St Peter's Church, London Docks

The altar and stained-glass windows.

St Peter's Church, London Docks, is a wonderful hidden gem.

The Wapping Lane entrance.

Although it is clearly visible from Raines Mansions Park and Raine Street, its main entrance is situated on Wapping Lane. It is this entrance, behind a double-arched covered forecourt, that brings you to the courtyard from where you access the church. 

The tiled entranceway, with steps leading up to residential properties, that brings you to the church courtyard and entrance is wonderful to explore in itself. 

Even then the simple facade of the church belies what you will discover inside. From this elevation the church doesn't seem too impressive, but how wrong that assumption is.

The tiled entrance to the church courtyard.

On entering St Peter's, London Docks, you find yourself in a far bigger church than the small west facing entrance implies. The high roof, with its exposed beams, gives a real sense of space, with stained-glass windows taking up the upper portion of the east wall.

Going through an arched entrance, to the right, is the baptismal font in the baptistry. This stands at the end of the south aisle, the walls of which are adorned with various images of the 'Stations of the Cross'. A small doorway leads you into the small 'Shrine of Our Lady Walsingham'. This space has three small stained-glass windows and a half dozen chairs, set out before an altar.

The Mysterious Mercers' Maiden: London's Timeless Watcher

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 façade. 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.

A Birthday Night Out

Thursday March 26, 2026.

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.

Science Museum: Star Trek Warp Trail

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, 

with all of the events and activities being free.

Star Trek Warp Trail

The Star Trek 60 Film Season, which showcases all thirteen big screen outings, 

has special screening dates and requires tickets, with prices starting at £20.

Star Trek 60 Film Season

Fleet Street: London's printing heart

A map of Fleet Street, circa 1680.

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.