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Then and Now, 342 King's Road, London (2026)

12/09/2026

To prevent repeat traffic gridlock during extreme summer weather, Bristol’s Plimsoll Swing Bridge will no longer open for boats whenever temperatures reach or exceed 30°C.

The new rule follows a heatwave incident where the metal structure expanded in the heat and became stuck mid-operation. The failure jammed traffic along Brunel Way—a major artery used by tens of thousands of drivers daily—requiring firefighters and a historic museum fireboat to spray down the bridge from above and below to cool it back into position.

Bristol City Council confirmed the operational ban will stay in effect until engineers find a permanent structural fix. In the meantime, local mariners will receive advance notice so vessel traffic can be rescheduled around both temperature forecasts and tidal conditions.

12/09/2026

Standing five metres tall in London’s Trafalgar Square, Tschabalala Self’s newly unveiled sculpture, "Lady in Blue," brings a bold, forward-looking energy to the historic Fourth Plinth. Cast in bronze and dressed in a vivid dress and lapis lazuli-inspired glass beaded jewelry, the figure depicts an anonymous, contemporary Black woman striding purposefully toward the future.

As the 16th commission to grace the plinth since the public art programme launched in 1999, the work directly counters the surrounding 19th-century monuments of Nelson’s Column and Landseer’s Lions. Rather than venerating past military figures, the New York-based artist designed the statue as a tribute to the modern city-dwelling everywoman. In a landscape where remarkably few UK statues represent women of color, Self aims for the piece to transcend identity politics, encouraging every passerby to embrace their own freedom to exist and move forward with courage.

Set to occupy Trafalgar Square for the next two years, "Lady in Blue" stands as both a striking artistic statement and an invitation to the thousands who cross the square daily to see their own ambition and resilience reflected back at them.

12/09/2026

1898: Early Expansion & Increasing Pilgrimages
1898
Three years after its opening above the Yorkshire Penny Bank on Main Street, the original Brontë Museum saw rapid growth. Visitors flooded Haworth via the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway to view literary manuscripts, letters, personal clothing, and original furniture belonging to Charlotte, Emily, Anne, and Branwell Brontë.

1914: The Bonnell Collection & Space Constraints
1914
As interest grew, notable American collector Henry Houston Bonnell and other international donors pledged significant items to the Brontë Society. The small rooms above the functioning Yorkshire Penny Bank became severe bottlenecks, leading the Society to search for a permanent home capable of properly preserving and displaying the growing national archive.

1928: Gift of Haworth Parsonage
1928
Sir James Roberts, a wealthy wool merchant born in Haworth, purchased Haworth Parsonage—the actual home where the Brontë siblings lived and wrote their major works—for £3,000. He handed the deeds directly to the Brontë Society. The entire museum collection was transferred from the Yorkshire Penny Bank building to the Parsonage, officially opening to the public on August 4, 1928.

1940s–1970s: Repurposing the Main Street Bank
1940s–1970s
Following the museum’s relocation up Church Street to the Parsonage, the original Victorian stone building at 62 Main Street returned to local commercial use. It continued serving banking customers and later transitioned into small independent retail spaces, preserving its classic Victorian storefront architecture.

1980s–2010s: Evolution into an Independent Shop
1980s–2010s
The old bank building found new life as a local tourist information point and an independent shop specializing in second-hand books, vintage records, and Brontë memorabilia, keeping its literary heritage alive for tourists walking up Haworth’s famous cobbled street.

2020s–2026: Modern Heritage Landmark
2026
Today, the old Yorkshire Penny Bank building operates as a beloved book and record shop (Wave of Nostalgia / Haworth tourist landmark), bearing a historic plaque commemorating its role as the first Brontë Museum (1895–1928). Meanwhile, a short walk away at the top of the village, the Brontë Parsonage Museum stands as an accredited museum holding the world's largest public collection of Brontë manuscripts, personal items, and artwork.

Historical & Location References
Brontë Parsonage Museum & Brontë Society Archives
Location: Church Street, Haworth, Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD22 8DR

Details: Documents the foundation of the Brontë Society in 1893, the 1895 opening of the original museum above the Yorkshire Penny Bank, and Sir James Roberts' purchase of the Parsonage in 1928.

The Old Yorkshire Penny Bank Building

Location: 62 Main Street, Haworth, West Yorkshire, BD22 8DA

Details: Designated historic site on Haworth's Main Street featuring the commemorative plaque marking the site of the original 1895 museum room.

Historic England & Bradford Metropolitan District Local Heritage Records

Details: Architectural and conservation area records detailing the historic retail structures along Haworth Main Street and the Haworth Conservation Area.

12/09/2026

Devil’s Gap Road 🇬🇧

Tucked away on the path to the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, these iconic steps—also known as the Referendum Steps—wear their history on their sleeve.

Originally named La Punta del Diablo (Devil's Point) under Spanish rule, the location once saw heavy British artillery hauled up the cliffside using iron ring bolts anchored into the rock.

