A rather familiar London

From a promotional film in the 1920's demonstrating the potential of Claude Friese-Greene's new colour film process. He eventually lost this battle [along with many others] to Technicolor but the sights of our capitals streets remain strangely familiar.

Dr. Beeching's Report at 50

It's 50 years to the day since the Beeching Report was made on British Railways and the National Railway Museum has some things going on to mark the date. The BBC news story however had this amazing map which I am now looking for a print of.

Railway archive

Network Rail have been digitising the archives! There's not a lot here yet but they should keep adding to it by the looks of things, an amazing online resource that should be there to view at all times.

Tidal salt-water open air swimming pools

Whilst planning some bank holiday camping trips I came across this little gem of a site listing all the Tidal salt-water open air swimming pools in the UK. As facinating as the Lido's of the 1930's I've always wanted to visit as many as possible. A resource like this is handy, thanks.

75 years of Butlins

The Pallant House Gallery is soon to be showing this exhibition looking at 75 years of Butlins, see a few of the images exhibited here.

Brixton riots

From the BBC News 'In Pictures' section, making 30 years since the Brixton riots.

BT tunnels

Tales of a network of tunnels under the streets of London linked to WWII and the Cold War have been whispered for many years. Some are public knowledge whilst others remain a mystery. These photo's are of a network of Tunnels located in Holborn that were owned by BT until a few years ago.

The 'Kingsway telephone exchange' as these tunnels became known were used by BT after they were decommissioned as WWII Air raid shelters. They were once home to over 200 employees who enjoyed the comforts of a restaurant, bar and games room over 200 feet below ground. During the Cold War the exchange handled direct communications between the British and Russian Prime Minister and American President. Google them for a world of mystery and interest.

Two of the three entrance's remain in existence. One is located on Furnival Street and the other is on near 32 High Holborn. We are going to investigate more to find the 'actual' entrance, this access door below looks suspect.

Local London history

Having worked next door to this building for sometime I have watched the regeneration of these beautiful baths take shape. The project is nearly complete but the amount of history held within these Soho walls remains. This site has a lovely collection of shots and there are other fantastic London history stories.

Declassified U.S. Nuclear Test Films

An amazing collection of declassified U.S. Nuclear Test Films surrounding the infamous 'Trinity' and 'Manhatten' projects that ignited the atomic age.

Blogs we like: Iconic Photos

Politics, photography and 20th century history combined into one interesting read. Even if the fact's are not 100% correct this collection of imagery is bloody interesting and although it may be called 'Iconic Photo's' there's a real sense of thought into the subject, with a refreshing lack of cliche. We like, a lot.

Oversize airships

Zeppelin airships have fascinated man since they first graced the sky's. They were huge (still the largest objects to fly) and were constantly exploited by Germany as a military and propaganda machine. For more info, great photo's and an interesting read go here.