health

City Hall

Touch Up London #71: Frost Fair

Before the demolition of Old London Bridge, whose narrow arches restricted the flow, the Thames used to freeze over in the coldest winters. In such years, the denizens of London would gather on the ice for a frost fair. Here’s how it might look today. …

7579_pooart%282%29

Brit, Shit And Skit Art News

Damien Hirst has made the Tate’s Christmas by gifting them 4 of his art works. The infamous cow and calf bisected and suspended in formaldehyde, “Mother and Child Divided” is the Turner Prize winning crowning glory. This is a high profile donation, timed for maximum …

7577_1412_clissold

Clissold Leisure Centre To Re-Open

Four years, countless consultancy fees, umpteen broken promises and many millions of pounds later, Clissold Leisure Centre in Stoke Newington is finally re-opening this weekend. For those who’ve not followed the saga, here’s the story in brief. In 2000 the Centre opened amidst a brass …

7512_354097858_71b6d3b1eb_m

Christmas KILLS!!!

OK, so maybe not kills, although it might, but it is bad for you. Details to follow. A new report shows that shopping in an area with a high volume of traffic has a worse affect on your lungs than walking around a park. For …

7508_0612_eastlondon

Irony-Free Amy News

Londonist was rapped on the nose the other week for cocking a snooty snook at the unending, Tube-clogging newspaper coverage of the travails of Ms. Winehouse, while – yes – covering the story ourselves. Cowed and humbled, we bring you the latest from Chez Amy …

7470_wheel%282%29

Extra, Extra

Alternative Christmas tipple: hospital patients booze on alcoholic hand rub Seasonal crackdown on unlicensed minicabs Unseasonal cuts on funding for tackling homelessness Desperately seeking new jobs: Blondie musical cast unemployed for Christmas Tate tree decked out with festive fighter planes Image courtesy of Simone ver.? …

7417_pills

A Bitter Pill: Back Street Abortions

It may be 40 years since the Abortion Act legalised terminations but a BBC Radio 5 Live investigation suggests that modern day “back street abortions” are easily found in London. Thankfully, we’re not talking struck off doctors and knitting needles but Chinese herbal remedies from …

7384_elizabeth

Monday Miscellanea

This Week In London’s History Monday – 19th November 1558: Queen Elizabeth I travels to Highgate on her accession to the throne. She is met by the bishops and escorted through London. Tuesday – 20th November 1992: Fire sweeps through Windsor Castle, causing £40 million …

7352_measles

Spotty Hackney Needs Special Bus

Close to 300 cases of measles have been reported to City and Hackney Primary Care Trust over the last 5 months. It is thought that the outbreak is directly linked to increasing numbers of parents deciding against the MMR vaccination for their darlings in the …

7349_1311.roach

London’s Infested: get used to it…

Maybe it’s because we are Londoners, but Londonist is mightily proud of London in nearly every sense. Even when things get muxed up, or bad stuff happens, the capital shoulders the problem and just gets on with its largely tickety-boo urban grind. Take bugs and …

7333_What_No_Vomit

LO, It Came To Pass

London Overground (LO) begins operations today. The new service takes over where Silverlink left off (we’ll leave you to decide which particular circle of Hell that is). The stations and trains are now owned by Transport for London, with services operated by London Overground Rail …