In 1967, local residents painted the steps with the Union Jack to mark Gibraltar’s historic first sovereignty referendum, where the population voted overwhelmingly to remain British. Restored by volunteers in 2011, this vibrant landmark remains one of the Rock’s most powerful symbols of heritage and identity.

12/09/2026

Connecting New Bridge Street in the City of London on the north bank to Blackfriars Road in Southwark on the south bank, Blackfriars Bridge spans the River Thames at a key geographical transition point.

1762–1769: Construction of the First Stone Bridge
1760–1769
Designed by Scottish architect Robert Mylne, construction of the original multi-arch Portland stone bridge began in 1760 (with foundation work progressing actively by 1762). Initially named Pitt Bridge after Prime Minister William Pitt the Elder, it officially opened as a toll bridge in 1769. It was soon renamed Blackfriars Bridge after the 13th-century Dominican priory ("Black Friars") that once stood nearby.

1833–1864: Deterioration and Demolition
1833–1864
Due to flawed stone masonry, heavy river traffic, and scouring of the riverbed following the removal of Old London Bridge in 1831, the original stone bridge suffered severe structural decay. Despite extensive repair attempts in the 1830s, decision-makers determined that a full replacement was required. The old structure was demolished in 1864.

1869: Opening of the Current Wrought-Iron Bridge
1869
On November 6, 1869, Queen Victoria officially opened the replacement bridge—a five-arch wrought-iron structure engineered by Joseph Cubitt with decorative ironwork by Henry Carr. The stone piers feature distinct bird carvings sculpted by John Birnie Philip: seabirds on the east side (facing downstream toward the sea) and freshwater birds on the west side (facing upstream), marking the historical tidal divide of the Thames.

1907–1910: Bridge Widening for Electric Trams
1907–1910
To accommodate increasing traffic and the introduction of electric tramways operated by the London County Council, the bridge was widened from 70 feet (21 m) to 105 feet (32 m) on its western side between 1907 and 1909. It officially reopened to full tram traffic in 1910, making it the widest bridge in London at the time.

1982: The Roberto Calvi Controversy
1982
On June 18, 1982, the body of Italian banker Roberto Calvi ("God's Banker"), chairman of Banco Ambrosiano, was found hanging under the arches of Blackfriars Bridge with bricks in his pockets and thousands of dollars in cash. His death was closely linked to Vatican finances and the Italian Mafia, sparking decades of international investigation.

2000s–2026: Grade II Listing & Modern Pedestrian Infrastructure
2000s–2026
Listed as a Grade II historic structure in 1972, the bridge underwent structural overhauls in the 21st century. Integrated into the adjacent Blackfriars Railway Station solar-roof development completed in 2012, the road bridge was updated with segregated cycleways as part of London's East-West Cycle Superhighway. Today, it remains one of London's most vital cross-Thames road and pedestrian routes.

References
Historic England – Blackfriars Bridge (List Entry 1064634)
City Bridge Foundation – Blackfriars Bridge: History & Maintenance
National Monuments Record – Survey of London: Volume 22, Bankside (Blackfriars Bridge)
BBC News – 1982: 'God's Banker' found hanged in London
Transport for London (TfL) – Central London Grid & Cycle Superhighways

11/09/2026

Located at 78 Bishopsgate in the City of London, St Ethelburga-the-Virgin Within Bishopsgate is one of the capital's smallest and most resilient historical sites. Surviving the Great Fire of London in 1666, its modern identity was shaped across the 20th and 21st centuries.

1920s: Hidden Behind Tudor Shopfronts
1920s
Entering the 1920s, the medieval church facade remained obscured behind 16th-century timber-framed shopfronts. Built centuries earlier by churchwardens to generate rental income from the small 3-acre parish, visitors accessed the sanctuary through a narrow passageway between the shops.

1932: Bishopsgate Road Widening
1932
The City of London council ordered the widening of Bishopsgate, leading to the demolition of the historic shopfronts. This exposed the 15th-century stonework and medieval doorway to public view for the first time in hundreds of years. During this period, the church gained local fame as one of the few places willing to remarry divorced parishioners.

1940–1953: The Blitz & Loss of Parish Status
1940s–1950s
The church suffered minor damage during the World War II Blitz and was restored in 1953. In 1954, due to a shrinking resident population in the financial district, its independent parish status was merged with nearby St Helen's Bishopsgate. St Ethelburga became a "Guild Church" and was later relegated to a storage space and chapel of ease in 1991.

1993: Devastation by IRA Truck Bomb
1993
On April 24, 1993, an IRA truck bomb detonated just meters from the building. The blast destroyed roughly 70% of the structure, leaving only the south arcade wall and part of the eastern wall standing. Though early proposals suggested clearing the ruins for commercial development, public outcry secured its survival.

