Thanks so much for watching! If you had the chance to design the London Monopoly board from scratch, what properties would you include? Please be sure to let me know in the comments....
Top video! An Americus Oglethorpe shows up the London Metropolitan Archives in a document from 1751 submitted to the magistrates at the Middlesex sessions. He he had been indentured as an apprentice to a mariner, William Tiffin for 7 years starting 14 June 1746 but Mr Tiffin died leaving Americus in the lurch. He was asking to be discharged from the apprenticeship because Mr Tiffin’s sister was trying to force him to do unpaid work for her.
Just to add to this, both Americus and Oglethorpe are towns in Georgia, a mere 20 miles apart. Maybe the individual in question was born in Andersonville (approximately halfway between Americus and Oglethorpe), but decided that wasn't great as a personal name.
@@Alan_DuvalIf said individual was around anytime close to the American Civil War, I could certainly see the desire to distance oneself from Andersonville as it was home to one of the most notorious Confederate prison camps of the war…😳😬
@@Alan_Duval Definitely! Andersonville Prison Camp has a rather unfortunate connection to my family as one of my ancestors (on my maternal grandmother’s side) died as a Union POW in that camp. Grandma spent quite a few years working to get the name on his gravestone corrected. William P. Vandever, if one ever gets curious enough to see…
A few years ago, a group of us tried to complete the Monopoly Board pub crawl for a stag do. Our original plan to only drink a half at each stop soon deteriorated into pints and then shots for completing sides of the board. Needless to say, we didn’t quite finish it and had to visit four or five of the posher addresses the following weekend (a tip if plan to try it: don’t leave the more upmarket places till the end because you won’t find many pubs willing to allow a large group of already drunk men to enter - especially after midnight). Anyway, the one address we really struggled to find was Vine Street and we did wonder at the time why it was on the board. Now our questions are answered. Thanks for the video!
We went for wine from a wine box for Vine Street 😅on our monopoly board pub crawl. Need to start on the Brown ones as some of the pubs there open earlier. And yes, we did include railway stations!
Fascinating and well researched. I was a Police Office in the 1980s to 1990s, and Vine Street was the last station I served in. It was still one of the busiest nicks in London then, mainly covering the Regent Street, Piccadilly and Soho area. Pub kicking-out time at the weekends was the busiest time, running fights with loud drunks right through to the early hours. I still have chronic back pain as a memento!
Hi Rob. Regarding the train robbers. They did use Monopoly money. The mistake they made was not clearing it up and it had their fingerprints all over it. In some cases, this helped with their convictions. I have always wondered why a relatively insignificant street appears on the board tho! Cheers.
Rob, you have done it again. What an amazing walk through history, of a small Street in London. Incredible. You really brought Vine Street to Life. The history of how Monopoly was created was great in itself, but then to go through the eras, the changes and the stories you found just gave me a whole new history lesson on this little place. So sad about the little girl and the cheese block. You have just brought her memory back, and although she was only 4 when she passed, her memory continues to live on in History now. I loved the tie in to the third Bond Book, Moonraker. I am a huge Ian Fleming Fan, and the Bond series as a whole. It may just be a service road in modern standards today, but it trully deserves its place on the Board after seeing all this. I am not sure how many other Streets you have covered with the Monopoly tie in, but for sure this could be an awesome series of videos if you continue doing more. Wishing you and your family all the best as always.
Thank you so much John; a lovely, lovely comment and just the sort of incredibly kind words which keep me going. Thank you again my friend and stay well.
Rob great research brings back memories. I served as a Det Sgt at Vine Street for 3 years in the 70s what a tremendous area the best posting I had in the 30 year service and although busy was so well organised you didn’t really notice it was the busiest police station in Europe well done great video 19:45
I love your presentation style Rob. The unhurried, conversational nature of your voiceover has the charming qualities of being both engaging and relaxing. Very enjoyable.
Rob I am sure you are to young to remember a radio show called listen with Mother. As children when it came on the radio we would be settled down with a mug of milk and some cake or biscuits to listen to the story, Well now 50 years later on the opposite side of the world I find my self doing the same thing when I see you have uploaded. Make a nice cup of tea piece of fruit cake and settle into the armchair to enjoy your story. such a relaxing pleasure, coming from close to Harrow your accent takes me back and adds to the London vibe.
