If you've ever walked the historic streets of London, particularly around Covent Garden and the City, you might have felt like you were being watched. Not by a person, but by a serene, stone-faced lady gazing down from a building facade. This is the Mercers' Maiden, one of the city's most enduring and enigmatic symbols.
But who is she, and why is she ubiquitous across some of London's most valuable real estate?
The Mercers' Company, a City Livery Company, has owned the land between Long Acre and Shelton Street since 1530. These Livery Companies grew out of the trades guilds, in the 12th century, when men and women working in the same crafts, or trades, joined together in formal associations.
Sunny intervals with light winds, 10°C to 11°C (50-52°F), with a night-time low of 5°C (41°F).
It was a typical start to a birthday that falls on a weekday. Up and dressed for work, ensuring the girls were awake and getting ready for school. I then headed off on the 12-minute walk to work.
The morning was much like any other day, with my work being completed in my usual efficient manner. My manager, Ann, seeing that I had finished everything that was expected of me, allowed me to leave slightly early, which meant that I wouldn't need to rush to get myself ready for that evening's adventure.
I arrived home in time to see Emma and Keilyn, before they headed off to do a food shop. Keilyn's school had closed for the Easter holidays just after lunch, so she was eager to join mum on her shopping trip.
Emma had bought me two tickets to the Science Museum, where a new Star Trek Warp Trail was being opened to mark the 60th anniversary of Star Trek. My uncle Martin would be joining me for the evening.
Once they had left I set about getting myself ready, showering and picking out my clothes for the evening. I was debating on whether I should wear one of my Star Trek uniforms. I have a Next Generation maroon uniform and a Captain's dress uniform, from Star Trek First Contact. It was this latter uniform that I wore at my wedding. However, the maroon top was a little too small, by now, and the trousers for the dress uniform were very tight. In the end I decided on black trousers, a black shirt and jacket, with gold Star Trek socks and my Starfleet class ring.
Martin came through the door just after Erin had arrived home from school. So, we sat and had a drink while we waited for Emma and Keilyn to return. When the shopping was packed away, Martin and I headed off, with him driving us to Croxley station from where we would catch our train.
2026 marks 60 years since Star Trek first hit television screens across the world. Although the original series was short-lived, it became a cultural phenomenon spawning an animated television series. Then, in 1979, it hit the big screen with Star Trek The Motion Picture. More films and television series have followed to the present day, making it the largest science fiction franchise in the world.
To celebrate the 60th anniversary, the Science Museum has partnered with Paramount to produce a special season of Star Trek events.
This includes screenings of all the big screen adventures of the U.S.S. Enterprise and her crew, while costumes and props from the franchise have been spread across the museum for everyone to discover.
You can also explore a 360° immersive simulation of the U.S.S. Enterprise bridge, where you can take a selfie. Plus, you can sit in the Captain's chair from Star Trek Discovery.
A special pop-up shop is also selling exclusive Star Trek at 60 merchandise, much of which has been developed by the Science Museum.
You will see a model of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701, various costumes from the franchise, medical gadgets, tricorders, comms badges, Tribbles and much more.
Star Trek 60 runs from March 27 until September 8,
Fleet Street was for centuries synonymous with the popular press.
In about 1500, Wynkyn de Worde, an assistant to William Caxton, brought printing to Fleet Street. Other early printers soon joined him, which began the tradition of printing in this street, which continued until the late 1980s.
Following William Caxton's death, Wynkyn de Worde inherited Caxton's presses and moved them from Westminster to a house opposite Shoe Lane. Once Wynkyn de Worde was established he became a prolific printer, transforming Caxton's scholarly printing business into a thriving business. This was due, in part, by de Worde's move into the market of reasonably priced publications.
Wynkyn de Worde also introduced the world to the publication of romantic novels. He also developed the early newspaper market, where he published shorter works which were sold for a penny or two. He also became known for sensationalism as a way to sell his papers.
He became aware of what the public were reading and, using this knowledge, began printing volumes that were easy to handle and were quite cheap. These included children's books, instructional guides on good manners, husbandry, marriage and medicine. He also produced religious books, cashing in on Fleet Street's abundance of religious clerics and ministers.
In the 1500s Fleet Street was a road of houses and was more like a country village than what we know today.
Cloudy skies with light winds, brightening in the late morning to hazy sunshine, 13°C (55°F).
It was a cool 4°C (39.2°F), with light mist, as we left our house and began our gentle walk to Watford High Street station, where we boarded a Lioness train, that took us to Kensal Green. Keilyn and I sent a selfie to Dyan, who responded with a photo of Harrow & Wealdstone station. We informed her that we would be passing through in a few minutes and Dyan managed to take a photo of our train approaching, while she waited for the train that would take her to work.
On leaving Kensal Green station we crossed Harrow Road and entered Kensal Green Cemetery, via its main entrance. Keilyn, always the inquisitive one, wanted to find the graves of Isambard and Marc Brunel, while I was interested in seeing Harold Pinter's grave. So, off we went in search of the graves.
Kensal Green Cemetery was the first of London's eight garden cemeteries to open, which was back in 1833. It covers an area of 72 acres and has many famous people buried within the grounds. These include Isambard Kingdom Brunel and his son Sir Marc Isambard Brunel, Harold Pinter, Steve Peregrin Took, Wilkie Collins, Prince Augustus Frederick The Duke of Sussex, Erich Fried, Medi Oliver Mehra, Marigold Churchill, Charles Babbage, William Makepeace Thackeray, among countless others.
It didn't take us long to find the grave of Isambard Kingdom and his son Sir Marc Isambard Brunel, before we continued our search for other graves of interest. Peculiarly, the grave of Steven Ross Porter, better known as Steve Peregrin Took (member of the band Tyrannosaurus Rex), was fairly easy to find, while that of Harold Pinter took some searching.
After a good exploration we made our way out onto Ladbroke Grove, heading south. We crossed the Grand Union Canal and continued following Ladbroke Grove, buying hot drinks at an independent coffee shop, called Mowgli Coffee.
