War damage on the Victoria and Albert Museum reminds us how fragile our world is. Any of us could become refugees.
Category Archives: History
Wick Wood
Wick Wood didn’t really exist thirty or so years ago. It was planted as part of the building of the M11 extension. Before that it was open land, some it marshy. During the second world war gun emplacements were located here to defend London and the nearby docks.
New River
A short walk along the New River …
A1
The A1 runs 610 kilometres from London to Edinburgh. It has been designated the A1 for exactly 100 years
Bunhill Fields
London is a city of towns and villages, once separate from each other and with their own distinct character. And then there would have been the spaces in between; the fields, moorlands and forests almost unpopulated save for the occasional dwelling
Yew Tree
This ancient Yew Tree stands in the churchyard in the village of Totteridge on the very edges of London. It is reputedly 2000 years old. What has it seen?
The People’s Stone
The People’s Stone or the Freedom of Speech Stone stands on Hampstead Heath on the climb towards Parliament Hill. I have been unable to find out much about it beyond the fact that it may have once been a place where people congregated to protest or to speak out on controversial matters, a little bit like Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park.
Martyrs
In 1833 six farm workers in the village of Tolpuddle, Dorset, seeing their living standards plummet, combined together to protect their wages. They were prosecuted and transported to Australia. Tens of thousands of protestors set off from Copenhagen Fields (the later site of this clocktower) to petition for their return. Their campaign was successful and the men were freed.
The Hardy Tree
From St Pancras International trains run to places as diverse as Luton, Sheffield and Paris. Just after they have left the station they will pass a small church standing in an old churchyard.
The Sitter
What was it like to have your photograph in the era before selfies?