Ordinary Londoners - No 22 In the series

Danny Bent, ordinary Londoner. Yesterday, I told you how he is now trying to raise £1,000,000 for charity. Today, A bit of his background.

He's a teacher, who decided to volunteer to teach in India. He told his class he was going and one child asked how he was going to get there; he remembered teaching them about the need to choose "Green" options, and heard himself say he was going to cycle there. Which he then did, raising pots of money for Action Aid along the way. I came across his story in his book "You've gone too far this time, sir", which is an incredibly inspiring read.

As I've said before, there is no such thing as an ordinary Londoner, everyone has a story, everyone is special and you set your mind to something it is astonishing what you can achieve. If reading his book makes you think, I'd like to do something different, then why not be inspired and join him?

The ordinary Londoner series is here.

Remember Other People

I hardly know where to start here, because this is an extraordinary story. I know! I'm going to have to split it over more than one day. This is Danny Bent, who has had the idea of combining with others to raise £1,000,000 for children with AIDS, just because. It's not his day job, it's just something he wants to do. why not visit and see what you could do to challenge yourself A nice, seamless link here to my million page game.....

Thank you everyone for joining in my little bit of fun, I am pleased to announce that SteveA was the closest with 999,999, so a book to him and one at random from all the rest........Christina.

Remember the Stories

Remembrance Day sees many ceremonies in many places, with wreath laying at the heart. This is in Trinity Square Gardens by the Tower of London, where the memorial commemorates the 40,000 merchant navy seamen, not soldiers. They died keeping Britain's supplies running and for them the sea is their resting place. Take a moment if you visit to read some of the stories, they can be very poignant.

It looks like today is the day the 1,000,000 number turns up (see in the left margin). Remember, all you have to do to win is to take the screenshot nearest 1,000,000 and send it to me, the chances of getting exactly 1,000,000 are probably small so it's worth trying anywhere near. I may even give another prize to the furthest geographical visitor, or in fact for any other reason that takes my fancy. Have a go, why don't you? (Competition is now over - winners will be announced tomorrow)

Remember the people

All the focus of the Remembrance Parades is for the soldiers who died in conflict, which is as it should be, but we should not forget the people who died, too. This memorial is unusual in that it is for the tens of thousands people of the East End who died in the bombing in WWII. You can find this quite near Tower Bridge, at Hermitage Garden.

Remember

This week there will be a mini-theme of remembrance, I'm starting off with where I was at 11:00 on Sunday - just by Bow Flyover. This (top) is where, on Friday afternoon, a 30 year old woman died under the wheels of a lorry. The second (bottom) is where three weeks ago 58 year old father of three died, under the wheels of a lorry. TfL have said sorry, so that's OK then. It appears that it is all too difficult to make things safer for pedestrians and cyclists at this roundabout because it might hold traffic up for a few seconds.

This is what happens when you have a mayor in thrall to big business and the charms of the consumerist society. Remember .... remember.

In case you are wondering, the bottom shot does include two numpties who found themselves incapable of driving around the roundabout without running into each other. One of the parties is more at fault, but I'm just glad there wasn't a cyclist involved....

The Lord Mayor's Parade

Saturday was the day of the annual Lord Mayor's Parade, with that particular blend of familiarity combined with pomp & circumstance that we do so well. Unfortunately I was unable to go this year, so the photo is from last year.

The counter for the 1,000,000 give-away is creeping up, see the left margin for more info.

St Helens Undershaft

The space at St Helen's Undershaft, between Lloyds of London and the Gherkin, has been turned into a mini sculpture park. The idea is to provide interest for people, this piece is called "Screen with Folded Arms", you wouldn't have guessed.

Festubert 1915, Loos, Somme 1916 1918 Flers Courcelette

Those names of the battlefields on which so many died in WW1 are inscribed at the bottom of this memorial, dedicated to the dead of the Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles regiment - 1,240 of them. The regiment included those from Audit, the Post Office, Whitehall. They stepped out of their comfortable jobs and risked their lives - Henry Moore the sculptor served in this regiment.

The memorial itself, based in Somerset House, was designed by Lutyens, and is notable for the flags which are carved and painted.

On today, 11/11/11, the guns of the first war fell silent so many years ago. We would do well to remember those fallen, and consider the other soldiers who didn't ask to die in the second war and so many other conflicts.

Hammersmith Bridge

Hammersmith Bridge is another of the legacies of Joseph Bazalgette, who as the creator of London's sewers probably did more to shape modern London than any other. It is still good to look at.

Hope you've al noticed the little give-away competition on the left hand side.

