Skateboard Graveyard, Golden Jubilee Bridges

If you look down on the northeastern support of the Hungerford Bridge and Jubilee Bridges, across the River Thames, you will see the scattered remnants of broken skateboards. 

This is not just some random littering spot, but rather a memorial to a fallen skateboarder. 

Friday June 18, 1999.

Timothy Baxter and his friend, Gabriel Cornish, had spent the midsummer day skating over and around the concrete obstacles of the Undercroft, beneath Queen Elizabeth Hall.

In the evening they went for drinks, much like everybody else, and enjoyed the summer evening. As they headed home, a little after 04:00, via the Golden Jubilee Bridges, they were confronted by six strangers; three teenagers and three young adults; five male and one female.

The strangers took Timothy's rucksack and threw it into the cold water of the River Thames, before beating on Timothy and Gabriel. The last thing Gabriel heard, before passing out, was, "Let's throw them in the river. It will be fun."

The world's longest continually-used skate spot.

Gabriel survived, by using his rucksack to stay afloat, and was rescued two miles downstream with hypothermia. Timothy never regained consciousness and his body was recovered 36 hours later.

The six individuals were caught and charged with murder and attempted murder. In April 2000, following a ten-week trial, they were all found guilty and were sentenced to life imprisonment, in May 2000.

Thames Ironworks Football Club (1895-1900)

The Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company originated from the Ditchburn and Mare Shipbuilding Company, in 1837. They were a large shipyard and ironworks, situated on both sides of Bow Creek.

In March 1895, the Old Castle Swifts Football Club, the first professional football club in Essex, went bankrupt. They had been formed in 1892 by Donald Currie, a Scottish shipowner.

Following the collapse of the Old Castle Swifts Football Club, the Chairman of Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company, Arnold Hills, saw an opportunity to start his own works team and provided the money to take over the tenancy of the now vacant football ground on Hermit Road, Canning Town. 

Meanwhile, the company's foreman, Dave Taylor, who was also a local football referee, placed an advert in the company's newspaper, 'The Thames Iron Works Gazette', asking for players to form a works football team. Fifty ironworkers answered the advert and so was born Thames Ironworks Football Club.

Each player paid half-a-crown for one year's membership, while Dave Taylor set about arranging fixtures for Thames Ironworks F.C. and their reserves.

Arnold Hills was a philanthropist, advocate for temperance and vegetarianism, and an outstanding sportsman. He also believed that a happy workforce was a more productive workforce. So, in addition to the football team, he introduced a cricket team, an operatic society and the Thames Ironworks band.

Arnold Hills was a former student and football Blue of Oxford University, so he chose dark blue as the colours of the team for their debut season.

The following season they changed to a sky blue top, white shorts and claret socks.

Walking with Family: Retail Therapy and a Concert. Or, "You two go that way and we will go this way."

"Up the Irons!"

Saturday June 28, 2025

Travelling to Canning Town. Or, "It's hot outside. Let's take the underground to London."

With a hotel booked we set off for an adventure. 

While Emma and Erin would go shopping, Keilyn and I would be going to a gig. 

The Metropolitan line train was fairly busy, with people heading to Wembley to see 'Linkin Park', who were performing at Wembley Stadium. The Jubilee line train, that we switched to, at Finchley Road, was even busier. Many of these passengers were headed to Hyde Park to see Zach Bryan, while others alighted at North Greenwich, obviously going to see SM Town, a K-pop band, at the O2 Arena. But the train stayed busy, as Iron Maiden fans of all ages were heading to Stratford, where Iron Maiden were performing later in the day.

"The best café in Canning Town.

Dinner time. Or, "There's no pleasing some people."

Arriving at Canning Town into blistering heat, we made our way towards Barking Road, cutting through the new buildings of Minnie Baldock Street, to avoid the sun. We then used the underpass, at Newham Way, which brought us to Barking Road. KFC was just ahead, but we spotted the sign for Rose's Cafe and decided to head there. Of course, this started arguments about wanting to go to KFC. Emma and I won, though, so it was off to Rose's.

We sat in the covered garden area, at the rear of the building, and perused the menu. After ordering our food we began to cool down, thanks, in part, to the light breeze. The food and service was exceptional, with the portion sizes more than enough to satisfy our hunger.

Once we had settled the bill we headed back onto Barking Road, heading back the way we had come. As we couldn't check into our hotel until 15:00, we sat in the shade, refreshing ourselves with drinks purchased at Morrison's.

"The view from our hotel room. Canning Town is quiet on a Saturday afternoon."

Checking into Premier Inn. Or, "Thank goodness for air-conditioning."

Leaving the shade, within the plaza, we crossed Silvertown Way and entered Premier Inn London Docklands (Canning Town), where we took the lift to level 1 and the reception. Minutes later, with keys in hand, we entered our room. Bags were dropped and on went the air-conditioning. Bliss.

A short rest, a change of clothes and we were ready to head off to Stratford.

"Stratford is London's Blossom Garden?"

Shopping and Iron Maiden. Or, "Enjoy your retail therapy, while we enjoy a concert fifty years in the making."

Our hotel was almost outside Canning Town station, so the heat  didn't affect the short walk we had to make. Once inside we made our way to the Jubilee line platforms, where a train arrived immediately. Most of the carriages were empty, so there was plenty of room to sit. We decided, however, to stand beside the interconnecting carriage doors, welcoming the breeze that flowed through.

After more people boarded at West Ham station we were soon speeding towards our destination: Stratford. On leaving the train we made our way through the walkway to Stratford Place, where we said our "goodbyes." Emma and Erin headed into Westfield Stratford City, where they visited countless shops, with Erin purchasing items at Sephora and Victoria's Secret.

