1993 Bishopsgate Bomb and its aftermath

First hand account of incident and aftermath and emergency actions taken by the City following the explosion which caused extensive damage to many buildings including 55 Bishopsgate, 99 Bishopsgate, St Ethelburga’s Church, The NatWest Tower and Liverpool Street Station. Provision of office space for disrupted occupiers provided via the CPAT team. Steps taken to protect the financial centre; construction of the “ring of steel” in the City of London; pager alert scheme initiated for building managers, works to car parks and removal of street furniture. Longer term changes discussed, including a change in planning for consents on commercial buildings accelerating the remodelling of the physical structures of the City

City of London, City of Science

Opening of the Linbury Gallery Science City 1550-1800 at the Science Museum; growth of London in 16th century with influx of skilled instrument makers from Europe; establishment of Gresham College and Royal Society; growth of public scientific culture with lectures and experiments open to all; George III’s interest and enthusiasm and support for scientific projects; the establishment of London as the leading centre of science evidenced by the development of new instruments and new approaches to manufacturing during the 19th century.

The Magnificent Marble Statues of Mansion House

History of the statues’ placement; lack of funds preventing addition of statues in Egyptian Hall until 19th century when City’s involvement in the Great Exhibition of 1851 encouraged the commissioning and placement of statues by the City Architect James Bunning; subjects drawn from British history and British literature to provide “objects of worthy pride to our fellow citizens”; details on 3 statues, ‘Sardanapalus’, ‘Alexander’s Feast’ & ‘Timon of Athens’.

How the Millennium Bridge saved the City of London Corporation

The developement on the north and south sides of the River Thames; the transformation of Southwark; creation of the public-private Cross-River Partnership; the re-generation of Bankside & the creation of the Tate Modern gallery; people, politics and problems with the decision and design of the bridge, and it’s ultimate success.

The War Lord Mayors: the Mayoralty and the Great War 1914-1918

Lord Mayors during the Great War.

The Night that Shakespeare Stole a Theatre

The invention of the modern theatre during the reign of Elizabeth I; ‘The Red Lion,’ the first permanent theatre built in London in 1567 followed by a further 16 theatres built by 1602.

Sir Alfred Yarrow, The Shipbuilder

Details of Alfred Yarrow’s early life (born in London on 13th January 1842), education and apprenticeship with the marine engineering firm of Ravenhill; the foundation of the Civil and Mechanical Engineers’ Society.

Taking the trains to Liverpool Street

The boom of proposals for new railway schemes in the 1860s and the City of London’s reactions to these proposals including the work of the City’s Railway Committee; the proposal to build a terminus at Liverpool Street for the Great Eastern Railway and the building of suburban lines.

Leadenhall – The Market at the heart if the City

History of market starting at the time of the original Roman settlement in AD43.

David Hartley – Arsonist by Appointment? 1732 – 1813

Detailed description of obelisk erected in memory of David Hartley on Putney Heath in 1777; family origins of Hartley; education and early career including securing patent for protecting buildings from fire by use of iron plates.