The History Woman
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the GUIDESPRING 2013 A GUIDE TO BRITAIN FROM BRITAIN’S BEST GUIDES THE HISTORY WOMAN LUCY WORSLEY, BBC PRESENTER & HISTORIAN TWO TOURS WITH A DIFFERENCE • THREE TOWNS WITH A SPECIAL IDENTITY • LEGENDS, LIES AND LORE 3 WELCOME 18 4 NEWS FEATURE 007 cars, steaming trains and moving churches. History, culture and events from around the UK. TOUR DE FORCE Two cities give up their hidden histories. Manchester’s underground scene and London’s 12 street art. LEGENDS, LIES AND LORE Facts and fiction from British history. 14 TOWNS WITH A TWIST Sophie Campbell on her COVER STORY favourite places. INTERVIEW Lucy Worsley – The History Woman. 8 24 MY FAVOURITE THINGS Blue Badge Guides on buildings, places, walks and more. 26 A GUIDING EYE Paul Metcalfe chooses his favourite images. 2 www.britainsbestguides.org Our aim is to inform, entertain and inspire! David Thompson, Chair to the Guild of Registered Tourist Guides WELCOME TO ‘THE GUIDE’... ...a new tri-annual magazine featuring Newmarket, King Charles II’s favourite unusual aspects of British history. some of the very best that tourist for horse-racing; Portsmouth, berth to We are delighted to feature our editor, guiding in Britain has to offer. Our aim is Horatio Nelson’s valiant flagship HMS Blue Badge Guide Marc Zakian who to inform, entertain and inspire! Victory; and Whitby, where Bram interviews Lucy Worsley, Chief Curator We bring you the tours, knowledge Stoker’s dark creation, Count Dracula, at Historic Royal Palaces. Lucy reveals and ingenuity of Blue Badge Tourist landed on these shores. she started her career in heritage as a Guides: people passionate about Britain, If something offbeat is more your line, guide at a stately home, and says: “Tour whose business is the rich diversity of then read what two Blue Badge Guides guiding is like television presenting; our culture and heritage. have to say about their very individual finding a subject, and being enthusiastic, In this issue Blue Badge Guide and specialist tours: Street Art in East energetic, fun and entertaining about it.” Telegraph Journalist Sophie Campbell London and Underground Manchester. And we really couldn’t have put it writes about three of her favourite And why not check out the Legends, better ourselves. places and their claims to fame – Lies and Lore section for those more We look forward to guiding you soon. This magazine is produced by the Guild of Registered Tourist Guides – Editor: Marc Zakian the National association for Blue Badge Guides (the highest guiding T: 020 7403 1115 E: [email protected] qualification in Britain.) Project Manager: Maggie Barnes-Aoussou E: [email protected] • www.britainsbestguides.org T: 020 7403 1115 E: [email protected] Publisher Guild of Registered Tourist Guides ©2013 Design and print HMCA Services T: 01423 866985 W: hmcaservices.co.uk Display advertising: Kay Scott ENGLAND LONDON WALES NORTHERN SCOTLAND GREEN T: 01423 866985 E: [email protected] IRELAND BADGE 3 NEWS History, Culture BLUE BADGE TOURIST GUIDES Blue Badge Guides are the official, professional tourist guides of the United Kingdom - recognised by local tourist bodies and Visit Britain. The Blue Badge is the UK’s highest guiding qualification. There are over 1000 Blue Badge Guides in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. We guide all the UK’s major tourist attractions, its cities and countryside. Each region has its own badge. The Guild of Registered Tourist Guides is the national association of Britain’s Blue Badge Guides and was founded in 1950 by seven guides who met at the historic George Inn in Southwark, a Street Music stone's throw from our present The British music scene is getting its own heroes; innovative artists; producers and headquarters. walk of fame. Camden Town in north managers. A shortlist will go to a public London will be home to a series of discs vote via the Music Walk of Fame website. The Blue Badge is honouring music industry performers One famous local resident who seems the UK’s highest with what organisers are calling ‘the certain to be recognised is the late Amy highest accolade in music.’ Winehouse. Her Camden Square flat guiding qualification The first 20 artists to be commemorated became a pilgrimage site for fans when Since its foundation in 1950, the Guild will be confirmed in May. Fans are vying the singer died in 2011. has been dedicated to raising and for their favourites to be recognised – Each bronze disc will cost £500 to make, maintaining the highest professional likely contenders include Madonna, and will be set in a one metre slab of standards of its membership. The Blue Radiohead and hip-hop innovators concrete anchored with steel rods to stop Badge is recognised internationally as the Public Enemy. souvenir hunters. qualification of excellence in site and Recipients will be divided into five To book a Rock ‘n’ Roll tour visit: heritage interpretation, and in communication skills. It is awarded only groups: icons; influential artists; unsung www.britainsbestguides.org following extensive training and vigorous examination. Our members work in the museums, galleries, churches and run walking, cycling and driver-guided tours Mission Men throughout the country. We are happy to This year is the 70th anniversary of the the theme tune becoming a football adapt to your needs. If it can be guided, we will guide it for you. WWII Dambusters mission. terrace favourite. On the 16 May 1943 the RAF's 617 Find out more about these audacious To find out more or to book: Squadron attacked the Möhne, Eder raids at the Lincolnshire Aviation 0207 408 1115 and Sorpe dams in Germany with Heritage Centre – a museum display [email protected] Barnes Wallis's ‘bouncing bomb’. The including a Lancaster bomber and the www.britainsbestguides.org action was immortalised in a 1955 film, operations room. 4 and Events from around the UK Inbrief IN THE NICK OF TIME Oxford Castle is opening up its prison wing to visitors. The Georgian jail is the centrepiece of a new exhibition opening at Easter. Visitors will follow The name’s Martin, the stories of castle prisoners, including Mary Blandy who poisoned her father with arsenic when he Aston Martin... disapproved of her lover; highwayman Isaac Darkin who performed his own Aston Martin cars celebrates its centenary an open house at the company’s Gaydon execution; and Anne Green who this year. Sixteen Henniker Mews in London headquarters in Warwickshire, factory survived her hanging. For a Blue Badge Guided tour of is where Bamford and Martin – later and driving tours and a 1,000-guest Oxford visit: britainsbestguides.org Aston Martin – was incorporated in 1913. ‘birthday party’. The Chelsea mews house now sports a It culminates with a centenary gathering commemorative plaque – unveiled in central London on 21st July, showcasing LINCOLN ROCKS EUROPE in January. up to 1,000 cars. It will be the largest Up to 150 stonemasons and carvers There will be a week-long Aston Martin gathering of James Bond’s favourite vehicle from across Europe will head to festival from the 15th of July. Events include in the brand’s history. Lincoln in June for the European Stone Festival. Famed for its Gothic limestone cathedral, Lincoln is marking its place as a capital of stone by opening a brand new heritage skills centre. Located in the grounds of the Norman castle, it allows visitors to watch the cathedral’s team of craftsmen at work, and to try hands-on activities – including stone carving and stained glass window making. The festival is on the 22nd and 23rd of June. To book a Blue Badge Guide in Lincoln visit: britainsbestguides.org PLEASE DO TOUCH Cambridge has a new museum – where touching is most definitely allowed. This hands-on museum features exhibits aimed at encouraging children, families and schools to interact with science and technology. Displays include a voice wand, illustrating how speech works; eye evolution explaining how animals see objects; and a spectroscope showing invisible light frequencies. The museum staff interact with visitors, demonstrating science with Showcasing up everyday objects including: Jenga, to 1,000 cars, plate spinning and ‘Pyro fun’ – which involves ‘setting fire’ to someone’s it will be the hands with methane bubbles. To book a Blue Badge Guide visit: largest gathering of www.visitcambridge.org James Bond’s favourite vehicle in the brand’s history Photo: Marc Zakian 5 News IT’S GRIM DOWN SOUTH The opening night of Tate Britain’s anti-northern conspiracy, calling death in 1976. The Tate hopes to re- upcoming Lowry exhibition could mark Lowry's exclusion... ‘a shame, verging assess Lowry’s contribution to art the end of an acrimonious London vs on the iniquitous’. Former Oasis history and argues that he was Britain’s Manchester debate. The Mancunian frontman Noel Gallagher said: ‘pre-eminent painter of the industrial artist is a hometown hero – his city “They're not considered Tateworthy, or city’. The critics of the Tate’s lack named an arts complex after him. But is it just because he is a northerner?” of Lowry will be invited to the in recent decades the gallery has kept Gallery director Penelope Curtis opening night. most of its 23 Lowrys in storage, with conceded: “Lowry has been an issue for Lowry and the Painting of only one Lowry, Industrial Landscape, the Tate. Many people who love his Modern Life. 26 June – 20 Oct 2013. making brief public appearances. work would like to see it dealt with For a tour of The Tate with a Blue High-profile northerners have more seriously.” Badge Guide visit: criticised this treatment of the painter.