A Date in History- Westminster Archives-13th January

'Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...' - Skating in Regent's Park, 1838

Advertisement for winter fashions of 1838 and 1839, by B Read & Co. Image property of Westminster City Archives

Saint Hilary's Feast Day, on 13 January, is commonly said to be the coldest day of the year. This folk belief may date back to the great frost of 1205, when the severe weather caused the Thames to ice over and even saw ale and bread freeze solid.

The cold weather does have its compensations however, as testified by the skaters in this view of Regent's Park. The people in the foreground are well dressed for the cold, modelling fashionable designs for the 1838-1839 season.

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A Date in History- Westminster Archives-12th January

The opening of the Astoria, 12 January 1927

The building of the Astoria had a chequered history. Originally a pickle warehouse on Charing Cross Road, it was transformed into a stylish entertainment complex, boasting a cinema and a grand ballroom that could accommodate over a thousand people. 

Changing fashions in entertainment had a profound impact on the Astoria over the years. As the taste for cinema waned, the 1970s saw the auditorium converted for theatrical performance. Later, in the 1980s, the Astoria became a nightclub and concert venue.

Both cinema and dance have since seen a revival, but sadly not in time to save the Astoria. The venue closed its doors for the last time in January 2009, and has since been demolished.

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A Date in History- Westminster Archives-11th January

Charing Cross station opened on 11 January 1864 by South East Railway. The frontage shown in this picture postcard was completed a year later, in 1865, and housed the Charing Cross Hotel. Its architect, Edward Middleton Barry, had already made a name for himself with his iconic designs for the Royal Opera House and Floral Hall in Covent Garden.

Although the facade of Charing Cross Station has changed little since the 1860s, the roof of the station was had to be completely rebuilt after it collapsed on 5 December 1905, resulting in several fatalities.

The new railway line across the Hungerford Bridge continues to count as one of the capital's main arteries, transporting millions of people into the heart of the West End each year.

Image ref: F137 Charing Cross Station (014)

More Information http://www.westminster.gov.uk/services/libraries/archives/day-by-day/11jan/ 

Westminster City Council - A date with history

Westminster City Council - A date with history

Old Newspaper Advert Regent Palace

Happy New Year! From the Friends of The Regent Palace

Have a great New Year From all of the Friends of The Regent Palace View Message

Merry Christmas to all the Friends- Christmas Eve in London.

A Wonderful Short Animated E-Card. Happy Christmas!! View Card

Jon Riley 26th Nov 2010 - 11:53

The Coldest Winter On Record?

William Hill Winter Wagers:

25/1 The Houses Of Parliment To Be closed For Weather Related Issues
100/1 Big Ben To Stop As A Result Of Frozen Parts
250/1 The Thames To Be Frozen Solid Between Tower Bridge & London Bridge

Coldest Ever Temperatures To Be Broken:
10/1 A Record Ever Lowest Temperature To Be Recorded In The UK Prior To May 1st 2011 (-27.2C, Jan 10th 1982).
10/1 that the lowest temperature in Scotland will be beaten Before May 1st 2011 (-27.2C, Jan 10th 1982, Aberdeenshire).
20/1 for the lowest recorded in Wales to be beaten Before May 1st 2011 (-23.3C, 21st Jan, 1940 Powys).
25/1 that the lowest recorded temperature in England will be beaten Before May 1st 2011 (-26.1C, Jan 10 1982, Shropshire).

