I do like your sessions. "Pop goes the Weasel" is related to when the tradesman pawned his working instrument. The weasel is a last on which a hatter stretched the fabric when stitching items such as hats or in the case of "Petticoat Lane, the fine silk undergarments for ladies. The garments were so finely stitched that Ladies worked closer and closer to the item resulting in eye injuries, Pop=to pawn Weasel=A last over which things are stretched.
Right on my doorstep, wish I had known as I would have loved to had the opportunity to say hello to you in person. Thanks and great work John teaching me a few more things I never knew about my surroundings. My wife and daughter now will be subjected with me passing that knowledge onto them and in return they will look at me with that face of trying their best to look interested.
I used to work around that area back round the millennium. Drank in the Artillery Arms and the Eagle, often walked though Bunhill Row on my way to work. I thought "pop goes the weasel" was a reference to pawning the iron the textile workers used, so they could pay for Friday night, before getting paid on Saturday and getting it back out of hock. Lovely video, great memories and yes, a lot has changed.
I once worked in City Road at the International Harvester HQ by City Rd. basin. Once Pickfords had a wharf on the west side of City Rd. ( the canal used to go under the bridge) Pickford ran a daily packet boat from here to Birmingham so I’m told. My goodness it’s changed so much!
Thank you as always for this video. I worked around this area between 1966 and 1971 and had my lunch in the company of Issac Watts, Daniel Defoe, William Blake, John Bunyan and all the other great names in Bun Hilll, including my 4 times great grandparents, many a lunch time on warm days. As I understood things, "to pop or pawn your wiesel" referded to the rag trade that existed to the east of New North Road and north of Old Street. The wiesel being a cutting toll that was not vital to production, when you ran out of money (Victorian and pre Victorian era) buying groceries (Rice and other bits) to buy beer of a weekend you could pawn your wiesel to raise the cash to spend in the Eagle.Get the wiesel out of hock on Tuesday, when you had made a bit of money. Again thank you, what a change in City Road since my day.
What a channel. Informative, entertaining, relaxing. Well beyond the 'travel' channels focussing on London on RUclips. The stories, history, and psychogeography are so key to understanding place. Can't believe it took me this long to find!
My first job after leaving school in the early 60`s was in Wharf Rd that ran to City Rd, that became St Peters St. the other side of the canal and ran to Islington Green. When walking down City Rd from The Angel I used to pass the HP Sauce factory that must be long gone by now. I think Reilly snooker tables were once made their. Anthony released "Pop Goes The Weasel" in the early 60`s. He said that a weasel was a hat makers tool that they pawned when they were skint? Probably one of several definitions of old terms?
The nursery rhyme used to be "Half a pound of tuppenny rice Half a pound of treacle That's the way the money goes Hock goes the Weasel" The story behind this refers to the poverty in the wig makers trade in the Goswell rd / Old St area. The reference to rice and treacle referred to the cheap food being all they could afford. When they ran out of money they would pawn (or "Hock") their weasel (a weasel being the stand for a wig)
Up and down the city road In and out of the Eagle? (Pub?) Thats the way the money goes POP! (Shouted or a popping sound made with a usualy dirty finger in the mouth) goes the weasel. Was the way us street urchins used to sing it Such freedom of expression Surprised you have not been stopped/searched by the paranoid police for going about armed with a suspicious camera. Enjoyed your tour as a former been there done that resident. Including Friday night is Bath night at the local behind Sadlers Wells. is what we used sing
I was told that 'pop' was the then current expression for 'pawn' and that a weasel was the smallest size iron- in general domestic use. (In the days when you heated your irons on the fire and had several sizes depending what you were ironing. So the smallest one was the most expendable.)
There’s a real feeling of antiquity around Old Street/City Road, The Angel, Saddlers Wells etc. I spent some time around there in my early 20s and I remember the atmosphere at night being slightly sinister. Not been there for a good 25 years. I might take a look soon. Love the video as always John. Good work.
Early 80's used to bunk the last train to Euston and walk to my squat in Newington Green, from Kings Cross through the Angel to Highbury tube was a dark and dodgy stroll. I was offered and asked for it all. Cheers
@@willtricks9432 Kings Cross was especially dodgy back then. I remember meeting my mates up there to go raving as a teenager. Some weird characters hanging about that station.
A very interesting film as always. When my great-great grandfather arrived in London from Germany in the mid-19th Century, he settled in St Lukes, where, I established, he and his brother ran a bakery in Whitecross Street. I spent a very interesting morning in the area once trying to identify addresses where they had lived.
Excellent Tour John , my family lived in Bartholomew Square behind St Luke's which was a plague burial site and they regularly used the Ironmonger Row baths loved it thank you
Blimey! This was the first video of yours I´ve watched John and you end up outside The Eagle. I was born in Islington in 1973 and we lived diagonally opposite in Eagle Dweillings.. In early 1981 we moved to Germany and I have been living in here ever since. I haven´t been to London for quite a few years now. Love your channel, I´ll be back for more. Greetings from Berlin!
I love spending time alone in Bunhill, there is certainly something magical there. It has inspired me to write poetry many times. I really enjoyed this video. Thanks
Thanks for an enjoyable video of an area I know very well. Others may have already said this, but you missed Blake’s actual burial place, which is just round the corner from the old ‘nearby’ one you filmed, and where the candles coins and flowers are now left. The exact site of his burial has now been identified and on the 12th of August 2018 there was a ceremony to unveil the new stone, which I attended. Various people spoke and read poetry at the ceremony, the most memorable being Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden. You must look out for it next time you are in Bunhill Fields.
The honorable artillery company has its head office within the grounds of the honourable society of Lincolns Inn, Chancery Lane which is one of the inns of Court where people go to train to become barristers. I worked on the gardens here between 1988-1999.
