Latest news with #BTTower
Spectator
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Spectator
Highs and lows: The Boys, by Leo Robson, reviewed
The Boys, the entertaining debut novel by the literary critic Leo Robson, is set in Swiss Cottage during the 2012 London Olympics. Johnny Voghel is 'methodically lying about', home on leave from an admin job in the West Midlands and grieving both for his mother, who died the previous year, and – by extension – his father, who died when he was a child. A typical day is spent 'smoking badly rolled cigarettes, watching the ring-fenced patches of grass suffer in the heat, nodding at passers-by, tweezing grey hairs from my nostrils and popping the spots on my chin', before walking into the centre to gaze at the BT Tower with its Olympics countdown. On returning home, he flicks through books in bed, 'looking for marginal comments that would remind me of my mother or father or of Lawrence [a half-brother], unlock a secret or hint at one, offer a glimpse of their dreams or invite them into mine'. Robson skilfully portrays Johnny's poignant efforts to overcome his feeling of atomisation and reconnect with the estranged, charismatic Lawrence, whom he lures back to London from Chicago with the aid of a Susan Sontag book. While the siblings feel their way around loss, grief and the tussle of family dynamics, a host of other characters circle around them. Various ensembles go on picaresque journeys through Olympics-gripped London, chatting about New Labour, social housing, Alt-J and new-wave cinema, and finally having a house party. Plot feels secondary to the experience of hanging out with this crowd, relishing their repartee and seeing where the day (or night) takes them. In contrast to the pleasurably nerdy specificity and the optimism of the novel's time and place are the seemingly ageless, aimless, depressed brothers at its heart. Johnny, we are told, is 30, yet the daily pattern of his and the older Lawrence's life is more akin to that of a student than an adult, and he frequently slips into memories of his teenage years. In the tailspin of grief, the two are still just 'boys'. They may know their way around north London but they've got lost on the path to adulthood. Fortunately, each brother finds in the other 'the only person he can be himself with'. Thus bolstered, Robson suggests, the two will be able to move on from lingering adolescence and, by the novel's close, they have begun to embrace more grown-up responsibilities. This nostalgic trip to the heady London of the Olympics left me, like Johnny, returning to the present with renewed optimism and verve.
Metro
09-05-2025
- Business
- Metro
Final look of London's iconic BT Tower before sale to hotel for £275,000,000
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The BT Tower, once the heart of the country's most modern of technology, is being internally dismantled and sold to a hotel chain. Work has just started to move out the now aging wires, telephone exchanges and switchboards in place for beds and ensuites by 2030. Although a 620 ft piece of British history, the site, has been somewhat limited to the public since a bomb went off in one of the viewing galleries in 1971. No one was injured, but it meant the days of fine dining and spontaneous trips up to the 34th floor came to an end. Now the sale to hotel chain MCR may mean the public will have greater access to one of London's most iconic buildings. Anne Archer, archivist at BT, told Metro: 'No matter what, the history of this building will always be preserved – there is no other building like this. 'But the new owners may be able to make the most of it more now. If a restaurant opens up inside the new hotel, more people will be able to come again.' So Metro took one last look at the tower before evidence of its hay day is moved out. BT confirmed they simply didn't have use for the building anymore, as modern communications has come in, and full-fibre broadband is tucked away in the little green boxes dotted around street corners. The 14th floor of the building is essentially a time capsule, which technology from the 1960s and 1970s in a layer of dust. Even a forgotten salt shaker and handbook sit at a desk after its previous owner put them down – but never came back up to the floor again. BT said it hasn't quite been decided what happens with all the old equipment. But it is possible the metal will be recycled, MCR will choose to keep it or it will be preserved in the archives. The 34th floor of the BT Tower is one of the few areas of the building which looks like it has been touched the 21st century. It offers a view of London which 'cannot be beaten anywhere else' – and it even revolves. Anne said: 'Because of its function, the building had to be erected at a considerable height and have nothing obstructing it so as not to interrupt communication waves. 'So it offers this stunning panoramic view.' The space is mainly used for private booked events, meaning tourists are unable to simply book a ticket and take the lift up to have a look. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The BT sits in the middle of Fitzrovia in central London. The main structure is 581 ft high, with a further section of aerial rigging bringing the total height to 620 ft. After it was built in 1964, it became the tallest structure in London until 1980, when it was surpassed by the NatWest Tower. BT Group has agreed to the sale of the tower for £275 million to MCR Hotels. The chain is planning on preserving the iconic building, which is firmly apart of London's skyline. BT said they did not want to 'hang on to something they no longer need', with many once-important features such as microwave aerials being removed more than a decade ago. Brent Mathews, Property Director, BT Group said: 'The BT Tower sits at the heart of London and we've been immensely proud to be the owners of this important landmark since 1984. More Trending 'It's played a vital role in carrying the nation's calls, messages and TV signals, but increasingly we're delivering content and communication via other means.' MCR said they want to preserve the building as much they can, with the hope more people will now be able to access it. Tyler Morse, CEO and owner of MCR Hotels, said: 'We are proud to preserve this beloved building and will work to develop proposals to tell its story as an iconic hotel, opening its doors for generations to enjoy.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: I won the £4,500,000 Omaze London house — goodbye, studio flat MORE: British Airways pilot caused plane to catch fire after mixing up left and right MORE: 12 best things to do in London including 'stunning' London rooftop bars and terraces worth booking
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
£2.5m for county homes: will you be eligible?
