Wednesday 31 October 2012

HALLOWEEN! Walk DEAD LONDON - 8pm

Come out for a fright tonight!
Join us for the launch of this new walk 'Dead London' it starts from Paternoster Chop House at 8pm, will take one and half hours and you will be led off in to the dark alleys and byways of the City of London. Guide: Ian McPherson - Please pay £10 to guide directly.

A bloody cocktail awaits and a more than welcoming hot supper afterwards.
Details on how to book below.
http://www.paternosterchophouse.co.uk/offer/sunday-city-walks/683

Friday 26 October 2012

Great St Helen's Sculpture Space

MissB delivered her application to the Chamberlain's Office last week to become a Freeman of the City, it was very brief and quite simple. It and the other ninety odd applications will be passed at the Court of Common Council on 6th December 1pm. Once approved I will be invited to swear an oath to the Queen and the Corporation, and receive my official sealed document.

Also whilst waiting at the Guildhall Offices picked up lots of Lord Mayor's Show brochures - get your own copy at the City of London Information Centre in St Paul's Churchyard, be prepard for the great day.  Also check out the free walks in the afternoon of the 10th November.

Whilst you are at CLIC  pick up the Great St Helen's Sculpture Space guide around St Mary Axe (the Gherkin). I have not walked around there since last spring when we started the guided course and it was a building site. There are eight works in all an electic mix and the guide provides plenty of information.

http://www.open-city.org.uk/education/schools/greatsthelens.html

This link gives some great pictures and details of how schools and local groups have become involved and use the space.

Flowers That Bloom Tomorrow, 2012 Yayoi Kusama
Courtesy of Yayoi Kusama and Victoria Miro Gallery

 


Thursday 18 October 2012

Sir Christopher Wren's Brithday Walk - A Resounding Success

Diagram of Dome
Courtesy of David Thompson
 
Thank you everyone who came on the walk yesterday which was fantastic even though the weather was dire!

David Thompson, excellent as always, as a clear, precise, consise and very interesting Guide! Plus diagrams!
David Thompson - Temple Bar behind

 See article below from London Historian's Mike Patterson

http://wp.me/p13rlt-1MV

Also special thanks to Bruce chef at Paternoster Chop House for the 1700s dishes. I had the Lamb Pie, so delicious, warming and filling after the walk.


Check out for the next City of London Guide walk, 28th October with Jane Morgan 'Crime & Punishment. Swiftly followed by 'Dead London' on the evening of 31st December with Ian McPherson.

Monday 15 October 2012

The Royal Jubilee Bells - where are they now?


The beautiful bells that pealed out during the River Thames Pageant are now in their new home, St James Garlickhythe.

They are named after members of the Royal Family. Find out the names of the eight bells and inscriptions from link below.
 
 

Ding dong!
 
 

Sir Christopher Wren's Birthday Celebration!

St Paul's (c) Tina Baxter
Wren was born 380 years ago (b. 1632 - d. 1723) and I am sure he would not be surprised to see his magnificent cathedral still standing in all its glory as if new built. Restoration and cleaning of the landmark was completed last year and took 15 years. It was a huge undertaking and the first of its kind in as much that it was cleaned and restored inside and out at the same time.

If you would like to know more about the exterior of Sir Christopher's great work then come and join us on Sunday 21st October at 11.00 am. We meet at Temple Bar for a brief introduction by a wonderful guide, David Thompson and then a walk around the precincts, end where we started! Walks starts at 11.30 am.

The guided tour is £10, paid directly to the Guide. Walk is approximately one and half hours. Suitable for wheelchairs, as the Temple Bar has a special lift. Please call ahead to inform staff at the restaurant.

http://www.paternosterchophouse.co.uk/offer/christopher-wren-s-birthday/792

The head chef has prepared a special 17th Century (or is it C18th?) menu which will be available for you to sample over lunch approx £25.00 ex service charge. Advisable to book see link above.


Temple Bar Gateway to
Paternoster Square
Courtesy of Wiki


Tuesday 9 October 2012

Heroes and Villains - Free Guided Walks all over London


Qualified Guides taking free walks throughout the day all around London. Do not miss out. See The Londonist link below for more details.

http://londonist.com/2012/10/heroes-villains-free-walks-led-by-specialist-local-guides.php

Not involved with this one as will be participating as a punter!

Will be at the Lord Mayor's show in November - watch this space.