The Monument

Looking down from the top of The Monument

In September 1666 the City of London was devastated by The Great Fire. To commemorate the event and celebrate the rebuilding of the City The Monument was built. 

In this programme we find out more about The Monument with the help of James Clare, the Historic Buildings Architect for the City of London. We also go to the top and talk to visitors about the experience. 

Before you listen to the programme, look at these comprehension questions. You'll hear the answers during the programme. Test your understanding by trying the questions in the 'Extras' section below. You can also download the programme and the transcript. 

According to the information in the programme: 
1: When did construction of the Monument begin? 
2: How tall is The Monument? 
3: How many steps are there to reach the top? 
4: What is the significance of the Monument's height? 

a monument 
A statue or building that is put up to commemorate or remember an event or a person 

a column 
a tall, vertical post, often made of stone and with a cylindrical shape 

a viewing platform 
a place where people can stand to look at something of interest or beauty 

a breather 
a rest, a short time to get your breath back in the middle of some kind of exercise 

 You can download here

Callum: Hello, I'm Callum Robertson.

London is famous for many of its sights and historical buildings. Buckingham

Palace, Big Ben, the Tower of London, to name but a few. Today I'm visiting one, a monument, which perhaps you may not have heard of but is also well worth a visit. A monument is a statue or building that is put up to remember and honour a person or event and this one is rather tall.

My guide today is James Clare who's the Historic Buildings Architect for the

City of London and we are at the Monument to the Great Fire of London.

James I wonder if you could tell us a little bit about this monument.

James: Yes, it's a tall stone column and there are stairs inside that you can climb and view London from the top. Just above that viewing platform there is a golden ball of fire that commemorates the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Callum: You said there that the Great Fire of London was 1666, when was the

Monument built?

James: It was started in 1671 and finished in 1677.

Callum: Who was responsible for designing it and building it?

James: There was a Commission set up jointly between the government, which was the Crown and the City of London and they had equal representation on that committee. The leader for the Crown was Sir Christopher Wren and the leader for the City was Robert Hooke.

Callum: And Christopher Wren had an important part in another one of London's most famous buildings, didn't he?

James: Yes, he designed and supervised St. Paul's Cathedral, the new cathedral in the classical form which replaced the old Gothic cathedral which had been destroyed in the Great Fire. And you can get a good view of St. Paul's from the top of the Monument.

Callum: Well I think that's a prompt, I think we should go up into the Monument, go to the top and have a look at St. Paul's from up there.

(Entering the building)

Callum: We've just come into the monument and were at the bottom and if I look up I can see there's a very tall staircase which we're going to climb. How tall is this?

James: Well it's over 200 ft tall, that's about 61 metres and there are 311 steps to the viewing steps to the viewing platform.

Callum: 311 steps! Well we better get going, 1… 2 … 3…

James, as we're going up here, how many times have you been up this monument?

James: Well over the past twenty years I must have been up here about 50 times and it's exhausting!

Callum: Well, we've just stopped for a little breather as we've got a tiny window here and from it we are lined up directly with the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral. And

James you don't think that's an accident, do you?

James: No, the building doesn't seem to be aligned on a North, South, East, West axis.

It seems to be slightly twisted, almost as if it was intended it should be possible to view St. Paul's from it.

Callum: So do you think Christopher Wren was maybe just pointing out some of his other work?

James: I think it was jointly Hooke and Wren were keen experimenters and they were both working on St. Paul's, it was just them being playful probably.

Callum: Ok, well let's continue our journey up to the top……308, 309, 310, 311. And we finally made it up to the top and what a spectacular view.

Well we're out now on the viewing platform. We're looking towards one of

London's more famous landmarks which is Tower Bridge. Really is a fantastic view from up here. James, I wonder if you could tell us a little bit more about the Monument.

James: Yes, it was at the time probably the tallest free-standing building in Western

Europe. Another interesting piece of trivia is the fact that the height of the building is considered to represent the distance from the building to the site where the fire started in Pudding Lane.

Callum: So we're at the top of the Monument and I'm going to find some people to speak to, I've got some people here, hello, what's your name:

(introductions)

Callum: We're up over sixty metres, what do you think of it?

Man: It's a really amazing view, it's really nice, we have a perfect view over the whole city and I really enjoy it.

Woman: It's really cool, I can't say any more. You must be here and see it, all the city

Callum: Did you find it very tiring coming up the 311 steps?

