NOVEMBER WALK

Have you ever been to ROTHERHITHE? If the answer is no then now is your chance to put that right. The first of the winter walks is to this area South of the river and takes in some of new development in Dockland as well as some of the old riverside area that has links going back to the Mayflower and the Pilgim fathers.

Make a note of the date for this walk. It's FRIDAY, 28TH NOVEMBER 2009 and starts from Canada Water Station (Jubilee Line) at 11.00 am. If you want to come along then let me know. david@londonfootsteps.co.uk

THINK OF THE ROMANS WHEN VISITING STRATFORD!

There's less than four years to go. By the Spring of 2012, London will be one of the most-talked about cities in the world and when the Olympic Games finally get underway, the global media coverage will be extraordinary. I'm wondering though. What are we actually doing to make sure that London is ready to show off its full historical and traditional potential.

I recently went on an an organised trip to the Stratford site. If you get a buzz from seeing construction sites, trucks with huge wheels, men in hard hats - then this was just the place to go. I was more interested to see how much the area had changed since my last visit three years ago.

It was a total transformation. There was not an inch of greenery on the site whereas my the photographs I took back in 2005 pictured the place as a wild-life haven - and a graveyard for smashed and burned-out cars. Can't expect much else really - but we have lost a slice of East London that was fascinating in a grotty sort of way.

Come 2012 it will be bristling with gleaming, modern buildings and sports facilities. The change will be far greater than Barack Obama is currently promising for the United States. What happens to the site afterwards is another story - but it will certainly not be anything like it was in 2005. There is one doubt, however; back then there were signs everywhere of dereliction and vandalism. We can't be sure - but it's not unusal to see Olympic venues drifting into decay and becoming eyesores and a drain on the finances of local authorities.

Remember what happened to London - Londinium - after the Roman Empire collapsed at the start of the 5th century AD. London was abandoned and over the next 100 years the City became deserted; buildings collapsed; the streets were overgrown and only occasional nomadic tribes inhabited the place. Let's hope we won't be recalling this story in the years following the 2012 Olympics!

Twenty years ago, no-one would have metioned Stratford and the Olympic Games in the same conversation. It just wasn't a talking point. Now it's a regular feature acoss the media and by the time the Games open it will be the major event of the decade for this country. Will we be ready to cope with all the hype, organisation and millions of visitors? Of course we will - but I just wonder how many people still believe that "it will all come right on the day". Complacency may prove to be disastrous.

VISITORS FROM BELGIUM

It's always a pleasure to show friends from other countries around the City of London - especially when they want to discover some of the hidden secrets of the Square Mile. Too often we concentrate on the major tourist attractions - Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London - so a walk round the alleyways and passages of the City sometimes seems less exciting.

Tony, Ann, Yves and Thomas Doutreligne came from Ghent in Belgium recently and had a special request - to see some of the modern buildings in the City. We had a great walk ... and I hope they come back sometime to see and learn more about the City of London.

WHERE WILL THEY DIG UP THE MISSING LETTER?

Just a quickie. Anyone who comes to London to improve their English - and there are millions who do - may be puzzled by some of the strange spelling mistakes that appear on signs and notices around the capital. Take this one which was displayed on the Thames Path by the Tower of London. Oh dear! Off with their head!

PROGRAMME OF GUIDED WALKS

AUGUST-OCTOBER 2008

Join DAVID WILLIAMS, your official City of London guide, on the new season of walks. Some of the old favourites are included and there are walks to some unusual yet fascinating parts of London.

Have a look at the programme and book your place now. Group numbers vary between 10 and 25 people. You can meet us at Leigh-on-Sea Station or it may be more convenient for you to join the group in London.

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


Friday 1st August 2008

STROLLING AROUND SOUTHWARK

It’s not all about William Shakespeare and the Globe Theatre. As we move through the narrow streets and passage-ways 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 before finishing up on the riverside and learning more 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 am

Friday, 15th August 2008

WAPPING AND THE THAMES RIVER POLICE MUSEUM

This ever-popular walk around Wapping never fails to amaze those who think of this area as a forgotten, uninteresting part of the capital. You won’t be disappointed. The old docks are now housing estates but this is where you hear about the exploits of Captain Bligh, the painter J.M.W. Turner and Captain Kidd the pirate. The visit to the Police Museum takes you back to an age when Wapping was notorious for crime, poverty and disease. Now it costs over £1 million to buy a penthouse with a river view.

Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.15 a.m. or 10.45 a.m. or outside Tower Hill underground station.


Monday 8th September 2008

INK SPOTS

Fleet Street will always be remembered for printing empires 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 9.30 am or in the booking hall of Blackfriars Underground Station at 11 a.m.




Saturday, 20th September 2008

INTRODUCTION TO THE CITY

The City – or Square Mile - has been the financial heart of Britain since the Romans established Londinium nearly 2,000 years ago. Today, it is in the grip of the biggest construction boom since the War - so finding the hidden history down alley-ways and narrow streets is a challenging aspect of this walk. At the weekend, when the streets are quiet, it’s a chance to re-discover some of that history.

Meet at 9.30 a.m. at Leigh-on-Sea Station or outside the main entrance of Fenchurch Street Station at 10.30 a.m.


Friday 3rd October 2008

‘ORRIBLE HOLBORN

It is hard to imagine that Holborn, on the western edge of the City, was an overcrowded, squalid area with a reputation for hard-drinking, prostitution and crime. Today, it is closely associated with publishing and the legal profession but behind the modern office blocks are some intriguing stories.

Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.15 a.m. or in the booking-hall of Chancery Lane Station (Central Line) at 11 am.

Monday, 13th October 2008

ROTHERHITHE AND DOCKLANDS

This area south of the river is now re-named Surrey Quays. The transformation since the Surrey Commercial Docks were closed in the 1980s is startling yet the maritime traditions live on. It was from here that the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America and the first underwater tunnel was built by the Brunels. It was badly bombed in the Second World War but the heritage was not destroyed.

Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.15 a.m. Those joining at Rotherhithe should meet at Canada Water Station (Jubilee Line) at 11 a.m.

Friday, 31st October 2008

MURDER, MEAT AND MEDICINE

The walk starts near Smithfield meat market and you won’t be surprised to learn that this was also a place of hangings, riots and bawdy entertainment. The surgeons and doctors at nearby St Bart’s Hospital, founded in the 12th century, were always busy but their skill has saved many lives over the past 900 years. There’s also a chance to visit the Hospital museum with its famous Hogarth wall murals.

Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.15 a.m. or outside the Barbican Station (Circle and Metropolitan Line) at 11 a.m.

LONDON FOOTSTEPS:

Email: info@londonfootsteps.co.uk

David Williams: Tel: 01702 710232 Mobile: 07831 857382

TRADITION LIVES ON - AND WHY NOT!

The Lord Mayor of the City of London meets the Master of the Carmen's Company

As the City of London faces up to the credit crunch, stagflation and a falling Stock Market, take a moment to think about some of the strange and fascinating ceremonies that have origins that go back over centuries. This week there have been two or them - the Knollys Rose Ceremony in Seething Lane and Cart Marking in Guildhall Yard.

What relevance do they have with life in 21st century London? I believe the answer is everything. They demonstrate that the City has a rich and varied history based on traditions and values that are just as important as they were back in the days when the City was, as it is now, the world's leading financial and mercantile centre.

To find out more about the ceremonies themselves have a look at the web sites of All Hallows by the Tower http://www.allhallowsbythetower.org.uk/ and the Carmen's Livery company http://www.thecarmen.co.uk/ They rarely make the pages of the tourist brochures but can add a touch of intrigue and colour to the City streets.

Sir Robert Knollys went off to fight with John of Gaunt in the 14th century leaving his wife to live in a City that was over-crowded and dirty. It wasn't much fun - but she purchased a house in Seething Lane and had a bridge built across the road to the open ground opposite and so avoided meeting the 'great unwashed' passing outside her front door.

The bridge didn't have ' planning permission', but Sir Robert was a loyal servant of the crown so his wife was asked for a nominal rent to keep the bridge - one red rose annually.

The bridge has long since gone but the garden became associated with Samuel Pepys who lived and worked in the area in the 17th century. Today the Watermen and Lightermen Company organise the annual Knollys Rose event to remember a man and his wife who showed respect and devotion to the monarch.

