Jodie Marsh on the London Underground

Chicken celebrities on the Central Line?

Err Jodie Marsh on the Central Line protesting about chickens? How many things are WRONG in that sentence? Well endowed, Jodie Marsh - also not safe for some offices (voted eighth in The Top 10 Most Pointless Celebrities) is apparently joining a number of other "celebrities" who will be riding up and down the Central Line on the Tube today protesting about chickens.

What????

It's early while I'm posting this and (not surprisingly) I can't find anything on the Net at the moment to confirm this. But I think it's something to do about the rubbish diet that some children are eating in schools - ie Chicken Nuggets or Twizzlers (more Nanny State and sad celebs "Islington's favourite semi-literate entrepreneur Jamie Oliver" preaching about what we should or shouldn't eat) - or it could be to do with the way chickens are farmed. Currently I have no idea and I'm waiting for this story to come up on HeartFM's news again so that I can prove I wasn't hearing things!


UPDATE 3.40pm - It's true Jodie Marsh in a Chicken suit on the Tube

So finally I've managed to find something to confirm that buxom Jodie Marsh was travelling on the Central Line this lunchtime to promote the fact that she is not a nugget: Ethical treatment of animals campaigning charity Peta's press release snappily titled "Veggie Vixen Will Make Eye Contact With and Even Talk to Tube Passengers About Going Vegetarian" (I'm loving Even Talk to Tube passengers) says

"she dons a sexy "chickette" costume to unveil the start of a massive new vegetarian ad campaign that is set to kick off on the Underground during the month of November

......."I Am Not a Nugget", announces a defiant chicken in the colourful ad, which warns commuters that "Every year, millions of chickens suffer terribly before being slaughtered" and encourages them to visit PETA's Web site PETA.org.uk for more "nuggets" of information about chickens. People who e-mail an animated version of the ad to their friends will be entered in a drawing to win an iPod nano. After unveiling the ad, Marsh will hop on the Central Line at Oxford Street and travel to Liverpool Street Station, showing tube passengers shocking video footage of chickens in factory farms on a body screen TV and talk to them about going vegetarian."

Thank the Lord, I was not on the Central Line at lunchtime today, the idea of Jodie Marsh in a chicken costume talking about becoming a vegetarian would have been too much for me to bear. Specially when she comes out with hysterical stuff like this:

"I don't eat any animals - I could never eat a dog, and I don't see how a chicken, a cow, a sheep, a pig or anything else is any different because all animals have a mind and a personality", says Marsh. "It's so easy to be vegetarian. Everywhere you go, every shop you go in, every restaurant you go in has vegetarian food."

I can hardly type this I am laughing and spluttering so much! Sorry guys great cause, but why pick Jodie Marsh as your spokesperson? She's no Stella McCartney, is she?

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Monday, November 07, 2005 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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X Factor's Maria Covers Subway Song (plus Fireworks)

Maria sings James Blunt's "You're Beautiful"

On Thursday, I noted that Oasis are said to be covering James Blunt's song about seeing someone on a crowded subway and having a romantic moment with them. It now looks like Maria out of the X Factor has beaten them to it.

Last week, she was told by Simon Cowell that she ought to sing something more contemporary to show off her talents, so yesterday, her "mentor" Sharon Osbourne chose "You're Beautiful".

When I heard her singing the opening lines, I was just screaming at the TV saying "How can she do this, she's murdering the song?", but it appears I was in a minority of one. Simon loved her, Louis Walsh loved her "You could have hit single with this alone", he said, Sharon loved her, the audience loved her. Hey ho.

By the way, me and Neil weren't just sadly watching X Factor all evening, but were sadly watching the taped version of X Factor after getting back from a brill firework display at Ravenscourt Park - fireworks pictures here.



Even managed to spot a "Fashion Victim" at the firework display. However, she's got nothing on the real London Underground Fashion Victims below.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Sunday, November 06, 2005 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Tube Fashion Victims Week 4

London Underground Victims of Fashion

Well there is a definite chill in the air now that it's November and this week I'll be focussing on women's winter legs.

I am purist when it comes to winter tights. Black opaque tights or black tights with a slight sheen and that is it. It does not matter what colour skirt I am wearing, if I wear tights in the winter they are black.

So what do we think of the ladies' legwear below, refreshing or just messing?

