top of page

'Maybe It's Because I'm A Londoner'




“In London, everyone is different, and that means anyone can fit in.” – Paddington Bear


“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” – Samuel Johnson



I thought it was high time we had a CST activities page themed on our capital city, London.


After introductions and orientation, ask members:



- Has anybody lived in or near to London?

- Has anybody visited London? What was the purpose of their visit?


- What are the best things about London?


It is such a beautiful and cosmopolitan city.

Some of the best landmarks and tourist attractions in the UK.

The theatres and hotels.


- And the worst things?


The crowds.

Public transport during rush hour.

Getting lost!




FIRST SONG




'Maybe It's Because I'm A Londoner' - Singalong Lyric Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiALqr2Vhfo




COCKNEY RHYMING SLANG


To be called 'Cockney', where do you have to be born? - WITHIN EARSHOT OF THE BOW BELLS (Mary-Le-Bow Church in Cheapside)


Say, or sing, this rhyme together ...




Oranges and lemons,

Say the bells of St. Clement's.


You owe me five farthings,

Say the bells of St. Martin's.


When will you pay me?

Say the bells at Old Bailey.


When I grow rich,

Say the bells at Shoreditch.


When will that be?

Say the bells of Stepney.


I do not know,

Says the great bell at Bow.


Here comes a candle to light you to bed,

And here comes a chopper to chop off your head!

Chip chop chip chop the last man is dead.






Name the famous people in this 'Eastenders' picture, and what are they dressed as?


PAT BUTCHER (PAM ST CLEMENTS)

NORMAN SIMMONDS (GEORGE LAYTON) * Starred in 'It Ain't 'Alf Hot Mum' and 'Doctor In Charge'

JEAN SLATER (GILLIAN WRIGHT)


PEARLY KINGS AND QUEENS




Have a go at guessing some of the meanings of these 'Top 100 Cockney Rhyming Slang Words and Phrases' (Londontopia.net):


(Take care. A few of these are a bit on the rude side. Maybe just choose a few?)



