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Flat out
One of the problems with being a historian is that every time you see the phrase ‘revolutionary thinking’ there’s a jaded sounding little voice in your head that sarcastically says really? So when the Londonist opened an article with the … Continue reading
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Tagged Fares, Frank Pick, Green, Green Party, London, london transport, Low paid workers, One Zone, Outer London, public transport, Rents, tfl, Transport for London, underground, Zones
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How to solve a problem like the rush hour
Rush hour. For some it’s an 80’s classic by Jane Wiedlin featuring a bizarre array of dolphins for no apparent reason. For others it’s Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker belting their way through two fun action comedies. Also a third action comedy … Continue reading
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Tagged congestion, garden city, London, new towns, overground, population, rush hour, Tube, underground
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Expressing your love.
Brighton, Wednesday, November 5th 1845. A crisis was breaking. Lady Adela Villiers, the seventeen year old daughter of the Earl and Countess of Jersey had disappeared. At 5pm that afternoon, Lady Adela had retired to her room to dress for … Continue reading
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Tagged 19th Century, Adela Villiers, Birmingham, Brighton, elope, elopement, Euston, Gretna Green, high society, Ibbetson, Liverpool Street, London, London & Birmingham, marriage, mystery, runaway bride
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On strike
‘DAY OF TRAFFIC CHAOS’ printed The Times, before explaining that ‘extreme dislocation’ was the likely outcome of the Underground strike. For Londoners trying to get to work during the current tube strike, ‘extreme dislocation’ is apparently underway, but The Times … Continue reading
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Tagged Greater London, history, London, social history, strike, travel chaos, Tube, Tube strike, underground, Underground strike
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Hats all folks.
Of all the items of clothing that humanity has invented for itself, perhaps none are as important as the humble hat. Some of film’s greatest scenes involve hats, whether they underline the murderous intentions of their wearer, or just demonstrate … Continue reading
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Tagged Christmas, District Line, hat, London, London Underground, railway, social history, St James' Park, Tube, Victoria
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Pipe Down
Last month we dealt with how the Underground became a smoker’s paradise. This month, we look at how it all fell apart. By 1926 around eighty per cent of carriages on the tube were smoking cars, and smokers had free reign … Continue reading
Taking a walk on the wild side.
In 1922 the Earl of Mayo declared to the House of Lords ‘… I saw a letter the other day from an indignant gentleman who said he walked where he liked. He intimated that this was a free country and … Continue reading
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Tagged government interference, House of Lords, inter-war, London, London County Council, Lord Newton, Metropolitan Police, pedestrian crossing, pedestrians, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, Safety First Council, speeding, traffic, traffic accidents, Traffic lights
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Our man on the Pirate Bus
Ten years ago a revelation appeared in London. To some it was part of the relentless march of technology. To others it was convenience epitomised. The Oyster card had arrived. Since its introduction it’s undoubtedly made life, on the whole, … Continue reading