The Blue Yeti Look

Words fail me with these furry boots, specially when they are teamed with the stripy pyjama bottoms. But then again, what else could you possibly team boots like that with?



My Eyes, My Eyes

There's yellow tights and then there's YELLOW tights. I'm loving the way they even reflect as brightly in the metal walls of the escalator



The Brown Yeti Look

Well I can't moan about the tights but what in heavens name is she wearing on her feet? Answers on a postcard, please or failing that in the comments below



I'm going to miss the cutting edge fashion of Shadwell DLR.

Stripey Happy People
Just how many opposing stripes is it possible to wear on your legs and feet? I spose she's tried to temper it down or break it up by wearing the Fame style legwarmers. But it just doesn't work for me.

Not exactly wild about her mate's jeans with the red stripe and number 8 at the bottom of them.



Purple Diagonals

I'm cheating with this as it wasn't on the London Underground but on SWT instead. But I am loving the colours and hideous diagonals on these tights, specially when you look at what else she was wearing. One can only assume she got dressed in the dark.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Friday, November 04, 2005 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Ooooh did I say James Blunt won the European MTV Awards

What was it again????

Ah yes, my favourite "subway singing songster" - Best New Act - James Blunt

You may enjoy some of yesterday's discussions too and I predicted he would win in the comments!

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Friday, November 04, 2005 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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There's something rotten in the state of Walford

Picture of Walford East Tube Station

Just to make it tube related, but everyone is all over the fantastic Ross Kemp/Rebekah Wade/David Blunkett/Steve McFadden/EastEnders/The Sun story - it is soooooo funny, you simply could not make it up.

I heard a reporter reading it out on the news this morning and you can hear him trying to contain the laughter in his voice. Every newspaper in England (possibly apart from The Sun) are over this story like a rash - it is simply hysterical!

There are already 203 stories on Google News and it's only 8am here. Plus check out the BBC video of the news.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Friday, November 04, 2005 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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New TV Series of The Tube starts next week

Remember, remember the 8th of November

Just in case anyone else wants to tell me, yes, I'm well aware that a new series of the "fly on the wall" documentary TV show - The Tube begins next week (most Thursdays from the 8th November on ITV1 London region). Seriously though thanks to everyone who did tell me and particular thanks to the show's assistant producer, Angela Roberts, who's been avidly following this blog while producing the series to see if they've missed anything that should be on it!

Angela from Mosaic Films kindly sent me some preview screen shots which illustrate the programmes. Not surprisingly the media have been focussing on the two special shows for the July 7th bombings (Under Attack) and their devastating effect on the London Underground.

"Would you like these?" she asked. "No", I replied. We tended to covered the bombings fairly intensively from the horrific day itself and whenever something significant ocurrred from then on. "I'd quite like something which covered the normal theme of this blog - the human or the funny and unusual side of the Tube."

So of the ones she sent me, I selected this one of Mandy from Brixton Station from Episode 4 - Losing It which will be broadcast at 7.30 on the 8th December.



Here's the synposis for that episode:

"At Brixton Underground Station the staff and passengers face more than their fair share of ticket touts, beggars and drug users. Newly appointed Control Room Assistant Mandy Sahota faces her first major incident involving the police, and station supervisor Jose Montiero has to use his tact to remove a man who is taking drugs on his platform.

While thousands of Goths descend upon Brixton station for a gig at the nearby Academy, Mandy's mentor, Frenchie is up for a long service award to mark his 25 years of service on the underground. While many things have changed over 25 years on the London Underground, one thing has remained constant - fare evasion. A major Revenue Control Operation takes place at Brixton and the British Transport Police are soon involved.

Experienced staff don't 'lose it' when things get difficult, but passengers lose things all the time. An unattended bag causes a security alert and station closure at Vauxhall. We see what happens when innocent bags are found or handed in. We visit the bowels of the Lost Property office. Here we uncover a treasure trove of items lost and found every day; from false teeth to the keys to a house in Mumbai."

Looks like the award winning series will be its usual brilliant self and certainly one to watch if you live in London, or have one of those digital channels that means you can tune into any region no matter where in the country you live.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Thursday, November 03, 2005 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Oasis plan to cover subway song You're Beautiful

As if more proof to the song's brilliance were needed

Bad boys of pop, Oasis, appear to big fans of posh pop boy James Blunt. Just heard on the gossip and showbiz news section of HeartFM that Oasis plan to cover You're Beautiful - the song about passing someone in a crowded subway and having a bit of a romantic "double take" moment with them. Regular readers know my opinion of this excellent song and it looks like Oasis think it's pretty good too.

