I haven’t been to the Churchill War Rooms, located in the heart of Westminster, for a long time, so was looking forward to my return with the kids, and now they learn about the Second World War at school, their knowledge is probably better than mine at that age!
The Churchill War Rooms were the secret underground headquarters where Winston Churchill and his team masterminded the course of the Second World War whilst bombs were raining down on London. Visitors can see where the staff lived and worked, an understand how the decisions made here changed the course of history. It provides a revealing insight into the real Churchill and his role in British history.
New items on display in the War Rooms include personal correspondence discussing the fate of the War Rooms, a private admissions ticket from the days when visitors had to request special entry to view the site, and a poster from 1984 advertising the exciting forthcoming opening of the Cabinet War Rooms to the public. The complex of historic rooms and tunnels have been left as they were in 1945, and there is a distinctive atmosphere about the place that evokes a real feeling of stepping back in time. The Cabinet Room, Map Room and the room from where Churchill delivered four of his wartime speeches, are all here to marvel over and inspect. The exemplary way in which the stories are presented, the attention to detail, and the personal memories provided by the audio guides all enable you to really get a sense of what it was like to be there at the time.
Within the War Rooms, the Churchill Museum is housed. It is one of the best museums I have ever visited. It comprises an impressive range of multimedia displays and rare significant historical items, all relevant to the life of Churchill. The Lifeline is a 15 metre long interactive ‘lifeline’ where you can slide your finger along the strips at the edge to open documents, photos and film clips. We were all looking at the Lifeline for a long time, and there was still so much we missed. It was fascinating for kids and adults alike, with many interactive exhibits. The museum expertly showcases Churchill’s life, from his younger years, to his wilderness years and his time as a war leader. It was also interesting to watch the footage of his funeral, and see the Union Jack Flag which was draped over Churchill’s coffin as his body lay in state in Westminster Hall. More personal items, such as letters from his wife, Clementine, are also there to read, and which provide an alternative insight into Churchill the family man. The kids loved his ‘Siren suit’ - they preferred to call it his ‘onesie’- which he designed himself and famously wore throughout the war years to retain a measure of comfort during the long working hours.
We should also make special mention of the Transatlantic Telephone Room, where Churchill conducted his top-secret conversations with Roosevelt. It was disguised as a toilet!
Be sure to pick up one of the excellent audio guides (they also have ones for kids), which explain each step of the experience, setting the scene and providing further details should you wish to find out more, at each point of interest. What makes these audio guides so interesting is the sound bites from people who actually lived and worked in the rooms during the war, and the memories they describe.
This year, the Churchill War Rooms celebrated their 30th anniversary of the public opening, and it is not hard to see why this popular attraction attracts thousands of visitors each year. The Churchill War Rooms are part of the Imperial War Museum’s family of five museums that also includes HMS Belfast, IWM London, IWM Duxford and IWM North. On the very same day, we managed to squeeze in a visit to HMS Belfast (as follows), although we could easily have spent the best part of a day at both of these attractions, as there is so much to take in and explore.
Open Daily: 9.30am – 6pm. Last admission 5pm. (Closed 24 – 26 December).
Admission: £17.50 Adults; £14.00 Concessions (Senior, Student, Disabled); Children (under 16) Free; Special rates for groups of 15 or more.
Of course I have always noticed HMS Belfast, moored on the south side of The Thames; indeed you could hardly miss it, being such an imposing sight as you wander down the banks of the Thames towards Tower Bridge, but, I have never been on board! Everyone I have spoken to has enjoyed their visit, so along with the kids, we were set to discover the fascinating story of this impressive warship, and find out what life would have been like on board.
Ironically, as I write this, it is the D-Day 70th Anniversary. On 6 June, 1944, HMS Belfast reportedly fired the first shots on D-Day, the most significant campaign fought by the western Allies during the Second World War. She is a symbolic reminder of the events, which led to victory in Europe on 8 May, 1945.