I know the Antony Newley song " Pop goes the Weasel". Did you know he wrote the song " Goldfinger" for the James Bond film. The music was by John Barry.
Back in the 60s i worked for the GPO , as a telecomms apprentice, they had a training school in Paul St , near Old St tube station ,had to go there on training courses, havent been back there since. and i dont recognise any of it , Thanks John for a very nostalgic vid, thanks mate..
I visited Bunhill fields when reading Defoe’s travelogues and Blake’s poetry (not to dissimilar to your own lyrical observations), and instantly sank into a gloomy depression. It was a place so profound when faced with humankind’s lost creativity…all those unwritten books and not so Eternal ideas. It definitely is unique. Many thanks for all your films and musings throughout the year, John. D
I preferred Bunhill Fields when it was slightly tawdry and a bit over-grown. They've tidied it up enormously since. As for the rest of the way the city of London is going - I travelled over to London Uni (from N. Ireland) in 1982, and remained in England -not all the years in London. It's spectacular. Even photos from ten years ago show the extent of the new build, especially the skyscrapers. Yet you're still wandering around mazy little mediaeval streets even at the base of some of those monstrosities. There was a sense of innocence when the Natwest Tower was the only big building higher than St. Pauls when you looked out. Dickens of course is the novelist par excellence of London. I do think though that ideas are eternal.
Your love of history is so uplifting. I enjoy your walks so much. I am a Londoner and my father showed me so much when I was a child. You’re carrying on the tradition of oral history. I too enjoy history and it’s refreshing to know there are others! Thanks for your videos.
I was born in Ironmonger St off Ironmonger Row (now gone) and playing in the church yard and "Toffee Park" as a very young boy! Thank you John for this!
Mr Rogers, I only recently discovered your commentated walk RUclips videos, and I have greatly enjoyed those I have heretofore had the opportunity to watch. Many thanks for your layman's level of story telling. I only lived in London for the six years I was a chorister at the Abbey, 60 years ago, but your talks rekindled fond memories of our history master's field trips with us boys. The Temple, Fleet Street, Blitzed City, the Queen's Chapels, and others were regular elements of his curriculum. Every trip was made on foot, of course, and ended with tea at the Strand Llyon's Corner House. I was last in the UK about 20 years ago. My second son is in chambers at Inner Temple now. I look forward to more of your talks, perhaps including the area where my old school chums and I used to carry out community service as pre-teens, around Boundary Street, and the remnants of the old rookery which was nearby in Shoreditch. I think this was the first council social housing project in London.
30 years ago l went to some tai chi classes off Whitcross Street. There was such a feeling of a new Age of Enlightenment at the beginning of the 90s and all we got was Oasis. Still l remember Bunhill Fields and all the friends at the time when we all learnt the Short Form. Thanks John
I worked in the city over the years , many times at weekends and nights when it was quite and all weathers . It’s a magical place with no shortage of history . It’s so captivating in the right setting it’s almost like travelling back in time . New follower and your footage is amazing . Thank you for sharing it means so much . All best for the new year 👍☘️
An American here who took a few minutes to remember where I'd heard of Bunhill Fields before. It dawned on me that I'd come across it while researching one of my family lines. Got it back to my 9th and 10th great grandfathers, who were buried at Bunhill Fields in the 1600s. They were very early Quakers. Great walk, always learn so much from your videos!
4:51 The view is from the approximate location of the resting place of my 3rd great grandfather Robert Finch (1806-1848). I have a photo of the site from the opposite direction. He lived on Brewer St., now called Paget St., and several of his neighbours are buried at Bunhill as well. It seems the Luftwaffe had a knack for erasing evidence of my family in that location as well as in others. My uncle would probably have found that funny. He was one of the Distinguished Service Order recipients who survived the war.
Another cracking winter warmer - you really bring alive that area north of the City which has such deep roots into London and wider British history - thank you
More memories sparked form a Mr Rodgers video. About 20 years ago I worked in an office block on Bunhill Row that overlooked the HAC grounds. Many a lunch hour was spent in Bunhill Fields and a Friday night in the Artillery Arms. Then there was the walk from work up City Road to meet the better half who worked in Wakley Street at the Angel. Merry Christmas to you and yours and here’s looking forward to the walks of 2022.
Thanks John, I haven’t been around that area for 35yrs. The Eagle public house, next door to City road metropolitan police station. Many a good night spent in there. Merry Christmas to you and your family. All the very best for 2022.
Absolutely loved this one… I used to live on City Road, even met you John one morning going to work. And before that, I used to haunt Blake’s grave and the Artillery Arms with the OTO. Lots of great memories, and a fantastic commentary as ever. A very happy Yule to you!
@Starfire we used to meet with potential new candidates there. I wrote about my own experience with OTO (mostly farcical) on my website. You can find the link on my channel here on RUclips.
Thank you for another very entertaining video. Full of nostalgia for me even though sixty so years have passed, during which so much has been altered, since the area was just one of many familiar backdrops to my childhood and youth in London.
Incidentally i was on one of my random walks around that area a few years ago and popped in 'The Artillery' to rest my weary feet. Brilliant pub. Very atmospheric. I tarried a while before stumbling off into the cemetery.
I love that area of London and it was so interesting to learn more about the history of it. I too worked in catering at an event in the Finsbury Barracks in December 1987 I believe. At the end of the night there was a spectacular fireworks display which was like being in the middle of WW3 as the fireworks were so close to the crowd. Great memories!
"William Blake... Will you stop eating those mushrooms? You know you see things when you do!" I used to work in a building that is now that upmarket hair salon opposite St. Lukes. during the late 1970's. Lots of memories. The food market in Whitecross St. was never too amazing back then, but some of the shops sold a great sandwich.