Herefordshire plans to spend nearly £2.5 million of Government cash to make around 200 households more energy-efficient and sustainable over the next three years. The sum of £2,485,440 from Warm Homes Local Grant will mean an average of £12,400 being spent per home, 'with no resident contribution required', Herefordshire Council said – though householders will be responsible for maintaining installed systems. These are likely to involve replacing broken and inefficient heating systems with renewable air source heat pump systems, as well as installing wall insulation, double glazing and insulated doors. RELATED NEWS: Job cuts could be coming at major county social landlord 'Toxic spores' fears at mould-riddled homes Plan for wind turbines taller than BT Tower unveiled It could also extend to loft and underfloor insulation as well as solar panels – though not to fossil fuel-powered heating systems – and will be delivered by the council's current contractors. To qualify, households need a low Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D to G – which is thought to apply to more than half of all Herefordshire households, with such assessments also being funded. What are your thoughts? You can send a letter to the editor to have your say by clicking here. Letters should not exceed 250 words and local issues take precedence. Park homes, which are not EPC-rated, are also covered. Residents' combined gross annual income can also be no more than £36,000. OTHER NEWS: Decision on gypsy caravan pitches plan for village Lewd joke lands councillor in trouble Future of three-day border rave uncertain as plans put on hold Fuel poverty 'remains a significant issue in Herefordshire', affecting nearly one in five households compared to 13 per cent nationally, the council said. It put this down to 'a combination of low incomes, above average numbers of older, hard-to-treat properties and poor coverage of the mains gas network' – leading to heating systems that are less cost-effective and less sustainable. The spending will also help the council 'progress towards [its] 2030 net-zero carbon ambition for the county', it said.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Yahoo
Wondering where to walk? These are 7 of the best nature walks to try in London
As the days get longer and temperatures start to rise, nothing beats a nice long walk in the fresh outdoors. Whether taking in the natural surroundings from wildlife, flowers and the weather or just enjoying watching the world go by, a walk seems to solve all problems. While London seems to offer a much more urban, concrete environment that might not seem the most exciting for walks, there are dozens of spots that make the perfect walking area. From the famous Thames Path to a walk up Primrose Hill, these are seven of the best walks to try out in London. The well-known hill is just a short 10-minute walk from Camden Town but will feel like miles away with its wide-open green space. The hill isn't too steep and there are benches along the way to give you a well-deserved rest. Plus, you'll get to see the sites across London, including the BT Tower and the London Eye. The Thames Path walk follows the River Thames and is known to be the easiest of its kind for a National Trail. The mostly flat walk avoids hills and many chances of getting lost with the Thames guiding you along your way. The Thames Path offers both rural and town destinations, with walks through quaint villages including some within the Cotswolds. The London part of the walk offers landmarks and much more, from the busy streets filled with London buses and tourists to restaurants from all corners of the world. A simple walk with plenty of transport links, the Line walk makes for a perfect weekend stroll, connecting the Greenwich Peninsula with the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Along the walk you get to see beds of flowers, the flow of the Thames and even some contemporary art dotted along the path. With canals, beautiful houseboats, and small independent cafes along the way, a walk through Little Venice sounds dreamy. The walk will take you down a path alongside the canals that will make you forget that you're in London. You'll also get to see nature at its best with birds, ducks and more enjoying the area. The Parkland Walk will make you feel a million miles away from the busy streets of London. Offically London's longest Local Nature Reserve, you'll be able to spot endless wildlife from hedgehogs, foxes and if you are lucky, a deer. The route follows disused rail lines that once connected Finsbury Park with Alexandra Palace and now makes for a relaxing walk. Created back in 2012, Jubilee Greenway is 60km and was created to celebrate the late Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee with each 1km marking a year on the throne. Recommended Reading Wye the beautiful Kent village less than an hour from London London attraction dubbed best in UK you've never heard of The London pub walk with amazing views you should try The picturesque walk is set within the walkways of Buckingham Palace and Maida Vale leading you from the likes of Constitution Hill, Hyde Park, Little Venice and Kensington Palace. If you're looking for nature and wildlife at its finest in the centre of London then the iconic Kew Gardens is the place to go. You'll get to see an array of beautiful plants as you walk through the gardens, but it is important to note that Kew Gardens is a ticketed venue.