HMS Belfast is the most significant surviving Second World War Royal Navy warship, with a history that extends to the Arctic convoys, D-Day, the Cold War, Korea and beyond. Moored between London Bridge and Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast tells the story of life on board and explores how war affects and impacts on the morale, resilience and determination of a ship’s community. It was fascinating to take in the ship’s nine decks and see what life was like for the 950-strong crew who served on her.
We enjoyed the Gun Turret Experience, which offers a real insight into what fighting at sea would have been like. Overlooking the back of the ships, or Quarterdeck, is one of HMS’s Triple Gun Turrets. Lights, audio, projections and movement, recreates the experience, highlighting the hectic and cramped conditions that would have seen twenty-six men in this confined space at any one time.
HMS Belfast could once be controlled from the Operations Room, the nerve centre and brain of the entire ship. We could imagine what this would have been like as the Operations Room features interactive displays and games that appeal to kids and adults alike! The Operations Room's rotating radar screens have been recreated for the first time since the ship was operational, giving a sense of the movement and urgency of the room, and there are two large touch screen interactive games based on the real-life Pony Express exercise of 1961 which involved 60 warships, 20,000 naval personnel and 6,000 US, British and Australian troops off North Borneo in the South China Sea.
Within the main exhibition decks, ‘Life on Board’ is a fascinating overview of what the men on board would have experienced. From sleeping (in hammocks) to the tuck shop, dining rooms, surgery, and dentist, it’s all there. My favourite was the punishment cells. You could be sent there for all sorts of misdemeanors, including falling asleep on duty. You can climb inside and sit on the hard bench that served as a bed to really imagine how it might feel to be locked in such a confined space, at sea, with no natural light. The audio guide features the voice of one such seaman who tells the amusing story of his confinement. A visit to the kitchens is also a must. I pitied the poor kitchen staff who would have had to peel all those onions!
Again, be sure to pick up an audio guide and discover what it was like to eat, sleep and work on board during D-Day; from the heat of the boiler room, to the cramped conditions of the gun turrets and the thrilling heights of the flag deck. Like the Churchill War Roomsthey are extremely informative and really help to enhance the experience; it’s like having your own personal guide.
There are a number of free family activities (included in general admission price) to enjoy over the summer months. These include ‘Cracking Codes’ where you can intercept messages; map hazards on a sea chart; make up your own secret code; and ‘Tattoo T-Shirts’ where children can design their very own t-shirt, inspired by traditional Navy tattoos, to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of D-Day. Also running to the end of the year is a D-Day Family Trail. If you prefer to be guided around the ship by a real expert, private tours are available to book.
Our own children found it a fascinating place, and enjoyed the opportunity to clamber over the deck, climb the steep stairs, descend into the depths of the boiler room and experience the gun turrets! We all learned a lot, and there is plenty to see, making this a great attraction for the entire family. It may be the only time I get to sit in the Captain’s chair, but I very much enjoyed it whilst I was there!
Open Daily: Winter 2013–14 1 November – 28 February, 10am – 5pm. (Closed 24 – 26 December) Summer 2014 1 March – 31 October, 10am – 6pm. Last entry an hour before closing.
Admission*: £15.50 Adults; £12.40 Concessions (Senior, Student, Disabled); Children (under 16) Free; Special rates for groups of 15 plus. * Please note entry prices include a voluntary donation, making a valuable contribution to the care and conservation of this historic site.
For readers with children who are thrill seekers (my own, aged 8 and 11 certainly fit this description), Thorpe Park provides a brilliant day out. With over 30 thrilling rides, attractions and live events to enjoy, and conveniently located just 10 miles from Greater London, this theme park has something for everyone, especially catering for those with a touch of the adrenalin junkie about them!
On the day of our visit we arrived early, just as the park opened. Parking is thankfully easy, with a car park large enough to accommodate even the busiest bank holiday. On receiving the park map, we discussed our plan of action and planned to fill our day with rides, rollercoasters and stomach churning fun! The sun was shining, and the kids were very excited.
There are many big rides at this resort to experience, most of which we managed to cover, but I will mention a few of the highlights.