William Hill White Christmas Odds: 3/1 Aberdeen; 4/1 Edinburgh; 4/1 Glasgow; 4/1 Belfast; 5/1 Dublin; 6/1 Newcastle; 6/1 Cardiff; 6/1 Exeter; 6/1 Leeds; 6/1 London; 6/1 Manchester; 6/1 Cambridge; 6/1 Bristol; 6/1 Lincoln; 6/1 Liverpool; 6/1 Norwich; 6/1 Nottinghamshire; 6/1 Oxford; 6/1 York

Local Weather Observations- for London

Christmas Eve - Westminster Cathedral 2010

Friday, 24th December 2010 - Christmas Eve

07:00	Mass
07:40	Morning Prayer
08:00	Mass
10:30	Mass (Latin)
12:30	Mass
13:05	Mass
16:00	First Vespers of Christmas (Choir) - Abp Nichols
18:00	First Mass of Christmas
23:00	Vigil and Midnight Mass (Choir) - Abp Nichols

Saturday, 25th December 2010 - Christmas Day

08:00	Mass
09:00	Mass
10:00	Morning Prayer
10:30	Solemn Mass (Choir) - Abp Nichols
12:30	Mass (with Carols)
15:30	Solemn Vespers & Benediction (Choir) - Abp Nichols

Westminster Cathedral
Cathedral Clergy House
42 Francis Street London SW1P 1QW
United Kingdom

By telephone / facsimile:

Telephone 020 7798 9055
Facsimile 020 7798 9090
Service times 020 7798 9097

St Martin-in-the-Fields Christmas 2010 services. London

Friday 24 December Christmas Eve 2010

2.30pm: Crib Family Service 
Led by the Clergy of St Martin-in-the-Fields. A lively service of readings and carols particularly suitable for younger members of the family and including the Blessing of the Crib. Doors open at 2.00pm. No tickets required.

6.30pm: Parish Carol Service  
Led by the Clergy of St Martin-in the-Fields. A candlelit service of words, music and reflections on the Christmas story with the Choir of St Martin-in the-Fields. Doors open 5.30pm. No tickets required but the church is often full and you are advised to arrive in plenty of time to be certain of a seat.

11.30pm: Midnight Mass 
The climax of all our Advent preparation and Christmas worship as we light the Christmas candle and welcome the Christ child. Led by the Clergy and Choir of St Martin-in the-Fields. The mass setting is Schubert’s Mass in G. No tickets required.
Preacher: Revd Nicholas Holtam

Saturday 25 December Christmas Day 2010

10.30am: Eucharist
Preacher: Revd Katherine Hedderly

2.15pm: Communion Service in Mandarin and Cantonese

Christmas Eve- St Paul's Cathedral 2010

24 Dec 2010 4pm

All welcome. You are encouraged to arrive early to this service as there is limited capacity in the cathedral. 

This year for the first time, we will be screening a live broadcast of this service outside the cathedral in Paternoster square.

Midnight Mass, 11.30pm

Bishop Michael Colclough, Canon Pastor of St Paul’s Cathedral said; "Every year our Christmas services are so popular that we have to turn away thousands of people. By screening these services in Paternoster Square, we hope that all those people who can’t be seated in the cathedral will still be able to join in our Christmas celebrations.”

The live screening of a Celebration of Christmas is sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group. 

Fortnum's Windows - Fortnum & Mason

Fortnum's Windows - Fortnum & Mason

How to Make a Snowball Drink, yum slurp yum.

The Snowball cocktail is part of the sweet cocktail family, Its frothy texture is produced by the raw egg that is shaken into the drink. 

Ingredients

Before you begin to make the cocktail, make sure you have all the following ingredients on hand:

1. 2 oz. brandy
2. 1 oz. simple syrup
3. 1 egg
4. Ginger ale
5. Ice

Instructions

1. Pour 2 oz of brandy into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Add 1 oz simple syrup.
3. Add 1 egg..
4. Shake vigorously. Make sure the egg is completely mixed.
5. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice.
6. Top with ginger ale.

Alternatives and Variations

1. Instead of using an egg, you can Advocaat to produce the same creamy frothiness.
2. You can also add a dash of lime cordial to add a tart and tangy flavor to the drink.
3. You can substitute pasteurized liquid egg product for the raw egg, if desired.
4. Or Buy it in a Shop.....recommended by Gwen..oh come on you expect me to make this?

We Wish You a Happy Christmas!

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