Yesterday's London Times

Living in Paris during the Revolution and Reign of Terror might not seem like the right place at the right time, but if your job is to make wax sculptures of heads, it’s kind of perfect.

In this episode we meet Marie Tussaud, and follow along as she creates a London institution.

Follow along as we:

• Meet little Marie, living with a doctor who makes wax anatomical models,
• Rub elbows with royals and rabble-rousers in Paris before and during the Revolution and Reign of Terror
• Hit the road with Madame Tussaud and Sons waxworks
• Settle in London and develop a wax museum known the world around
• Meet some of the museum’s famous and infamous, including a candlelit tour of the Chamber of Horrors

Come on over to our SHOW NOTES for bonus content including photos and links.

We begin this episode by thinking about the work of people's hands.  We wonder about the connections between knitting and history, trade, the industrial revolution, social connection, activism, and new interpretations.

Along the way, we’ll:

• visit Tudor England, when the wool trade was at its economic core and resulted in some pretty intense legislation for common citizens,
• check in on technology like framework knitting and the surprising etymology of the term Luddite,
• observe the long term effects on handicrafts by the Industrial Revolution, and uncover some excesses of the Victorians while we’re at it,
• take knitting forward through wars, the Great Depression, changing technologies such as synthetic fabrics, and rapidly changing relationships between people and the clothes they wear, 
• honor knitwear designers who brought the craft forward,
• marvel at the confluence of the Riot grrl, the growth of DIY culture, and the internet that allowed learning, inspiration, and community to flourish, 
• connect the dots with examples of craftivism around the world, 
• pay tribute to the good done by Brixton’s Craft Forward organization,
• leave breadcrumbs for self study on topics like contemporary fashion, 
• share resources for getting involved,
• and … you didn’t think we’d do an episode on knitting and not mention Tom Daley, did you?

This is a very visible episode. 

See our SHOW NOTES for photos, articles, and much more.

Episode photo by Steve Forrest from Workers’ Photos Archive. 

In this episode, we journey through the fascinating and often surprising history of Scotland Yard, the iconic home of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). Inspired by last week’s episode about the haunting tales of the Tower of London, we shift focus to uncover the evolution of law enforcement in London. From the chaotic days of watchmen during the 18th century gin craze to the formation of the Bow Street Runners and ultimately Sir Robert Peel’s revolutionary vision for modern policing, we explore how the MPS came to be.

But history isn’t always pretty, and neither is policing. Alongside the famed rooftop firing ranges and Houdini escapades, we dive into controversies and tragedies, from the wrongful shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes to the horrific murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer. We discuss how these events have shaped public perception of the force and the reforms still needed today.

Along the way, we share quirky anecdotes about Scotland Yard’s Black Museum, rooftop firing ranges, and connections to the Beatles. Plus, you’ll hear about trailblazing figures like Edith Smith, the UK’s first female officer with arrest powers, and the challenges she faced during World War I.

 Come along with us as discuss:

• The Origins of Policing in London: From the medieval constables and watchmen to the Bow Street Runners and their drunken escapades.
• Scotland Yard’s Iconic History: Why it’s called Scotland Yard (spoiler: it has nothing to do with Scotland), its evolution, and its global cultural impact.
• The Quirks of Crime Fighting: Tales from the Black Museum and a few blunders, including a painting heist that left Scotland Yard red-faced.
• Pivotal Moments in Policing: How the world wars, the development of forensics, and societal shifts influenced Scotland Yard’s role and structure.
• Women in Policing: The trailblazing work of Edith Smith and the shift toward gender equality in law enforcement roles.
• Controversies and Tragedies: The cases of Jean Charles de Menezes and Sarah Everard and their lasting impacts on public trust and police accountability.

Whether you’re a history buff, a true-crime aficionado, or someone fascinated by the inner workings of iconic institutions, this episode offers a deep dive into the stories that shaped one of the most recognized police forces in the world. So grab a cup of tea (or gin, we won’t judge!) and join us as we uncover the secrets of Scotland Yard.

For more information, including photos, sources, and suggestions for further reading, don’t forget to visit our show notes!

Also, visit our website at: https://yltpodcast.buzzsprout.com/1810008

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The Tower of London has watched over the city for nearly a millennium.  If you are a priceless Jewel,  the Tower is your protector. To countless of the city’s accused, a captor.

Royals, regals, religious, and rogues. The Tower has seen them all.

Many have been famous, and many more have been lost to history.

Holding in all of these secrets is a challenge for the Tower, and, late at night, after the tourists have gone, perhaps the fortress wants to release some of its tension. Perhaps some former tower residents, want to stand as witnesses and keep memories - even ghastly memories - alive. 

In this episode we share stories of two lesser known Tudor ghosts, and we bump into some more along the way. 

Take a look at our SHOW NOTES for images, sources, and more. 

“And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how we deal with vampires in old London Town,’.    - Ben Aaronovitch in Rivers of London

We start this episode in the London neighborhood of Highgate. It’s famous cemetery, exuding Victorian design and extravagance, is the setting for our first story, about a potential paranormal experience and the long term metaphysical feud that resulted.

We’ll delve into mainstream horror cinema of the 1950s and 60s from London’s own Hammer Films, with special emphasis on its vampiric offerings. 

In Dracula, Bram Stoker’s count moved far and wide around the city. We’ll trace his footsteps and learn hidden coding to the novel’s London locations.