Thanks John for a great walk,not long enough for me, you covered my old milk round as the Co-op milky as I was in the city and west end for fifty years,great memories as I sit and write this at 3am ,old habits die hard. Thanks also for the old music,so atmospheric.Mike.
You're right, the mythos associated with historical events is important and adds zest to life. Fact and fiction are intertwined as even fables have at least a semblance of truth. Have a great Festive Season John.
Hello John Rogers. I keep meaning to comment. I stumbled across your channel in first lockdown. My first ever teaching job was at Cann Hall primary in Leyton stone. First of all I rented a room in a large shared house in Leyton stone that faced onto Wanstead flats. I was here when the Docklands IRA bomb went off. We thought it was an exploding calor gas heater, it shook all the windows as the blast wave travelled across the flats. From 1996 to 1998 I rented a house in Primrose Road Leyton. I used to walk the dog down on the marshes by the River Lea. We also liked to walk to Walthamstow Market. I loved that market. But as a country girl born and bred, 3 years was all I could stand. I had to get back to the Meon Valley in Hampshire. I suspect we have much in common, I am an experienced dowser, so your London church walks fascinate me. I now live on the Isle of Wight which is a unesco biosphere. Your lovely videos bring back memories of both Leyton and Leyton stone, but I find it hard to recognise now. Thanks for the memories, I'll keep watching.
I am loving watching these videos whilst incapacitated on the sofa with a broken ankle, reminiscing about the years I lived in London when tings used to be normal. Really interesting and informative narrations too :)
I worked in Chart st. Which is just off Old st roundabout up City rd. In the 90’s. Bun hill cemetery we used to sit in there during summer days, for lunch. These where great memories for me.
Love all this City stuff @John ---thanks for yet another year of pleasure - take care and thanks again for delivering such insight, joy and optimism.... thank you!
I know this video is from a little while ago but I’ve just watched it. One of my ancestors worked near St Luke’s and lived up near the Eagle in the 1870’s, one the many Coopers in our family. When walking through there a couple of months back I found the cobbled Westland Place just down from The Eagle a juxtaposition of some wonderful buildings of a London of 120-150 years ago and modern London. When in St Giles Cripplegate (the old church in the Barbican)(where another ancestor Mary Beck 22:05 was baptised in 1832) there was some interesting info and photos of when the congregations of St Gile’s and Luke’s merged at St Giles and St Luke’s linked up with the lso.
Thanks for taking on that journey John. Just moved again to London. And started being interested in occult London, and more about Hawksmoor's churches. Great way to interface with a city whilst ignoring the the interference of commerce! Thank you!
Brilliant John. When my dad came home from the second world war after serving in the r.a.f. he got a job in the newspaper industry. He worked in Fleet street and Bouverie street and worked on the star, the daily mirror and the evening standard. Bob. Happy New Year.
Great video. Bunhill is such a sweet sounding name. I read yesterday that Charles Dickens started every day with a cold shower and I investigated and found that the fad of bathing was just beginning when he was a young man. Coincidentally, a tour guide once told me that the holy healing springs in France originated at about the same time by the newly developed railroads. According to him, springs located near rail lines in France acquired their reputed therapeutic properties, their saint and their rail station at the same time.
A great walk u brought back a lot of memories from 35 years ago, i used to travel up and down the city rd regularly... Old st roundabout has changed completely.... Thanks for the vid.... 👍
The area you’re walking around is where a large number of my ancestors lived. Every time I found an address on the census records, it had been knocked down and redeveloped. Very interesting to see the streets and locations though, as they are now. Always love hearing the history and back stories you give on locations as well.
Very oddly, couple of mine moved from south london suburbs to the city (Golden Lane), where they remained as builders c1880, (most folk were going the other way !)
Only a few seconds into this video and this gentleman has real passion and I’m very intrigued in hearing his story unfold. I’m really enjoying what I’m hearing so far …. Wonderful knowledge … we need more story tellers like this man.
I used to do security at the honorable artillery club back in the early 2000... Corporate events around Christmas and summer.... It's massive inside. Really enjoyed your video.
John, thats the first little song my mum used to sing to me. I had forgotten about it so thanks for bringing it back to mind. lovely video as always. sue (swansea) STAY SAFE
Gee St just of Old St, my friend had flat which was wonderful place to be in the 90s going out all over Central London and then coming back (with female friends if it was good night 😁) and then looking out of the 5th floor watching the sun rise on many many occasions. Wonderful video so many recognisable roads and sights
A happy Solstice and merry Christmas to you and yours, John, from snowy Winnipeg. Thank you for keeping me walking the streets of my beloved London this (plague) year
Subbed it was too short I could listen to you for hours. Where have you been, why did I not find you sooner ? I lived in Greenwich all my life until a few years ago, so anything London and the Thames resonates with me. Have a good celebration of our history and of course Christmas. Love and Light ☺🎶✨
Happy Christmas to you John. The videos have been a weekly highlight and the back catalogue somthing to emerse yourself in during the dark days of lock down early in the year. To at least get some sense of space. I have enjoyed your book looking forward to the next. So thank you
I love your shear enthusiasm for all the places you walk your deep appreciation of the history and characters that fill the areas you walk. Your sense of history is so rich and links so wonderfully to place and time. I really share your feeling for places too though you know far more than i will ever forget.
MERRY CHRISTMAS JOHN AND SEASONS GREETINGS I REMEMBER SINGING THIS SONG POP GOES THE WEASLE. THANKS JOHN LOVE YOU BROTHER. AND WHAT A MAJESTIC WALK AS ALWAYS AND I LOOK FORWARDTO SEEING YOU ON BOXING DAY AND ONCE AGAIN I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON YOUR NEXT MAGESTIC WALK WHEREVER THAT MAYBE.