1. Adam and Eve – believe

2. Alan Whickers – knickers

3. Apples and pears – stairs

4. Artful Dodger – lodger

5. Ascot Races – braces

6. Aunt Joanna – piano

7. Baked Bean – queen

8. Baker’s Dozen – cousin

9. Ball and Chalk – walk

10. Barnaby Rudge – judge

11. Barnet Fair – hair

12. Barney Rubble – trouble

13. Battlecruiser – boozer

14. Bees and honey – money

15. Bird lime – time (in prison)

16. Boat Race – face

17. Bob Hope – soap

18. Bottle and glass – arse

19. Brahms and Liszt – pissed (drunk)

20. Brass tacks – facts

21. Bread and cheese – sneeze

22. Bread and honey – money

23. Bricks and mortar – daughter

24. Bristol City – breasts

25. Brown bread – dead

26. Bubble and squeak – Greek

27. Bubble bath – laugh

28. Butcher’s hook – a look

29. Chalfont St. Giles – piles

30. Chalk Farm – arm

31. China plate – mate (friend)

32. Cock and hen – ten

33. Cows and kisses – missus (wife)

34. Currant bun – sun (also The Sun, a British newspaper)

35. Custard and jelly – telly (television)

36. Daisy Roots – boots

37. Darby and Joan – moan

38. Dicky bird – word

39. Dicky dirt – shirt

40. Dinky doos – shoes

41. Dog and bone – phone

42. Dog’s meat – feet

43. Duck and dive – skive

44. Duke of Kent – rent

45. Dustbin lid – kid

46. Elephant’s trunk – drunk

47. Fireman’s hose – nose

48. Flowery dell – cell

49. Frog and toad – road

50. Gypsy’s kiss – piss

51. Half-inch – pinch (to steal)

52. Hampton wick – prick

53. Hank Marvin – starving

54. Irish pig – wig

55. Isle of Wight – tights

56. Jam-jar – car

57. Jimmy Riddle – piddle

58. Joanna – piano (pronounced ‘pianna’ in Cockney)

59. Khyber Pass – arse

60. Kick and prance – dance

61. Lady Godiva – fiver

62. Laugh n a joke – smoke

63. Lionel Blairs – flares

64. Loaf of bread – head

65. Loop the loop – soup

66. Mickey Bliss – piss

67. Mince pies – eyes

68. Mork and Mindy – windy

69. North and south – mouth

70. Orchestra stalls – balls

71. Pat and Mick – sick

72. Peckham rye – tie

73. Plates of meat – feet

74. Pony and trap – crap

75. Raspberry ripple – nipple

76. Raspberry tart – fart

77. Roast pork – fork

78. Rosy Lee – tea (drink)

79. Round the houses – trousers

80. Rub-a-dub – pub

81. Ruby Murray – curry

82. Sausage roll – goal

83. Septic tank – Yank

84. Sherbert (short for sherbert dab) – cab (taxi)

85. Skin and blister – sister

86. Sky rocket – pocket

87. Sweeney Todd – flying squad

88. Syrup of figs – wig (sic)

89. Tables and chairs – stairs

90. Tea leaf – thief

91. Tom and Dick – sick

92. Tom tit – shit

93. Tomfoolery – jewellery

94. Tommy Trinder – window

95. Trouble and strife – wife

96. Two and eight – state (of upset)

97. Vera Lynn – gin

98. Whistle and flute – suit (of clothes)

99. Wonga – cash

100. And of course, Rabbit and pork - TALK




NEXT SONG





What shop is mentioned in the lyrics?





MUSIC & PICTURE QUIZ



Round 1. History




1. William Shakespeare, 1564–1616


What is the name of his theatre on the banks of the Thames?






2. 'Gunpowder Plot', 1605


What was his name?


What was he trying to destroy?






3. 'Great Plague Of London', 1665-66


What was the name of the illness?


How did it spread?






4. 'Great Fire Of London', 2 September 1666


Where did the fire start?


How many people died?






5. 'Dick Whittington And His Cat', published 1711


Which high office did he achieve, according to the poem by Clara Doty Bates?





6. 'The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street', 1785


What was his name?


How many men did he murder during his 17 years reign of terror?






7. Sherlock Holmes, first appeared in publication in 1887


Who wrote the books?


Where did he live?






8. 'Jack the Ripper', terrorised London in 1888


How many murders were linked to the case?






9. The Kray Twins, Organised crime 1950s-1967


What were the twins' names?


What was the name of their gang?






10. 'Oliver', Charles Dickens 1837


SONG. 'I'd Do Anything', 'Oliver, 1968' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ey0D53Dxl3M


Complete these Dickens book titles:


- 'A Christmas *****'

- 'Great *************'

- 'David ***********'

- 'The Pickwick ******'

- 'Nicholas ********'






Round 2. Landmarks




11. Name the landmark?


What flag is raised when she is in?






12. Name the landmark?


What is the name of the guards and the birds who protect it?






13. Name the landmark?


How many stories are there? (Nearest guess)






14. Name the landmark?


Which architect designed it?






15. Name the landmark (original name)?


Which phone network is it associated with now?






16. Name the landmark?


How many minutes does it take to go round?






17. Name the landmark?


Name the cat?






18. Name the landmark?


On average, how many times a year does the bridge open?






19. Name the landmark?


Who works here? (He is pictured below)








20. SONG. 'Feed The Birds', 'Mary Poppins - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHrRxQVUFN4


Who co-starred with Julie Andrews in this 1964 movie?






Round 3. Tourism




21. What examination do 'Black Cab' drivers in London have to take?






22. Name the 'London Underground' stations?


🐻

🐘➕🏰

🧀🟥

🤴🤴❌

👧👧👧👧👧👧👧

👼

🐂🚗🎪

🧑‍🌾🌳

💦🚽

⬅️🐷






23. How much a week was promised by Boris Johnson for the NHS on the side of the 'Brexit Bus'?






24. What is the longest running play in the 'West End' (started in 1952)?






25. What ceremony involving the 'Queen's Guard' takes place several times a week?






26. Name the landmark?


What 'Last Night' takes place here every September?






27. Name the art gallery (it used to be a power station)?






28. Name the gardens?






29. The 'Prime Meridian Line' runs through here?


When do the clocks go back?






30. SONG. 'Penny Lane', The Beatles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-rB0pHI9fU


Name the road in this picture?






Round 4. TV & Film




31. Name the children's TV show?


14 episodes were made. Can you remember any of the costumes?






32. Name the children's TV show?


What was the name of the headmistress?






33. Name the TV show?


What was the cook's name?






34. Name the TV show?


And the retail store?






35. Name the TV show?


And the characters?






36. Name the TV show?


And the characters?






37. What was the name of 'the boy who never grew up' in this 1953 movie?


What was the name of the fairy?






38. 'Hogwart's Express' in the Harry Potter series, left from which London station?


And which platform?






39. Name the bear?


Where was he from and which sandwiches did he like?






