What do you say to cabbies?
Cabbie Blog
by Gibson Square
20h ago
A study conducted by the taxi-hailing app, Freenow, has delved into what must be one of the most annoying aspects of being a London cabbie. The good news is that the UK has emerged as having the second most sociable taxi passengers in Europe, trailing only behind Ireland. The research focused on the interaction between passengers and black cab drivers, part delved into the top five questions posed by passengers, be they: traffic, cyclists, speed limits, or the correct route: 1 Have you been busy today? 2 How’s the traffic? 3 What do you think about cyclists? 4 Why is the speed limit 20mph? 5 I ..read more
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The London Grill: Sam Roberts
Cabbie Blog
by Gibson Square
3d ago
We challenge our contributors to reply to ten devilishly probing questions about their London and we don’t take “Sorry Gov” for an answer. Everyone sitting in the hot seat they will face the same questions ranging from their favourite way to spend a day out in the capital to their most hated building on London’s skyline to find out what Londoners think about their city. The questions are the same but the answers vary wildly. Sam Roberts is a writer, researcher, and publisher with a special interest in the historical and contemporary aspects of the sign painting craft. He co-authored Ghost Sig ..read more
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London in Quotations: Helen Simpson
Cabbie Blog
by Gibson Square
4d ago
Tea at the Ritz is the last delicious morsel of Edwardian London. The light is kind, the cakes are frivolous and the tempo is calm, confident and leisurely. Helen Simpson (b.1959), The London Ritz Book of Afternoon Tea ..read more
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London Trivia: A shot in the dark
Cabbie Blog
by Gibson Square
5d ago
On 24 March 1918 a bigamist and American conman died at the Wood Green Empire. For years he had masqueraded as Chung Ling Soo the most famous – and wealthiest – ‘Chinese’ magician on London’s stage. His famous trick of being shot backfired when a real bullet hit him. His first English words since reaching Britain were “Oh my God, something’s happened, bring down the curtain”. On 24 March 1877 the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race ended in its only dead heat with a time of 24 minutes, 8 seconds Bow Street Police Station was the only Victorian London police station with a white light outside rather ..read more
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Previously Posted: My Radio Times
Cabbie Blog
by Gibson Square
6d ago
For those new to CabbieBlog or readers who are slightly forgetful, on Saturdays I’m republishing posts, many going back over a decade. Some will still be very relevant while others have become dated over time. Just think of this post as your weekend paper supplement. My Radio Times (01.03.11) “Yours is the only cab I’ve been in that the driver listens to Radio 4”, was said to me once by my passenger. On reflection afterwards I pondered – how could someone be cooped up in the driver’s compartment for 10 hours a day, listening to a daily dish of either the top 20 current hits or the 20 golden ol ..read more
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Freedom of Information Request
Cabbie Blog
by Gibson Square
6d ago
Recently Transport for London published a reply to the following Freedom of Information request: How many people applied to take The Knowledge test each year, for as far back as you have data • How many of these applicants were successful • How many taxi driver licences have been issued each year, for as far back as you hold data? If COVID-19 is taken out of the data the number applied to start The Knowledge has remained surprisingly consistent. To establish whether the applicant has subsequently completed the KoL was estimated to exceed the ‘appropriate limit’ of £450 set by the Freedom of In ..read more
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No Farmers: No Food
Cabbie Blog
by Gibson Square
1w ago
I have recently received this statement from Heather Gorringe, managing director of Wiggly Wigglers. I think you have an interest in this campaign, after all you are likely to be composting, feeding the birds, or growing your own to be a Wiggly customer, and so I am going to take a risk and tell you what I think from the horse’s mouth as it were – no filter…It’s desperate times. As one farmer put it: Want to know why farmers are so angry? We’ve had enough of working for nothing, to produce something that everyone needs, whilst being told we are doing a sh-t job of it, by people who have neve ..read more
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Johnson’s London Dictionary: London Weighting
Cabbie Blog
by Gibson Square
1w ago
LONDON WEIGHTING (n.) Not to be confused with travelling in the Metropolis by car, but additional payment to compensate for the higher cost of living. Dr. Johnson’s London Dictionary for publick consumption in the twenty-first century avail yourself on Twitter @JohnsonsLondon ..read more
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The most dangerous place in London
Cabbie Blog
by Gibson Square
1w ago
If you’re a member of the Royal Family for tomorrow marks the 50th anniversary of the first attempt in modern times to kidnap a member of the Royal Family. Princess Anne narrowly avoided kidnap while she was on her way back to Buckingham Palace. Riding with her first husband Captain Mark Phillips, they had left a charity event and were returning to Buckingham Palace along Pall Mall, when a vehicle blocked their chauffeur-driven car. Ian Ball drove his Ford Escort blocking the road, got out of the car and pulled out a handgun, shooting Princess Anne’s chauffeur and her security officer Jim Beat ..read more
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London in Quotations: Marie Brennan
Cabbie Blog
by Gibson Square
1w ago
This was London, in all its filth and glory. Nostalgic for the past, while yearning to cast off the chains of bygone ages and step forward into the bright utopia of the future. Proud of its achievements, yet despising its own flaws. A monster in both size and nature, that would consume the unwary and spit them out again, in forms unrecognizable and undreamt. London, the monster city. Marie Brennan (b.1980), With Fate Conspire ..read more
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