Our first rollercoaster of the day was Colossus; one of Europe’s fastest and tallest rollercoasters, with enough twists and turns to get the adrenalin pumping. This set the pace for the day ahead! It is worth mentioning that, as you would expect on any high velocity ride, there are height restrictions, but these are clearly marked at the ride entrance as well as at other points around the park. Our 8 year old didn’t quite make the grade on this one – but there were other rides nearby to keep him and my wife happy whilst we waited in the queue.
I am a huge fan of water rides, and there are five here, including the super-soaking, Tidal Wave. We got drenched on this ride, and then again on the walkway exit (the kids then wanted to keep turning back into the tsunami as other riders hit the water!). If you visit on a cold day, you may want to pack a waterproof mac. The Rumba Rapids is an old favourite of mine, and is always exciting as you spin in a raft around a man-made river, hitting the rapids at points and getting sprayed in the process. Logger’s Leap – another favourite, is a traditional log flume, and in my opinion, one of the best in the UK. Storm Surge was a big hit with the kids. A spinning life raft takes you on a 64ft spiralling descent, as you try to keep out (or in if you are 11 years old) the line of water cannon fire!
My wife (and eldest son) braved her only big ride, Stealth, without me! This ride is an imposing sight which is visible from all around the park, with it’s iconic 200ft arch of steel. It propels you from 0 to 80 mph in 2 seconds. I think I heard her screams all the way round, and the photo was definitely one for the family scrapbook!
My favourite ride was The Swarm. The UK’s first winged rollercoaster spins 180 degrees and plunges 127ft into a series of near misses. The Swarm bursts through a billboard, narrowly missing the wing of a real jumbo and skims past a flaming fire truck. Riders fly at speeds of almost 100km/h and G forces of up to 4.5, sat either side of the track. We loved it; I cannot wait to go back on it - backwards next time! We didn’t make SAW – The Ride, as my eldest son was a little too young. It is the world’s first horror movie themed rollercoaster, and as keen as I was to find out what lay in store, I didn’t want to brave it alone!
Neptune’s Beach is a sandy beach with a huge paddling pool, fountains and slides – perfect for the summer and a great option if you need to take a break while the kids cool down.
The park feels large, but is easy to navigate. Huge electronic billboards helpfully tell you the lastest queuing times for the most popular rides to help you get the most from your day. There are also various options to avoid the inevitable queues, including fast track passes which you can purchase on the day and a new ‘Reserve n’ Ride’ system which is being trialled on various dates over the summer (see the website for more details). There are lots of options for food and drink, and of course, plenty of gift shops for treats and memorabilia. A brand new Angry Birds Land and 4D experience will be open by the time you are reading this; definitely one for the whole family to enjoy together. There is also a new onsite hotel, Thorpe Shark Hotel, for those travelling from further afield.
This is a guaranteed fun family day out, and a real treat for the kids. Our kids were absolutely raving about it, and spent the whole day asking when we could come back. My wife and I were impressed too, having not been to the park for over 15 years. The park is well-kept and maintained, and set in attractive landscaped grounds, making it a really great environment to enjoy the aforementioned thrills. Needless to say, you will return from your day completely exhausted, but full of memories.
The nearest train station is Staines – 32 minutes from London Waterloo, and a shuttle link between the station and the resort runs every 12-15 minutes. Standard Day passes are from £24.99 online (on the day passes are £48); Annual passes and Fasttrack tickets can be purchased.
We talk to Rick Furno who has lived in the UK for 22 years and now runs his own business
Where in the US are you originally from?
I’m originally from the great “Rust Belt” of the US, Erie, Pennsylvania. Born and raised literally on the shores of Lake Erie directly across from Canada, so I consider myself an honorary Canadian, even if Canadians don’t see me that way! I lived 26 years of my life there and still consider it ‘Home’, so I go back as often as I can. I mean, where else in the world can you find delicacies like “pepperoni balls” and “ox roast sandwiches” (just Google them) and walk along 14 miles of sandy beaches on a beautiful fresh water sea. I love Erie, but honestly, I could never live there again.