Lingua Franker

Some select cash machines in London offer to enliven your cash withdrawing experience by selecting Cockney as the language. Cockney rhyming slang was the patois of street traders who wanted to talk without customers understanding. The rhyming word was not normally spoken, so this machine would be for sausage, not sausage and mash (= cash) making it far more difficult to understand. Still, you can find this one, if you want, outside Bow Road station.

London to Brighton - The London End

It's really worth taking a moment to look at the cars that take part in this rally: all built before 1905, they are the first horseless carriages. Lots are like this one looks as if the horse has just wandered off. Cars come from all over the world to join in this rally, I think everyone loves them, whatever you may think of modern transport issues. Long may it continue.

London to Brighton - The End of the Road

Sunday was the London to Brighton Veteran car run, for cars built before 1905. I and a group of others rode along on our bikes, and it was great fun - rather like a 50 mile street party. I would definitely recommend anyone living near the route goes along one year to experience it, if you want a short video of what it's like on the cars, that's here, a rather edited version of the cycle ride, here.

Remeber, Remeber Remember, Remember....

The fifth of November, with gunpowder, treason & plot. As skies light up across London, the treason of Guy Fawkes is well remembered for trying to blow up Parliament. What is less well remembered is the reason for it - it really was no fun being a Catholic in England back then (in the late 16th Century). For many years bonfire night was celebrated by burning an effigy of the Pope, not certain when that turned into the more politically correct guy.

Ham's Backside

I couldn't possibly leave without this shot, could I? The wordplay possibilities have not been exhausted, but everything should have limits. The obligatory Ham Street photo is here.

Ham's Got a Garden

Ham's got the lot, as you might expect. The garden has been reconstructed in the style of the period, as although the house has been occupied for the last 400 years and has some amazing original features, the garden tends to be something that changes with the years and seasons. The other excellent feature of the house is how they have made it interesting for children, too. When I was there (last Saturday) children were having a whale of a time looking for pumpkins.

Ham's Fantastic Staircase

As promised, here is a shot of the interior of Ham House, showing the fantastic carved staircase. Chuckeroon over at Richmond Daily Photo is one of the dedicated volunteers who help keep the building open and make it come alive with their enthusiasm. If you haven't ever visited a National Trust property, you may not realise just how a building like this acquires its legions. What surprised me at Ham House was the number of young volunteers as well as more advanced years.

Ham House

Yes, it really is Ham House. And yes, it is one of the very grandest houses in London, not just in London but throughout Europe. The amazing thing is it has taken this long for me to get here. It really is worth visiting more detail over the next few days, and I'll introduce you to one of the natives, too.

November Theme Day - Fences

The theme for this months in the worldwide City Daily Photo is Fences. Time was, when you would find fences in all the markets in London, selling stolen goods. Then, it became more confined to the "Market Ouvert" in Bermondsey Market - a strange anomaly where anything sold between sunrise and sunset could not be questioned as stolen. You can imagine how that might have been exploited, but that ancient loophole was closed in 1995. I should point out that this market trader is NOT a fence, and this stall is in Greenwich Market full of desirable stuff.

If you want to see how others have interpreted the theme, Click here to view thumbnails for all participants. You may find a few more of the border marking-type fences.

The Thames at Richmond

Another example of where the photograph says it all.

Light on the City

I rather liked the searchight effect of the sunbeam through the cloud, I hope you do, too.

Counting Down

It's less than nine months the Olympics starts! The countdown clock in Trafalgar Square has counted down a few more since, but it is getting quite exciting. In contrast to the tickets for one event for the Olympics I was lucky enough to get, I have just about all that I asked for in the paralympics. I think I may have a good time.

St Martins in the Fields

For today, a photo of the Church of St Martin in the Fields in Trafalgar Square. Been a while since this has been fields, though.

Making a Spectacle

The super-large statue in St Pancras Station, of a couple meeting or parting, grabs the attention, but the detail around the base is quite fascinating, too. It's all based around transport in London.

Inside tthe ICA

Looking down inside the Institute of Contemporary Arts, they have a mighty fine staircase. Some of the art is interesting, if a little....different. Worth a visit in all events.

Maybe we could be amused

Tucked away in Carlton House Terrace, well away from easy viewing, is a very fine marble statue of a much younger Victoria, with astonishing detail such as the fabric brocade. She still looks miserable to me, though.

A Reformed Character

The Reform Club is one of the very last of London's old Gentlemen's Clubs - although for the last thirty years they have even allowed women. apparently it only costs about £100 a month.... but you do have to be nominated for membership. Then screened. The chances of me joining? Less than zero.

Ooops! Fixed. Sorry for the confusion, I've been away for a few days.

