Delight and Surprise: Super Fans of the London Underground

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/1810008Or, find us on: TikTok @yltpodInstagram @yesterdayslondontimespodcastFacebook @ Yesterday’s London Times PodcastThreads @yesterdayslondontimespodcast

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 LondonWe 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 relationshipof 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 Londonthe challenges of summers past, particularly during the plague and blight of the summer of 1858joy expressed through summertime pomp and celebration, with a focus on jubilees of the past as well as the legacy of Pride in the citythe vibrancy, innovation, and wonder of the Swinging London summers of the 1960sholiday journeys outside the city, from medieval pilgrimages to Butlin’s Holiday CampsThis 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 competitionlearn 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 fruitionask tough questions about the safety of air quality on the Tubecompare and contrast the impact of public and private transportation methods on the environment in generallook at steps taken by TfL and the City of London to make the Tube safer for employees, patrons, and the environmentThe 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.

Providing up to 5 million passenger journeys a day, the London Underground is integral to the city's infrastructure.  It's impossible to imagine how the city would function without it.But why would something built for purpose become a source of admiration and entertainment?  A Transport for London style guide provides powerful evidence: "Every Underground station should include at least one moment of delight and surprise, to improve customers' journeys and the working environment for staff."A-ha! Let's meet some Tube superfans.Jen tells a story about Underground trainspotters and highlights the Tube in pop culture, while Mares looks at people who attempt the citywide Tube Challenge. We'll think about the nature of challenge, the history of tube spotting and racing challenges, and some of the unique and engaging personalities for whom the Tube (and Overground) truly is a constant delight and surprise.See our SHOW NOTES for photos, links, sources, and more.

At Yesterday’s London Times, we are all about inquiry, questions and stories, particularly stories that are new to us or that we just want to know on a deeper level. We seek out people, places, and facets of history that are lesser known, quirkier, or even downright strange. We also like to shine a spotlight on those who really do - or have done - amazing things, but perhaps have been forgotten over time, or lost in the shuffle of a typical news cycle or history text. We especially love discovering stories about people who contribute to the collective good of humanity in some way. Early on in our  partnership, we (Jen and Mares) immediately recognized our common love and admiration for the London Underground, or Tube, for the Tube is something more than just the transportation system beneath our feet. It supplies life to the city of London, and with up to 5 million passenger journeys on any given day, it is the veins and arteries that allow all of the movement that keeps the city going and makes it such a special place.Join us throughout the following year as we randomly choose destinations across the city to “visit”. We will virtually hop on the Tube and bring the city to your ears as we search for adventures around the stations of the iconic Underground map.  We will ask ourselves:Who lives here now? Who has lived here in the past? What are the stories that live within the streets of this area? What do the people -  or perhaps the ghosts of former inhabitants - of this area want to teach us?What are some places to visit, what might I eat? What is quirky or unique about this part of London? What can I learn from this area? The journey begins today. Where do you think the Tube will take us today?As you listen, we invite you to follow along in our show notes to enhance your experience with us.