I've never been to London & odds are I never shall, but I love your channel! My Grandfather, a veteran of the Royal Field Artillery in the Great War, used to tell me where all the good pubs were. Of course, most of them had been bombed out during the Blitz. My Mum lived through the Blitz. I love learning the history of London.
Such a wonderful comment Jovan, thank you. Your mother and grandfather sound like the sort of people I would loved to have listened to. I hope you do make it here one day… stay well my friend.
Always worth the wait ... another perfectly-formed little gem from Rob. I've not lived in London for many years, but his rambles through the streets and history always create a pang if nostalgia. Thank you, Rob.
Brilliantly researched as always Rob, and finding the legal connection between the orange sites was just genius. Your content is so good that I'm sure you could make a book out of it (I know that you're already an author).
Hello Rob An excellent video. Love the Monopoly facts. The company I work for just celebrated it's 100th anniversary and we sold a special Monopoly game based on our company. We now have three different board sets, the American original an London one and our company one. Loved the Only Fools and Horses clip. Thanks Take Care Chris and Sandra of Canada.
Shane McGowan sings about Vine Street police station in the song 'The Ol' Main Drag' "between the metal doors at Vine Street I was beaten and mauled, and they ruined my good looks for the old main drag"
There's a fabulous book by Tim Moore called "Do Not Pass Go" which has the history of all the squares on the Monopoly Board. This however was another level Rob, great research. I wonder if you fancy doing a full series about Monopoly?
Thank you so much Victoria 😊 I’ve not heard of that book, will have to look it up… as for a series, I’d be up for it if people would be happy to watch!
Brilliant Rob, well done on all the research! I knew the police station well, I joined the Met in 1983. So many police stations closing & being demolished, Chelsea police station in Lucan Place, SW3 being the latest to go under the swinging bal...
Many thanks Simon. Yes, even West End Central is now closed as you’ll know. Would loved to have seen inside Vine Street station (as a non-criminal of course!) Thanks again and stay well
Another truly amazing video Rob, thank you so much. By strange coincidence I am reading 'Right Ho Jeeves' by P.G. Wodehouse, in which Bertie Wooster reminisces being 'hauled off to Vine Street Police Station' on Boat Race night and to avoid a drunk and disorderly fine 'assumed in a flash the identity of Eustace H. Plimsoll'. Doubt you could get away with that today, but if the circumstances arise I might just give it a try. Also, regarding Swallow Street: there is a Swallow Passage on the south side of Oxford Street. I wonder if they were both once connected?
Lovely comment David, thank you so much. I didn't know Vine Street police station as mentioned in that book! Swallow Passage I'm not sure about, will have to look into it... .thanks again and stay well.
As always a great vid Rob. As a child played this with my Gran, mum and dad and brothers and sister. Have played with my kids and now with my grand kids! Somethings never go out of fashion.
I was born in London quite a long time ago. I always learn something new every time I watch one of your videos. This one was outstanding! Thanks man👍🍺🍺
Rob, your videos never fail to inform and enchant - the perfect start to a Sunday evening! Wasn't there also a fairly notable police station at Gerald Road, near Eaton Square (I believe it featured in many 'well to do' scandals from the 1930s onwards)? On a side note, several decades ago I stayed overnight at the Cadogan Hotel in the very room where Wilde was arrested - no ghosts, alas.
That means a lot to me, thank you so much. Don’t know about the Gerald Road station, will have to look into it! And that’s quite something; staying in the great Oscar Wilde’s room! Very jealous! 😉 Stay well and thanks again
Brilliant - past go and claim a new sub. We in Australia grew up with the UK version years before we got our own state specific Monopoly boards. Love that game and love this story.
Great research, so detailed and informative! Just came up in my feed and now a subscriber! Lived in London from 1980-2002 and loved everything about it; never bored always something new to discover and I’m now going to continue exploring via your videos!
