Fox Photos photographer Fred Morley takes on Aussie, the boxing kangaroo in London’s Trafalgar Square, 31st August 1931. Found via Reddit.
Author: Ian
The O-Fish-Al – £1 Fish Man – One Pound Fish – Video
Honestly, there really isn’t a whole lot I can say about this video. This is the official (or O-Fish-Al, get it?) video from Muhammad Shahid Nazir, 31 aka One Pound Fish Man – singing the song he made famous back in April. You can see the original below:
Continue reading The O-Fish-Al – £1 Fish Man – One Pound Fish – Video
My London – Another Timelapse Video From Summer 2012
My London. (Timelapse) from Ollie Smalley Photography on Vimeo.
There’s something about London that lends itself to timelapse videos. The video above called ‘My London’ was shot by Ollie Smalley Photography over the summer of 2012. The video has your standard timelapse shots of the London Eye, the Thames and the Tube.
What makes it somewhat unique is the time it was taken. In it you can see Tower Bridge with the Olympic Rings and King’s Cross Station with the ugly green canopy, both things I’ve covered on this blog before and both things that aren’t permanent. I think the video shows a lot of promise and look forward to seeing what Ollie Smalley Photography has in tore for us in the future.
Short Film Almost Makes You Want To Visit Speakers’ Corner
Speakers’ Corner from James D Lyndon on Vimeo.
Speakers’ Corner – the short film above – was shot by James D Lyndon in March, 2012 for Worn & Torn Films. It is shot beautifully, with James stating that:
The film aims to capture the atmosphere of Speakers’ Corner in a kind of montage of sight and sound. Even the music comes from a street busker who I saw as I was just about to leave.
I think the film does a good job enticing you to visit the Hyde Park institution. However, don’t be surprised if your actual experience is bit less relaxing than what the video shows. From my experience Speakers’ Corner is packed with people each Sunday. Still definitely worth a visit.
For more about Speakers’ Corner visit: http://www.speakerscornertrust.org/
Wondering If Visiting Aldwych Station Is Worth £20? Watch This Video
One of the must see stops for London Underground buffs is the disused Aldwych Tube Station. All services to the station ceased in 1994, but TFL through the London Transport Museum still run periodic tours. However, they aren’t cheap. Full price tickets are £20 with concessions getting a massive £2 discount.
So is the tour worth £20? Well that depends on how much you like the tube. The video above comes from reddit user zzpza who visited on December 1, 2012. It gives you a good idea of what you can expert to see. zzpza adds that:
I took photos on the way down and video on the way up, so the video is only the way out from the second platform. The other platform had test tiling (test design) in a small part of it, some old advertising, an old tube map and a train from around the 90’s. I also didn’t record much from the entrance or ticket office. So there was more to look at. You were pretty free to wander as long as you stayed near the tour guides. We didn’t get to see any of the ‘non public’ parts of the station, but I have seen photos from other tours that have.
If Aldwych Tube Station is something you’d like to visit, make sure you head over to the London Transport Museum website to find out when the next set of tours are taking place.
All Souls Church, Langham Place
All Souls Church, Langham Place is one of London’s more iconic churches. Completed in December 1823 and designed by John Nash, it’s rather unique design did not meet with universal approval when it opened. The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction said it was “… one of the most miserable structures in the metropolis…”
However, it would be difficult to imagine this part of London without it today. It can be found just in front of BBC Broadcasting House.
To learn more about the church visit their website.
This photo was taken during my Victoria Line Walk, in support of Bowel Cancer UK to see more photos from the walk you can visit my Flickr page.
The Many of Faces Of BBC Broadcasting House
Current modern entrance to BBC Broadcasting House
Broadcasting House is the BBC’s headquarters. The original building opened in 1934 designed by George Val Myer in collaboration with M T Tudsbery. Designed in impressive Art Deco style the original front of the building is still visible see below:
Original Art Deco Front
However, the original building was not up to the task of providing space for the world’s largest broadcaster in the 21st century. Thus, added to the old building are the Egton Wing (or John Peel Wing) and the glass entrance seen at the top of this post. However, not all views of the building are quite so impressive.
The modern Egton Wing/Peel Wing from Langham Street, not quite so impressive.
You can find Broadcasting House by going north along Regent’s Street from Oxford Circus. Don’t worry the area around it is usually much quieter than the area just a few blocks south.
This photo was taken during my Victoria Line Walk, in support of Bowel Cancer UK to see more photos from the walk you can visit my Flickr page.
Beautiful Former Victorian Public Toilet In Fitzrovia
Scattered across London are former public toilets that are no longer accessible. Some have been repurposed into anything from bars to homes. Others have tried to map the remaining ones open for the public to use.
However, the vast majority these old Victoria era toilets have been closed, too expensive to operate and maintain. Too bad when you consider how intricate the ironwork is. A really shame that more of these are not put to better use. This one can be found on Foley Street, outside The Crown And Sceptre Pub in Fitzrovia.
Edit: Seems this former loo has been turned into The Attendant, a so-called lavatory cafe.
London Lights – Shows How Beautiful London Is At Night
London Lights from Nicholas Buer on Vimeo.
With the days continuing to get shorter it can sometimes be difficult to remember that London can be beautiful at night too. This beautifully shot timelapse video by Nicholas Buer shows the lights of London’s buildings. It’s been around for about 8 months now, and was originally shot from November 2011 to February 2012. Still if you’t seen it, it’s the perfect time of year to have a look. Shorter days and long nights aren’t all bad.
Tower Tavern Sign
Unsurprisingly, the Tower Tavern is located right next to the BT Tower. However, I think it’s a very bizarre name for a pub. Pub names in the UK can be based on a variety of things such as animals, heraldry, colours, transport, historic events, etc. Location is also commonly used for naming pubs, but usually not something so recent.
Still at the end of the day, probably not worth thinking (or writing) too much about. Besides, the pedant in me would point out that the image of the BT Tower on the sign is how it used to look (with satellite dishes), so in a sense it’s at least using historic imagery.
This photo was taken during my Victoria Line Walk, in support of Bowel Cancer UK to see more photos from the walk you can visit my Flickr page.