40. SONG. 'She', Elvis Costello - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWoJsiy26gc


Name the actor and actress?






Round 5. Name The Londoners




41. Name the Londoner?


What breed was his dog?






42. Name the Londoner?


Complete some of his film titles:


- 'Rear ******'

- North By *********'

- 'Strangers On A *****'

- 'The 39 *****'

- 'Dial M For ******'






43. Name the Londoner?


Who was 'the love of her life'?






44. Name the Londoner?


Which American drama did she star in?






45. Name the Londoner?


What was her 'Eastenders' character's name?






46. Name the Londoner?


In which market is there a statue of her?






47. Name the Londoner?


Which James Bond movie did she sing the theme song for?






48. Name the Londoner?


Which famous acting role is he front runner for?






49. Name the Londoner?


What was his 'The Apprentice' catchphrase?






50. SONG. 'Waterloo Sunset', The Kinks -


Who was the lead singer with 'The Kinks'?






SINGALONG (WITH LYRIC VIDEOS)






Baker Street Gerry Rafferty


Winding your way down on Baker Street Light in your head and dead on your feet Well, another crazy day You'll drink the night away And forget about ev'rything

This city desert makes you feel so cold It's got so many people, but it's got no soul And it's taken you so long To find out you were wrong When you thought it held everything

You used to think that it was so easy You used to say that it was so easy But you're tryin', you're tryin' now

Another year and then you'd be happy Just one more year and then you'd be happy But you're cryin', you're cryin' now

Way down the street there's a light in his place He opens the door, he's got that look on his face And he asks you where you've been You tell him who you've seen And you talk about anything

He's got this dream about buying some land He's gonna give up the booze and the one-night stands And then he'll settle down In some quiet little town And forget about ev'rything

But you know he'll always keep movin' You know he's never gonna stop movin' 'Cause he's rollin', he's the rolling stone

When you wake up, it's a new mornin' The sun is shinin', it's a new mornin' You're goin', you're goin' home







Streets of London Ralph McTell


Have you seen the old man In the closed down market Kicking up the papers With his worn out shoes? In his eyes, you see no pride Hand held loosely at his side Yesterday's paper Telling yesterday's news So, how can you tell me you're lonely And say for you that the sun don't shine? Let me take you by the hand And lead you through the streets of London Show you something to make you change your mind

Have you seen the old girl Who walks the streets of London Dirt in her hair And her clothes in rags? She's no time for talking She just keeps right on walking Carrying her home In two carrier bags So, how can you tell me you're lonely And say for you that the sun don't shine? Let me take you by the hand And lead you through the streets of London Show you something to make you change your mind

In the all night cafe At a quarter past eleven Same old man Sitting there on his own Looking at the world Over the rim of his tea cup Each tea lasts an hour And he wanders home alone So, how can you tell me you're lonely? Don't say for you that the sun don't shine Let me take you by the hand And lead you through the streets of London Show you something to make you change your mind

Have you seen the old man Outside the seaman's mission Memory fading with The medal ribbons that he wears? In our winter city The rain cries a little pity For one more forgotten hero And a world that doesn't care So, how can you tell me you're lonely And say for you that the sun don't shine? Let me take you by the hand And lead you through the streets of London I'll show you something to make you change your mind





VIDEO BREAK. 'London Olympics 2014' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AS-dCdYZbo






PRACTICAL ACTIVITY




You could have a game of 'Monopoly'.

Or, as Heather Manktelow suggests, play a game of Charades using the property name cards. (Great idea!)






Or you could plan a day out in London. (You could do this as a group.) Pretend money is no object.


- Plan your train journey.

- Choose a hotel.

- Find out the nearest tube station.

- Choose a show to watch in the evening.

- What type of restaurant would you prefer?






Ask members to guess at what the Queen has to eat and drink each day?


@Indy100 said:


"The Queen meets with the head chef to the royal household twice a week, to decide what meals she fancies.


Breakfast: The Queen likes cereal, usually Special K, and fruit, or scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, according to a former chef.


Lunch: Former chef Owen Hodgson said he would often make the Queen mushrooms with a bit of Marmite, and crustless tuna sandwiches with thinly sliced cucumber and pepper.


Evening meals: She’ll often have an evening meal consisting of something like grilled sole with vegetables and salad.


To drink: The Queen likes a gin and Dubonnet with a slice of lemon and ice, and also likes wine and champagne with dinner."


Apparently, when on a long train or plane journey she also enjoys something simple, like a Fray Bentos pie!



Also, random information, she enjoys dancing to 'Dancing Queen' if at a function which involved dancing.


