Oh brilliant. Thank you. It's so long since I did my family history that I assumed you still had to send off by post for this sort of thing. Well, that's pretty conclusive. I don't think you can contract kidney disease from being hit by a cab. I'll update the story later.
I suppose kidney disease might have slowed him down at inopportune moments... from The Big Book of 1864 Dad Jokes: "Why was the traffic light red?" "Because it had to stop and go on a street corner."
This kind of gentle and whimsical interweaving (especially of place through time) feels like it mirrors a much more natural experience of the world than the linear straight-line kind of history and logic we've been taught to stick to. Like a pleasant, unhurried stroll through town...
Yes, down that road everything is connected somehow, but there's nothing to fear, in the hands of a skilful storyteller like yourself (and I think everyone has one of those inside) the most meaningful connections can be drawn out. And this is part of interacting with a world full of meaning. London herself is absolutely bursting with it...
Thank you, that's very kind! My 'train of thought' is a bit like this; unable to stick to one topic, but bounding around like a puppy in a cornfield. I guess it's why I failed in my previous career as a scientist!
As ever, research beyond comprehension, my memory of London 1950 there was an island type taxi rank with a cabin type cafe as well, but where can not remember.
Thanks Thomas. You may be thinking of the green cab shelters, 14 of which still exist. A few of them, like this one in Notting Hill, stand on traffic islands. https://www.flickr.com/photos/londonmatt/54542641232/
Haha, yes… they’ve been there for years and are so much a fixture of the crossing that I’d entirely forgotten about them. So, yes, that could be added to the list of ‘interesting’ traffic islands.
They're both very British. Bottom is a bit rude and slapsticky, and not to everyone's tastes, but I loved it. The Day Today is a surreal satire on news broadcasting, which was ahead of its time. (Though I'm not sure how well it'll translate for a non-British audience.)
This is all most excellent, and I am grateful to Matt, and to Mr Westbrooke too, for uncovering the truth in all its glory. However what, to my mind at least, remains uncertain is whether this was the first traffic island in London. From the manner in which it was referred to in contemporary documents as shown here, I would suppose that a ‘refuge’ of this sort was already a known quantity, and most probably of English origin—merely because if it were, say, Scottish or god forbid French in origin, then that would surely have been mentioned. Perhaps the islands began in Brackley, where the good Pierrepoint had his ancestral seat? That would be very nice, as I was born there (absolutely no relation to the , btw), and one rarely hears anything about this pleasant little town.
Thanks Susan. I had intended to look into that aspect a little more, but time ran away with me. I agree that some of the language in the contemporary reports suggests that the idea might not have been entirely novel. 'More research needed', as the saying goes.
No criticism of your efforts was intended, it’s a lovely article, but it would be fun to know the answer wouldn’t it? I just asked the Google AI bot-thing when the first such island in England was built, and got this reply: ‘The first traffic island in Britain was built in Leicester in 1868. It was known as the "Haymarket Memorial Clock Tower" and was constructed to address traffic congestion where six streets converged at the Haymarket. The tower was a solution to the chaotic traffic caused by horse-drawn vehicles converging on the area.’ This, I note, postdates your St James’s Street refuge. The plot thickens, though I suspect it will all boil down to a matter of nomenclature. We (the domestic comrade and I) did once while away a rather tedious car-journey reading and discussing the Wikipedia article about roundabouts….which memory has now led me to the (very disappointing) Wikipedia article about traffic islands—no use to this discussion, I’m afraid, but I am glad to have made the acquaintance of ghost islands.
Hi Matt, is there a source for Mungo Jerry’s hit being the best selling single by a UK band? Wikipedia seems to say it’s ‘I wanna hold your hand’ by the Beatles - which tbh is more believable. On the other hand ‘In the summertime’ has been used in loads of commercials - even a public information one against drink driving which the song does unfortunately advocate…
It's a fair challenge. The fact is disputed across the web, with some supporting it and others questioning it. Wikipedia cites several sources, including a Guinness book of hit records (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mungo_Jerry). If the figures include re-releases, and worldwide sales, then it may be possible.
Oh go on, I'm going to splash out £3... He died of kidney disease https://postimg.cc/WqgYR24H
Oh brilliant. Thank you. It's so long since I did my family history that I assumed you still had to send off by post for this sort of thing. Well, that's pretty conclusive. I don't think you can contract kidney disease from being hit by a cab. I'll update the story later.
I suppose kidney disease might have slowed him down at inopportune moments... from The Big Book of 1864 Dad Jokes: "Why was the traffic light red?" "Because it had to stop and go on a street corner."
Mr Westbrooke, you've killed a legend!
I just had to see how the story ended.
Congratulations on your duty to the truth! Does leave one a little wistful, though....
