For years I
have been in awe of the Post Office Tower. It is one of the tallest buildings
in London at 189 metres and has a rich history.
Years ago it used to have a restaurant at the top and it revolved around
the sights of London, but due to the IRA threats in the 1970’s it was closed
down to the public. It is now known as
the BT Tower and still not open to the public but it still an historic icon and
in 2003 it was granted grade II listed status. My parents had eaten in the restaurant – but
more than that – as a child I remember a film with Joe Brown and Sid James that
featured the Post Office Tower before it opened officially. I was fascinated with this film – Three hats for Lisa, and so my interest
in the tower has remained throughout my years.
2015 is the
tower’s 50th year and it decided to open the tower up for a good
cause as a way for RedR charity to raise money. They sold tickets for one day to have a 45
minute ‘flight’ to the top – along with some champagne and cake – it sounded
like the perfect way to celebrate my birthday – especially as it was happening
two days before my actual birthday at the same time as giving to a worthwhile
cause. So on an overcast Friday at the
end of October, I had my ticket to go somewhere special. Somewhere the public wasn’t allowed. Somewhere that had been a big part of who I am
without me even realising it.
We arrived at
the door and security was tighter than meeting the Queen! We had to have informed them in advance who we
were and provide our passports. We were
scanned through an airport security screen with our bags also being screened
but I was very glad of the security. Once
past security it was breath-taking. There were beautiful photos on the walls and models
of the tower alongside decorated telephone boxes. There was lots of information and many very
friendly volunteers of the charity to help us find our way around.
The lift to
the tower is very fast and getting to the 34th floor took no time at
all. We were offered our glass of
champagne and took a seat to enjoy the views. It was not overcrowded but just enough people to
give a buzz of excitement. They rotated
the floor so we didn’t have to move to see all of London. It really did make the London eye look tiny. I can only compare it to the Fernsehturm TV
tower in Berlin. There is surely nowhere
else you can get a view like this in London. It was a long time coming – but worth every
moment and every penny. The great thing
was the day raised over £36,000 for the charity who does a lot of fantastic
work. On our departure I was given a
certificate to say I have been up the tower. Now you don’t do that every day.
If that
wasn’t enough for a Londoner like me – after our departure I decided to go and
find where I was born. I was born in
Middlesex Hospital but had never visited it. The nearest tube to this is Goodge Street and
I always say ‘I know someone who was born here’ when I am on the Northern Line.
So today I actually got off at Goodge Street
and headed towards Mortimer Street where the Middlesex Hospital resides.
Actually it
doesn’t reside there anymore. They
pulled this historic building down around 2007 and build a load of brand new business
offices /flats instead. It took me an
hour and a half to find exactly where it had stood because I had to research it
online. However eventually I found they
had kept a facia on one side of the building – I was delighted. I had never seen where I was born before and
now I was standing on almost the exact spot I came into the world. I felt complete. A truly wonderful day.
If you want
to know more about the work of RedR or donate, please go to http://www.redr.org.uk/ for more details.
More photos at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jasminestormie/albums/72157660347853067
More photos at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jasminestormie/albums/72157660347853067
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