How long have you lived in the UK and what brought you over here?
I’ve lived in the UK for 22 years. Originally I came to do a course in teaching English as a foreign language just after I received my MA in Applied Anthropology from Boston University. I was going to work my way around the world teaching English and writing a book. At the time, Eastern Europe was opening up and there was a need for English teachers so I had every intention of heading in that direction after I got my qualification. Well, things happened and I found a job at an American university in London as an administrator through someone who knew someone who knew someone. It really did happen that way! I never left and here and I am still here two decades later.
What did your role in the US Embassy in London involve?
I was the Global Employment Advisor for 7 years at the Embassy and by far it was THE best job I had ever had. I was what you might call a careers counsellor for the diplomats’ “family members”, aka, spouses and partners. But it involved a lot more that just career counselling, writing CVs, doing mock interviews, etc. I actively worked to find employment connections for family members on the local economy through my sizable number of professional contacts that I had amassed through years of working and doing business in London. Through the State Department, which ran the entire programme, I was able to travel to Scandinavia every once in a while and assist family members in the US embassies there as well. It was a wonderful, very helpful programme for State Department staff and their families who were grateful for my assistance, but unfortunately in late 2011 it was cut from the London Embassy budget and I was made redundant.
What have you found most challenging living here?
That’s easy. Customer service. Or rather, the difference in what constitutes “good” customer service. In the US, customer service is “good” if the representative is helpful in someway, gets your problem solved, or goes out of his/her way to do something for you. If Plan A doesn’t work, they will find a Plan B for you. And if that doesn’t work, they will go on to Plan C. And if it’s all done quickly and with a smile and a friendly tone, that falls into the category of “good” customer service. In the UK, “good” customer service has its roots in the class system, or what I like to call the “master/servant” relationship. Customer service reps are there to serve you, but they’re not there to solve your problems and they’re certainly not there to be friendly to you. Afterall, they are “serving” you and that’s all that matters. For those of you familiar with “Little Britain” you need only refer to the “computer-says-no” lady, a brilliant and cleverly crafted take on the typical British service industry representative who cannot think further than what her computer tells her to say and do. It’s very challenging for me, even after all these years, to know that customer service reps have no Plan B in place in case the original plan falls through. If the computer says “no” in the UK, you’re not going to get any further with the customer service rep.
What made you decide to run your own business?
I found myself, like many people, jobless. After the Embassy job, I did a bit of consulting work, mostly cross-cultural training which I love, and still do, but on a very limited basis now. A friend of mine, Bruno, who is French and is a fantastic pastry chef was finding success in London with his bakes at street markets and through wholesaling them to restaurants. He had won all of these culinary awards from the BBC Good Food Show and from the Guild of Fine Foods and was featured in a couple of magazines already. Since I was in grad school, I had always had this dream of managing a coffee shop, you know, one of those cool, hip places all the cool people like to hang out in. So when I found myself unemployed, and with a bit of money to invest, I approached him about opening up a “bricks and mortar” coffee hop/patisserie to showcase his work which, by the way, includes a lot of American bakery items as well as French. (His peanut butter and chocolate cream pie is to die for and is one of our top sellers). We pulled our resources together and in September of last year we opened Bruno’s French Bakes and Coffee in Rochester (Kent) in a 17th century building on the High Street, and I am fulfilling my grad school dream of owning a coffee shop. How cool and hip it is, well, that’s for others to decide. It has been called “quirky” by many of our customers though, so I think I’m at least on my way to being cool and hip.
How easy was it to set up your business and how did you do it?
