Author: Candy Blackham

I love making things - gardens, food, clothes - and I would like to share my new discoveries

Bradshaw’s Hand Book to London, First Day’s Route, District I (no.1)

January 30, 2013

Mr Bradshaw was, I believe, a Victorian gentleman, proud of his capital city, ‘..that metropolis of the world..’, placed at ‘..nearly the centre of the terrestrial hemisphere..’, and the manifestations of its power and wealth which he saw in its buildings. And so he begins the tour in the City, ‘..the heart of…

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Mr Bradshaw & I; preparing for the First Day

January 23, 2013

Mr Bradshaw gives a preamble to his guided tour – clearly I need to prepare thoughtfully before setting forth. London has doubled in the past 50 years – fifty of the main cities and towns in England would not equal the population of London – and it continues to grow. My first impression will be…

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George Bradshaw

January 21, 2013

George Bradshaw (29 July 1801 – 6 September 1853) was born at Windsor Bridge, Pendleton, in Salford, Lancashire. After school he was apprenticed to John Beale, a well-known engraver in Manchester, and in 1822 he set up his own business in Manchester as an engraver and printer. His reputation was built on his railway timetables, 'Bradshaws', although his guides…

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Research sources

January 19, 2013

Mr first day with Mr Bradshaw will be Thursday 24 January and I am researching my itinerary. I am developing a list with information about activities which I have found interesting and stimulating (and which are free!), as well as sites which give me ideas. I will post these lists on the internet in case…

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Exploring London with George Bradshaw’s Hand Book

January 18, 2013

Yesterday I purchased ('bought' doesn't seem quite appropriate!) 'Bradshaw's Illustrated Hand Book to London and its Environs, 1862' at Foyles and next week, having done some homework, I will start exploring, guided by Mr Bradshaw of railway guide fame. The book assures me that the '...Itinerary,  is divided into such portions or routes through each district…

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National Gallery

January 18, 2013

The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square has free lunchtime lectures, 13.00, on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Yesterday I settled down in the Sainsbury Wing Theatre with around 200 other people and it was marvellous! I learned about 'Murillo's depiction of life in 17thC Seville'. Bartolome Esteban Murillo self-portrait We heard about his religious…

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