Man: It's the perfect sport and so I don't need to go the gym later.

Callum: So it's good exercise and a good view at the end?

Man: Yes, of course!

Callum: OK, thank you very much.

Man: Thank you.

Callum: Well some good advice there from some visitors to the monument, good exercise and it's a good view. James, thank you very much for joining us today and telling us all about the Monument.

James: It's been a pleasure, thank you.

Callum: Well that's all from this programme 61 metres above the streets of London.

Now, time to go back down those 311 stairs!

The South Bank

 

The South Bank of the River Thames is a cultural centre for London with its theatres, art galleries, cinema and music venue. 

In this edition of London Life we talk to Jude Woodward who is the adviser on culture to the Mayor of London and she tells us more about what kind of entertainment is on offer at the South Bank. 

Before you listen to the programme, look at these comprehension questions. You can hear the answers in the programme. Check your understanding by trying the quiz from the Extras section below. You can also download this programme in mp3 format and follow it with a transcript. 

1: Does Jude think that the South Bank is the cultural heart of London? 
2: What is the Tate Modern? 
3: Which famous English playwright had plays performed at the Globe theatre? 

Vocabulary: 

in the heart of 
to be in the centre of somewhere 

to challenge (ideas or people) 
to question truth, values or authority 

unique 
the only thing of its kind 

authentic 
real and genuine 

an incredible range 
a very wide choice 

You can download here

Anna: Hello, I'm Anna Jones and this is London Life. And today we’re looking at the cultural side of London life and one area in particular which has many cultural events on offer.

Our Learning English colleague, John Escolme recently met Jude Woodward who is the adviser on culture to the Mayor of London. John asked Jude if the area of London we are talking about today is “the cultural heart” of London – is it the most important part of London for cultural events and activities? As you listen try to catch the name of the area of London we are talking about?

JUDE WOODWARD

Can we really say this is London’s cultural heart this area that we’re talking about – the South Bank?

Well I imagine some other areas might feel challenged by that but I think it’s true.

Anna: Well the name of the area is the South Bank which as its name suggests is situated on the south side of the River Thames in the heart of London. Now that expression “in the heart of somewhere” means to be in the most central part of it.

Well as we heard earlier – John asks Jude if the South Bank is London’s cultural heart. What does she reply? Does she agree or disagree with John?

Listen again.

JUDE

Can we really say this is London’s cultural heart this area that we’re talking about – the South Bank? Well I imagine some other areas might feel challenged by that but I think it’s true.

Anna: Jude agrees with John – she says - “I think it’s true.” However she adds that “some other areas might feel challenged by that”. She thinks that some other “areas” or parts of London might not agree with her and John – they might feel challenged by it. If you “challenge” ideas or people then you question their truth, value or authority.

Anna: Jude goes on to talk about the South Bank area in more detail. She describes it as “quite unique.” If something is “unique” then it’s the only thing of its kind.

Jude describes the different cultural “venues” or places where cultural events happen on the South Bank. Try to listen out for them and the different kinds of cultural activity that they offer.

JUDE WOODWARD

I think it’s quite unique, particularly that combination of around the South Bank the fact that you have a music venue, the Hayward Gallery which is an art gallery, you have the National

Film Theatre which is film, you have the National Theatre – then moving along you’ve got

Tate Modern which has got one of the best collections of modern art. You’ve got the Globe which gives you authentic Shakespeare productions.

Anna: Jude mentions various venues on the South Bank: there’s a music venue which is the Royal Festival Hall and two art galleries – the Hayward and the Tate Modern. Jude says that the Tate Modern has “one of the best collections of modern art. The South Bank also has the National Film Theatre or cinema and two theatres - the National Theatre and the Globe theatre. Listen again and this time try to catch what kind of productions you can see at the Globe theatre.

JUDE WOODWARD....

Anna: Well at the Globe you can watch “authentic Shakespeare productions.” If something is described as “authentic” then it means it is real and genuine. So why is the Globe authentic? Well the new Globe theatre is built on the site of the original Globe theatre, it is the same design as the original and produces plays written by England’s most famous playwright – William Shakespeare.

So you can’t get much more authentic than that! Jude ends by saying that there is nowhere else in the world like the South Bank where you can find such an incredible “range” or wide choice of cultural events in a beautiful setting by the river. And she adds that’s “leaving aside” or not even mentioning all the other fantastic things on offer there such as shopping and restaurants.

