London Christmas light ceremony
Nov 10th, 2003, 02:27 PM
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London Christmas light ceremony
Today I saw that traffic in London might be diverted on November 13 for the Christmas Lights Turning on Ceremony. Can anyone tell me what that is? Where it takes place? If it's worth seeing?
Nov 10th, 2003, 10:50 PM
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Christmas street lighting in central London is mostly organised by the area's trade organisation. Each starts its lights with some kind of business-promoting ceremony (roughly as exciting as a convenience store grand opening IMHO). And that involves some traffic disruption in the area.
Regent Street switching-on ceremony is on November 13. Most of the street will be closed to traffic from 4pm, while "Million selling international singer Daniel Bedingfield" (no, I haven't either)will perform live for his fans at the junction of Regent St and New Burlington St.
For those able to contain their excitement, a similar event happens on November 21 in Oxford St (Enrique Iglesias, the cast of Mama Mia and a local radio station), with the street closed to traffic from 4pm. There is still deep discussion between the Metropolitan Police and the US Secret Service, which is reported to be requesting the sealing-off of a great deal of central London between November 18 and 21 into prevent President Bush from being exposed to the predicted widespread demonstrations against him. Whatever the outcome of the discussion, it's very likely that surface transport in much of west central London will be pretty chaotic throughout these three days
The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is switched on around 6.30 on December 4. This usually involves bands, choirs and limited traffic disruption. And there will be no unpopular foreign dignatories around at the time either.
Other, smaller, trade organisations (like Bond Street) have differernt arrangements for their Christmas decorations
A good list of Christmas events is at http://www.gouk.com/elt/newsoffers/c...events2003.htm
Regent Street switching-on ceremony is on November 13. Most of the street will be closed to traffic from 4pm, while "Million selling international singer Daniel Bedingfield" (no, I haven't either)will perform live for his fans at the junction of Regent St and New Burlington St.
For those able to contain their excitement, a similar event happens on November 21 in Oxford St (Enrique Iglesias, the cast of Mama Mia and a local radio station), with the street closed to traffic from 4pm. There is still deep discussion between the Metropolitan Police and the US Secret Service, which is reported to be requesting the sealing-off of a great deal of central London between November 18 and 21 into prevent President Bush from being exposed to the predicted widespread demonstrations against him. Whatever the outcome of the discussion, it's very likely that surface transport in much of west central London will be pretty chaotic throughout these three days
The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is switched on around 6.30 on December 4. This usually involves bands, choirs and limited traffic disruption. And there will be no unpopular foreign dignatories around at the time either.
Other, smaller, trade organisations (like Bond Street) have differernt arrangements for their Christmas decorations
A good list of Christmas events is at http://www.gouk.com/elt/newsoffers/c...events2003.htm
Nov 10th, 2003, 11:00 PM
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Flanneruk please tell me this isn't true -
"There is still deep discussion between the Metropolitan Police and the US Secret Service, which is reported to be requesting the sealing-off of a great deal of central London between November 18 and 21 into prevent President Bush from being exposed to the predicted widespread demonstrations against him. Whatever the outcome of the discussion, it's very likely that surface transport in much of west central London will be pretty chaotic throughout these three days"
These are the first few days of my first ever trip to London and we were only spending 4 days then heading out into the countryside. Crud, drats, darn. Seriously though, how might this affect typical first timer sight seeing?
"There is still deep discussion between the Metropolitan Police and the US Secret Service, which is reported to be requesting the sealing-off of a great deal of central London between November 18 and 21 into prevent President Bush from being exposed to the predicted widespread demonstrations against him. Whatever the outcome of the discussion, it's very likely that surface transport in much of west central London will be pretty chaotic throughout these three days"
These are the first few days of my first ever trip to London and we were only spending 4 days then heading out into the countryside. Crud, drats, darn. Seriously though, how might this affect typical first timer sight seeing?
Nov 10th, 2003, 11:56 PM
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I've absolutely no idea.
Press reports are that the Met and the US Secret Service disagree about the amount of disruption the US president should impose on his hosts.
If the Met (which is claimed to be arguing for freedom of speech and access) prevails, there'll actually be some quite stylish pageantry on display in the area between Parliament and Buckingham Palace, as Bush's visit is a full-blown State Visit. Normally, this involves lots of horses, flags, dressed-up soldiers etc, especially on the first day. If reports of the US argument are true, and if they prevail, large chunks of central London will simply be closed to everyone.
But you can't believe everything you read in the papers.
And the protestors' plans are inevitably chaotic, inconsistent, confusingly publicised and uncertain.
Normally underground transport is as close to normal as ever while this kind of stuff is going on. Buy the Evening Standard each night to check for likely disruptions the following day, though reasonable summaries of the likely events are likely in the broadsheet morning papers as well.
Press reports are that the Met and the US Secret Service disagree about the amount of disruption the US president should impose on his hosts.
If the Met (which is claimed to be arguing for freedom of speech and access) prevails, there'll actually be some quite stylish pageantry on display in the area between Parliament and Buckingham Palace, as Bush's visit is a full-blown State Visit. Normally, this involves lots of horses, flags, dressed-up soldiers etc, especially on the first day. If reports of the US argument are true, and if they prevail, large chunks of central London will simply be closed to everyone.
But you can't believe everything you read in the papers.
And the protestors' plans are inevitably chaotic, inconsistent, confusingly publicised and uncertain.
Normally underground transport is as close to normal as ever while this kind of stuff is going on. Buy the Evening Standard each night to check for likely disruptions the following day, though reasonable summaries of the likely events are likely in the broadsheet morning papers as well.
Nov 11th, 2003, 01:20 AM
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Panic not Alyxsmom, London's a big place and even George Bush can't stop 7 million residents plus tourists going about their daily business in its entirety. If there is a demonstration, it generally occurs around Trafalgar Square, up Whitehall to Parliament and between Parliament and Buckingham Palace (depending on where GW happens to turn up). If anything it will disrupt traffic (so stick to using the tubes rather than buses) and if you discover that the day you want to visit Parliament or Westmintsre Abbey happens to be a bad one, then change your plans and head to the British Museum, the V&A, the Tower of London, Harrods or any other of the myriad of places that don't fall inside the political map.
By the way I did hear that the usual state coach ride with the Queen was going to be cancelled because of security fears, so that should help.
By the way I did hear that the usual state coach ride with the Queen was going to be cancelled because of security fears, so that should help.