View From the Blue

The Blue Bridge in St James Park is possibly one of the best viewpoints in London, especially when the weather is just right.

Oh dear, where did I put that building?

You all know I like the small details in a building, this - well it's not a caryatid cos it's a bloke - looks very worried. Found him in Curzon Place.

Self Portrait With a View

Two self portraits in a week - what is the world coming to? It's not very often that I in a situation where I want to put myself in the frame - I couldn't resist this opportunity, though. Oh, and the curved mirror is wonderfully slimming.

View From the Top

This has to be one of the very best views in London, from the bar at the top of Tower 42, it really is quite spectacular and I recommend it wholeheartedly.

Are we Amused?

At some point, this mural dedicated to the Queen mum has sprung up byt he steps to Carlton Terrace. I can't help thinking it's all a bit naff, but I suppose that is somehow fitting.

Free 2 Dance

Great British Eccentrics - in a nice way. What's going on here is a silent disco approaching the world record for non stop dancing, in support of Burma. Read more about is here.

The Other Side of the Coin

This convex/concave mirror is really fascinating, I for one couldn't decide on my favourite side. With yesterday's shot, you can get a perspective of the size.

Self Portrait With Mirror & Lloyds

There's a very interesting piece popped up in the square just by the Gherkin, I don't think I can do anything but show you it again tomorrow.

Cabot Square

When you see these characters in Cabot Square in Docklands, ask yourself how you know without thinking that one is male the other female.

Pretty as a Picture

Today, I take one of my occasional forays outside London, to the sort of places Londoners go when they can. This scene is from Flatford Mill Near Manningtree in Essex, where John Constable lived and painted in the 18th Century. This scene is still recogisable as the one in The Haywain. Many of Constable's paintings hang in the National Gallery and the Tate Britain, both worth visiting.

Bring Sense to the Streets

This is what Blackfriars Bridge looks like rammed with thousands of cyclists trying to get a simple message to Boris: PLEASE DO SOMETHING FOR CYCLISTS SAFETY. Boris & TfL are determined to re-raise the speed limit across the bridge back to 30 (from 20 where it has been), despite it being one of the worst designed river crossings for cyclist (two have died, to my knowledge) Read more and see a video of what 2,500 cyclists look like here

Violette Szabo

Tucked away near the south side of Lambeth Bridge is the memorial to Violette Szabo, a real life secret agent whose story is worth reading. Don't miss the code poem associated with her, either The Life That I Have to cheer up any day.

Art with a capital Ah?

The free exhibitions in the Hayward Gallery are always worth a visit, they can also be thought provoking. Sometimes, they are just a little difficult to understand. This one is termed an Eyeball Massage, why don't you visit and make up your own mind?

Look at the Birdie

Well, why not use the backdrop if you can? Looks like they were getting married fairly locally, as distinct from the Japanese who have a tendency to dress up in their wedding togs to be photographed in Parliament Square.

This Art Stuff is all a bit pants

Around the Hayward Gallery at the moment, are 300 pairs of white underpants with lights in. Part of Pipilotti Rist's "Hiplights" it does have in its favour that it makes people smile.

Captain James Cook

Captain Cook stands near Admiralty Arch in London, clutching his map and reminding us of what it is like to sail in uncharted waters - if we want to think about it,

The Union Jack

The Union Flag flies over, so it may come as a surprise to hear that it was only adopted officially at the start of the 20th century. It may also surprise you to learn that it features on the flags of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Taunton Massachusetts

October is Here

In London, you are never far away from some woods where often the very ordinary can be very beautiful.

Smoothie Operator

Everything these days is all about the experience, in a very Fin de Siecle manner. Here you have the experience of the frozen smoothie, apparently you are supposed to assemble it yourself. All too complicated for me.

Stationary Station

A few years ago the idea of "Stratford International Station" sounded very much like "Trotters Independent Trading, New York, Paris, Peckham" but here it is, large as life and twice as ugly. I don't think I will ever have the option to cycle 10 minutes from home to a train that will take me to Paris, but it is still quite exciting that they have finally opened it. Read more here and here.

The last days of summer - Pt II

We seem to have been treated to an extra few days of summer, and I for one am not complaining. This is a scene from the park at the end of my road, Wanstead Park.

Shaping Up

Inside the Canary Wharf development there are numbers of pieces of art, this one really plays with your mind. If you think you can guess what it really looks like, take a look here.

October theme Day - a mystery object

The October theme for the worldwide City Daily Photo sites is a mystery object. I thought I'd show something that isn't so much a mystery itself, it's easy to guess what it is, but there are mysteries on the other end of the ropes. Where have they been? What were they doing? Where have they been? Click here to see how others around the world interpreted the theme.