Keilyn and I, meanwhile, made our way towards the Olympic Park, where we waited in the shade of Sadler's Wells East for my friend David and his son Antonio. Once we had met up we followed the mass of Iron Maiden shirts, of every conceivable design, towards the London Stadium.

"I think we're gonna burn!"

It's a beautiful day for it. Or, "We're gonna blister in the sun!"

Once we entered the London Stadium we purchased some merchandise, bought some drinks and went looking for our seats; Block 235 (East Stand) 2nd Row. Sitting just south of the centre line of the stadium we realised that we were going to be in full sunshine for the rest of the day. Basically, we were going to cook! Black t-shirts and denim in 30°C (86°F) is not a good combination. 

Fortunately, David knew at exactly what time each support act was to take to the stage, so we left our seats and took shelter in the shade of the stadium.

"Are those fans of The Raven Age melting?"

Illuminating the London Stadium. Or, "A lesson in futility."

The Raven Age's singer, Matt James, states the obvious, "It's a bit f**kin' hot in here!", and then decides that it's time for everyone to "get your phone lights up", to "illuminate the stadium". The fact that sun has been cooking the fans, especially those on the almost white floor before the stage, since the doors had opened at 17:00, didn't deter him nor the crowds, who do as instructed, adding a few minuscule specks of light into an already emblazed stadium.

As soon as The Raven Age finished their set, which was incredible, and left the stage, we left our seats and headed outside of the stadium, replenishing our drinks and keeping cool in the slight breeze that blew around the stadium.

"Halestorm! But, not the hailstorm that the fans need."

Halestorm. Or, "I wish that this Halestorm could relieve this heat!"

As Halestorm took to the stage I had the distinct impression that someone had left the Olympic Cauldron, from the opening of the Games of the XXX Olympiad, (London 2012), ablaze. 

As soon as Halestorm finished their set, which was incredible, we dived back into the bowels of the stadium, replenishing our drinks and doing our best to keep cool.

By now I was convinced that, when the concert was over, you would be able to spot who had sat where by the tan that they had, with us, in the East Stand, being much more bronzed.

'Settlers Monument', Virginia Quay

Not exactly hidden away, but not exactly on a main walking route, is the Virginia Quay Settlers Monument, standing proud on what was once Virginia Quay.

It was from near this spot, back on December 19-20 1606, that the first settlers of the Colony of Virginia departed for the New World. 

Led by Captain Christopher Newport and consisting of three ships: 'Discovery', 'Godspeed' and 'Susan Constant', 105 men and boys, plus 39 crew, set sail with a charter to establish a settlement in the Virginia territory. 

Unlike the later 'Mayflower' voyage, which took just ten weeks, this Virginia expedition took 21 weeks to find land suitable for colonisation. They named their colony Jamestown, in honour of King James I. Captain John Smith, Edward Maria Wingfield and Robert Hunt are credited with founding Jamestown, in April 1607. Captain John Smith, is best known for his association with the Native America Princess Pocahontas, who supposedly saved his life.

The settlement was, unfortunately, abandoned within three years, due, in part, to the settlers that were chosen for the expedition. Many were gentlemen, unused to working, while others were unused to farming. Famine and starvation brought an end to the settlement. 

Jamestown was later reoccupied but was abandoned again by 1699. Today, there is nothing left of the original settlement, besides a thriving tourist industry.

Iron Maiden: 'Run For Your Lives' World Tour, 2025, London Stadium

Saturday June 28, 2025.

I have been following 'Iron Maiden' since I was 10 years old, with their single, 'Run to the Hills', being the first 7" that I purchased.

After seeing them live on countless occasions, meeting some of the band members and visiting the 'Cart & Horses', where they first played live, I was excited to see them at the London Stadium, during their 50th year.

My friend of almost 35 years, David, had secured the tickets.

Keilyn and I travelled to Canning Town, where we checked into our hotel, with Emma and Erin, who, while we were at the concert, would visit the shopping centre in Stratford. We then travelled to Stratford together, before Keilyn and I headed off towards the Olympic Park, where we waited in the shade of the Sadler's Wells Theatre for David and his son Antonio.

Soon enough we spotted them and, after the usual greetings, joined the massed groups of fans headed towards the London Stadium. We crossed Bridge 5 and passed through security, bought a souvenir Matchday Programme and waited in the shade for the gates to open.

At exactly 17:00 the gates opened and we moved inside the stadium, making our way to the Merchandise stall. A T-shirt for Antonio, a Baseball cap for David, a studded leather wristband for Keilyn and a scarf for myself. We then purchased some drinks and went looking for our seats, which were on tier 2 in the 'Billy Bonds Stand' (East Stand).

The weather was clear skies, with the the occasional cloud, and not a breath of wind, with the temperature at 29°C. As we were in the East Stand, the sun was beating down on us, so we headed back downstairs and waited in the shade.

We took our seats, just before 17:45, so that we could watch 'The Raven Age' open the concert. They began with 'Forgive & Forget', before rattling through seven tracks, finishing with 'Fleur De Lis'.

As soon as their set, which was an incredible 45 minutes of pure rock, finished, we headed back down into the cool shade of the stadium. Snacks, food and more drinks were purchased.

We made our way back up to our seats in time to watch Halestorm take to the stage, at 19:00. 'Fallen Star' began a 10-track set, where Lzzy Hale's impressive vocal range was on full display, while Arejay Hale's drum solo was out of this world! Throughout the 50-minute set the sun had continued to beat down, but, thankfully, was gradually getting lower in the sky.

Back outside into the shade for more fluids, while the stage was prepared for the main event: The Homecoming of Steve Harris... and 'Iron Maiden'.