Spike Milligan Statue in London reminded us of two humorous stories

 

London.

We were walking downhill on our way from the top entrance to the park and the children's playground, down to the cafe in the converted stables with the large doors in a small courtyard.  

Map and events at Stephens House and Gardens, London.

Bus stop Holmwood Gardens.  Bused to and from North Finchley. Bus numbers 643 and 653.

You can watch Spike Milligan on YouTube.

Spike Milligan was a zany comedian, one of a team or group of comedians. He met comedian and singer Harry Secombe during World War II. They entertained the troops. 

Secombe's Story,  About Meeting Spike

The story, told by comedian Harry Secombe, is that Secombe was at the top of a hill with a group guarding a cannons, one of which had come loose. Secombe came hurtling down the hill and shouted to Spike, 'Have you seen a cannon!'

Spike replied, 'What colour?'

However, another version of the story reverses their roles.

Writing Comedy In the Pub

In postwar Britain they met in the pub. Spike lived upstairs. They formed a group, wrote down their gags, and got to perform on radio, on the popular programme team, 'Crazy Gang' which was renamed the Goon Show which led to Monty Python.

Spike's Gravestone

The other memorable light hearted story connected with Spike is that he wanted on his gravestone,

 I told you I was ill.

The cemetery authorities would not allow anything so irreverent. So Spike's executors engraved the words in Gaelic.

In theory you could sit on the bench and be photographed alongside Spike. Why didn't I think of that?

Places to See

1 Spike Statue on the bench near the Stables Cafe, Stephens House & Gardens, 17 East End Road, Finchley, London N3 3QE. Tel 020 8346  7812.

2 Plaque showing Spike and others on the outside wall of the Grafton Arms, Westminster, where Spike was barman and met up with comedy writing and performing buddies. Memorabilia of the foursome (Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe, Michael Bentine and Peter Sellars) are on the pub walls.

3 Spike's grave, Parish Church of St Thomas the Martyr, Winchelsea, East Sussex, England TN26 4EB. The church is off the High |Street.

Websites Addresses

1

https://www.stephenshouseandgardens.com/

https://finchleycentraltowncentre.co.uk/stephens-house-gardens/

2 

https://londonspubswherehistoryreallyhappened.wordpress.com/category/history-of-the-grafton-arms/

https://www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs/greater-london/grafton-arms

3

https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/5234/find-us/

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g658258-d19795744-Reviews-Spike_Milligan_s_Gravestone-Winchelsea_Rye_East_Sussex_England.html

Useful Websites About Spike Milligan

Books about or by Spike Milligan

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=spike+millgan

Wiki on Spike 

Britannica on Spike

IMDB on Spike

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Westminster: the Abbey, London Eye and More

London underground stations which are great destination hearts include:
Baker Street: Madame Tussauds; Planetarium; Sherlock Holmes Museum; Sherlock Holmes Statue.
Trafalgar Square: Trafalgar Square; National Gallery; National Portrait Gallery; Nelson's Column.
Westminster: Westminster Abbey; Houses of Parliament and Big Ben; Statues of Churchill and others.

Baker Street is one of my favourite stations because of the wonderful tiles and murals which show the history of the area, Sherlock Holmes. Colourful, historic, artistic, lots to look at.

Westminster station is the opposite, grey, dim and futuristic with enormous escalators and wire netting, which I understand i to prevent birds nesting. It's depressing. A bit like Dhoby Ghaut in Singapore, although Dhoby Ghaut has some lighter, jollier parts. At Westminster you feel like a cog in the wheel of the universe. Westminster station has several exits, clearly marked. However, the moment you are outside at ground level the contrast is truly amazing. Wonderful historic buildings. The grey of ages brightened by cleaning into white. Not as white as the Taj Mahal. But by London standards, a lovely clean.

The exit we chose led us straight upstairs to a view of the Houses of Parliament. The street was an instant entertainment, chic full of colourful red buses, open top tour buses, taxis of all colours. I even saw a set of toilets riding by on a truck.

Westminster Abbey

Within sight is the London Eye, a wheel you can ride but you must book timed tickets because it is so popular.

Westminster Abbey had long queues but the outside alone is an entertainment and a marvel and a thousand photo opportunities. In the evening in winter the lights inside enable you to see the stained glass windows from the outside. I'm sure the shop is full of amusements and souvenirs.

The statue of Churchill is impressive. What a huge bulldog of a man he appears to be. 

An orientation board near the Westminster Abbey shop shows you the landmarks to you can identify them.

Photos by Angela Lansbury. Copyright Angela Lansbury.

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.