JUDE WOODWARD

Where else in the world can you find such an incredible range of artistic and cultural things on offer leaving aside the restaurants, the other things, the shopping those sorts of things which are available there. Nowhere else in the world has that and particularly not on such a fantastic riverside setting.

Anna: That's all from this edition of London life, now I might just wander down to the

South Bank to see what’s going on …..

Royal baby talk

Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge

The wait is over! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's new baby boy has arrived.

Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge was born on Monday 22nd July and is 3rd in line to be the future king.

In 6 Minute English we talk about what to say when a new baby arrives and what kind of life a royal baby can look forward to.

This week's question:

When was Prince William - the father of the new baby - born? Was it:

a) 21st May 1982

b) 21st June 1982

c) 21st October 1982

Rob: Ah, what a familiar sound - a baby crying! Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English,

I'm Rob…

Neil: ….and I’m Neil, hello. So Rob, is that the sound of the new royal baby?

Rob: No – it’s not the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s new-born baby – although I’m sure their little one is just as loud!

Neil: Yes – we know all about babies, don’t we Rob, because we are parents. We know all about childbirth – well, almost as much as our wives – and all the advice people give us about caring for our children.

Rob: We do – hold on, I’ll just calm this baby down (Baby stops crying) – that’s better. So, I might have excellent parenting skills but how different are they to the ones William and Kate will need? We’ll be discussing that soon and looking at some of the language of having a baby. But first, how about a question, Neil?

Neil: Good idea.

Rob: How well do you know the British royal family? Do you know when Prince William –the father of the new baby – was born? Was it on:

a) 21st May 1982

b) 21st June 1982

c) 21st October 1982

You can listen to the programme here

Neil: I don’t really remember but I’m going to go for b) 21st June 1982.

Rob: Ok - I’ll let you know the answer later on. But now let’s get back to 2013 and the arrival of the latest member of the royal family. Neil, when your baby was born, how did you announce it – or tell people

Neil: With my first child I phoned and texted. With my second child only two years later it was all about Facebook.

Rob: Indeed. Well, when my daughter was born in the maternity unit at our local hospital, I sent out texts messages to my friends and family. I know people also send out cards or photos of the baby.

Neil: And then later some people have a baby shower – not a shower with water – but a party where people give presents for the baby.

Rob: I’m sure the royal baby will get a lot of presents but when royal births are announced, there is a lot of protocol – or special, traditional ways of doing things.

Neil: Yes, when Prince Charles was born in 1948, the announcement was very formal.

Listen to the words that were used in this BBC broadcast….

BBC Newsreader:

It has just been announced from Buckingham Palace that her Royal Highness, Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh was safely delivered of a prince at 9.14pm and that her Royal Highness and her son are both doing well. Listeners will wish us to offer their royal congratulations to Princess Elizabeth and the Royal Family on this happy occasion.

Rob: So, the newsreader very formally gave the good news that Princess Elizabeth – now Queen Elizabeth – was ‘safely delivered of a prince’.

Neil: Delivered – that sounds like delivering a letter – but here it means ‘gave birth to a baby’. The newsreader also said that people want to give their ‘royal congratulations’.

Rob: Yes, and he described it as ‘a happy occasion’ – so a happy moment and something to celebrate. But now, once it was officially announced, news about the latest royal birth spread quickly around the world via social media.

Neil: It is the 21st Century Rob - and I think this new baby will have a very different upbringing – that’s the way parents look after the baby. Of course William and Kate will have the benefit of having a nanny – someone to help out with childcare and doing the housework around the palace.

Rob: Very nice. But it has been reported they want to become more involved in caring for their baby than royal parents did in the past. They don’t want the nanny to be a replacement mother.

Neil: Well that’s good to hear and by showing modern parenting skills it may set an example to other parents.

Rob: Of course the new baby is going to lead a very different life to our children. One thing is for sure, ours won’t become king. But babies from all backgrounds need feeding and changing. Not everything about having children is great eh Neil?

Neil: That’s true. I don’t think I’m going to miss those dirty nappies. So come on Rob, it’s time you gave me the answer to the question.

Rob: Earlier I asked you if you knew when Prince William – the baby’s father – was born?

Neil: And I said 21st June 1982.

Rob: You are right. He was born in June 1982 – so would you say he is quite young to be

a father?

Neil: These days I suppose he is quite young, compared with me, yes – but those sleepless nights will make him feel older!

Rob: OK Neil, could you remind us of some of the vocabulary that we heard today.

