WALKING AND TALKING

The astonishing interior of Drapers' Hall, one of London's senior livery companies.

Seeing London is one thing; sitting and listening to a lecture is another. The best way to combine the two is by using a Powerpoint presentation - and that's something which is a popular feature of the lectures that I give on London subjects.

Take THE RIVER OF HISTORY, for example. It's a very popular walk, from the Tower to the Millenium Bridge. It traces the path of London's history from the arrival of the Romans when they established Londinium in AD 43 to the remarkable story of the Wobbly Bridge - even though it doesn't wobble anymore.

It's a great walk, lots to see and talk about, and one that converts easily into a Powerpoint presentation. So in the depths of winter in a crowded village hall somewhere deep in the countryside, I can almost bring that experience to life for members of a local History Society, the Women's Institute or a gathering of the U3A.

The talks diary is already filling up for 2008 - and I've got a couple of firm dates for 2009. There are nearly always requests to come back - with Samuel Pepys, the Great Fire of London, City Churches and the role of the Livery Companies being popular choices for follow-up visits.

If you have a group, society or organisation that may not be able to join a LONDON WALK then the next best thing is to book a talk. Check out my profile and send me an e-mail if your interested and I'll come back with all the details.

But don't forget the walks! Strolling through the history of London in the Spring and Summer is an experience you shouldn't miss.

WALK ON IN 2008

The George Coaching Inn in Southwark - the last one to be seen in London

It's nearly all over for 2007- and my LONDON CITY walks came to an end in Southwark. Now if you think this is not the most interesting or fascinating part of the capital - then think again! Southwark has mystery and murder, prisons and prostitutes, beer and bear-baiting. And if that isn't enough then just flick through the pages of Charles Dickens' Little Dorritt.

LONDON offers so much more than Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and St.Paul's Cathedral. Of course they are on the list of every visitor - but it's away from the main tourist attractions that you find London's true character and history.

SOUTHWARK is a good example; the Hop Exchange, the Red Cross Garden, the narrow coaching yards off Borough High Street - and, of course, Borough Market itself. For centuries, this area on the southern bank of the River Thames was naughty and saucy. Not any more. Now it's vibrant, mysterious and a wonderful place for restaurants. So why not go and explore the area in 2008.

What's coming up for LONDON CITY walkers? What about a roam around ROTHERHITHE or hanging around HOLBORN. There are visits to the Apothecaries' Hall, Fishmongers' Hall and the River Thames Polioce Museum in Wapping. There's no doubt that 2008 is going to be even better than 2007.

AUTUMN PROGRAMME OF CITY WALKS

There's a great selection of walks for those who like discovering the history of the City of London. Take a look and make your choice.

Monday 22nd October 2007

INTRODUCTION TO THE CITY
This long-term favourite walk is the best way of learning more about how the City has developed and prospered since Roman times. Wander through the alleys, narrow passageways and courtyards that are hidden away yet rich in history. Stories of wealth, poverty, triumph and tragedy are revealed in this stroll through the heart of the City.

Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 11.45 a.m. or outside the main entrance of Fenchurch Street Station at 1.00 pm.

Wednesday, 31st October 2007

THE RIVER OF HISTORY
No-one can ignore the River Thames. It has been the focus of so much that has happened in London over the past 2,000 years. The best way to find out more is to join the walk that starts at the Tower and goes along the Thames path to the Millennium Bridge.

Meet at 9.15 a.m. at Leigh-on-Sea Station or outside the main entrance of Fenchurch Street Station at 10.30 a.m.


Monday, 5th November 2007

THE CHURCHES OF SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN
London once boasted over 100 churches but the Great Fire and the Blitz has severely reduced that number. Yet most of the 23 that remain were designed and built by Sir Christopher Wren and stepping inside any of them will confirm his remarkable talents. We shall visit four or five churches on this walk.

Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.15 a.m. or outside the main entrance of Fenchurch Street Station at 10.30 a.m.