A very interesting walk. I've never heard of Bunhill fields before. The history of the street name Peerless Street is fascinating. Looking forward to your 2022 videos. Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to all.
I lived on Central Street for a bit this summer right next to Ironmonger Row Baths and used to walk around the area after work but had no idea about the history. Very interesting and lovely area. Felt rather residential and lived in despite being 15 minutes from the City. I even walked through Bunhill Fields a couple of times but did not realise its significance.
Imagine forgetting your signature ending - you cowboy you!! 😂 A very fancy video this time John, very neat and tidy. Interesting to see a few "pieces to camera", rather than always walking while you film. These bits give the whole thing a very professional feel, even more than usual. Same goes for the maps on this one. It looks like you put in a wee bit of extra effort, bits of animation etc. For me at least, the maps are important. As well as showing our progress, they look good too. Here's a wee idea for you re. the maps; some extra work for you but might prove interesting. How about tracing our route on a map, flicking back to it every few minutes but leave the route there as we progress. At the end of our walk, we'd see the whole journey on th map, with points of interest marked. I made a meal of explaining that but 𝑰 know what I mean. 😂 This has been a Christmas morning stroll for me, so Thank you and I hope you're having a wonderful Christmas. Cheers for now, Dougie.
Thanks John , lovely to see that area of London and yes it's changed beyond all recognition since I knew it in the sixties ,have a cracking Yuletide to you and your family ,thanks for an amazing years worth of walks and information ,see you on Boxing Day , all the best and brightest my friend !
When you stood at the end of Bunhill Row at the junction of Old Street on your left used to stand the Bovril factory Also in Bunhill Rd the Kray twins mother lived after moving from Valence Rd Bethnal Green.
Excellent walk, John ,brought back great memories of the area from my time studying at City and East London College on Bunhill Row in the Eighties, looking forward to more of your walks in 2022,wherever ever they might be Happy Christmas John
Whether one believes in Secret Alignments or not, as you rightly say it still makes for great storytelling. Wonderful tour around fascinating places, John.🇯🇪
Thanks. A brilliant walk - I remember the area well from the late 60s / early 70s. A note of "recent" history is that in the council flats in Bunhill Row, a major gangland era came to an end when The Kray Brothers were arrested there by Superintendent Leonard "Nipper" Reid, of the Metropolitan Police.
Stumbled across your site. I'm an Aussie but Get overwhelming feelings to visit the UK ( haven't been since 88 😮) . I've found that your walks really help alleviate my pining. Great work 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Weasal and stoat =coat! Pop was pawning your best coat. Love the video's as used to live in London back in the 1980-90s and know some of these areas well. You really bring the history to life. Have a great new year.
also buried in Bunhill Fields is Isaac Watts - (17 July 1674 - 25 November 1748) - a prolific hymn writer; his works include "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross", "Joy to the World", and "Our God, Our Help in Ages Past' - and many of his texts form a major part of the repertoire in the American 'Shape Note' repertoire
Pulled Barrows out for Hoxton mkt in the sixties got dragged through those frozen Baths at ironmonger row,learned to drive landrovers in them barracks at 13! played in the crypt of St Lukes and worked thru the meat market at its best...Now living in a converted tram on the coast in Tasmania...never Know where life's gonna Go 'a'?..Merry Christmas and thanks for the memories John good luck!...
What a joy to start the week off watching this. Thank you so much for sharing the knowledge. Never underestimate your ability to bring to life such stories John. Have a great one yourself... Whatever~You~May~Drink 🍻 !!
Very interesting thanks for posting John. I think the occult references in Hawksmoor's church are certainly clear no less for the obelisk that strides its steeple. The city of London of course is rife with freemasonic and occultic symbolism so no surprises there. More interesting still is the alignments which i will look into. I used to work in City Road at Old Street many years ago so am familiar with these landmarks but appreciate the details and knowledge.
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
I do like your sessions. "Pop goes the Weasel" is related to when the tradesman pawned his working instrument. The weasel is a last on which a hatter stretched the fabric when stitching items such as hats or in the case of "Petticoat Lane, the fine silk undergarments for ladies.
The garments were so finely stitched that Ladies worked closer and closer to the item resulting in eye injuries,
Pop=to pawn
Weasel=A last over which things are stretched.
Right on my doorstep, wish I had known as I would have loved to had the opportunity to say hello to you in person. Thanks and great work John teaching me a few more things I never knew about my surroundings. My wife and daughter now will be subjected with me passing that knowledge onto them and in return they will look at me with that face of trying their best to look interested.
Ha wonderful Steve - really glad you enjoyed it
I used to work around that area back round the millennium. Drank in the Artillery Arms and the Eagle, often walked though Bunhill Row on my way to work. I thought "pop goes the weasel" was a reference to pawning the iron the textile workers used, so they could pay for Friday night, before getting paid on Saturday and getting it back out of hock.
Lovely video, great memories and yes, a lot has changed.
I once worked in City Road at the International Harvester HQ by City Rd. basin. Once Pickfords had a wharf on the west side of City Rd. ( the canal used to go under the bridge) Pickford ran a daily packet boat from here to Birmingham so I’m told. My goodness it’s changed so much!
Thank you as always for this video. I worked around this area between 1966 and 1971 and had my lunch in the company of Issac Watts, Daniel Defoe, William Blake, John Bunyan and all the other great names in Bun Hilll, including my 4 times great grandparents, many a lunch time on warm days.
As I understood things, "to pop or pawn your wiesel" referded to the rag trade that existed to the east of New North Road and north of Old Street. The wiesel being a cutting toll that was not vital to production, when you ran out of money (Victorian and pre Victorian era) buying groceries (Rice and other bits) to buy beer of a weekend you could pawn your wiesel to raise the cash to spend in the Eagle.Get the wiesel out of hock on Tuesday, when you had made a bit of money.