2002: Rebuilding & Transition to Peace Centre
2002
Reconstructed using salvaged materials alongside traditional masonry led by architects Purcell Miller Tritton, the exterior was restored to its 15th-century plan while the interior was modernized. Reopened by Prince Charles in 2002, the building ceased functioning as a parish church and was consecrated as St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace.

2026: Present Day
2026
St Ethelburga operates non-denominational community programs, climate action initiatives, and conflict resolution workshops. A Bedouin tent installed in its courtyard garden serves as a space for interfaith dialogue amidst the surrounding skyscrapers of London's financial district.

References
National Churches Trust – City of London: St Ethelburga the Virgin
City of London Corporation – St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace
Wikipedia – St Ethelburga's Bishopsgate
St Ethelburga's Centre Official Site – Our History & Foundations
Historic England – Guild Church of St Ethelburga The Virgin (List Entry 1191603)

11/09/2026

Britain told to build statues of Africans, educate children on slavery and be nicer to migrants after United Nations vote

United Nations experts have called on Britain and other countries involved in the transatlantic slave trade to take a series of measures to address its historical consequences, including creating public monuments honouring those of African descent.

The recommendations are contained in guidance produced by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), who say former slave-trading states have a moral and legal obligation to address the harms caused by slavery.

Among the proposed measures is the creation of public spaces, artworks and statues that recognise the contributions of people of African descent.

The guidance also calls for memorials that acknowledge the actions of individuals and institutions that supported or benefited from historical atrocities.

The recommendations follow a vote in March, in which UN member states backed demands for reparations for the transatlantic slave trade.

The report refers to the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, during which demonstrators targeted monuments linked to slavery and colonialism.

In Bristol, a statue of Edward Colston, a 17th-century slave trader and philanthropist, was pulled down during a protest and later became the subject of a high-profile legal case.

UN officials have stressed individual countries would decide how any public honours or memorials should be implemented.

The guidance says reparations should extend beyond direct financial compensation, and include broader measures aimed at addressing racial inequality and changing societal attitudes.

It recommends stronger enforcement of laws against hate speech, action to combat xenophobia and policies designed to challenge racial ideologies.

Education is also highlighted, citing the use of school textbooks and curriculum to provide accurate and unbiased accounts of transatlantic slavery, its aftermath, and the experiences of people of African descent today.

The guidance extends beyond governments, calling on non-state institutions to disclose information about their historical involvement in the slave trade.

It says relevant records should be made available without obstruction, selective disclosure or the concealment, alteration or destruction of evidence.

The issue is particularly sensitive for Britain ahead of the King’s planned autumn tour of the Caribbean.

Ongoing research is examining the extent to which the British royal family was involved in, supported or benefited from the transatlantic slave trade, including through its historical links to the Royal African Company.

The recommendations are expected to influence discussions over potential reparations agreements between former colonial powers and countries affected by slavery, as African and Caribbean governments increase pressure for compensation and other forms of redress.

The African Union has previously explored the possibility of pursuing a legal case against Britain under international law, with lawyers working with the organisation reportedly considering an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice as a means of encouraging negotiations over reparations.

Ghana has also played a leading role in African Union efforts to build international support for reparations, including lobbying for the UN resolution backed by member states in March.

11/09/2026

Concealed under whitewash for over 600 years, the extraordinary interior of St Botolph’s Church in Hardham is one of England’s greatest medieval treasures. 🌟

Built in the Anglo-Norman era, this simple Grade I listed church houses one of the earliest and most complete medieval wall painting schemes in the country. Painted in the early 12th century, these rare frescoes cover the walls with vivid biblical stories, apocalyptic scenes, and the earliest known depiction of St George in a British church.

Lost to history until their rediscovery in the 1860s, the paintings—alongside a 12th-century bell and a squinch squint from a medieval recluse's cell (where the anchorite Myliana lived c. 1250)—make St Botolph’s a remarkably unaltered window into medieval faith.

11/09/2026

Nottingham is set to introduce a ban on non-religious face coverings and balaclavas in the city centre. 🚫

Under a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), police and community protection officers can order individuals to remove face coverings if they suspect they are hiding their identity to commit crime or intimidate others.

Refuse to comply, and you risk an immediate £70 on-the-spot fine, or prosecution with fines reaching up to £1,000. Officials say exemptions will remain in place for health, medical, and religious reasons.

The move follows over 180 incidents involving youth gangs using balaclavas to conceal their identities in the past year alone. Do you think other cities should introduce similar bans, or is this going too far?

11/09/2026

Standing tall since 1425, the Great Barn at Harmondsworth is the largest surviving medieval timber-framed structure in Britain! 🪵🏰

Described as a masterpiece of medieval carpentry, this incredible building was crafted with the same skill, precision, and architectural flair usually reserved for royal palaces and great cathedrals. Six centuries later, its massive oak framework remains an extraordinary testament to 15th-century craftsmanship.

Have you ever visited Britain's "Cathedral of Wood"? 🇬🇧👇

Then and Now

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