The cart making ceremony is a reminder of the time when all wheeled vehicles on the streets of the City had to be licensed by the Carmen's Company...an early version of the congestion charge! It is a parade of vehicles, old and new, some horse-drawn, and each is honoured with a special 'branded mark' on a special plate fitted to the vehicle. This time it was carried out by the Lord Mayor, David Lewis.

EARLY SUMMER WALKS IN THE CITY

The programme of walks for May-July is now available - a mix of old favourites and something new. There are visits to the SANDYS ROW SYNAGOGUE and DRAPERS HALL, a chance to see the old CART-MARKING CEREMONY at Guildhall and a new walk, HOW ABOUT HOLBORN?

If you want to know more about how you can book a place on these walks then just contact DAVID WILLIAMS. Don't waste a minute. Numbers are limited and it works on a pre-booking first come-first served principle.

Thursday, 22nd May 2008

SECRET CITY GARDENS
London in late Spring is when the colours of nature transform the streets, squares and alleyways. The window boxes are in bloom and the Corporation Parks Department work overtime to maintain the 150 green spaces and churchyards that are so important in a City that is continually changing and growing. Come and see for yourself!

Meet at 9.15 a.m. at Leigh-on-Sea Station or 11 am at the ticket barrier of Platform 11 at Liverpool Street Station.

Tuesday, 27th May 2008

THE JEWS AND THE CITY
A visit to the oldest Ashkenazi synagogue in England, Sandys Row, will start this visit to the Spitalfields area. Since coming to Britain with the Norman invaders, the Jews have been an integral part of London’s financial and commercial life and their history is a feature of this walk on the fringes of the City. This walk will cost £7.

Meet at 9.00 a.m. at Leigh-on-Sea Station or 10.30 am at the ticket barrier of Platform 11 at Liverpool Street Station.

Wednesday, 4th June 2008

MURDER, MEAT AND MEDICINE
The walk starts near Smithfield meat market and you won’t be surprised to learn that this was also a place of hangings, riots and bawdy entertainment. The surgeons and doctors at nearby St Bart’s Hospital, founded in the 12th century, were always busy but their skill has saved many lives over the past 900 years. There’s also a chance to visit the Hospital museum with its famous Hogarth wall murals.

Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station 9.15 a.m. or outside the entrance to
Barbican Station at 11 am.

Monday, 9th June 2008

VISIT TO DRAPERS HALL
The history and role of the Livery companies are little-known to outsiders but have played a significant part in the development of the City of London since the 13th century. The Drapers are one of the 108 companies that still flourish and you will not be disappointed by seeing the grandeur and opulence of their building in the heart of the City. This visit and short walk will cost £8

Meet at 9.00 a.m. at Leigh-on-Sea Station or 10.15 am at the ticket barrier of the main entrance of Fenchurch Street Station.

Wednesday, 18th June 2008

CART-MARKING CEREMONY (Guildhall Yard)
Some of the ceremonies and traditions of the City seem like a throwback to another age – and this is one of them. Cart-marking began in 1681 when carts and ‘carrs’ required a licence – or mark - from the Common Council and the ancient ceremony, held annually by the Worshipful Company of Carmen - survives as another curious reminder of the City’s long and eventful history.

Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.00 a.m. or 10.00 a.m. outside the main entrance of Fenchurch Street Station.

Thursday, 3rd July 2008

ROTHERHITHE AND DOCKLANDS
This area south of the river is now re-named Surrey Quays. The transformation since the Surrey Commercial Docks were closed in the 1980s is startling yet the maritime traditions live on. The Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America and the first underwater tunnel in the worldwas built by the Marc Brunel and his son. We also visit a Norwegian church for coffee and waffles!

Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station at 9.15 a.m. Those who want to join at Rotherhithe should meet at Canada Water Station (Jubilee Line) at 11 a.m.

Wednesday, 9th July 2008

HOW ABOUT HOLBORN?
It is hard to imagine that Holborn, on the western edge of the City, was an overcrowded, squalid area with a reputation for hard-drinking, prostitution and crime. Charles Dickens lived in the area and was shocked by what he saw happening on his doorstep. Today, it is closely associated with publishing and the legal profession but behind the modern office blocks are some intriguing stories.
Meet at Leigh-on-Sea Station 9.15 a.m. or in the booking-hall of Chancery Lane Station (Central Line) at 11 am

SECRETS OF ROTHERHITHE

If you ever wanted to be convinced about the fascination of London then go and explore those areas of the capital that rarely get a mention in the guide books. Take Rotherhithe for example, just a mile down from Tower Bridge, along Tooley Street and Jamaica Road, and there you find an area that was once alive with ship-building and repairing, cargoes being loaded and unloaded and all the activity associated with a riverside community.