Again thank you, what a change in City Road since my day.
As much as I enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city, it’s good to know that it’s not just me that takes it all in.
This has such a relaxed and well researched feel to it... It's like I'm watching a radio 4 program. Lovely stuff.
What a channel. Informative, entertaining, relaxing. Well beyond the 'travel' channels focussing on London on RUclips. The stories, history, and psychogeography are so key to understanding place. Can't believe it took me this long to find!
My first job after leaving school in the early 60`s was in Wharf Rd that ran to City Rd, that became St Peters St. the other side of the canal and ran to Islington Green.
When walking down City Rd from The Angel I used to pass the HP Sauce factory that must be long gone by now. I think Reilly snooker tables were once made their.
Anthony released "Pop Goes The Weasel" in the early 60`s. He said that a weasel was a hat makers tool that they pawned when they were skint?
Probably one of several definitions of old terms?
The nursery rhyme used to be
"Half a pound of tuppenny rice
Half a pound of treacle
That's the way the money goes
Hock goes the Weasel"
The story behind this refers to the poverty in the wig makers trade in the Goswell rd / Old St area. The reference to rice and treacle referred to the cheap food being all they could afford. When they ran out of money they would pawn (or "Hock") their weasel (a weasel being the stand for a wig)
Strange how Treacle mining came to be a phrase to be out of work and on the dole !
That's how I remember it too although we never said 'Hock'. We said the more familiar 'Pop'.
Up and down the city road
In and out of the Eagle? (Pub?)
Thats the way the money goes
POP! (Shouted or a popping sound made with a usualy dirty finger in the mouth) goes the weasel. Was the way us street urchins used to sing it
Such freedom of expression
Surprised you have not been stopped/searched by the paranoid police for going about armed with a suspicious camera. Enjoyed your tour as a former been there done that resident. Including Friday night is Bath night at the local behind Sadlers Wells.
is what we used sing
I was told that 'pop' was the then current expression for 'pawn' and that a weasel was the smallest size iron- in general domestic use. (In the days when you heated your irons on the fire and had several sizes depending what you were ironing. So the smallest one was the most expendable.)
"Weasel" is also rhyming slang for coat (Weasel and Stoat).
There’s a real feeling of antiquity around Old Street/City Road, The Angel, Saddlers Wells etc. I spent some time around there in my early 20s and I remember the atmosphere at night being slightly sinister. Not been there for a good 25 years. I might take a look soon. Love the video as always John. Good work.
Cheers Jay - there’ll be a few more videos round this area in the coming months
@@JohnRogersWalks thanks John. Looking forward to seeing them.
Early 80's used to bunk the last train to Euston and walk to my squat in Newington Green, from Kings Cross through the Angel to Highbury tube was a dark and dodgy stroll. I was offered and asked for it all. Cheers
@@willtricks9432 Kings Cross was especially dodgy back then. I remember meeting my mates up there to go raving as a teenager. Some weird characters hanging about that station.
@@StarWarsJay Outside the Vue on Upper street was something else after midnight.
A very interesting film as always. When my great-great grandfather arrived in London from Germany in the mid-19th Century, he settled in St Lukes, where, I established, he and his brother ran a bakery in Whitecross Street. I spent a very interesting morning in the area once trying to identify addresses where they had lived.
Excellent Tour John , my family lived in Bartholomew Square behind St Luke's which was a plague burial site and they regularly used the Ironmonger Row baths loved it thank you
Blimey!
This was the first video of yours I´ve watched John and you end up outside The Eagle.
I was born in Islington in 1973 and we lived diagonally opposite in Eagle Dweillings..
In early 1981 we moved to Germany and I have been living in here ever since.
I haven´t been to London for quite a few years now.
Love your channel, I´ll be back for more.
Greetings from Berlin!
I love spending time alone in Bunhill, there is certainly something magical there. It has inspired me to write poetry many times. I really enjoyed this video. Thanks
Thanks for an enjoyable video of an area I know very well. Others may have already said this, but you missed Blake’s actual burial place, which is just round the corner from the old ‘nearby’ one you filmed, and where the candles coins and flowers are now left. The exact site of his burial has now been identified and on the 12th of August 2018 there was a ceremony to unveil the new stone, which I attended. Various people spoke and read poetry at the ceremony, the most memorable being Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden. You must look out for it next time you are in Bunhill Fields.
The honorable artillery company has its head office within the grounds of the honourable society of Lincolns Inn, Chancery Lane which is one of the inns of Court where people go to train to become barristers.
I worked on the gardens here between 1988-1999.
I know the Antony Newley song " Pop goes the Weasel". Did you know he wrote the song " Goldfinger" for the James Bond film. The music was by John Barry.
Back in the 60s i worked for the GPO , as a telecomms apprentice, they had a training school in Paul St , near Old St tube station ,had to go there on training courses, havent been back there since. and i dont recognise any of it , Thanks John for a very nostalgic vid, thanks mate..
From Bexhill last week to Bunhill this, you treat us to such a variety of views, tales and worlds John. Magical stuff. Thank you.
I visited Bunhill fields when reading Defoe’s travelogues and Blake’s poetry (not to dissimilar to your own lyrical observations), and instantly sank into a gloomy depression. It was a place so profound when faced with humankind’s lost creativity…all those unwritten books and not so Eternal ideas.
It definitely is unique.
Many thanks for all your films and musings throughout the year, John.
D
I preferred Bunhill Fields when it was slightly tawdry and a bit over-grown. They've tidied it up enormously since. As for the rest of the way the city of London is going - I travelled over to London Uni (from N. Ireland) in 1982, and remained in England -not all the years in London.