Remember where you heard this story first!

And before some pedantic person whines and says rather childlishly: "I thought you didn't want us to comment about James Blunt any more". I'll childishly retort with "It's my blog and I'll post about what I like", plus I'm a woman and we're entitled to change our minds! Bring on the comments!

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Thursday, November 03, 2005 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Nikki's experience of Trafalgar Square

A view of the London Bombings memorial from Trafalgar Square

Nikki or rather Fimb, a regular commenter to this blog, went along to the giant screening of the memorial service at Trafalgar Square. Just as a bit of background, Fimb herself was caught up in the aftermath of the bombings on July 7th and witnessed a lot of injured people leaving one of the bombed Tube stations. She spent some hours in a recovery unit on the day, as the shock was a lot for her to take in.

However like many other people who wanted to help, then Fimb took part in the Tuberelief challenge that many of us were involved in for the victims of the bombings.

I'm now going to let Fimb take over and describe yesterday in her own words:

"Well.. I'm home from Trafalgar Square.

There weren't as many people there as I had expected, but a couple of thousand still I reckon.

I'm really pleased I went.. It was cathartic, and like a funeral, I think it was important for me to be able to close that chapter.

The press were really over intrusive in my opinion. Every time someone was found to be crying, there was almost a scrum of them point their cameras in that direction. I felt a complete fool when a close up of me crying suddenly appeared on the big screen - running 30 seconds behind so it was too late to hide. There were literally hundreds of photographers, journalists and cameras. I had to be quite rude to the reporter from the Dutch Telegraph who refused to take no for an answer when she wanted to interview me DURING the service. It's a shame that I have come home feeling anger towards them (and the less said about the group of American tourists who sat in front of me the better..)

The London Town Crier was there. He was lovely, and spent the first 30 minutes desparately refusing any press interviews, and trying to explain to various groups of tourists that he was there for a memorial, not to have his photo taken with giggling groups of them.

Lots of good stuff.. Like the old man with his dog two people down from me, who when he saw me crying, sent his dog over to me for a cuddle.. the loveliness of sitting in Trafalgar Square in November, perfectly warm enough in just a T-shirt (till the sun sunk behind the Canadian Embassy), and how slowly, people's voices joining in with the Lord's Prayer lifted over the traffic.

Wish I'd set the DVD recorder for it, as it was quite hard to hear alot of it, and would like be able to listen to the words in more detail. I was suprised at how many words to the hymns and prayers I remembered.

Anyway, chapter closed, time to start a new one (after a bath of course!)"

Many thanks for that report Fimb and I hope it has helped you to exorcise a few demons.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Wednesday, November 02, 2005 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Ricky Gervais at the London Bombings Memorial

Or is it Sir Ian Blair?

I never knew that Ricky Gervais would be going to yesterday's memorial at St Paul's Cathedral in his Extras uniform



Err, Ian, hasn't anyone ever told you that memorials are supposed to be solemn occasions.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Wednesday, November 02, 2005 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Madonna on the Tube

Where was Madonna's Hung Up shot on the London Underground?

Every so often Londonist do an interesting feature where they take a music video shot in London and people have to try to guess where it's from. This time is from the video to Madonna's latest single Hung Up (listen to a snippet here):

"the video opens, and kids in the greater Los Angeles area, are vexed by the heat of the sun, futilely dancing in front of a bus stop. Clearly, a change of scene is required. So they get in a taxicab, and... SHAZZAM! The taxicab they were in has magically transformed itself into a London Black Cab, and has magically crossed all of North America and the Atlantic Ocean, and they are in London! And they get out of the cab and are all lookin' around acting confused, saying to themselves "Holy shit! We just took a cab from LA to London!"

"Then the kids from LA, presumably having spent all of their money on their intercontinental cab ride, are forced to take the tube. We see an establishing shot of a nondescript rail bridge:

"And then we see a phenomenon that will be all too familiar to every Londoner: the sassy dance-off on the tube. We've lost count of the times that rival gangs of urban youth on the tube train attempt to top each other with their funky moves, only to be put in their place by an even funkier zaftig woman in sequins. Note that the LED display announcing the next stop has been turned off, and all the ads have been removed. The upholstery and layout clearly identifies this as a Jubbly line train of the 1996 type (notice the "perch seats"), but how did they get the yellow handrails replaced with chrome ones?



