The Division Bells of Westminster

For Whom The Bells Toll.

If you are ever enjoying a drink in a pub near the Palace of Westminster, such as The Marquis of Granby, The Red Lion, St Stephen's Tavern or the Westminster Arms, among others, and you hear a shrill, insistent ringing that isn't the fire alarm... don't panic. That distinctive, urgent chime is the sound of democracy in action: The Parliamentary Division Bell.

It's one of the most charmingly archaic, yet fundamentally critical, pieces of infrastructure in the UK's political landscape. Far from being a mere novelty, the Division Bell is the key to how votes are cast in the House of Commons and the House of Lords, dictating the pace of political life in Westminster.

In the UK Parliament, a formal vote is known as a 'Division' because members literally divide into two opposing lobbies to be counted. 

The Speaker Puts the Question: A debate then ensues and, when it ends, the Speaker of the House of Commons asks for "Ayes" (in favour) and "Noes" (against) to shout for their support. If the result isn't clear, or a Member challenges the Speaker's judgement, the Speaker announces, "Division, clear the lobby!" or, "Clear the Bar!" in the Lords. This is the moment the Division Bell springs to life.

Taxi Call Lights

London, like every city and town, is full of street lamps, some of which are affixed to buildings, while others sit atop lampposts. 

While the majority of these are powered by electricity a small percentage are still powered by gas, like the one below..

However, unlike anywhere else that I know of, London also has taxi call lights. These call lights are usually attached to hotels, private residences and the occasional Government building, like the one below at the Palace of Westminster.

Horrible Histories: Terrible Thames

Keilyn and Erin ready to board the Horrible Histories Terrible Thames cruise.

Friday October 28, 2022.

Erin and Keilyn, both, are really into their history and love reading the 'Horrible Histories' books. So, when we spotted a 'Horrible Histories' ferry sailing the River Thames, we just had to take a trip on her.

Looking across the River Thames towards the Terrible Thames boat tour.

With the vessel, 'Silver Sockeye', due to depart at 10:45 we made sure that we were there in plenty of time, so that we could be at the front of the queue to grab the front seats. We headed upstairs and sat at the front on the port side, with the stage just in front of us.

Erin and Keilyn on the stage with Tower Bridge as a backdrop.

London Duck Tours

"Miranda" exits the River Thames".

Saturday November 12, 2016.

As a treat for Erin's 5th birthday, we decided to take in a London Duck Tour.

I have taken a London Duck Tour on a number of occasions, now, and find the tour offers something new, each time, while also offering unique views of the Unfinished City.

The guides are extremely knowledgeable about the sites that can be seen, on the tour, often throwing in pieces of trivia that, sometimes, I didn't know. 

One of the highlights is, obviously, when the Duck splashes down in the River Thames, by the side of the SIS building, and glides up to the Palace of Westminster. 

The tours are very popular and I would advise to book in advance, if you are going as a family or large group, although there is usually space available for individuals.

Gallery

Commonwealth Day, 2013

Celebrating the Commonwealth.

On the morning of Monday March 11, 2013, my eldest daughter, Alysha, had the honour of performing a dance at Westminster Abbey, in front of Royalty, for Commonwealth Day.

As I wasn't permitted inside, I spent the morning soaking up the atmosphere, and plenty of coffee, as the temperature was hovering just above freezing. Suffice to say that I while I struggled to keep warm, my daughter was inside Westminster Abbey, dancing in front of royalty, dignitaries and celebrities.

A Duck Tour for Erin's 1st birthday

Erin and Emma waiting to take our first Duck Tour.

Saturday November 10, 2012

For Christmas 2011, Emma and I were bought tickets for the London Duck Tours Amazing Amphibious Adventure. And, since the tickets were shortly to expire, we had booked our places on the 11:30 Tour. So, we were up bright and early to catch the 09:30 train to Baker Street, changing to the Jubilee line at Finchley Road. We exited at Westminster, where we then walked across Westminster Bridge and found a place on York Road to get a bacon sandwich and coffee. We then went into the Duck Tours Booking Office, where we left Erin’s buggy, before heading across the road to the Duck Stop on Chicheley Street. Exactly on time our ‘Duck’ began its Tour, with Sam at the wheel and Ali as our Tour Guide.

Leaving Chicheley Street we turned right onto York Road, where Ali pointed out the abundance of cast-iron and steel lampposts on London’s streets, so unless we wanted to stop at St. Thomas’ Hospital we should keep our hands and heads inside the ‘Duck’ at all times. We were then instructed in the rules of the Duck Tour:

If you see another Duck Tour vehicle, you MUST flap your arms and make noises like a duck.

End of the rules.

We then crossed Westminster Bridge, all the time waving at the ‘tourists’ who were bemused by our WWII bright yellow and blue ‘Duck’ on wheels, but who still smiled and took photos. A quick trip around Parliament Square and we headed up Whitehall, passed Downing Street and Horse Guards and up to Trafalgar Square, where we were told some quite interesting facts (some of which were new, even to me) about Nelson and his Column. From here we were drove onto Cockspur Street and then Pall Mall, where we passed many Gentlemen’s Clubs and St. James’ Palace and the Club where John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich ‘invented’ the sandwich. (Although for centuries people had placed meats between slices of bread and called them simply, “bread and meat” or “bread and cheese”.) From here we turned left onto Piccadilly, passing the Ritz Hotel and Green Park. At this point Ali gave us two different stories as to why Green Park is so green;

1. King Charles II and his wife were out walking in Upper St. James’ Park (as it was known), when she said to the King, “You should pick the most beautiful flower in this park and it give to the most beautiful woman you know.” So, King Charles II looked around and found the most beautiful flower he could and gave it to a passing maid. The Queen was so incensed by this that, on her arrival back at the Palace, she demanded the gardeners remove all the flowers and flowerbeds and never plant another flower in the park… Ever! And, to this day, there are still no formal flowerbeds in Green Park.

2. The Green Park was originally a swampy burial ground for the lepers from nearby St. James’s Hospital and, with so much leprosy in such a small place, the gardeners refused to plant flowers for fear of catching the disease.

I prefer story number one.

Palace of Westminster

Palace of Palaces.

Friday August 5, 2011.

Many of the photographs of the Palace of Westminster, are taken from the south bank, usually from opposite the building, or from the eastern side of Westminster Bridge, from outside the old Greater London Council building. I was after a different angle.

So, as I began yet another wander around the Unfinished City, I took a stroll across Lambeth Bridge and glanced towards the Palace of Westminster. The sun which had burnt away many of the clouds, to reveal the blue sky, and illuminated this majestic building, perfectly. I just had to wait for the breeze to catch the Union Flag, before I could get the shot that I was after.

'Burghers of Calais' by Auguste Rodin

Freedom from Oppression.

Friday August 5, 2011.

The Unfinished City has an amazing amount of statues, memorials, sculptures and public art, both permanent and temporary, dotted around its streets and environs.

This sculpture stands in the Victoria Tower Gardens, on a spot picked by Auguste Rodin himself.