It's spectacular. Even photos from ten years ago show the extent of the new build, especially the skyscrapers. Yet you're still wandering around mazy little mediaeval streets even at the base of some of those monstrosities. There was a sense of innocence when the Natwest Tower was the only big building higher than St. Pauls when you looked out. Dickens of course is the novelist par excellence of London. I do think though that ideas are eternal.
Your love of history is so uplifting. I enjoy your walks so much. I am a Londoner and my father showed me so much when I was a child. You’re carrying on the tradition of oral history. I too enjoy history and it’s refreshing to know there are others! Thanks for your videos.
I was born in Ironmonger St off Ironmonger Row (now gone) and playing in the church yard and "Toffee Park" as a very young boy! Thank you John for this!
Mr Rogers, I only recently discovered your commentated walk RUclips videos, and I have greatly enjoyed those I have heretofore had the opportunity to watch. Many thanks for your layman's level of story telling. I only lived in London for the six years I was a chorister at the Abbey, 60 years ago, but your talks rekindled fond memories of our history master's field trips with us boys. The Temple, Fleet Street, Blitzed City, the Queen's Chapels, and others were regular elements of his curriculum. Every trip was made on foot, of course, and ended with tea at the Strand Llyon's Corner House. I was last in the UK about 20 years ago. My second son is in chambers at Inner Temple now. I look forward to more of your talks, perhaps including the area where my old school chums and I used to carry out community service as pre-teens, around Boundary Street, and the remnants of the old rookery which was nearby in Shoreditch. I think this was the first council social housing project in London.
30 years ago l went to some tai chi classes off Whitcross Street. There was such a feeling of a new Age of Enlightenment at the beginning of the 90s and all we got was Oasis. Still l remember Bunhill Fields and all the friends at the time when we all learnt the Short Form. Thanks John
I worked in the city over the years , many times at weekends and nights when it was quite and all weathers . It’s a magical place with no shortage of history . It’s so captivating in the right setting it’s almost like travelling back in time . New follower and your footage is amazing . Thank you for sharing it means so much . All best for the new year 👍☘️
9:20 notice the change in colour of road surface... those are old wooden cobbles :). S small patch left from times gone by.
I think there may be more tarmaced over, sometimes on view when utilty companies dig the road up !
An American here who took a few minutes to remember where I'd heard of Bunhill Fields before. It dawned on me that I'd come across it while researching one of my family lines. Got it back to my 9th and 10th great grandfathers, who were buried at Bunhill Fields in the 1600s. They were very early Quakers. Great walk, always learn so much from your videos!
Anthony Newley (A Hackney boy) had a hit with a record of 'Pop Goes The Weazel' in about 1960.
4:51 The view is from the approximate location of the resting place of my 3rd great grandfather Robert Finch (1806-1848). I have a photo of the site from the opposite direction. He lived on Brewer St., now called Paget St., and several of his neighbours are buried at Bunhill as well. It seems the Luftwaffe had a knack for erasing evidence of my family in that location as well as in others. My uncle would probably have found that funny. He was one of the Distinguished Service Order recipients who survived the war.
Another cracking winter warmer - you really bring alive that area north of the City which has such deep roots into London and wider British history - thank you
More memories sparked form a Mr Rodgers video.
About 20 years ago I worked in an office block on Bunhill Row that overlooked the HAC grounds. Many a lunch hour was spent in Bunhill Fields and a Friday night in the Artillery Arms. Then there was the walk from work up City Road to meet the better half who worked in Wakley Street at the Angel.
Merry Christmas to you and yours and here’s looking forward to the walks of 2022.
Thanks John, I haven’t been around that area for 35yrs. The Eagle public house, next door to City road metropolitan police station. Many a good night spent in there. Merry Christmas to you and your family. All the very best for 2022.
Absolutely loved this one… I used to live on City Road, even met you John one morning going to work. And before that, I used to haunt Blake’s grave and the Artillery Arms with the OTO. Lots of great memories, and a fantastic commentary as ever. A very happy Yule to you!
@Starfire we used to meet with potential new candidates there. I wrote about my own experience with OTO (mostly farcical) on my website. You can find the link on my channel here on RUclips.
What a gem 💎 these are, you’re giving us all a precious gift!
Thank you for another very entertaining video. Full of nostalgia for me even though sixty so years have passed, during which so much has been altered, since the area was just one of many familiar backdrops to my childhood and youth in London.
Solstice Blessings and a Blessed Yule xxx
And to you xx
love the old buildings and the history. so interesting especially to see The Eagle. You learn something every day, thank you
Incidentally i was on one of my random walks around that area a few years ago and popped in 'The Artillery' to rest my weary feet. Brilliant pub. Very atmospheric. I tarried a while before stumbling off into the cemetery.
I so look forward to John's videos.
I often do this walk when I have time from Liverpool Street station to Holborn. The John Rogers slant always adds something to what I already know.
Sinclair's Lud Heat is amazing. I really appreciate seeing these places again in this video. So very interesting!
Ooo this sounds intriguing lol . Thank you xxx
that was great, john! i like seeing the literary connections with locations around the city 😊
I love that area of London and it was so interesting to learn more about the history of it. I too worked in catering at an event in the Finsbury Barracks in December 1987 I believe. At the end of the night there was a spectacular fireworks display which was like being in the middle of WW3 as the fireworks were so close to the crowd. Great memories!
"William Blake... Will you stop eating those mushrooms? You know you see things when you do!"
I used to work in a building that is now that upmarket hair salon opposite St. Lukes. during the late 1970's. Lots of memories. The food market in Whitecross St. was never too amazing back then, but some of the shops sold a great sandwich.