Loved it. Really interesting documentary as always. Nice to know a History of Monopoly and some of the Streets behind it.Thanks again Rob, keep up the good work
Hi Rob super video,happy to know that Victor and Marjorie came from My home county “God’s own”I happened to find a old German Monopoly set in the recycling centre and the Vine Street equivalent is called Berliner Straße and costs 4000 Marks.All the property names are standardised like the station’s are named main,north and south etc.The street names also like Park,Museum,station,new and direction streets like Munich and Berliner Straße.Not any kind of imagination as our beloved game.Cheers mate and thanks once again 👍👍
The only thing I know about Vine Street is that there was a Police Station there. It was also regarded, by some people, to be haunted by the ghost of a policeman who hanged himself in the cells. The atmosphere in some parts of the place was said to be unpleasantly oppressive, and gloomy. (even after it re-opened in the 1970's). I was told this by my late mother, who was a Metropolitan Police 'Special', in the mid 1950's. She never believed in ghosts or the supernatural, but the fact the story was told to her by stolid, unimaginative Policemen of the 'old school', who just stated it as fact, and were not trying to scare a 20 year old girl. The station was closed by the time mum was in the met, but she said she went to lots of places that just felt 'wrong', for no apparent reason, whilst on the beat and, being a tremendously rational person, it annoyed her that she could never find out why.
Ha ha! Yes... from what I've heard, the ghost is of a former bent copper- he took a lot of bribes in the early 20th century and apparently made a fortune. When he got found out, he promptly took his own life...
Brilliant video Rob, really enjoyed it. Vine Street is a location I have walked past hundreds of times and not even noticed it is there, feel a bit guilty now.
Fantastic as always Rob me old mucker! That whole Vine Street- Little Vine Street switcheroo seems like much ado about nothing, a very strange affair! With love from Yorkshire x
Thanks, I've taken part in Monopoly Run Live (you play Monopoly by visiting the real life locations from the London Monopoly board) a few times now and always wondered why Vine Street seemed to be down a random back alley. Now, if my Guides ask me when we play again in a few weeks time, I can tell them that it used to be the location of an important police station. I think a modern version would probably centre around the attractions of London, e.g. one colour set for the museums, as well as places like the London Eye, Tower of London and London Dungeons being included. You could also have well-known buildings like the Shard, Gherkin and Walkie-talkie on there. In terms of stations, Waterloo, Paddington, Liverpool Street and one of Euston/St Pancras/King's Cross would be good options for the four corners of London.
@@Robslondon Yeah, it happens on the first Saturday in March every year, but it's only open to people in Scouting and Guiding. So if you see loads of kids (and adults) in uniform running about London on 4th March you know why.
Rob, greetings to you again from Thailand, oh Monopoly as kids my brother always had to be the Banker and sometimes games went on for days. As always yet again very interesting and thought provoking video. August 1993 I was actually working on a farm in Buckinghamshire a little more than a stones throw from Leatherslade farm , the concrete track in those was mud and there lies a story of its own. Looking out for the next video
How cool! I've been to that Bermondsey Street watchhouse cafe :D I was watching this as a follow-up to my finding out that the choice of train stations on the Monopoly board was due to the fact that those stations served Leeds, unlike the other, sometimes larger and more important stations (e.g. Waterloo, London Bridge, Paddington).
As an American, I have always been interested in hearing the reasoning behind the street names in the UK version of monopoly. Brilliant video. I'm fascinated by UK and English history.
Another fascinating and well-researched video Rob. I'm told that professional Monopoly players (who knew there was such a thing!?) very much covet the orange set as opponents leaving jail are very likely to land there. 🤑
Wonderful!! I am a Londoner now living Manchester far too far away from the Emirates (or Highbury) but needs must. However it’s great to get such a London ‘fix’ such as this piece. I knew very little about this story so was doubly pleased. Thanks Bob England
I was once incarcerated at Islington nick for the night in Tolpuddle st. Unfortunately I never had the pleasure of sampling the delights of Vine St. Great Video!
I love your videos so much Rob, especially when they don't go too far east 🙂 Not being a Monopoly man 'Vine Street Police Station' has always been the phrase or name that pops into my mind but I don't believe I have ever stepped in Vine Street itself. Though I've sold books to a dealer in (I think) Albemarle Street and have perused the stalls in front of St James' Church I think of myself as on the Regent Street side of things rather than the Picadilly, which apart from the Royal Academy has never interested me as much. When I was young it was Hamleys and in the late sixties the guitar shops in Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road and then when working with a Thai gentleman with an intrepid streak in the '80s, eating at all manner of Chinese and Indian restaurants that he had uncovered in his travels. Thanks again Rob, for all your work. I enjoyed your Monopoly inspired graphics.
What a brilliant comment! Thank you as always Paul, really enjoy hearing your memories- it’s important to share them, for it’s how people in the future will gain a window into our lives. Thanks again my friend and stay well.