What’s a modern vampire to do in the city?  We highlight some haunts for those interested in exploring the city as a creature of the night. 

And, as intro, we share a brief memorial to our late, beloved pod-pup, Boo. 

Photos, links and more at our SHOW NOTES here. 

Until very recently, only London held the distinction of hosting the Summer Olympics three times, more than any other city in the world. The Games in London have been pivotal, memorable, and marked by very significant historical context, beginning with the early 20th-century growth of the modern Olympics in 1908, to the intense symbolism of post-war recovery in 1948, and finally the modern legacy of the 2012 Games.

In this episode, we are stepping back in time to explore all three London Olympiads. We will take a look at some of the great athletes and notable moments of the Games, but our focus will more deeply center on the symbiotic relationship
of London to the Olympics. For better or worse, depending on the perspective, this global spectacle of sport has definitely made a permanent imprint on the city; at the same time, London has absolutely made a lasting imprint on the modern games - arguably more than any other city in the world.  

Ready to run, swim, and jump into London Olympic history with us? Follow along with our show notes, and visit Yesterday’s London Times on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for more information, images, sources, and fun!

In this episode, Jen and Mares take a moment to reflect on their journey as podcasters, and take a look back at episodes in their catalogue that both examine and celebrate London over time during the hottest months of the year. For both new listeners and veterans of the community alike, there’s something for everyone this summer in the city. We will highlight:

• virtual walking tours of past episodes, featuring the East end as sung in “Oranges & Lemons” and a “choose your own adventure” style romp through time and place in London
• the challenges of summers past, particularly during the plague and blight of the summer of 1858
• joy expressed through summertime pomp and celebration, with a focus on jubilees of the past as well as the legacy of Pride in the city
• the vibrancy, innovation, and wonder of the Swinging London summers of the 1960s
• holiday journeys outside the city, from medieval pilgrimages to Butlin’s Holiday Camps

This episode has it all: bougie soirées, fish mongers, epidemics, sewer systems, Victorian plant manias, Mary Quant, Mr Teezy Weezy, Gay’s the Word bookstore, Billy Butlin and more! These are just some of the people and places that have triggered our curiosity and given us hope as we’ve explored their place and relevance within London history. We couldn’t be happier or more humbled  that YOU, the YLT community, have joined us on this ride for the last three years. Cheers to you, and cheers to summer!

For your convenience, links to each episode discussed and its show notes are pulled together in our SHOW NOTES.

Mares and Jen have enjoyed playing  a game of luck called “Underground Roulette.”  The game is easy to play. Just select a tube stop at random, keep a curious mind, and hit the streets!  It’s an engaging way to get a sense of place and all that the city offers. 
But, what if we could add the dimension of time, seeing not only the neighborhood as it is, but as it was?

In this episode, we explore the underground stops with stories involving the theme of luck. 
London: a city where fame and fortune may await, given talent, drive, privilege, connections, and sometimes it comes down to luck. 

Our three stories feature: 

• horseshoes, normally associated with good luck, but not this time,
• counteracting the bad luck of the number 13, and, 
• when what seems like bad luck can be the best fortune yet. 

Along the way, we’ll visit an iconic location synonymous with luxury and spend time with some of the most famous people in modern history. 
Follow along on our SHOW NOTES. You’ll find photos, recordings, sources, and ways to find us.
Enjoy playing Underground Roulette. With a little luck, you’ll have a lot of fun!

Wildlife on the Tube: it’s not just on the Northern Line at night. It’s everywhere. Throughout the Underground, flora and fauna show up  intentionally - and unintentionally - in the most surprising places. In this episode, we will:

• explore the gardens maintained voluntarily by TfL employees 
• discuss the history of the London Underground In Bloom competition
• learn about a subspecies of mosquito that dwells in the Underground tunnels 
• meet pigeons who seem to intentionally and intelligently use the Tube to navigate the city 
• examine the tough lives of Underground mice, whose reality is a stark contrast to their cozy portrayal in popular culture 

In addition, we will:

• ponder how the city would be different if the Tube had never come to fruition
• ask tough questions about the safety of air quality on the Tube
• compare and contrast the impact of public and private transportation methods on the environment in general
• look at steps taken by TfL and the City of London to make the Tube safer for employees, patrons, and the environment

The impact of the Underground on the city of London is indisputable. But how deeply does the system impact the ecosystem of the city as a whole? Join us for a journey into the natural world that adapts, survives, and sometimes even thrives within this human made modern marvel that is the London Underground. 

See our SHOW NOTES for photos, videos, links, sources, and more. 

“Is it worth anything to you, guv’nor?”

It’s boots on the street in city centre as we pinball through time … from the 1600s, to 1912, to current day.  We’ll think and wonder about how unknown treasures might exist even in the heart of an urban area.

Along the way we’ll …

• park ourselves in Cheapside, and learn of its history,
• shine a light on the work of a group of navvies, who excavated below the streets as railroads, underground trains, and construction projects transformed the cityscape,
• experience the thrill of uncovering a buried treasure, and gape in awe at its contents,
• consider the ownership of found objects,
• meet George Fabian “Stoney Jack” Lawrence, who had the right skill set for a specific period, 
• explore theories about the hoard: Who hid it? Why didn’t they ever return for it?
• peek into the world of modern day detectorists 

The SHOW NOTES are an absolutely must as you enjoy this episode.  You’ll see photos of the hoard, links, maps, videos, links to stories, and of course, our sources.  So much to discover. Treasures await.