Never seen a graveyard look better or been filmed better. Great Vid once again. Thank you.
Thanks John for a great walk,not long enough for me, you covered my old milk round as the Co-op milky as I was in the city and west end for fifty years,great memories as I sit and write this at 3am ,old habits die hard. Thanks also for the old music,so atmospheric.Mike.
You're right, the mythos associated with historical events is important and adds zest to life. Fact and fiction are intertwined as even fables have at least a semblance of truth. Have a great Festive Season John.
Delighted to have discovered this wonderful RUclips account!
Hello John Rogers.
I keep meaning to comment. I stumbled across your channel in first lockdown.
My first ever teaching job was at Cann Hall primary in Leyton stone. First of all I rented a room in a large shared house in Leyton stone that faced onto Wanstead flats. I was here when the Docklands IRA bomb went off. We thought it was an exploding calor gas heater, it shook all the windows as the blast wave travelled across the flats.
From 1996 to 1998 I rented a house in Primrose Road Leyton. I used to walk the dog down on the marshes by the River Lea. We also liked to walk to Walthamstow Market. I loved that market.
But as a country girl born and bred, 3 years was all I could stand. I had to get back to the Meon Valley in Hampshire.
I suspect we have much in common, I am an experienced dowser, so your London church walks fascinate me.
I now live on the Isle of Wight which is a unesco biosphere.
Your lovely videos bring back memories of both Leyton and Leyton stone, but I find it hard to recognise now. Thanks for the memories, I'll keep watching.
I am loving watching these videos whilst incapacitated on the sofa with a broken ankle, reminiscing about the years I lived in London when tings used to be normal. Really interesting and informative narrations too :)
Another fascinating walk, John. Quite a comfort to see London during the pandemic. More so the stories behind the streets I trod a decade ago.
I worked in Chart st. Which is just off Old st roundabout up City rd. In the 90’s. Bun hill cemetery we used to sit in there during summer days, for lunch. These where great memories for me.
Love all this City stuff @John ---thanks for yet another year of pleasure - take care and thanks again for delivering such insight, joy and optimism.... thank you!
I know this video is from a little while ago but I’ve just watched it. One of my ancestors worked near St Luke’s and lived up near the Eagle in the 1870’s, one the many Coopers in our family. When walking through there a couple of months back I found the cobbled Westland Place just down from The Eagle a juxtaposition of some wonderful buildings of a London of 120-150 years ago and modern London.
When in St Giles Cripplegate (the old church in the Barbican)(where another ancestor Mary Beck 22:05 was baptised in 1832) there was some interesting info and photos of when the congregations of St Gile’s and Luke’s merged at St Giles and St Luke’s linked up with the lso.
Thank you for a marvellous tour! I Blake and Defoe are two of my great heroes. How marvellous it was to see their echoes!
Keep up the good work , Your videos are amazing, I feel so sad that London history is getting demolished and modernized for profit .Big thumbs up 👍🏼👍🏼
thanks Angie
Thanks for taking on that journey John. Just moved again to London. And started being interested in occult London, and more about Hawksmoor's churches. Great way to interface with a city whilst ignoring the the interference of commerce! Thank you!
Brilliant John. When my dad came home from the second world war after serving in the r.a.f. he got a job in the newspaper industry. He worked in Fleet street and Bouverie street and worked on the star, the daily mirror and the evening standard. Bob. Happy New Year.
Great video. Bunhill is such a sweet sounding name.
I read yesterday that Charles Dickens started every day with a cold shower and I investigated and found that the fad of bathing was just beginning when he was a young man. Coincidentally, a tour guide once told me that the holy healing springs in France originated at about the same time by the newly developed railroads. According to him, springs located near rail lines in France acquired their reputed therapeutic properties, their saint and their rail station at the same time.
A great walk u brought back a lot of memories from 35 years ago, i used to travel up and down the city rd regularly... Old st roundabout has changed completely.... Thanks for the vid.... 👍
The area you’re walking around is where a large number of my ancestors lived. Every time I found an address on the census records, it had been knocked down and redeveloped. Very interesting to see the streets and locations though, as they are now. Always love hearing the history and back stories you give on locations as well.
Very oddly, couple of mine moved from south london suburbs to the city (Golden Lane), where they remained as builders c1880, (most folk were going the other way !)
Only a few seconds into this video and this gentleman has real passion and I’m very intrigued in hearing his story unfold. I’m really enjoying what I’m hearing so far …. Wonderful knowledge … we need more story tellers like this man.
I used to do security at the honorable artillery club back in the early 2000... Corporate events around Christmas and summer.... It's massive inside. Really enjoyed your video.
Very enjoyable, have so missed doing my walks during the last 2 years, thank you for these
Great to revisit some of your old videos on dark January evenings John. Gives me ideas for future walks when I'm next in London😊
John, thats the first little song my mum used to sing to me. I had forgotten about it so thanks for bringing it back to mind. lovely video as always. sue (swansea) STAY SAFE
Gee St just of Old St, my friend had flat which was wonderful place to be in the 90s going out all over Central London and then coming back (with female friends if it was good night 😁) and then looking out of the 5th floor watching the sun rise on many many occasions.
Wonderful video so many recognisable roads and sights
Used to work in Great Sutton Street EC1 walked City Road more times than I care to remember, Glad I got out in the late 90's !
A happy Solstice and merry Christmas to you and yours, John, from snowy Winnipeg. Thank you for keeping me walking the streets of my beloved London this (plague) year
Solstice Greetings and Merry Christmas to you too Pat - hope you manage to stay warm through the Canadian winter
Subbed it was too short I could listen to you for hours. Where have you been, why did I not find you sooner ? I lived in Greenwich all my life until a few years ago, so anything London and the Thames resonates with me. Have a good celebration of our history and of course Christmas. Love and Light ☺🎶✨
Happy Christmas to you John. The videos have been a weekly highlight and the back catalogue somthing to emerse yourself in during the dark days of lock down early in the year. To at least get some sense of space. I have enjoyed your book looking forward to the next. So thank you
Such a fantastic storyteller - thank you for making these great videos and keeping history alive
Thanks so much Oliver
Another brilliant video John. Many thanks. All your videos are brilliant.
