And Did Those Feet

This is a great polemic which records how architects are not the people to improve people Jonathan Meades: Architects are the last people who should shape our cities | Art and design | The Guardian

  Dickens, the resurrectionists and Victorian Southwark walking tour   Join us for a very special walking tour of the area's most historical sites led by Kevin Flude, Director of The Old Operating Theatre . The tour will cover Dickens sites, historical health (and body snatching!) stories and original looks at Victorian Southwark. The tour meets at the Tooley Street entrance to  Hay's Galleria at 12:30pm and will last for one hour. Please email Bethany at events@teamlondonbridge.co.uk for more information. Location: Hay’s Galleria Event Date: Thursday, 20 September 2012 #Team London Bridge and the London Bridge Business Improvement District

This is the blog of London Walks - a splendid organisation - one of those things that makes London unique. The Daily Constitutional from London Walks®

This is one of those  exhibitions that are really interesting - unmissable despite how very flawed they are.  This one not only intellectually but also morally.  The first part of it is one of those glorious exhibitions that has no inter actives at all. It is huge white sheet printed with brilliantly clear and well chosen images of London through the ages.  The viewer can enjoy reading the text in a vertical position, concentration undistracted by interactives, running children, spouting actors etc.   I was very excited  - the first few sheets, wonderfully printed,  shaped up as if it were going to investigate what takes to sustain a great City and explored how a great City can survive disaster - and which would then end up with an in depth discussion of the role of the large high rise in the modern economy. It failed to live up to my expectation -  in the end it was 3 uncoordinated exhibitions - an interesting but unoriginal historical review...

Shakespeare - staging the world The BM exhibition was really interesting for the first quarter, then it became increasingly unfocussed.  Some of the objects were very semi-detached - and it really lacked intelectual rigour. The first section had some great items from the Rose and Globe excavations which were interesting - particularly the toothpick/ear wax scoop (not sure about the combination in one instrument!) and the Bear's skull - the owners had  ground down the Bear's teeth to even up the battle between Bear and Dogs in the Bear Baiting Pits. The image of James 1st accession procession was fascinating because it sported an early version of the Union Jack - for some reason they did not have this image in the section on the origins of Great Britain. I felt I recognize the methodology - I do it when I have a new lecture to do and not much time to do the research. You sit down work out the themes, then think what have I got or know that can illustrate that? ...

Cosmati Pavement - Home : he Cosmati pavement  in Westminster Abbey, is an amazing thirteenth century mosaic floor A new  restoration project by the Abbey has made it available for the public to see - this web site explains it all. have a look at this video - what am amazing floor! http://www.westminster-abbey.org/conservation/video-library/introduction/chapter-one/prof-warwick-rodwell-design-construction-part-1

 I am shocked at the picture of the deliberate decay of a fine historic building - not only of a quality that should be preserved on its on merits but one that deserves to be preserved because of its medical connections. I wish you luck in your attempt to preserve it. I cannot understand why anyone would think the demolition of such a fine building can be a useful thing to do. Web petition in last-ditch bid to save historic Ancoats Dispensary | Manchester Evening News - menmedia.co.uk

The Old Operating Theatre, Museum and Garret becomes a National Trust Partner   On September 1 st – the Old Operating Theatre Museum became a National Trust Partner. The Partnership is an exciting new venture between the National Trust and a selection of small, independent heritage attractions and museums within London. The Partnership aims to bring enhanced benefits to National Trust members living in London or for those visiting the capital for a day out; helping to provide increased opportunities to explore our rich and diverse heritage. In return, partner museums benefit from increased visitor numbers and an exchange of know-how in a community of equality with the Trust. The Old Operating Theatre, Museum & Herb Garret in St Thomas Street, London SE1 is joining Benjamin Franklin House, Dr Johnson’s House, Foundling Museum, Hall Place and Gardens, Keats House, Leighton House Museum and the Museum of Brands as National Trust Partners. National Trust...

From Ludgate to the Barbican - archaeology and architecture walk  This was a surprisingly good walk - it gave the opportunity to talk about the main findings of archaeology while looking at the major changes in architectural style in the City Express Building interior           Route: Blackfriars Tube Blackfriars Bridge Unilever House Blackfriars Pub Bridewell Place St Brides Fleet Street Daily Telegraph Building Daily Express Building Ludgate Circus St Martin's Stationers Hall Amen Corner Paternoster Sq New Change Foster Lane Jean Nouvel's New Change looking at St Paul's St Vedast Gresham Street Noble Street London Wall High Walk Museum of London Barber Surgeons Hall Barbican