Television at Bar Italia

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Bar Italia, Frith Street, John Logie Baird, London, Television

On a recent trip to London, I encountered Bar Italia in Frith Street which is apparently a favourite haunt of actor Robert De Niro when he’s vising London.

‘Big deal’ I hear some of you saying. ‘Lots of celebrities eat out when they’re in town’. Fair comment, but you’ll notice a small blue plaque on the right hand side of the building. Zoom into the picture. It says:

‘IN 1926 IN THIS HOUSE JOHN LOGIE BAIRD 1888-1946 FIRST DEMONSTRATED TELEVISION’

That’s where the interest in this building lays. Television is important to billions of people, and it all began in a little house in a little side street in London.

1957 Vespa

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1957 Vespa

A 1957 Vespa scooter on display at the Museum of London

Death Mask of Oliver Cromwell

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Oliver Cromwell

Death Mask of Oliver Cromwell on display at the Museum of London

Rules Restaurant – London

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Rules

London’s oldest restaurant, Rules (in Maiden Lane) has been trading since 1798. Many famous people of the nineteenth century have dined here, including Charles Dickens. To the right of the main entrance is a side door built for Edward VII so that he could entertain his lady friends in private.

Thomas Gainsborough

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Mr and Mrs Andrews, National Gallery, Thomas Gainsborough

Thomas Gainsborough, Self-portrait, 1759 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of my favourite artists is Thomas Gainsborough. I’ve been lucky enough to see a number of his works in the National Gallery and a particular favourite of mine is ‘Mr and Mrs Andrews’. Not sure why it is, but it shows an idyllic scene. It was painted around 1750 and captures an England of long ago, an England I guess many would love back.

Thomas Gainsborough: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Andrews 1748, London National Gallery Public Domain (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Taxman screws up…again!

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HM Revenue and Customs, Taxman

Watch the post this week, because you may get a letter from the Taxman to say you’ve underpaid.

Yet again, errors at HM Revenues and Customs mean that 1 in 6 people have underpaid their taxes. This equates to 1.6 million people, many who may have already spent the money and will be told they’ve underpaid by an average of £537. The Taxman will seek to recover their losses by adjusting tax codes so that workers receive slightly less each month. When people are struggling to make ends meet, taking money off them may cause some hardships. I accept they’ve underpaid, but its not their fault is it?

On the upside however, 3.5 million people will receive letters to say they’ve overpaid their taxes by an average of £379.

I hope I’m one of them.