Charles Dickens in the 1860's

February 7th 2012 sees London celebrate the bicentenary of one of its most famous residents, Charles Dickens.

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“It was a foggy day in London, and the fog was heavy and dark”
‘Our Mutual Friend’

Charles Dickens was one of London’s most well-loved residents, and perhaps the one who did most to create the image of smog and dirt, which many people have of the city to this day.

Born in 1812 inPortsea, Charles Dickens moved to London at the age of ten when his family moved to Bayham  Street, Camden.  Sadly this house is no longer standing, like so many of the places in London which Dickens called home in his lifetime.  However, between 1837 and 1840 he lived at 48 Doughty St.WC1, which now operates as the Dickens House Museum.  It was here that he wrote both ‘Nicholas Nickleby’ and ‘Oliver Twist’, as well as parts of ‘The Pickwick Papers’ and ‘Barnaby Rudge’.

It can be assumed that Dickens had a hard childhood, since his father was sent to Marshalsea Debtors Prison, near the site of today’s Borough Market.  He wrote about the area, but little of it can still be seen, except for The George pub,London’s only remaining galleried inn, at 77 Borough High St.

At sixteen, Dickens became a court reporter, then progressed to work on the ‘Mirror of Parliament’, a newspaper reporting on the daily proceedings of Parliament. He became interested in social reform and started contributing articles to the radical newspaper, the ‘True Sun’.

In 1833 Dickens had his first story published in the ‘Monthly Magazine’, using the pen-name of ‘Boz’.  His stories became so popular that they were collected together and published as a book entitled ‘Sketches by Boz’ (1836).

Dickens was then commissed to write ‘The Pickwick Papers’ in twenty monthly installments. This was followed by a number of novels published between 1837 and 1843.

‘The Old Curiosity Shop’ was one of these, and it is still possible to see the building which claims to be the inspiration for the shop, in Portsmouth St WC2.  The shop, built in 1567 and believed to be the oldest shop in London, is now a listed building.

As well as writing, Dickens also edited journals, including ‘The Daily News’, ‘Household Words’ and ‘All Year Round’.  He published his own works in these journals, but also championed the work of other authors such as Elizabeth Gaskell and Wilkie Collins.

If you want a relaxing way to get a flavour of Dickens’London, several pubs frequented by the writer are still standing.  Try The Prospect of Whitby, 57 Wapping Wall E1, The Grapes, 76 Narrow St, Limehouse, E14, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, 145 Fleet St EC4 or The Trafalgar Tavern Near the old Royal Navel College, King William Walk SE10.

A website has been set up in hounour of this special year, with details of the many events taking place in London, and around the country.  Dickens 2012.

‘It is a silent, shady place, with a paved courtyard so full of echoes, that sometimes I am tempted to believe that faint responses to the noises of old times linger there yet, and that these ghosts of sound haunt my footsteps as I pace it up and down.’

‘Master Humphrey’s Clock’

In case you hadn’t noticed, there’s a small thing called the Olympic Games coming to London in 2012.  It may have been impossible to get tickets, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enter into the spirit of the thing and feel just that little bit smug when the whole shebang kicks off in July.

And no, that doesn’t mean joining a gym, never getting around to going, then being unable to get your deposit back.  Instead, try these ideas for getting fit in the great outdoors and seeing some of London’s great parkland and green spaces while you’re at it.

Boot Camps:  These will get you seriously fit and are run in most big parks in the city – http://www.armybootcampfitness.co.uk/

http://www.britmilfit.com/

Fitpoints:  These outdoor fitness machines in Richmond are a great way to add an extra dimension to a walk or run. http://www.richmond.gov.uk/home/leisure_and_culture/parks_and_open_spaces/amenities_in_parks/fitness_in_parks.htm

Green   gyms:  Get fit and help the enviroment at the same time!  The idea behind these eco-gyms is that gardening and conservation work are the best kind of work out. http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/getinvolved/environment/Pages/Natures-gym-conversation-events-and-volunteering.aspx

- http://www2.btcv.org.uk/display/london_gg

Regents Park:  the capital’s fitness centre, with playing fields, classes and running routes  http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/regents_park/hub/thehub.cfm

Walks:  from a gentle stroll to an energetic hike, there are many groups organising walks around London, here’s a few of them –  http://www.ramblingclubs.com/ramblingclubs.php/London/44/2/

Outdoor swimming pools:  Hampton Pool leads the way, but there are plenty of pools around the city  http://www.timeout.com/london/feature/1038/lidos-and-outdoor-swimming-pools-in-london

Royal parks half marathon:  once your fitness levels are up, why not get into training for this autumn event through 4 of London’s great parks  http://royalparkshalf.com/

Wilton’s is the oldest grand music hall left in the world and offers a unique glimpse into a lost world.  Wilton’s faced destruction but was saved thanks to a campaign led by John Betjemen, but it must constantly struggle to survive.  It does, however, have many fans, and presents regular shows and concerts, offering a rare chance to experience the amazing atmosphere of this fabulous piece of history.

Wilton’s Music Hall, 1 Graces Alley, London, E1 8JB

Hidden London – the DVD is now available for sale!  Buy from this site, or from Par Ici in Twickenham, West London.

'Saloon Bar'

‘Saloon Bar’ is screening as a Christmas treat at the BFI Southbank.  It is a 1940 comedy whodunnit from Ealing Studios, set entirely inside a pub.  It’s Christmas, but the regulars have other things on their minds: can they save an innocent man – another of the regulars, from the gallows in the morning.  It’s a lot to achieve before closing time!

