Category: Local Stories

Local Stories

Queen of the Forest 2023

Since 1947 Oslo have given London a Christmas tree as a token of their gratitude for the British support during WWII, protecting their country and

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St James's Underground station, Broadway, London, facing the building that housed the Cipher School in the 1920s and 1930s
History

Westminster’s code breakers

Mark Lubienski shines a light onto the secret world of the cryptanalysts whose wartime successes in deciphering Nazi communications inspired the film the Imitation Game

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Pepys' House, 12 Buckingham Street, on background map of area
History

Working from home with Samuel Pepys

Take a stroll down Buckingham Street with David Mullany to check out the view from Sam’s 17th century home office and learn about the street’s many other illustrious residents

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Horse Guards parade from St James's Parkrk
History

The gateway to a fairy kingdom?

Dugald Sandeman once worked in an office with a view – one of Horse Guards Parade where, against the backdrop of the elegant and graceful Guard House, the annual ceremony to mark the sovereign’s birthday takes place every June

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Fawcett statue unveiling
History

A woman’s place is in Parliament Square

Women in the UK did not gain universal suffrage until 1928, but the first milestone was reached in 1918, when some women became eligible to vote. On the centenary of this first victory, Parliament Square made way for a statue of a woman to commemorate the many who fought to secure universal suffrage

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A literary party at Sir Joshua Reynolds', National Portrait Gallery
History

A London peculiarity: men only need apply

The Garrick Club, which has been going for almost two centuries, enabled respectable gentlemen to mix with the acting fraternity, not generally considered reputable members of society in Victorian times

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Sepia illustration of old cinema projector
History

A retro gem in Regent Street

What started out as a pioneering theatre that used optical illusions in its plays became the first cinema in Britain to show films to the paying public in the 1890s. Today, it’s a place to enjoy a good film amid its art deco interior and occasionally listen to a tune played on its unique organ

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Nell Gwyn in The Legend of Chelsea Hospital
History

When women staged an entrance

The return of the monarchy with Charles II in 1660 not only led to the reopening of theatres, but also brought innovations such as women taking to the stage. David Evans sets the scene

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