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Changing of the Horse Guards
Gordon Thom • July 7, 2019
Horseguards at Horseguards Parade, London.
The Queen’s Life Guard is normally made up, of soldiers, from the Household Cavalry, which consists of a squadron from the Blues and Royals and the Life Guards. These are the two most senior regiments in the British Army.
The guard change, dates back to the restoration of Charles II in 1660.
Everyday, in all weathers, the guard change takes place in the morning and again in the afternoon. For my money, the Changing Of the Horseguards is better value then the foot guards.
It’s always worth counting the number of horses, as there are 12 on a short guard and 14 on a long guard. These represent weather the sovereign is in residence.
The pickpockets also enjoy this event, as they like a captivated crowd.
I quite like the 4 o’clock Parade, as this is also known as the Punishment Parade. This is because in 1894, Queen Victoria, was not amused when she found the men drinking and gambling. She decreed that they would hold the parade for 100 years as a punishment. In 1994, the Queen said she would like it to continue, as she liked the tradition.
London Taxi Tour (LondonTaxiTour.Com)
Exhibition Of Glass @ 2 temple Place.
The iconic Oxo Tower on the Southbank.
Middle Temple, one of the four inn's of court in the City of London.
Royal Mail have transformed this post box next to Lords cricket ground from its traditional red to white, to celebrate England’s double whammy, as holder of both Cricket World Cup titles. It is further decorated with images of a gold cricket bat, stumps and a ball. It is also complimented with a plaque. This postbox celebrates ICC Cricket World Cup victories for the England Men’s cricket team on 14 July, 2019 and the England Women’s cricket team on 23 July, 2017, both finals taking place at Lord’s.
This 17th century sundial, helps remind one of their mortality. Although it could be referring to the lawyers of Middle Temple's clients.
Fantastic stained glass telephone box. Representing the connection with the Knights Templer's to the area, this telephone box is a wonderful expression of London street art.
During the Second World War, over 600,000 steel stretchers were made for the ARP (Air Raid Protection officers). After the war had ended, the LCC, which was the municipal authority responsible for managing London came up with the idea of using them to replace the railings that had been removed from large council estates, to help with the war effort. Recycling at its best. Unfortunately, most people are unaware of this small but interesting piece of London's heritage. This has allowed those responsible for the council estates, where they were installed to replace, rather then restore the recycled railings.
Replica Penfold Postbox in London.