Thank you Rob - yet another fascinating video. I'm very interested in the sites of now demolished buildings, especially in central London - trying to imagine the scene at each location in times past. Your impeccable research is therefore greatly appreciated!
A great video - and evidently took a lot of effort to put together! I live in the Netherlands now, but still homesick for London every now and then. Every street has a story to tell.
This is great Rob, I used to work at the hotel and have fond memories of coming into work through Vine street, always wondered why it was on the board and now I know 😊. Anyway, thanks for bringing back some great memories and enlightening me at the same time!
JUST Subscribed. Very good history lesson of Vine St, a street I have past many hundreds of times, but with very little knowledge or any at all about it. There is another story about Swallow Street or near by it, that its where a murder took place in 1896 of two young boys, but the case was not followed, as the boys where part of the Dove-Row Gang.
the title was intriguing but this vid is even more fascinating than i expected. really good work. just wish there was the same vast amount of information presented this well about all our other cities as there is about london. if anyone has any suggestions pls let me know.
Hi Rob Thoroughly enjoyed that one, I know all of the areas you mentioned, but once again, you have shown me the history, as with all your videos, I always make a point of driving past the locations, Thank you All the best Mike
I've been fishing at the pond by Bridego Bridge, where the robbery happened. You always get a few people visiting, who know a great deal about the robbery. Always fascinating listening to them.
It's always such a absolute pleasure to watch your videos, so interesting and very well researched. I am very much looking forward to watching your future videos.
Hi Rob, catching up on your videos that I haven't seen. Another brilliant video my friend. Almost 20 minutes passed as if it was only 10 minutes. Seeing as St James's is my favourite area of London, I would have to say that St James's Street, Jermyn Street, Pickering Place, and Arlington Street should be included on the Monopoly board. As for the colour that they should have, it could only be Eau de Nil, Fortnum & Mason's colour.
I used to work very close to there, and I didn't know it existed. I recognise most of the other nearby streets you showed in the video, but not Vine Street.
Wow! That was so informative! At around the time that it was being snapped up with a view to becoming a theme park, I worked for a company that had similar ideas. I'd say that it had a lucky escape. Don"t even get me started on what it has been turned into now... (more assets for the rich to snap up). When 'Sloane Rangers' started buying up Wandsworth and Lambeth during the mid to late 80s, I heard that they were referring to Brixton as "Brixton Village", pronounced Clapham as "Claaarm" and Battersea as "Bat-terr-see-yahh". That's when I knew it was time to move. I don't even want to think about Monopoly,! It's too close to the truth , leaving increasing numbers of us living with the uncertainty of renting (and we're lucky if we can still afford to do that!).
Another brilliant video! I've only recently discovered Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, which has become one of my favourite works of literature. I live close to Worthing, a place Wilde travelled to for romantic getaways. I also grew up on a street with a house owned by the composer George Posford. Noel Coward, who was rumoured to be Posford's lover, regularly visited him there.
Thanks for the video, I never knew where Vine Street was. After watching, I realised I have actually been in the street. I was being treated to afternoon tea in the Piccadilly Hotel and there was a fire alarm and the muster point was around the back in Vine Street!
@@Robslondon always much better , especially on a Monday morning, after watching and listening to one of your fabulous London videos. The Best city in the World Always a Treat 😊🏴☠️
Very amusing & entertaining. I applaud your forensic investigation. What can you tell us about La Belle Sauvage Yard, Ludgate Hill & the many versions of Old Seacole Lane & Limeburners Lane, please?
Hi Rob my old friend, you sure threw the dice and landed on 6, even skipping out of jail without a penalty!! I learnt stuff too! On a few times in my misspent youth on mu weekends trips to London I stayed at the Piccadilly Hotel on Piccadilly Circus it was easy to get mistaken for a rent lad of you stayed leaning too long on the 'meat rack' of the roadside fence 😲 All great days of my carefree years sighhhhhh. Cheers matey DougT
Late to the party, apologies...video was fascinating and well researched. Reading the comments I've suggested a reason for the m with a horizontal line through (it may symbolise the more international 'monopoly money'. However the main point I wanted to make was that it may be true that this orange row and Vine St in particular may be the most cost efficient ones for building houses and raising rent for them. So I heard from someone and I've never done that badly with them in my portfolio.