There’s smart dialogue and excellent performances from a selection of wonderful character actors (Gordon Harker, Mervyn Johns, Elizabeth Allan, Joyce Barbour), all directed by Walter Forde.  Watch out for a young Roddy McDowall amongst a troupe of carol singers!

‘Saloon Bar’
6.30pm, Weds 21st December
BFI Southbank

The Wallace Collection

The Wallace Collection is situated just off Oxford Street, but is often overlooked by many visitors to the capital.  And that’s a shame, as it is a very special place.  Housed in a glorious London townhouse, the museum was first opened to the public in 1900, and every inch of the building seems to be covered with a stunning piece of art.  On display are old masters, 18th century paintings, furniture and porcelain.  World famous works on show here include The Laughing Cavalier by Frans Hals and The Swing by Jean-Honoré Fragonard, as well as works by Titian, Rubens and Canaletto among others.  There are also Limoges enamels, a collection of arms and armour, gold boxes, miniatures and sculpture.

The cafe in The Wallace Collection

The museum cafe, run by Peyton and Byrne also  happens to be a wonderful place for lunch or afternoon tea or dinner on Friday or Saturday.  Located in the covered courtyard of the house, the cafe is bright and airy with plenty of natural greenery.

Free Admission including temporary exhibitions
Open 7 days a week, 10am – 5pm

1.     The Tower of London

The capital’s, indeed the country’s, most haunted site.  Not surprising given some of the horrors that went on within these walls.  The most famous ghost is Ann Boleyn, Henry VIII’s wife who was beheaded here in 1536 and can now be seen gliding across Tower Green and within the Chapel Royal in the WhiteTower.  Over the winter, the Tower is running Twilight Tours which promise spooky stories and gruesome sights on selected evenings.

Tower Hill EC3 http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/

Twilight at the Tower of London

2.     Theatre Royal Drury Lane

London’s oldest and most haunted theatre, with several ghosts to its name!  The most famous is the ‘Man in Grey’, a young man dressed in a long riding cloak and a three cornered hat.  He is seen limping across the upper circle, but his appearances are auspicious as he only appears at the start of a successful run.  Currently showing ‘Shrek, the Musical’, which is possibly scary enough for some!

Catherine Street WC2 020 7494 5000  Drury Lane Theatre

3.     Spaniards Inn, Hampstead Heath

Situated on the edge of spooky Hampstead Heath, the Spaniard’s Inn was built in 1585. The notorious highwayman Dick Turpin was born here,  and local legend has it that he was a regular customer.  The Inn’s ghost is a shadowy horseman galloping across the deserted northern edge of the Heath and sightings have been reported since Turpin’s death in the late 1730′s.  These days the inn is a top spot for Sunday brunch!

Spaniards Road, NW3. 020 8731 6571  The Spaniards Inn

4.     Covent Garden Tube Station

Another theatrical ghost haunts this underground station.  A tall man in a grey suit, wearing tight trousers and Homburg hat is William Terris, a Victorian actor murdered outside the Adelphi Theatre in 1897.  Staff have sighted him many times and it is believed that he haunts this spot because it is built on the site of an old baker’s shop he liked to visit.

Covent Gardentube station WC2.  Piccadilly Line.

5.     Hampton Court Palace

Henry VIII’s wives are busy ghosts and Catherine Howard, wife number 5 was executed in 1542.  Many people have seen her running down the ‘Haunted Gallery’ here, face contorted in a terrifying scream. In 1999 two women on separate guided tours fainted at exactly the same spot in the Gallery. Both women later described feeling a ‘sudden chill’ and as if they had been ‘punched’ before passing out.  This winter you can ‘enjoy’ evening Ghost Tours every Friday and Sunday, beginning on Halloween itself this Sunday.

East Molesey KT8 9AU. 0870 752 7070 http://www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace/

Ghostly Hampton Court Palace

‘London’s Lost Rivers’ takes eight waterways and describes walks along their original route.  On the way the author treats us to some wonderful historical detail, a choice of quotes and references for future consideration and frequently explains the origins of street names connected to the rivers.  Each walk ends with a recommendation for a pub in which to toast your achievement, an undertaking clearly as serious as the walks themselves.

London’s Lost Rivers: A Walker’s Guide
by Tom Bolton
published by Strange Attractor Press

'underground' at the Barbican

Next Wednesday 5th october, there’s a wonderful opportunity to see the 1928 film ‘Underground’ at the Barbican.  It’ll be screened with a new score by Neil Brand, performed live by the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Directed by Anthouny Asquith, ‘Underground’ is a tale of love, treachery and murder, with the setting and atmosphere provided by London’s underground.  Stylistically Asquith was influenced by German Expressionism, so expect dramatic shadows and sharp angles used to great effect for hieghtened emotional tension.

‘Underground’
Wednesday 5th October, 8pm
Barbican Hall, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS

Nobody Else But You at the London Film Festival

A feast awaits film fans over the next couple of months, and as the nights draw in, what better way to celebrate the season than a bucket of popcorn in front of the big screen?

The big hitter is the London Film Festival, with some of the best new films from all over the world lined up.  Runs 12th to 27th October 2011.

Before that is the Raindance Film Festival, with the best in Independent Cinema.  Runs 28th September to 9th October 2011.

Then, back for its 5th year is the Russian Film Festival  from 4 – 13th november, while back for the 2nd year is the London Iranian Film Festival  18th – 26th November.

Check out the websites for details of Gala screenings, Q&A sessions with directors, retrospectives and masterclasses.

Flutter at the Raindance Film Festival