World famous historical places

PUBLISHED: 08:00 07 July 2018 Elwin Cockett, archdeacon of West Ham Did you know that the court of the King of England was once in West Ham? Or that Stratford was the birthplace of one of the greatest poets of Victorian times, Gerard Manley Hopkins? Or that one of the famous women of that era, Elizabeth Fry, lived in East Ham? Think “London’s history” and you probably think of places like the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral. After all, the Tower is amazing, and St Paul’s still has one of the best choirs in the world. But did you know that east London has more than its fair share of historic places and associations? Wanstead Flats, for example, still has traces of WWII POW camps, along with tethering-points for barrage balloons. In Beckton you can see where Full Metal Jacket was filmed and, at Gallion’s Reach, where the Princess Alice sank with the loss of more than 600 lives in 1878. St Mary Magdalene’s church, East Ham, has stood … [Read more...] about Community view: Newham’s historic places

Leeds is ready to welcome the world this week with a series of events and activities as the host city builds up to the Grand Départ of the Tour de France on Saturday. Events will be happening across the city every day to celebrate the final countdown to the start of the world’s largest annual sporting event from The Headrow on Saturday morning.Music and dance performances, theatre and cinema productions, art and museum exhibitions, food and drink festivals, bike races and shows, a pre-race parade featuring the Tour riders themselves, the Opening Ceremony Team Presentation and even a carnival will all be taking place in Leeds this week in honour of the legendary cycle race.Details of 48 of the leading Tour activities can be seen at www.granddepartleeds.co.uk/events, including free lunchtime concerts taking place next to the startline on Victoria Gardens every day from noon-2pm.Other events include the Bicyclism exhibition showcasing cycling in Leeds at the Leeds City Museum, … [Read more...] about Leeds ready to welcome the world for historic Grand Départ

The Tour de Yorkshire will return to the region for its fourth edition in May of this year. The men’s race will take place from May 3-6 and the women’s race will take place from May 3-4, with Yorkshire providing the scenic backdrop to this popular cycling competition. The men’s race will incorporate four different stages over the four days, beginning in Beverley and finishing in Leeds, whilst the women’s race will have two stages over the two days, starting in Beverley and ending in Ilkley.Market towns, cities and rural villages will see competitors cycle past, but where will be the best places to watch the race and catch a glimpse of those taking part?BeverleyThe historic market town of Beverly will be the first starting place of both the men and women’s race.The men’s race will begin in Beverley before continuing on to the seaside resort of Hornsea, before those competing will tackle a 16km loop before then heading back through Beverley and into … [Read more...] about The best places to watch the Tour de Yorkshire 2018