You're on to something here Rob, u could do a vid of every square of Monopoly. 🤣 that makes sense all the orange ones being associated with Law. Excellent explanation of Vine St👍🙂
Thanks so much for watching! If you had the chance to design the London Monopoly board from scratch, what properties would you include? Please be sure to let me know in the comments....
For me, it would have to include Abbey Road, Lord's and The Oval. 😃🏏🚶🚶♂🚶🚶♂
@@brianparker663 And they would be excellent choices Brian!
Canary Wharf!
@@arejayseeottawa Good one Robert ;-)
@@Robslondon Cheers Robert!
Top video! An Americus Oglethorpe shows up the London Metropolitan Archives in a document from 1751 submitted to the magistrates at the Middlesex sessions. He he had been indentured as an apprentice to a mariner, William Tiffin for 7 years starting 14 June 1746 but Mr Tiffin died leaving Americus in the lurch. He was asking to be discharged from the apprenticeship because Mr Tiffin’s sister was trying to force him to do unpaid work for her.
What a fantastic find. Thank you so much! Brings a lot of clarity to the story. Many thanks again and stay well 😊
Just to add to this, both Americus and Oglethorpe are towns in Georgia, a mere 20 miles apart.
Maybe the individual in question was born in Andersonville (approximately halfway between Americus and Oglethorpe), but decided that wasn't great as a personal name.
@@Alan_DuvalIf said individual was around anytime close to the American Civil War, I could certainly see the desire to distance oneself from Andersonville as it was home to one of the most notorious Confederate prison camps of the war…😳😬
@@christopheralthouse6378 Super interesting. Thanks!
@@Alan_Duval Definitely! Andersonville Prison Camp has a rather unfortunate connection to my family as one of my ancestors (on my maternal grandmother’s side) died as a Union POW in that camp. Grandma spent quite a few years working to get the name on his gravestone corrected.
William P. Vandever, if one ever gets curious enough to see…
A few years ago, a group of us tried to complete the Monopoly Board pub crawl for a stag do. Our original plan to only drink a half at each stop soon deteriorated into pints and then shots for completing sides of the board. Needless to say, we didn’t quite finish it and had to visit four or five of the posher addresses the following weekend (a tip if plan to try it: don’t leave the more upmarket places till the end because you won’t find many pubs willing to allow a large group of already drunk men to enter - especially after midnight). Anyway, the one address we really struggled to find was Vine Street and we did wonder at the time why it was on the board. Now our questions are answered. Thanks for the video!
Ha ha! Great comment Antony, thank you... and you're braver than me! ;-)
We went for wine from a wine box for Vine Street 😅on our monopoly board pub crawl. Need to start on the Brown ones as some of the pubs there open earlier. And yes, we did include railway stations!
Fascinating and well researched. I was a Police Office in the 1980s to 1990s, and Vine Street was the last station I served in. It was still one of the busiest nicks in London then, mainly covering the Regent Street, Piccadilly and Soho area. Pub kicking-out time at the weekends was the busiest time, running fights with loud drunks right through to the early hours. I still have chronic back pain as a memento!
Ha ha! Cheers Jeremy ;-) Stay well.
We might have passed each other like shift workers in the night! I was there from 1985 to 1989 :)
Amazing to think such a tiny street has so much history. Thanks for the research and sharing. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
It's an absolute pleasure Andi; thanks so much for watching.
There used to be an imports record store in the mid 60s The underpass under the station is interesting the Ship and Shovel is a good pub for tourists
Hi Rob. Regarding the train robbers. They did use Monopoly money. The mistake they made was not clearing it up and it had their fingerprints all over it. In some cases, this helped with their convictions. I have always wondered why a relatively insignificant street appears on the board tho! Cheers.
Ah! I would’ve used real cash personally if there were stacks of it lying around! 😂
Rob, you have done it again. What an amazing walk through history, of a small Street in London. Incredible. You really brought Vine Street to Life. The history of how Monopoly was created was great in itself, but then to go through the eras, the changes and the stories you found just gave me a whole new history lesson on this little place.
So sad about the little girl and the cheese block. You have just brought her memory back, and although she was only 4 when she passed, her memory continues to live on in History now.
I loved the tie in to the third Bond Book, Moonraker. I am a huge Ian Fleming Fan, and the Bond series as a whole.