What can I say? Matt, you've made probably the dullest and most innocuous of street furniture interesting. I await your article on rubbish bins :-)
Bin there, done that https://londonist.com/london/features/london-s-novelty-bin-population
Unhinged? I like it like this. Thank you!
This kind of gentle and whimsical interweaving (especially of place through time) feels like it mirrors a much more natural experience of the world than the linear straight-line kind of history and logic we've been taught to stick to. Like a pleasant, unhurried stroll through town...
Yes, down that road everything is connected somehow, but there's nothing to fear, in the hands of a skilful storyteller like yourself (and I think everyone has one of those inside) the most meaningful connections can be drawn out. And this is part of interacting with a world full of meaning. London herself is absolutely bursting with it...
Thank you, that's very kind! My 'train of thought' is a bit like this; unable to stick to one topic, but bounding around like a puppy in a cornfield. I guess it's why I failed in my previous career as a scientist!
As ever, research beyond comprehension, my memory of London 1950 there was an island type taxi rank with a cabin type cafe as well, but where can not remember.
A lovely read.
Thank you.
Thanks Thomas. You may be thinking of the green cab shelters, 14 of which still exist. A few of them, like this one in Notting Hill, stand on traffic islands. https://www.flickr.com/photos/londonmatt/54542641232/
Yes you are correct, green was the colour but it was a very Long Island for parking while waiting for fares.
self-identifying as “aged and inactive”, 😊 what a wonderful story to start the day!
Now that is a piece of research! Marvellous stuff, more please...
Incidentally, that first photo is also "quite interesting" for the gay-friendly crossing light it shows.
Haha, yes… they’ve been there for years and are so much a fixture of the crossing that I’d entirely forgotten about them. So, yes, that could be added to the list of ‘interesting’ traffic islands.
Great post, but you've ruined a great cabbie tale: https://cabbieblog.com/2024/05/18/previously-posted-its-a-two-way-street/
Haha, sorry about that. I’ve got a whole book of spoilsportery- https://www.amazon.co.uk/Everything-Know-about-London-Wrong/dp/1849943605
Thank you, Matt. I remember that song In the summertime. I grew up in the 1970s. Really enjoyed the videos.
A great story, and some great detective work.
I have never heard of either "Bottom" or "The Day Today". Have to look them up...
They're both very British. Bottom is a bit rude and slapsticky, and not to everyone's tastes, but I loved it. The Day Today is a surreal satire on news broadcasting, which was ahead of its time. (Though I'm not sure how well it'll translate for a non-British audience.)
This is all most excellent, and I am grateful to Matt, and to Mr Westbrooke too, for uncovering the truth in all its glory. However what, to my mind at least, remains uncertain is whether this was the first traffic island in London. From the manner in which it was referred to in contemporary documents as shown here, I would suppose that a ‘refuge’ of this sort was already a known quantity, and most probably of English origin—merely because if it were, say, Scottish or god forbid French in origin, then that would surely have been mentioned. Perhaps the islands began in Brackley, where the good Pierrepoint had his ancestral seat? That would be very nice, as I was born there (absolutely no relation to the , btw), and one rarely hears anything about this pleasant little town.
Thanks Susan. I had intended to look into that aspect a little more, but time ran away with me. I agree that some of the language in the contemporary reports suggests that the idea might not have been entirely novel. 'More research needed', as the saying goes.
No criticism of your efforts was intended, it’s a lovely article, but it would be fun to know the answer wouldn’t it? I just asked the Google AI bot-thing when the first such island in England was built, and got this reply: ‘The first traffic island in Britain was built in Leicester in 1868. It was known as the "Haymarket Memorial Clock Tower" and was constructed to address traffic congestion where six streets converged at the Haymarket. The tower was a solution to the chaotic traffic caused by horse-drawn vehicles converging on the area.’ This, I note, postdates your St James’s Street refuge. The plot thickens, though I suspect it will all boil down to a matter of nomenclature. We (the domestic comrade and I) did once while away a rather tedious car-journey reading and discussing the Wikipedia article about roundabouts….which memory has now led me to the (very disappointing) Wikipedia article about traffic islands—no use to this discussion, I’m afraid, but I am glad to have made the acquaintance of ghost islands.
Hi Matt, is there a source for Mungo Jerry’s hit being the best selling single by a UK band? Wikipedia seems to say it’s ‘I wanna hold your hand’ by the Beatles - which tbh is more believable. On the other hand ‘In the summertime’ has been used in loads of commercials - even a public information one against drink driving which the song does unfortunately advocate…
It's a fair challenge. The fact is disputed across the web, with some supporting it and others questioning it. Wikipedia cites several sources, including a Guinness book of hit records (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mungo_Jerry). If the figures include re-releases, and worldwide sales, then it may be possible.
Absolutely brilliant. I knew nothing of this, and as a fellow rabbit hole plunger I admire your tenacity!