Neil:

 little one - baby

maternity unit - part of the hospital where babies are born

a baby shower - a party where people give gifts for the new baby

protocol - accepted way of behaving at official occasions

delivered - (in this case) given birth to

upbringing - how a child is treated and educated by its parents

nanny - a woman whose job is to help take care of someone’s children

nappies - thick pieces of soft cloth or paper fastened between a baby's legs to catch solid and liquid waste. The American word is diaper.

Rob: Thanks Neil. OK that's it for this programme. Do join us again soon for more 6 Minute English.

Both: Bye.

Good news

Do we need more good news stories?

Have you ever wondered why the news is full of death and destruction?

Kaz and Finn decide to take a look at some good news in this week's 6 Minute English

This week's question:

According to the BBC, three of the top ten most followed stories of 2012 were about the weather in the UK.But what kind of weather? Was it:

a) snow storms

 b) flooding

 c) heat waves

Vocabulary:

the seedier side of life - aspects of life that are morally degraded, for example, sex scandals and corruption

mankind - the human race

impact - have an effect on or influence

exposure -  coverage

breakthroughs - sudden, dramatic, and important discoveries or developments, especially in science and medicine

tabloids -  newspapers of small format giving the news in condensed form, usually with lots of pictures and often providing sensational material

broadsheets - serious newspapers with a larger page format

crass - crude and rough

don't do it justice - don't give it the credit it deserves

a grimace - a twisted facial expression that shows distaste or disgust

Listen

here

Kaz: Hello I’m Kaz and this is 6 Minute English. With me today is Finn. Hello Finn.

Finn: Hello Kaz.

Kaz: So, what news Finn?

Finn: Oh nothing new from me. Just the same old stuff, Kaz.

Kaz: Oh well, you know the saying: 'no news is good news'.

Finn: That's certainly true, Kaz

Kaz: It's also relevant to today's programme.

Finn: How so?

Kaz: Well, have you ever wondered why there's so little good news around?

Finn: You're right, Kaz. It's usually bad news that makes the headlines: wars, scandals, murders, financial troubles, disasters…

Kaz: OK, so on the subject of bad news; let me try this quiz question on you.

According to the BBC, three of the top ten most followed stories of 2012 were about the weather in the UK. But what kind of weather, though? Was it a) snow storms, b) flooding or c) heat waves?

Finn: Mmm. I don't think it could be heat waves because we've had a pretty awful summer. I'll try a) snow storms.

Kaz: Is that your final answer Finn?

Finn: Yup. 'Snow storms' is my final answer.

Kaz: OK. We’ll find out if you’re right at the end of the programme. But now, let’s hear from designer Wayne Hemingway. Now, he was invited into the BBC newsroom and his message to broadcasters was that they should look for more good news, rather than the disasters and grim events that lead most news stories. What kind of stories would he like to get more exposure?

Wayne Hemingway:

Perhaps it's time to reflect a little bit about why the main news channels seem to help us concentrate on bad news stories and the seedier side of life. What bothers me is that on the whole, stories that could move mankind forward and positively impact on our lives don't get the exposure they deserve.

Kaz: Finn, what kind of stories would designer Wayne Hemingway like to see getting more exposure?

Finn: Now he says that stories that deserve more exposure are ones about moving mankind forward and positively impacting on our lives – in short, stories about improving our lives.

Kaz: Yes, stories that 'move mankind forward'.

Finn: That sounds quite grand Kaz – almost idealistic. I wonder what kind of stories do that?

Kaz: Well, let's find out. Here’s Wayne again, talking about just that. What two stories does he mention?

Wayne Hemingway:

In Japan scientists managed to create eggs from mice stem cells raising the hope of a cure for human infertility. The US Journal, Science, said it was one of the most important breakthroughs of the year but you've probably never heard of it. And in Israel, Izhar Gafni has developed a bicycle from recycled cardboard, which could bring cheap, clean transport to some of the world's poorest and most polluted and congested cities.

Kaz: So what are the two good news stories he mentions?

Finn: The first is a breakthrough, a significant development, in stem cell research that might lead to a cure for human infertility.

Kaz: OK and the second?

Finn: A story about a bicycle made from recycled cardboard.

Kaz: Yes, it's a neat idea.

Finn: He says these cardboard bicycles could bring cheap, clean transport to some of the world's poorest, most polluted and congested cities.

