The numbers and corresponding illustration of Londonist last week:
38 floors in the Gherkin, attempted by over 250 runners, all for charity NSPCC
30 million pounds in debt so Crystal Palace FC advertises for new owner in the Financial Times
5 (reluctant) pounds from each Londoner covers the Congestion Charge bills certain embassies refuse to pay
2,000 and more teenagers in an illegal rave on Park Lane were brought together by Facebook
47.2 million pounds raised in last year's London Marathon!
38 + 30 + 5 X 2,000 / 47.2 = 3,093.2 which is a cheer for Henry in Islington in the Londonist Flickr pool, as snapped by Herschell Hershey. Hooray Henry!
This Week In London’s History
Monday - 15th February 1929: Norman Graham Hill is born in Hampstead. Better known as Graham Hill, he would become a very successful racing driver (winning two Formula 1 World Championships) and father to racing driver Damon Hill.
Tuesday -
16th February 1659: The first known handwritten British cheque is written by a Nicholas van Acker, payable to a Mr Delboe and drawn on Messrs Morris and Clayton, scriveners and bankers of the City of London. Reports vary as to how much the cheque is made out for (some sources say £10, others claim £400).
Wednesday -
17th February 1958: The inaugural meeting of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) takes place at Central Hall in Westminster. It is attended by some 5000 people.
Thursday -
18th February 1996: An IRA bomb explodes on a double-decker bus on Aldwych, killing the bomber and injuring eight members of the public.
Friday -
19th February 1960: Prince Andrew is born in the Belgian Suite of Buckingham Palace.
Random London Quote Of The Week
I do not think there is anything deserving the name of society to be found out of London.
William Hazlitt
