Monday Miscellanea

This Week In London’s History

Monday – 24th November 1868: The new meat market at Smithfield (known as the Central Market) is opened.

Tuesday – 25th November 1952: Agatha Christie’s stage play, The Mousetrap, begins its run at the New Ambassadors Theatre in the West End. It would run there until 1974, when it would transfer, without break, to St Martin’s Theatre (next door), where it still runs today – representing the longest ‘initial run’ of any play in the world. Wednesday – 26th November 1703: The ‘Great Storm of 1703’ hits London, causing massive widespread destruction. Thursday – 27th November 2000: 10-year-old schoolboy Damilola Taylor is stabbed in the leg and dies in Peckham, south London. The following six years would see several trials and re-trials over the killing, finally culminating in the manslaughter conviction of two brothers (aged 12 and 13 at the time of the killing). Friday – 28th November 1999: A naked man bursts into a church in Thornton Heath, south London, wielding a samurai sword and indiscriminately attacking the congregation. Eleven people are injured, some seriously, before the swordsman is overpowered. The attacker would later be found not guilty of attempted murder and assault for reasons of insanity, and would be detained at a psychiatric hospital.

Random London Quote Of The Week

The man who can dominate a London dinner-table can dominate the world.

Oscar Wilde, A Woman of No Importance

London’s Weather This Week

Some variety this week, with cold temperatures to start, milder temperatures as the week progresses, and an unpredictable variety of sunshine and showers. Be prepared for anything.

Photo by Dave.