Bonnington Square in Vauxhall was built during the 1870s. Only a “six” away from the Oval cricket ground it comprised compact neat rows of London brick houses surrounding a central double terrace primarily used to house railway workers who were employed at Nine Elms Goods Yard close by. Booth’s map has the square marked as… Continue reading Bucolic Bonnington Square
Tag: Walking
Let’s play “Blind Chivvy”
I was unaware of the game Blind Chivvy or psychogeography* as it is sometimes known. That was until I started to read a book called London Pilgrimages written in 1928 by Robert Thurston Hopkins. The book is quite a niche guidebook with seventeen chapters, one entitled Charlie Chaplin’s early days. I’d never heard of Hopkins… Continue reading Let’s play “Blind Chivvy”
A Jack of all trades and a savage bell
Sometimes I stand at a location and think how far away even recent history can feel. Some places have been so changed that without some research there would be no inkling as to what once stood on the site. Here’s a good example, Limeburner Lane just off Ludgate Hill. The lane and it’s name are… Continue reading A Jack of all trades and a savage bell
Evocative
When I have a few minutes to spare I do like to just stand (or sit with a pint) in a location, let my mind wander and try to imagine what the area was like fifty, a hundred, a hundred and fifty years ago. Sometimes this can be quite difficult as modern life always tries… Continue reading Evocative
In a bit of a tangle
Six Word Saturday
Fit for a King
If you walk along the south side of Cheapside heading towards the Bank of England, a little way beyond Bow Church is a narrow opening leading to Crown Court. The actual footprint and name of the passageway has been there since at least the early 13th century and was once the private entrance for the… Continue reading Fit for a King
Dark
One word Sunday
Low tide beneath the Millennium Bridge
Six word Saturday
Let’s talk about Hex
With Halloween only a couple of days away, I thought I’d try to come up with a relevant post. Do you recall the 2008 EU Consumer Protection Regulations? No me neither but I expect that it’s a real page turner. The reason I bring it up is because it incorporated the Fraudulent Mediums Act of… Continue reading Let’s talk about Hex
“A days doings”
The Victorians have always fascinated me. Such drive and inquisitiveness they moved the country forward with their technological advances, however I do find the general population lacking imagination and in some instances free will, but I suppose given the tight social framework of the day its understandable that they were unwilling to go off piste.… Continue reading “A days doings”
A LONDON MISCELLANY 