"This raises interesting questions about where exactly the underground dance-party that they are travelling towards actually is. Could it be in some undiscovered back-alley in Canary Wharf? Or are they headed north, towards some unexpectedly debauched corner of Neasden, perhaps?"

Excellent post Londonist boys and girls. Any idea on their theories about the London Underground carriage and where they might be headed, in the usual comments below. Also looking forward to joining the Londonistas at their first birthday party on Thursday - all are very welcome.

UPDATE - We know where the video was filmed

After a number of posts on the tubechallenge forum it appears that those that know, know that the following about where it was filmed:

"the video was filmed on a Jubilee line train between Charing Cross and West Hampstead and back. There is a page on the LU intranet that details any filming that has taken place, and Hung Up is mentioned here." Says Alansslonep.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Wednesday, November 02, 2005 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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St Paul's Memorial Service for Victims of London Bombings

Thousands will also watch at Trafalgar Square

Today at 3pm there will be a memorial service in St Paul's Cathedral for the 52 people who were killed in the horrific terrorist attacks on a bus and the London Underground on July 7th. The family of the dead, plus the many hundreds who were also wounded and severely injured, the emergency services and also the Queen, Prince Phillip, Ken Livingstone and Tony Blair will attend the service at St Paul's.

The service is by invitation only, so will be relayed on giant screens at Trafalgar Square so many more people can take part, report The Guardian.

Yesterday on the eve of the memorial 33 year-old Martine Wright who lost both her legs in the attacks gave her first TV interview on Tonight with Trevor McDonald. Martine criticised the Government's compensation scheme in late September in The Guardian - here and here.

Some of the family members of the victims are refusing to attend today's memorial. "Some are bitter about what they say is a failure of support from the government in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. Others blame Tony Blair's decision to go to war in Iraq for making London more vulnerable to suicide bombings." report The Guardian today and The Evening Standard last night.

However, fellow blogger Rachel one of the survivors of the King's Cross blast (a group called King's Cross United), who sometimes comments on this blog, will be attending though. She said:

"The BBC are covering the whole service live on BBC1 from 2.40pm until 4pm and simultaneously on Radio 4. You can listen to the service live on the internet stream of BBC Radio 4 and if you are in London , you can gather in Trafalgar Square to watch the service live, where we all gathered on 14th July Vigil (which me, Neil and Geoff also attended), ......"It was only the BBC that was sensitive enough to say: we won't interview service attendees - bereaved and survivors and emergency service/police/London Underground staff. We realise that this is a big day for you and want to leave you in peace.".......

If you do nothing else today, I urge you to spare 25 minutes to listen to a very graphic, but important interview that Frank Gardner (himself a paraplegic as the result of a terrorist attack) from the BBC did yesterday, where he speaks to some of those who were injured in Tube carriages, who only now feel strong enough to talk about their experiences, and members of the emergency services who worked on the London Underground that day. He says: "The trouble with the term 'injured' is that it doesn't really come close to covering the life changing wounds that some terror victims sustain and of course not all of these are physical" This is one of the best interviews I've heard which really helps you to come slightly close to understanding what it would have been like to have been in one of the blasted Tube carriages that day.

Rachel very much sees the memorial as a way of taking some steps away from the horrible things she saw and experienced in the tube carriage and says that afterwards:

"I can write about other things on this blog. The bombs have been so much a part of my life, and after tomorrow, I hope to take some steps away from them. They and the after effects will always be with me. But there are so many more things I want to live, and think about, and write about. And after the memorial, I can."

She's a very brave lady and it's mainly her we have to thank for being an online voice for the people whose lives have been changed by that terrible day.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Tuesday, November 01, 2005 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Where have all the police gone?

Why no Transport Police on my journey to work today?

Why did neither me nor any of my four other colleagues of work see not one policeman or woman on public transport this morning?

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Tuesday, November 01, 2005 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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A moment's diversion

Coronation Street Fans and Status Quo fans - top charity auction

Some of you know that I'm a massive Coronation Street fan so I had to post the following on my non Tube Blog. This is only interesting if you like Coronation Street or Status Quo. But if you do, it's very, very interesting.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Tuesday, November 01, 2005 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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No drinking on public transport proposals

Can't drink, can't smoke, what can you do?