Saturday, 24th November 2007

BLOOMSBURY SQUARES
This area on the fringe of the City attracted the rich and famous from the 17th century onwards. Fine squares and grand homes were created; actors, painters, writers, politicians and the aristocracy settled in Bloomsbury. You have the chance to walk through these spacious squares and along streets of elegant houses, starting at Holborn and finishing at Brunswick Square.

Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.15 a.m. or the ticket office at Holborn Underground Station at 11 a.m.

Thursday, 6th December 2007

AROUND BLACKFRIARS
On the banks of the old River Fleet, the Blackfriars and Carmelite monks remained in religious isolation for centuries. Henry VIII changed all that and so did the character of the area. It became busy, crowded, dangerous, dirty and unhealthy. But don’t worry – it’s safe to come on this walk today!

Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.15 a.m. or in the booking hall of Blackfriars Underground Station at 11 a.m.

Tuesday, 18th December 2007

STROLLING AROUND SOUTHWARK
In the busy streets and passage-ways near Borough Market you will hear stories about Charles Dickens, the Marshalsea Prison, Thomas Guy, founder of Guy’s Hospital and the grimy industrial conditions of the 19th century. The walk finishes close to the river and with stories about saucy Southwark and ‘Winchester Geese’.
Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.15 am or outside W.H. Smith the newsagents on the concourse of London Bridge Station at 11 a.m.

THE SQUARES OF BLOOMSBURY

One of the great attractions of London is the element of surprise. Wander through the streets, squares, alleyways and passages and there is always something to catch the eye...a plaque here, a statue there, a hidden church, a colourful garden...and so it goes on.

BLOOMSBURY is like that so why not join a walk on Thursday, 30th August to wander through the squares and gardens of this elegant and stylish area just north of the City. Those in the 17th and 18th centuries who could afford to live in style and splendour moved away from the increasingly-squalid city and settled for the cleaner and fresher surroundings of Bloomsbury.

If you want to join THE SQUARES OF BLOOMSBURY walk then make a booking by calling your walking guide, David Williams, on 01702 710232.

The meeting place is HOLBORN UNDERGROUND STATION (in the booking hall) at 11 am.

The cost is just £5 per person - pay on the day.

SUMMER WALKING PROGRAMME

LONDON

FOOTSTEPS

NEWSLETTER

July 2007


SUMMER TIME IN THE CITY

Programme for July-September 2007

Thousands of tourists flock to London in the Summer – but many of them miss the opportunity to see the hidden secrets of the Square Mile. But that doesn’t happen if you join a LONDON FOOTSTEPS walk – so why not come along and learn more about the fascinating history and some remarkable stories of the City of London

This programme covers July-September 2007. If you are interested in joining a LONDON FOOTSTEPS walk then please let me know. Individual walkers are very welcome or you may like to bring a few friends. Each walk lasts just over 2 hours and there is an opportunity for a short coffee break.

Meeting arrangements are flexible. You can join us in London close to where the walk will start. Those coming from South Essex can meet me Leigh-on-Sea Station although it is possible to join us at Fenchurch Street.

The cost is just £5 for the walk, pay on the day.

LONDON FOOTSTEPS
70, Hadleigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 2LZ
Tel: 01702 710232
email: info@londonfootsteps.co.uk
http://www.londonfootsteps.co.uk/



Monday, 16th July 2007

SECRET GARDENS IN THE CITY
This walk reveals one of the City’s hidden secrets. At this time of the year there is a riot of colour in the small parks, gardens and green spaces that flourish among all the high-rise buildings. See them – and see how the City gardeners have transformed what were once derelict sites and overgrown churchyards.

Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.30 am or 10.45 am at the barrier on Platform 11 of Liverpool Street Station.


Saturday, 21st July 2007

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
It’s difficult to believe that the streets of London were dark and dangerous places in previous centuries. Thieves, highway robbers, murderers, pickpockets….it was not the safest of Cities. But there were also severe penalties…hanging, transportation, whippings. So be prepared for some gory details on this walk! The walk starts near the Tower and finishes at the Old Bailey.

Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.15 am or outside the Tower Hill underground station at 10.30 am


Thursday, 2nd August 2007

INK SPOTS
Fleet Street will always be remembered for newspapers and great writers But the newspapers have moved to gleaming temples of technology in Docklands and we are left with memories. This walk is about the men and women who have appeared in print over centuries – and a visit to the journalists’ church, St Brides – is the highlight of the walk.

Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.15 am or in the booking hall of Blackfriars Underground Station at 11 am


Saturday 11th August 2007

MURDER, MEAT AND MEDICINE
Not a walk for the faint-hearted or squeamish…but it does reveal a dark side of London’s history. We visit Smithfield, still a meat market today, and also learn about London’s oldest hospital – St Bartholomews. But it’s not all doom and gloom; there are plenty of lighter moments to keep you interested.

Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station 9.30 am or outside the main entrance of Fenchurch Street Station at 11 am


Saturday 1st September 2007

THE GREAT FIRE OF 1666
What started as a small fire in a bakery in the early hours of 2nd September, 1666 soon raged out of control. Five days later, two-thirds of the City was a smoking ruin. We trace the progress of the fire from Pudding Lane and consider the impact it had on the population and the future of London.

Meet at 9.15am at Leigh-on-Sea Station or outside the main entrance of Fenchurch Street Station at 10.30 am.

Saturday, 15th September; Sunday, 16th September

This is the LONDON OPEN HOUSE weekend. Here’s an opportunity to visit a whole range of buildings throughout London. Further details can be fund on the London Open House web site.

Thursday, 27th September 2007

SPITALFIELDS
Over the centuries, the City has attracted migrants from Europe and beyond. Many of these groups settled to the East of the City – and their language, traditions and culture have flourished. The Jews, the Hugonots..the Chines…the Bangladeshis – all have contributed to kaleidoscope of life so close to the City.

Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.30 am or at the barrier to Platform 11 at Liverpool Street Station at 11am


JOINING THE WALKS

We know that some people prefer to meet locally and travel in as a group. That’s easier for those who live in the South Essex area because all the walks start near Fenchurch Street station. Off-peak return fares will apply with a further reduction if you have a Senior RailCard.

Unless otherwise notified, we meet at 9.45 am at Leigh-on-Sea station where there is plenty of car parking space.

Those who prefer to travel in to London independently can meet us outside the main entrance of Fenchurch Street station, near the map, at 11 am






TALKS AND LECTURES

LONDON FOOTSTEPS also provide special talks on City of London subjects to groups, societies and clubs who have regular afternoon and evening meetings for their members. These are interesting and informative shows delivered via a Powerpoint audio-visual presentation.

I come along with all the equipment which can be set up in 15 minutes. All we asked is that you provide the electricity supply for the computer and digital projector – and a cup of tea!

There is a one-off fee for these talks of £45.


YOUR GUIDE

DAVID WILLIAMS is a qualified City of London guide, a member of the City of London Guide Lecturers Association and Associate of the Institute of Tourist Guiding.

LONDON FOOTSTEPS
70, Hadleigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 2LZ

Tel: 01702 710232 Mobile: 07831 857382

Email: mailto:info@londondfootsteps.co.uk
davidwilliams@dwmedia.co.uk
www.londonfootsteps.co.uk

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

Can you believe that the streets of London once had more than a fair share of dangerous and undesirable characters...many of them children and women. Thieves, pickpockets, highway robbers, murderers - they all received harsh justice if caught, and many were.

Those sent to prison often faced years in squalor and filth and were frequently struck-down with disease. What seemed minor offences were often punishable by hanging, transportation and whipping. Worst of all, you could be hanged, drawn and quartered.

Now all that might put you off from joining the next CRIME AND PUNISHMENT walk around the streets of the City. But if you want to find out more about this fascinating aspect of London's history then come along and join the LONDON FOOTSTEPS group on Saturday morning, 19th May 2007.

Meet me, David Williams, outside the main entrance of London's Fenchurch Street Station at 10.45 am. The walk lasts for two hours and costs just £5. Pay on the day.

