This Week In London’s History

• Monday – 3rd March 1982: The Barbican Centre is opened by the Queen. After 15 years of construction, at a cost of £161 million, the centre would become the largest performing arts centre in Europe (as well as being voted the ugliest building in London).
  
• Tuesday – 4th March 1882: Britain’s first electric trams go into operation in Leytonstone, East London.
  
• Wednesday – 5th March 1856: The second Covent Garden Theatre is destroyed by a fire that breaks out at 5am, during a masked ball. Its replacement would become known as the Royal Opera House.
  
• Thursday – 6th March 1997: A gunman walks into the Lefevre Gallery in Mayfair and rips a £650,000 Picasso paining – Tête de Femme – from the wall, before making his escape in a black cab. The painting would be recovered a week later.
  
• Friday – 7th March 1969: The Victoria Line is officially opened by the Queen, in a ceremony at Victoria Station. Intended as a fast, congestion-relieving alternative to other lines (such as the Piccadilly Line), the line makes significant use of ‘cross-platform interchanges’ to help with changing lines.

Random London Fact Of The Week
We suspect that this may be a myth, but if so it’s an extremely prevalent one…

It is supposedly permitted for a London black cab driver to urinate in public, as long as he (or she?) aims for the rear wheel of their vehicle, and keeps one hand on the roof at all times. This may date back to a time when taxis were horse-drawn, when the drivers were required to control their horse with one hand whilst they relieved themselves.

We have also heard that there may be an additional legal requirement for the caught-short cabbie to have this act witnessed by a member of the police force.

Is this true, or is it merely popular folklore? If you know for sure, let us know.

London’s Weather This Week
Once again, we’re going to experience some cold nights this week. Still, although some of the days will be a bit wet, we will also have some nice sunshine from time to time. Roll on Spring…

Photo taken from Dave Cross’s Flickr photostream.