With apologies to Adam Ant's top song Goody Two Shoes - looks like the "Nanny State" is at it again with various people (including the opposition and RMT's Bob Crow) getting up in arms over Tony Blair's proposal to ban alcohol from public transport.



The Sunday Times wrote: "The Government was in retreat last night over proposals for a blanket ban on drinking on all forms of public transport. Amid protests that it was indulging in 'nanny state politics', ministers said that there was no intention of stopping people on trains having drinks with their meals in restaurant cars and that any action taken would be 'proportionate'.

However, The Times has been told that action against yobbish and drunken behaviour on public transport is under serious consideration after a brainstorming session at Chequers last month of plans for Tony Blair's 'respect agenda'.

Pressure by the British Transport Police for measures to stop people who have already been drinking carrying large amounts of alcohol on to buses and trains is likely to be answered by the Government with new powers, ministers said."

There's a huge amount of double standards going on here, as one minute licensing hours are being extended (which will have a big effect on railway pubs) and then we're told we can't drink on public transport.

There was also an interesting feature in Friday's Evening Standard about Londoners' leisure patterns and how what you did to have fun and interestingly, how you then got home, was effected by what part of London you lived in.

According to a survey carried out by lastminute.com, half of North Londoners admitted to drinking until they fell down and worryingly, they then went home by Tube. East Londoners were also most likely to go home by Tube, although only drank 2-3 units of alcohol. South Londoners were also light drinkers with 2-3 units but then they would go home in a mini cab. West Londoners drank higher levels of alcohol 5-7 units, but then walked home.

Admittedly a lot of this is do with how much public transport there is in your area and shows that the Tube system doesn't operate that brilliantly in South London. Generally when getting home, 52% used the Tube, 31% mini cab and just 2% drove. Six out of 10 believed that alcohol was essential for a good night out.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Monday, October 31, 2005 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Scanning machines introduced on Heathrow Express Stations at Paddington

But London Underground won't have body scanners

Just in case we haven't had enough railway news today, just thought I would report that airport style X-ray machines and body scanners will soon be launched at Paddington station's Heathrow Express. From the front page of Metro:

"Critics including train operators, say imposing extra checks at all stations would be too expensive. Transport Secretary Alistair Darling will tell Parliament on Wednesday he would like to start enforcing added security checks at rail stations.

"But the Association of Train Operating Companies said: 'We have an open access network and it is simply not practical to put in airport-style security at every station.'

According to the BBC - "Brian Cooke, chairman of London Travelwatch, said there was no system available that could cope with the volume of Tube passengers.

He said everyone wanted maximum security but there were concerns the checks would mean more delays and congestion."

Back in Metro - "Transport for London added 'Body scanners are completely impractical on the London Underground. Heathrow handles 67.1 million passengers each year - London Underground carries 976 million.

'You can just imagine the delays if such technology was introduced on the Tube. We are constantly reviewing technology to see what could be potentially employed - but body scanners are not an option for us. Our stations just don't have room for them'

So what is it lads, too many delays and impractical or not enough room or both?

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Monday, October 31, 2005 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Spot the "deliberate" mistake

Busking Cartoon from The Londoner

I love Sheriff Ken's monthly free newspaper The Londoner as there's usually a laugh on every page (very few are deliberate jokes though). November's was particularly good though with this cartoon on the Letters to Ken page:



There's no prizes for guessing, but can anyone see what's wrong with it?

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Monday, October 31, 2005 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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SPADs (passing red lights) have trebled on the London Underground

Not SPUDs, SPADs - Signal Passed at Danger

Well it's certainly been a day for London Underground news today. I learnt this afternoon that the number of Signals Passed at Danger have trebled on the Tube.

The BBC reported today that "In 1995 there were 296 signals passed at danger (Spads) but in 2004 it rose to 969, which the London Assembly's Lib Dems says points to "complacency"." It's interesting that I'm now hearing that this increase is being spun as better records being kept of SPADs not that there are actually more SPAD's.

Anyway, Lib Dem Transport Secretary, Geoff Pope said: "The failure to tackle the spiralling number of Spads smacks of a history of deep malaise and complacency over many years from LU. Serious questions must be asked into how, over years, LU has failed to deal with the ever-increasing number of Spads.

"While the Tube does have comprehensive safety systems, passengers will worry that a technical failure might lead to a collision and loss of life."

