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Monthly Archives: July 2013
Curved Escalator – Levytator
Cart Marking Ceremony
Date: Wednesday 17 July
Time: 15.45
Location: Platform 2, Mansion House Station
The centuries-old City of London tradition of ‘cart marking’, usually reserved for road vehicles, will go underground on Wednesday 17 July when London Transport Museum’s 1892 Metropolitan railway carriage No. 353 will be ‘marked’ by Alderman Fiona Woolf CBE and the Master Carman, Neil Coles, watched by Sir Peter Hendy CBE, London’s Transport Commissioner, and Mike Brown MVO, Managing Director of London Underground and Rail.
Organised by the Worshipful Company of Carmen, a livery company of the City of London, the ceremony usually involves marking a vehicle with a branding iron and takes place in the forecourt of the Guildhall.
The tradition dates back over 500 years when all carts and carriages plying trade within the ‘Square Mile’ had to be licensed to operate within the City limits. The licence took the form of a branded mark applied directly to the vehicle.
This year, in recognition of the 150th anniversary of the London Underground, the role of the City of London in the financing and building of the Metropolitan Railway, and the important role that underground travel plays in the life of the City, the ceremony will, for the first time, take the unusual step of including a rail vehicle. As the vehicle can not get inside the Guildhall forecourt, Alderman Fiona Woolf CBE and the Master Carman, Neil Coles, will take a branded plaque to the carriage at Mansion House Station.
London’s Transport Commissioner Sir Peter Hendy CBE and a member of the Worshipful Company of Carmen, said: “The City of London played a crucial role in lobbying for and funding London’s first underground railway, the Metropolitan Railway, and has been consistent ever since in supporting better transport in order to develop the capital’s economy.
“The extension of this ancient ceremony with the London Transport Museum’s finely restored Victorian carriage of the Metropolitan Railway in the 150th anniversary year of London Underground highlights this connection.”
The ceremony will take place at 15.45 at Mansion House station on Platform 2, where the carriage will stand between approximately 11.00 and 16.00, giving the public a chance to admire the quality of the recent restoration, which was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Further information about the history of the Cart Marking tradition and the Worshipful Company of Carmen is at www.thecarmen.co.uk
Man falls asleep on the tube – Standing up
London’s Newest Tourist Attraction – Emirates Aviation Experience
In a world first Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, has opened an indoor aviation themed attraction in London.
London’s newest public attraction, the Emirates Aviation Experience, is the first of its kind globally. The Emirates Aviation Experience, located at the South side of the Emirates Air Line in London, covers an area of almost 300 square metres and will provide an insight into the operations and modern achievements of commercial air travel.
A rendering of the exterior of the Emirates Aviation Experience “This high-tech facility will bring to London a one of a kind insight into the dynamic world of aviation,” said Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline. “The purpose of this centre is to provide a fun, yet educational, overview of just what it takes to successfully get a 560 tonne aircraft off the ground and 40,000 feet into the sky. Our aim is to explain the intricate science of modern aviation, in a hands-on, entertaining and instructive environment.”
“London is one of the greatest cities in the world, with one of the world’s busiest international airports, making it the perfect setting for this interactive experience. We have successfully operated services to the UK since 1987 and, when opened, the Emirates Aviation Experience will further broaden our already robust UK presence. Being able to provide London and its millions of international visitors with this permanent site is a true reflection of our commitment to innovation and also of our commitment to the UK,” added Mr. Clark.
Utilising state-of-the-art technology, interactive displays and life-size aircraft models this immersive experience will incorporate several zones that will take visitors on an interactive aviation journey.
The Emirates Aviation Experience will also feature the world’s first public facing commercial flight simulators including two Airbus 380s and two Boeing 777s, utilising full landscape visuals, allowing participants to practice their take-off and landing skills. The centre will cater to people of all ages and is open for business.
Entry costs £3 for adults, £1.50 for children, but that doesn’t include a go on the flight simulator. The simulator is £42 for a half-hour flight, or £35 if you go before 10am.
Emirates has a strong affiliation with this area of London following the launch of the Emirates AirLine, London’s popular cable car system across the River Thames, in a 10 year sponsorship deal last June. One year on from the launch of the Emirates AirLine the Emirates Aviation Experience is expected to further stimulate tourism and development in the area.
Sydenham Arts Festival – Franck Ash plays blues guitar
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British Airways’ First A380 Arrives at Heathrow Home
Super-jumbo aviation arrived in the UK yesterday with the delivery to Heathrow of British Airways’ first A380.
The airline is the first UK carrier to take delivery of the double-decker, which is the world’s largest commercial jet. British Airways is also the first airline in Europe to operate both the A380 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the first two of which landed at Heathrow last week.
The airline announced yesterday that the very first long-haul flight on the A380 to Los Angeles will be on September 24, 2013 with prices starting from £621 return, and the first to Hong Kong will be on October 22 with prices from £688 return.
Customers can book online at ba.com or by calling 0844 493 0787.
Keith Williams, British Airways’ CEO, said: “We are delighted to welcome the first of our A380s to the fleet, joining our new 787s.
“These aircraft are the start of a new era for British Airways. Over the next 15 months, we will take delivery of new aircraft at the rate of one a fortnight as we put ourselves at the forefront of modern aviation.
“The A380 is a fantastic aircraft and an excellent showpiece for British engineering. Our customers are going to love the space, light and comfort on board.”
British Airways’ A380s will accommodate 469 customers across four cabins. Customers in First will be seated at the front of the main deck. The cabin will offer 14 seats and is evolved from the current First class with 30 per cent more personal space and 60 per cent more personal stowage.
Club World (business class) customers can choose from 44 seats on the main deck, or 53 seats on the upper deck. These upper deck seats will feature a new 2:3:2 configuration across the cabin. The 55 World Traveller Plus (premier economy) seats will be located on the upper deck while World Traveller (economy) customers can choose seats on both the main and upper deck. Customers travelling in both World Traveller and World Traveller Plus will be able to enjoy the new cabins and seats that have proved so popular on our 777-300ER fleet.
The aircraft’s innovative design makes it much quieter during take-off and landing and 16 per cent more fuel efficient than a Boeing 747. British Airways has ordered 12 A380s for delivery by 2016. Three will arrive this year followed by a further five in 2014.
Both aircraft types will now begin a complex ‘entry into service’ programme, which will see pilot and cabin crew training taking place at Manston Airport in Kent, customer service trials at Heathrow and short-haul flying for both aircraft, including flights within the UK.
The airline’s website (below) features information on the new aircraft, including computer generated imagery (CGI). Two short films are also available on YouTube to give customers a feel for the aircraft.
http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/flight-information/airbus-a380
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgN3NAxxWsg and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5fSLrVzpxg