Come along and take a leisurely stroll through the history of one of the world's great cities.

MAYBE IT'S TIME FOR MAY WALK

There are some great walks coming up in the LONDON FOOTSTEPS programme - so check them out and make a note in your diary.

Tuesday, 1st May 2007:

MURDER, MEAT AND MEDICINE. Not a walk for the faint-hearted and squeamish...but it does reveal a dark side of London's history. We visit Smithfield, still a meat market today, but once a place of riots, ribaldry and executions. There's also St Bartholomew's Hospital nearby and that has played an extraordinary part in the history of the City.

Meet by the barrier at Platform 11 at Liverpool Street Station at 11 am.

Saturday, 19th May 2007

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

The streets of London were dark and dangerous places in previous centuries. Thieves, highway robbers, murders, pickpockets...it was certainly not safe to go out alone at night in some areas. Punishment was severe...hangings, transportation, whippings and executions. So be prepared for some gory details.

Meet outside the main entrance of Fenchurch Street Station at 10.45 am.

BOOK A PLACE ON THESE WALKS BY CALLING LONDON FOOTSTEPS

Tel: 01702 710232 or email: david@londonfootsteps.co.uk

JOIN THE GREAT FIRE WALKERS. 24TH MARCH 2007: 11am.

One of the greatest disasters in the history of London happened 340 years. The Great Fire of London, which started in a baker's shop in the early hours of 2nd September 1666, burned for nearly five days and destroyed two-thirds of the City.

Why not join the LONDON FOOTSTEPS walking tour on Saturday, 24th March to hear the story of this catastrophe and walk the route from Monument Station to the point in Giltspur Street where the fire finally died out.

Then there's a big bonus! The nearby Museum of London has a special Great Fire exhibition which is well worth visiting.

MEET YOUR GUIDE DAVID WILLIAMS AT 11am AT MONUMENT UNDERGROUND STATION. THE WALK LAST FOR TOURS AND COSTS £5 - PAY ON THE DAY.

So book your place now by contacting
david@londonfootsteps.co.uk
or call 01702-710232.

HOLD THE FRONT PAGE

Saturday,

February 24th

INK SPOTS

Join a walk around Fleet Street with LONDON FOOTSTEPS

This part of London will always be remembered for printing, newspapers and great writers. Now the industry has moved on to their gleaming temples of technology in Docklands but there are still plenty of memories around the Fleet Street ink spots.

This walk traces the history of the magazines and newspapers and some of the writers and journalists who have filled the pages of print from the 17th to the 20th centuries.
The visit to the journalists’ church – St Bride’s – is the highlight of the walk.

Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.30 am or in the booking hall of Blackfriars Underground Station at 11 am.

Give me a call if you would like to come along on
Saturday, 24th February.

David Williams: LONDON FOOTSTEPS
Your City of London Guide and Lecturer.

70, Hadleigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 2LZ
Tel: 01702 710232 Mobile: 07831 857382
Email: davidwilliams@dwmedia.co.uk

FASCINATING SPITALFIELDS

One of the fascinating features of London is being able to turn off a busy street and step back in time through narrow passages, squares and alley-ways. That's the attraction of SPITALFIELDS, an area in the East of the City which is just a few yards away from busy Bishopsgate and Liverpool Street Station.

That's why my next walk promises to be one to remember. It's taking place on Saturday, 10th February 2007. Anyone who wants to come along can meet me at the ticket barrier on platform 11 of Liverpool Street station at 11 am.

How will you know it's me? That's easy. I shall be wearing a distinctive yellow bib and displaying my City of London Guide badge.

The two-hour walk will be taken at a gentle pace because there's so much to see and learn. This is where French and Dutch Huguenots, Chinese, Jews, Bangladeshis are just some of the many races who have come and settled in the area. It has produced a vibrant mix of people, buildings and stories - and you can find out about them by joining me on a LONDON FOOTSTEPS walk.

If you're interested, call me beforehand on 01702 710232 or email david@londonfootsteps.co.uk