You'll be pleased to hear that London Underground are not too worried that it will lead to possible loss of life as there is something in place to stop over-running trains. A spokesman said: "Safety is our top priority. The Tube is equipped with Automatic Train Protection (ATP) so if a train does inadvertently pass a signal at danger it will be brought to an immediate halt. Driver training is kept under constant review and we work closely with the infrastructure companies, Tube Lines and Metronet, to improve safety and keep the Underground as safe as possible"

Thanks. I feel so much more reassured now specially as I know that Tube Lines are taking good care of the Northern Line after the problems we had with drivers refusing to drive unsafe trains earlier this month.



Loving this cartoon and particularly the comment above about the Northern Line and the PPP debacle from the week's Private Eye.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Monday, October 31, 2005 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Happy Halloween

The obligatory Halloween blog post

It's hard taking Halloween and London Underground related pictures, so I've had to use a picture from last year, of this woman going to a Halloween party and texting her mate on the tube at Hammersmith.



If anyone has any good Halloween and Tube or London Underground pictures, send them in today and I'll put them up. Cheers.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Monday, October 31, 2005 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Tube Fashion Victims Week 3

London Underground victims of fashion

It's that time of the week again when I look at some great fashion victims I've seen over the week on the Tube. As usual there were so many to choose from, I've selected the best below:

Lavender Printed Corduroy Suit

I know she's an old lady, but she was clearly trying to look hip and trendy with this natty little suit. Quite what she's doing on the Docklands Light Railway in the rush hour was beyond me too, but she gets full marks for this fetching ensemble:



Just Gay Enough?

Also on the DLR I sat opposite a guy who I think was clearly too old to be wearing button badges. But I know a number of you like them. He was clearly in touch with his feminine side too if the fur collared raincoat was anything to go by and the "Just Gay Enough" shoulder bag with the lavender trim. To top it off, he was reading The Secret History by Donna Tartt to show his literary side



She's a slave to her feet

Well this poor girl was, with plasters nicely peeping out form the top of her shoes to protect where some shoes had been rubbing:



Gold Trainers, Green Socks

Another shoe wearing error. Horrible metallic trainers mixed with bright green socks and white trousers. At least she didn't have metallic handbag:



What look shall I go for?

This woman going up the escalators at Tottenham Court Road, couldn't make up her mind. There's the trilby hat look. Then there's sort of weird cowboy influenced riding boots. None of which went with the tweed skirt:



Kinky red boots

At Bank station I saw a poster for the new film Kinky Boots,



and then just on the other side of the platform a woman tottered along wearing a similar pair. Very spiky, very red and she even had some cropped Twiggy trousers to go with them

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Friday, October 28, 2005 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Farewell to the Routemaster Number 38 & Free poetry event

The last of the old double deckers hits the dust



It's funny how the London Underground ad for this is singing the praises of the new bendy bus and not like a lot of Londoners bemoaning the loss of the double decker (check out Diamond Geezer's requiem)

My friend James sent me details of a free event taking place on Sunday to mourn its passing:

Farewell to the No.38 Routemaster Bus

SUNDAY 30th OCTOBER

An Evening of Poetry with

JOHN HEGLEY, LUKE WRIGHT & CHRIS HICKS
(FROM AISLE 16)
DJ DARYL 'MAGIC BUS' EASLEA

FREE ADMISSION - Starts 8.30pm - In the Bar of The Old Red Lion Pub

FRIDAY 28th OCTOBER is the last day of the No. 38 Routemaster Bus which stops outside the Old Red for as long as anyone can remember..........

Slowly, month by month, route by route, London is losing one of its most famous symbols: the Routemaster bus - a bus designed and made in London, by Londoners for Londoners, which is to London what the gondola is to Venice. In terms of postcards, books, films, and cheap souvenirs, and in the eyes of the world, the Routemaster represents the city just as much as Big Ben. It was the last bus to be have conductors as well as drivers, the last bus to ring familiar shouts that are at least a century old: Fares please, Full up inside but room on top, Next stop the British Museum!

The last bus, in other words, to be a proper bus.

Come join us at the Old Red Lion and celebrate the passing of this lovely bus you can jump on and off.

John Hegley used to be a busconductor! Luke Wright used to travel to work on the 38! Daryl 'Magic Bus' Easlea promises to play lots of 'bus' tunes from his fab vinyl collection.

London Underground; Tube Posted by Unknown Friday, October 28, 2005 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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