Before the second World War, the area was a maze of docks. When they finally closed in the 1970s and became derelict, Rotherhithe faced a grim future. But the transformation has been remarkable; most of the docks have been filled in and replaced with houses and shops. Surrey Quays is a paradise for shopaholics.



But massive redevelopment has not obliterated all the memories. The streets and some of the buildings around St Mary's Church have survived; so too has the old school built in the early 18th century and somewhere in the nearby churchyard - now a small garden - is the resting place of Captain Christopher Jones, skipper of the Mayflower which took the Pilgrims to America early in the 17th century.



The Sands Film Studio and Photo Archive is worth a visit; so too is the Brunel Museum in the recently renovated pumping house which was part of the remarkable 19th century project to build the World's first underwater tunnel. There are surprises too; the Norwegian and Finnish communities, established in Rotherhithe when timber from the Baltic countries was a major import, still have churches in area offering a friendly welcome to visitors.



If you want to discover more about Rotherhithe then join a LONDON FOOTSTEPS walking tour of the area. They start at Canada Water station on the Jubilee Line. Get in touch and I can give you more details. info@londonfootsteps.co.uk

VISITING THE LIVERY COMPANY HALLS

The Livery Companies of London are an integral part of the city's history. They exist today - 107 of them - although they no longer have the same role and responsibilities as they did over 500 years ago.

In those times they were strict guardians of the city trades and crafts...the Mercers, the Goldsmiths, the Butchers, the Armourers and Brasiers, the Bakers and, yes, the candlemakers....the Tallow Chandlers and the Wax Chandlers....and so it goes on. They all have a wealth of fascinating stories to tell.

There are no equivalent organisations in today's business and commercial world but the Livery Companies survive, promoting modern industries by financing education and training in schools and colleges.

Take, for example, the Coachmakers and Coach Harnessmakers who once had complete control over this craft; their original Livery Hall was lost in the Great Fire of 1666 and the replacement was destroyed, like many others during a bombing raid on 29th December 1940. Now they share some space with the Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers who have a hall in Dowsett Hill which still retains many of the features from the period of restoration in 1672.

The first LONDON FOOTSTEPS outing of 2008 was to the Apothecaries' Hall in Blackfriars Lane. This fine hall, rebuilt in 1670 after the Great Fire, is an architectural gem and one which is always worth a visit. The Beadle, John Williams, is an excellent host. No wonder it is one of the most popular outings on the LONDON FOOTSTEPS programme.

If you want to find out what walks and visits are coming up in the next few weeks -including a tour of Fishmongers' Hall - then get in touch with us by emailing info@londonfootsteps.co.uk You can reserve a place on any of the future outings.

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

JOIN A LONDON CITY WALK ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28TH

Christmas is almost over! Now you will be feeling bloated, over-fed, hung-over and thoroughly unfit. That's the time to think about coming on a LONDON FOOTSTEPS walk - or rather a stroll - round the City streets and alley-ways.


Make a note of the time and place: Thursday, 28th December 2006 and we all meet on the concourse at LIVERPOOL STREET STATION outside the ticket barrier on Platform 11 at 11 am. Why don't you came along. It's a small, friendly crowd of people who are genuinely interested in the history of the City

The theme of the walk is MURDER,MEAT AND MEDICINE. The route takes us through the Barbican, into Smithfield Market and on to Hatton Garden and Holborn Circus. We shall be recalling the time when Charles Dickens saw poverty and hardship on the streets in the mid-19th century and wrote about it in his novels. The walk will be about two hours and we hope to find a place somewhere en route to have a coffee.

So make the effort; it costs just £5 to come on a LONDON FOOTSTEPS history walk. Bring your friends as well.

Call me - DAVID WILLIAMS - to confirm your place. Tel: 01702 710232 Mobile: 07831 857382