In this episode, which is the 7th in Danny Hurst´s Unusual Histories Bridge Series, he reaches Charing Cross Bridge, another of London´s railway bridges along with walkways either side. You will learn how parts of the original bridge are being used today in London and Bristol, the bridge's connection with the UK´s first ice cream shop, cabman shelters, the sewage system, a factory Charles Dickens worked in and Muhammed Ali (probably not the one you are thinking of though).

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The buttresses from the suspension footbridge built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel form part of the current railway bridge.
• Charing Cross is London´s most central railway station.
• It is one of only 3 bridges in London that combine pedestrian walkways with a railway line.
• The obelisk in the area was nearly not erected because the British government were reluctant to pay the shipping fee.

BEST MOMENTS

‘Altogether we've got about six different names for this bridge and different parts of it. ´

‘This is a popular venue and has hosted performers as diverse as David Bowie, Tom Jones and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.’

‘An ancient Egyptian obelisk that dates back to around 1450 BC, long before any of the Cleopatras were around.’

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://www.citybridgefoundation.org.uk/

HOST BIO

Historian, performer, and mentor Danny Hurst has been engaging audiences for many years, whether as a lecturer, stand-up comic or intervention teacher with young offenders and excluded secondary students. Having worked with some of the most difficult people in the UK, he is a natural storyteller and entertainer, whilst purveying the most fascinating information that you didn't know you didn't know. A writer and host of pub quizzes across London, he has travelled extensively and speaks several languages. He has been a consultant for exhibitions at the Imperial War Museum and Natural History Museum in London as well as presenting accelerated learning seminars across the UK. With a wide range of knowledge ranging from motor mechanics to opera to breeding carnivorous plants, he believes learning is the most effective when it's fun. Uniquely delivered, this is history without the boring bits, told the way only Danny Hurst can.

CONTACT AND SOCIALS

https://instagram.com/dannyjhurst
facebook.com/danny.hurst.9638

https://twitter.com/dannyhurst

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-hurst-19574720

Podcast Description

"History is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake." James Joyce.

That was me at school as well. Ironically, I ended up becoming a historian. The Unusual Histories podcast is all about the history you don't learn at school, nor indeed anywhere else. Discover things that you didn't know that you didn't know, fascinating historical luminaries and their vices and addictions, and the other numerous sides of every story.

Danny continues his Unusual Histories podcast with the Bridge Series, remaining in London travelling east to west to look at the bridges which span the Thames. He looks at their design, construction and history, along with the history of the areas in which they're located on both sides of the river. This series kicks off with an exclusive interview with Dirk Bennett of the City Bridge Foundation, the organisation which looks after London's bridges. Tower Bridge is marking its 130th anniversary this month and Dirk talks to Danny about the history of the bridge as well as the new exhibition that is opening for it.

If you love history; or indeed if you hate history, this is the podcast for you…