I love your shear enthusiasm for all the places you walk your deep appreciation of the history and characters that fill the areas you walk. Your sense of history is so rich and links so wonderfully to place and time. I really share your feeling for places too though you know far more than i will ever forget.
MERRY CHRISTMAS JOHN AND SEASONS GREETINGS I REMEMBER SINGING THIS SONG POP GOES THE WEASLE. THANKS JOHN LOVE YOU BROTHER. AND WHAT A MAJESTIC WALK AS ALWAYS AND I LOOK FORWARDTO SEEING YOU ON BOXING DAY AND ONCE AGAIN I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON YOUR NEXT MAGESTIC WALK WHEREVER THAT MAYBE.
A very interesting walk. I've never heard of Bunhill fields before. The history of the street name Peerless Street is fascinating. Looking forward to your 2022 videos. Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to all.
I lived on Central Street for a bit this summer right next to Ironmonger Row Baths and used to walk around the area after work but had no idea about the history. Very interesting and lovely area. Felt rather residential and lived in despite being 15 minutes from the City. I even walked through Bunhill Fields a couple of times but did not realise its significance.
Thank you for a most uplifting walk! I am hoping you had a very merry Christmas today, so homesick but this helped no end. Thank you again😊
Imagine forgetting your signature ending - you cowboy you!! 😂
A very fancy video this time John, very neat and tidy. Interesting to see a few "pieces to camera", rather than always walking while you film. These bits give the whole thing a very professional feel, even more than usual. Same goes for the maps on this one. It looks like you put in a wee bit of extra effort, bits of animation etc. For me at least, the maps are important. As well as showing our progress, they look good too.
Here's a wee idea for you re. the maps; some extra work for you but might prove interesting. How about tracing our route on a map, flicking back to it every few minutes but leave the route there as we progress. At the end of our walk, we'd see the whole journey on th map, with points of interest marked. I made a meal of explaining that but 𝑰 know what I mean. 😂
This has been a Christmas morning stroll for me, so Thank you and I hope you're having a wonderful Christmas.
Cheers for now,
Dougie.
Thanks John , lovely to see that area of London and yes it's changed beyond all recognition since I knew it in the sixties ,have a cracking Yuletide to you and your family ,thanks for an amazing years worth of walks and information ,see you on Boxing Day , all the best and brightest my friend !
More Gold thanks John . Bunhill fields and Blake fascinating.
When you stood at the end of Bunhill Row at the junction of Old Street on your left used to stand the Bovril factory
Also in Bunhill Rd the Kray twins mother lived after moving from Valence Rd Bethnal Green.
Excellent walk, John ,brought back great memories of the area from my time studying at City and East London College on Bunhill Row in the Eighties, looking forward to more of your walks in 2022,wherever ever they might be Happy Christmas John
Whether one believes in Secret Alignments or not, as you rightly say it still makes for great storytelling. Wonderful tour around fascinating places, John.🇯🇪
Thanks. A brilliant walk - I remember the area well from the late 60s / early 70s. A note of "recent" history is that in the council flats in Bunhill Row, a major gangland era came to an end when The Kray Brothers were arrested there by Superintendent Leonard "Nipper" Reid, of the Metropolitan Police.
Stumbled across your site. I'm an Aussie but Get overwhelming feelings to visit the UK ( haven't been since 88 😮) . I've found that your walks really help alleviate my pining. Great work 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Weasel is the name for a cloth workers iron. Popping is a word for pawning. Merry Christmas.
Thanks for that Red
I started watching this with casual indifference. Now I’m subscribed and all in.
We have such an incredible tapestry of history in this country
Weasal and stoat =coat! Pop was pawning your best coat. Love the video's as used to live in London back in the 1980-90s and know some of these areas well. You really bring the history to life. Have a great new year.
Squirrel at 4.55? Loving the contemporary spin on Peerless Pool . . . totally brilliant bit of PR.
also buried in Bunhill Fields is Isaac Watts - (17 July 1674 - 25 November 1748) - a prolific hymn writer; his works include "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross", "Joy to the World", and "Our God, Our Help in Ages Past' - and many of his texts form a major part of the repertoire in the American 'Shape Note' repertoire
Pulled Barrows out for Hoxton mkt in the sixties got dragged through those frozen Baths at ironmonger row,learned to drive landrovers in them barracks at 13! played in the crypt of St Lukes and worked thru the meat market at its best...Now living in a converted tram on the coast in Tasmania...never Know where life's gonna Go 'a'?..Merry Christmas and thanks for the memories John good luck!...
Thanks for a wonderful year of walks John. Very best wishes to you and yours.
John your videos are poetry in motion
Thanks so much zcam
Fascinating. Thanks so much John. I am very much looking forward to visiting some of these sights. Take care. Steve
What a joy to start the week off watching this. Thank you so much for sharing the knowledge. Never underestimate your ability to bring to life such stories John. Have a great one yourself... Whatever~You~May~Drink 🍻 !!
Very interesting thanks for posting John. I think the occult references in Hawksmoor's church are certainly clear no less for the obelisk that strides its steeple. The city of London of course is rife with freemasonic and occultic symbolism so no surprises there. More interesting still is the alignments which i will look into.
I used to work in City Road at Old Street many years ago so am familiar with these landmarks but appreciate the details and knowledge.