Kaz: Wayne Hemingway is passionate about getting his message across to broadcasters. He thinks that if we are constantly fed a diet of bad news, it's what we'll end up wanting. What word does he use to describe this situation?

Wayne Hemingway:

It's like saying that tabloids sell more than broadsheets. If that's fed to the people all of the time that's what they want but, you know, surely we've got to look at things that make us happy sometimes rather than think 'Oh I'm glad I'm inside in the warmth', or you know 'I'm glad I'm not in that country, I'd hate to be there'. It all seems to be a little bit crass at the moment and to me it seems to be getting worse.

Kaz: Did you catch that word he used Finn to describe our appetite for bad news?

Finn: It was 'crass'. He said the situation was 'a little bit crass' at the moment – 'crass'

- showing no intelligence or sensitivity.

Kaz: And it's a situation that he thinks is getting worse.

Finn: So what can we do about it?

Kaz: Let's find out. Here's Wayne Hemingway again:

Wayne Hemingway:

If you search the internet for good news stories there are various websites that address this but they don't do it justice. Perhaps we need fewer crime and more design correspondents, more science reporters and fewer war reporters and that way we might just encourage people to go out and achieve more and put a smile rather than a grimace on the face of the people at the bus stop.

Kaz: Finn, what do we need to redress this situation?

Finn: He says that perhaps we need fewer crime correspondents and more design correspondents.

Kaz: OK, as a designer himself that makes sense.

Finn: Yes, but don't forget that design is an important contributor to the British economy – so more of those stories would improve things.

Kaz: OK. And what else?

Finn: More science reporters and fewer war reporters.

Kaz: Yes, he says that this would encourage people to go out and achieve more.

Finn: He says it would put a smile on people's faces, rather than a grimace.

Kaz: Well, that’s all we have time for today. But before we go though, the answer to this week’s question. According to the BBC, three of the top ten most followed stories of 2012 were about the weather in the UK. What kind of weather was covered? Was it a) snow storms, b) flooding or c) heat waves? Now Finn, you said?

Finn: Well, I said a) snow storms because of the snowy weather we've been having recently. Was I right?

Kaz: I'm afraid not, Finn. The correct answer was … b) flooding. Thanks very much

Finn, goodbye.

Finn: Goodbye.

What next for the royal baby boy?

23 July 2013

The Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a baby boy. For the first time in British history, it made no difference if the royal child was a boy or a girl - the baby would be third in line to the throne regardless. But the new law, which was changed especially for this baby, will not be put to the test.

Reporter:

Luisa Baldini

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge present their son to the world

·                                  

Report

It was a pregnancy in the public eye. There was no hiding away from the cameras. And royal duties continued for the Duchess of Cambridge until the final weeks. Wherever she went, the gifts, the questions, the chat, had been of the baby. She gave little away.

With his great-grandmother in her 61st year on the throne, and his grandfather and father ahead of him in the line of succession, it will be some time before the Duke and Duchess's son is King.

Suzannah Lipscomb, Historian:

It is in the nature of these next few years, in his upbringing, in his childhood, in the character and values that are instilled in him at this stage, that will determine how the British people view their monarch.

In the past, there was a formality to the royal birth announcements. Much has changed. After Prince William was born at St. Mary's hospital, his father spoke to the media.

Reporter: How is Lady Di?

Prince Charles: She's very well, marvellous.

Reporter: Was it a very painful experience?

Prince Charles: Have you ever had a baby?

Reporter: No I haven't.

Prince Charles: I should wait and see!

And from the moment the new Prince appeared on the hospital steps, it was clear his upbringing would be different, less formal. William will now be fiercely protective of his wife and child, but controlling the level of interest from the public and the media is increasingly problematic.

The Duchess of Cambridge's childhood memories are of a strong family unit in rural Berkshire. Royal life appears not to have diminished that bond. And there is speculation that after the birth the Duchess will return home to mum for a few weeks.

William's childhood broke with tradition. By royal standards there was greater freedom. It was more normal, there was less restraint. He is likely to want the same for his son, a little boy who one day will be King.

·                                  

Vocabulary

in the public eye -  well known by many people

gave little away - did not tell anyone any information

succession -  process in which someone automatically takes their position after someone

else

upbringing - how a child is treated and educated by its parents

diminished - reduced

speculation - guessing what might happen without any certain information

broke with tradition - did something different from what is normally done

restraint - control in showing emotions or behaving in a certain way

You can listen to the programme here