It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life! How did I do it? I don’t think I’ve “done” it yet, actually. I look at opening a business as a work in progress. A very, very long work in progress. It’s ongoing. I’m always having to do something different, or rethink something, or change directions at the last minute. Every day is a new challenge and I always feel like I’m still setting up the business even though it’s been running since September 2013. The most difficult part of setting up a business is dealing with the bureaucracy of the local council. They say they’re there to help you, but they’re not. They’re secretly there to make your life hell and I’m sure they go home at night laughing and planning how they’re going to screw up everything for you the following week. Dealing with landlords is not fun either, but we’ve lucked out in that we have a very straight forward, business-like landlord. The thing that I’m most grateful for though is that we had enough of our own money to start the business, and we didn’t have to rely on banks for loans because, of course, they’re still not lending to small businesses as readily as they once were. We started and remain debt free.
Do you have any advice for fellow readers?
First, if you decide to open a business that entails buying or renting property, get a very good solicitor and listen to him/her. Property law is very different in the UK and a good solicitor will guide you through the maze and will ask the questions that you never thought of asking. Yes, they’re terribly expensive, but worth every penny if they can help you avoid problems down the line.
Second, although I’ve dissed my local council above, they do offer a lot of guidance and have an awful lot of resources at their disposal. Just don’t take no for an answer when dealing with them and go above their head if need be to get what you need – see my comments above on customer service in the UK. Also, join organisations like the Federation of Small Businesses who also offer invaluable advice and guidance. I’ve used FSB for everything from insurance to employment issues to networking opportunities. Well worth the joining fee. And last, and most importantly, talk to others who have been successful in the same type of business that you would like to start. They know the questions that you should be asking. I was lucky again in that Bruno especially had a lot of contacts in the hospitality industry that we could go to for advice. We have both built up our network of contacts through social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook and rely on them to put us in touch with those in the know. Twitter, especially, is invaluable for getting you and your product known and out-there.
The Pajama Game is enjoying a sparkling new revival at the Shaftsbury Theatre, having transferred from The Chichester Festival Theatre. Although the original 1954 Broadway production was famous for the daring dance numbers by Bob Fosse, in this production the dancing also shines, thanks to choreographer Stephen Mears.
Director, Richard Eyre, was inspired to direct The Pajama Game as it was the first musical he had ever heard- his sister owned the record when he was a child and played it incessantly. The music, by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, is indeed lovely, especially the numbers sung by leading man Michael Xavier, who plays Sid Sorokin, an ambitious superintendent in the Sleep Tite Pajamas Factory. Sid’s plans for success are upset when he meets the union’s Grievance Committee Head, Babe, and falls head over heels in love with her. Joanna Riding, who bears a striking resemblance to Roz from the American TV show Frasier, plays Babe as a tough cookie, a woman who is strong enough to fight for her fellow workers but can still go weak at the knees at the sight of the handsome Sid. The two actors seem to really enjoy performing together and have a nice chemistry between them.
The story of a strike at a pajama factory over seven and half cents per hour pay rise is an unusual subject for an American musicalwritten in the fifties, especially when one of the union leaders is a woman. Most of the story is quite light hearted and never gets too serious, even when Babe cannot reconcile her attraction to Sid, who is against the strike, with her support for the union members. A few double entendres and a sexy scene where Sid keeps trying to seduce Babe while her father is out of the house, remind us that the fifties in America was not a time of innocence.
The ensemble work well together, despite some over acting by a couple of minor characters. The show is nearly stolen by Peter Polycarpou as the “time study expert” Hines, who is hilarious in the number “I’ll Never Be Jealous Again” with Sid’s secretary Mabel, played by the glorious Claire Machin. As she tries to convince him not to get into jealous rages over blonde and leggy Gladys, his faithful girlfriend, Mabel sets up more and more impossible situations for him to keep his cool and trust her. It just gets funnier as it goes along and they are both a delight to watch. Alexis Owen-Hobbs was also a standout as the ditsy Gladys, who manages to end up in situations where she has to have a dance number.
The show picks up pace in the second act and becomes a real Broadway musical with all the energetic dance numbers and charming songs that one would expect. This is a treat for the whole family.
I haven’t been to the Churchill War Rooms, located in the heart of Westminster, for a long time, so was looking forward to my return with the kids, and now they learn about the Second World War at school, their knowledge is probably better than mine at that age! 
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