civil liability and appeals. Criminal cases are handled by the Old Bailey.
The imposing Victorian Gothic building, designed by G E Street, was opened by Queen Victoria in 1882, the architect's finest achievement, and the last major Gothic revival building in London.
Made from 35 million bricks faced with Portland stone, the Royal Courts of Justice are said to contain 1,000 rooms and 3.5 miles of corridors. The stress of building was so great that it caused Street's early death.

The interior of the building is as magnificent as the façade.

The public are admitted to all 88 court rooms and can come and go as they please, although Judges will not suffer interruptions when they are passing judgement or witnesses are taking oaths.

Prominent lists in the central hall indicate which case is being held in which court and how far the proceedings have gone.

The Royal Courts of Justice also contains a small exhibition of legal dress.

Hittegolf!

A group of Polish tourists cools down in London's Hyde Park as a heatwave hits England. (Picture from BBC)

Die grys, koue London is (bloedig) warm! Temerature styg tot in die 30's (Celsius), maar ek dink nie die Londoniete kla nie.