(Play Abba - 'Dancing Queen' if there is time.)





OTHER SONGS



Underneath The Arches - The Andrews Sisters



My Old Mans A Dustman - Lonnie Donegan



Don’t Dilly Dally On The Way - Fiona Harrison



Lambeth Walk - Official Play Me Music



Any Old Iron - Peter Sellers



Down At The Old Bull And Bush - Stanley Holloway



Knees Up Mother Brown - Mrs Mills



Wouldn't It Loverly - 'My Fair Lady'



You've Got To Pick A Pocket Or Two - 'Oliver'



I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles - Doris Day








ANSWERS




SONG. YOU'VE GOT MORE RABBIT THAN SAINSBURY'S



1. THE GLOBE



2. GUIDO FAWKES


HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT



3. BUBONIC PLAGUE


FLEAS ON RATS



4. PUDDING LANE


6



5. "THRICE LORD MAYOR OF LONDON TOWN"



6. SWEENEY TODD (May be fictional)


160 (He and his partner in crime Mrs Lovett disposed of body parts by baking them into pies and selling them in the church next door.)



7. SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE


BAKER STREET



8. 5



9. REGGIE & RONNIE


'THE FIRM'



10. - 'A Christmas *****' CAROL

- 'Great *************' EXPECTATIONS

- 'David ***********' COPPERFIELD

- 'The Pickwick ******' PAPERS

- 'Nicholas ********' NICKELBY



11. BUCKINGHAM PALACE


'THE ROYAL STANDARD'



12. THE TOWER OF LONDON


BEEFEATER & RAVEN



13. THE SHARD


87



14. ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL


CHRISTOPHER WREN



15. MILLENNIUM DOME


O2 ARENA



16. THE LONDON EYE


30 MINS



17. 10 DOWNING STREET


LARRY



18. TOWER BRIDGE


ABOUT 800 TIMES



19. 'THE GHERKIN'


LONDON MAYOR SADIQ KHAN



20. DICK VAN DYKE



21. 'THE KNOWLEDGE'



22. 🐻 - PADDINGTON

🐘➕🏰 - ELEPHANT & CASTLE

🧀🟥 - LEICESTER SQUARE

🤴🤴❌ - KING'S CROSS

👧👧👧👧👧👧👧 - SEVEN SISTERS

👼 - ANGEL

🐂🚗🎪 - OXFORD CIRCUS

🧑‍🌾🌳 - SHEPHERD'S BUSH

💦🚽 - WATERLOO

⬅️🐷 - WEST HAM



23. £350M



24. AGATHA CHRISTIE'S 'THE MOUSETRAP'



25. 'CHANGING OF THE GUARD'



26. ROYAL ALBERT HALL


'LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS'



27. TATE MODERN



28. KEW GARDENS



29. GREENWICH ROYAL OBSERVATORY


31ST OCTOBER



30. ABBEY ROAD



31. The Characters that Mr Benn became in chronological order were RED KNIGHT, HUNTER, CLOWN, BALLOONIST, WIZARD, SPACEMAN, COOK, CAVEMAN, ZOO KEEPER, DIVER (FROGMAN), COWBOY, ALADDIN, PIRATE AND GLADIATOR



32. 'GRANGE HILL'


MRS MCCLUSKY



33. 'UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS'


MRS BRIDGES



34. 'ARE YOU BEING SERVED'


GRACE BROS



35. 'EASTENDERS'


DEN & ANGIE WATTS



36. 'ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES'


RODNEY & DEL BOY TROTTER



37. PETER PAN


TINKERBELL



38. KING'S CROSS


PLATFORM 9 3/4



39. PADDINGTON


PERU / MARMALADE



40. JULIA ROBERTS 7 HUGH GRANT



41. CHARLIE CHAPLIN


JACK RUSSELL



42. ALFRED HITCHOCK


- 'Rear ******' - WINDOW

- North By *********' - NORTHWEST

- 'Strangers On A *****' - TRAIN

- 'The 39 *****' - STEPS

- 'Dial M For ******' - MURDER



43. ELIZABETH TAYLOR


RICHARD BURTON



44. JOAN COLLINS


'DYNASTY'



45. BARBARA WINDSOR


PEGGY MITCHELL



46. AMY WINEHOUSE


CAMDEN MARKET



47. ADELE


'SKYFALL'



48. IDRIS ELBA


JAMES BOND



49. ALAN SUGAR


"YOU'RE FIRED!"



50. RAY DAVIES









Comments


You might also like ...

bottom of page