onionbagblog

Ah, so this will be the first blog post written in Wivenhoe then. Lambeth readers are currently migrating faster than a Western Sandpiper Wader across the Colne estuary.

Meanwhile, the Wivenhoe locals stumbling across onionbagblog are scratching their heads, pondering what is this online nonsense that has arrived in their lovely community, before staggering across the bar at The Greyhound for another round of Guinness.

Which is pretty much what I have been doing since we moved in here.

Welcome.

Great Titchfield Street, W1, The Way We See It.

“Great Titchfield Street runs from Oxford Street almost right up to the Euston Road. It is a street that has a sense of hustle and bustle.

Developed by the Dukes of Portland, the street actually appears in Rocque’s famous map of London of 1746. The street was always home to London’s fashion and garment industry, but now your more likely to find digital agencies and post-production suites.

The street does however keep it’s tradition and variety of eateries. If you can think of it, you seem to pretty much be able to get it here. Of particular interest is the Scandinavian Kitchen if you’re look for something a bit off-beat.”

Houndsditch, EC3, The Way We See It.

“An ancient street in the middle of the City with two very modern additions this week. Houndsditch is so called as it was once a ditch on one side of the London Wall, it grew so full of waste (let’s be nice about it) and dead dogs that it got it’s name.

It’s pretty much like any other City side street, until you reach the Liverpool Street end, where rises the rather ugly Heron Tower. What it lacks in aesthetics, it does make up for in size, being the tallest building in the City and the second in the UK.

At the other end is another new development, St Botolophs, which is nowhere near as tall and also, sadly, rather faceless.

Apparently as you near Bishopsgate there are gaps between the buildings. These are said to be the sites of plague pits.”

Hatton Garden, EC1, The Way We See It.

“We’re off to the centre of London’s Jewelery trade this week – Hatton Garden. Named after Sir Christopher Hatton (a favourite of Elizabeth I) it has had a connection with Jewelery since medieval times. Today it’s home to the whole gamut of shops from the downright tacky to the strictly A-listers only. In a way it’s this mixture that makes it so fascinating.

From the tree lined up-market end, nearest High Holborn, you walk up a slightly barren part until you get to the wonderful Wren House, a former chapel and school.

The place is usually buzzing on a weekday, particularly at lunchtimes. If you’re into street photography, this is a great place. Don’t forget to pop in for an ale at Ye Olde Mitre as long as you don’t miss the subtle entrance to it!”

Hammersmith Bridge, W6, The Way We See It.

“Another week, another bridge. I’m afraid I’m taking you a little further out this week, but I think it’s worth it. Hammersmith Bridge is not only colourful in decor, but also in history.

The current bridge is the second to stand in this location. It was designed by the civil engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette (he who instigated the Woolwich free ferry!) and opened in 1887.

Throughout it’s history it has had structural problems and has been closed frequently for repairs. Nowadays it’s only open to reduced traffic types and pedestrians.

But the problems have not all been down to structural weaknesses. The bridge has been bombed no fewer than three times by the IRA, in 1939, 1996 and finally by the Real IRA in 2000.

There’s a memorial plaque on the handrail that commemorates Lt Charles Campbell Wood, who in 1919, dived from the bridge to rescue a drowning woman. He saved her life, but sadly died later from tetnus.

The bridge is fascinating and full of picture opportunities, although it does wobble quite a bit so wind up those shutter speeds!”

Great Ormond Street, WC1, The Way We See It.

“I really enjoy going to famous London street that for some reason, you probably never visit. Great Ormond Street is one such street. It’s most famous inhabitant is the Children’s Hospital. It was founded in 1852 as the Hospital for Sick Children.

One source of income for the hospital comes from J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan. In 1929 he gave the rights to the book to the hospital on condition that they didn’t disclose how much they made from it.

The street it’s in is in two parts, dissected by Lambs’ Conduit Street and the part to the east is a wonderful, if short, stretch of residential properties that take you back into a bit of a different age.”

Wigmore Street, W1, The Way We See It.

This week we’re back in the centre of town for Wigmore Street. It’s a busy street running parallel to Oxford Street and you’d be forgiven for thinking there was little there. But it does have some rather stunning architectural features if you take a little look upwards.

There’s also the very wonderful Wigmore Hall. It was built by C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik, the German piano manufacturer whose showroom was next door between 1899 and 1901.

Other than this nugget of history, number 95 was the original home of The Beatles Apple Corp. It’s busy, hectic and I think there’s a lot to photograph. Enjoy!