It may just be a service road in modern standards today, but it trully deserves its place on the Board after seeing all this.
I am not sure how many other Streets you have covered with the Monopoly tie in, but for sure this could be an awesome series of videos if you continue doing more.
Wishing you and your family all the best as always.
Thank you so much John; a lovely, lovely comment and just the sort of incredibly kind words which keep me going. Thank you again my friend and stay well.
Rob great research brings back memories. I served as a Det Sgt at Vine Street for 3 years in the 70s what a tremendous area the best posting I had in the 30 year service and although busy was so well organised you didn’t really notice it was the busiest police station in Europe well done great video 19:45
Wonderful comment Robert, thank you so much. I bet you have quite a few stories to tell?! Thanks again for the kind words and stay well.
"I'm taking my secretary to London to research locations for a board game" must be the most original excuse for a dirty weekend ever!
😂
Brilliant comment 😂😂😂
Best idea ever 😂
😉😉,nudge, nudge.
i imagine a few games of Twister were had?
I love your presentation style Rob. The unhurried, conversational nature of your voiceover has the charming qualities of being both engaging and relaxing.
Very enjoyable.
That means so much to me Kingsley, thank you my friend. Cheers and stay well.
Rob I am sure you are to young to remember a radio show called listen with Mother. As children when it came on the radio we would be settled down with a mug of milk and some cake or biscuits to listen to the story, Well now 50 years later on the opposite side of the world I find my self doing the same thing when I see you have uploaded. Make a nice cup of tea piece of fruit cake and settle into the armchair to enjoy your story. such a relaxing pleasure, coming from close to Harrow your accent takes me back and adds to the London vibe.
That is such a lovely comment Paul, thank you :-) Hope you're keeping well and thanks again.
Always fascinating storytelling 👍
Really appreciate that Filip; thank you so much my friend. Stay well.
I've never been to London & odds are I never shall, but I love your channel! My Grandfather, a veteran of the Royal Field Artillery in the Great War, used to tell me where all the good pubs were. Of course, most of them had been bombed out during the Blitz. My Mum lived through the Blitz. I love learning the history of London.
Such a wonderful comment Jovan, thank you. Your mother and grandfather sound like the sort of people I would loved to have listened to.
I hope you do make it here one day… stay well my friend.
Always worth the wait ... another perfectly-formed little gem from Rob. I've not lived in London for many years, but his rambles through the streets and history always create a pang if nostalgia. Thank you, Rob.
It's a pleasure as always Nicole, thank you so much for the kind words :-)
Brilliantly researched as always Rob, and finding the legal connection between the orange sites was just genius. Your content is so good that I'm sure you could make a book out of it (I know that you're already an author).
Thank you so much :-) I'd love to write more books, but it would appear online is the way to go now.... you never know though ;-)
Hello Rob
An excellent video. Love the Monopoly facts. The company I work for just celebrated it's 100th anniversary and we sold a special Monopoly game based on our company. We now have three different board sets, the American original an London one and our company one. Loved the Only Fools and Horses clip. Thanks Take Care Chris and Sandra of Canada.
I can't begin to believe how much research goes into these video's. Amazing work as always Rob, very informative.
Thank you so much Paul, really appreciate your kind words. Stay well mate.
Shane McGowan sings about Vine Street police station in the song 'The Ol' Main Drag' "between the metal doors at Vine Street I was beaten and mauled, and they ruined my good looks for the old main drag"
Ha ha! Yes indeed! I toyed with the idea of mentioning it, but thought it would be too controversial for this family channel! 😉
There's a fabulous book by Tim Moore called "Do Not Pass Go" which has the history of all the squares on the Monopoly Board.
This however was another level Rob, great research. I wonder if you fancy doing a full series about Monopoly?
Thank you so much Victoria 😊 I’ve not heard of that book, will have to look it up… as for a series, I’d be up for it if people would be happy to watch!
Tim Moore was in my class at school! And yes, that book is very funny - recommended.
Brilliant Rob, well done on all the research! I knew the police station well, I joined the Met in 1983. So many police stations closing & being demolished, Chelsea police station in Lucan Place, SW3 being the latest to go under the swinging bal...
Many thanks Simon. Yes, even West End Central is now closed as you’ll know.
Would loved to have seen inside Vine Street station (as a non-criminal of course!) Thanks again and stay well
Another truly amazing video Rob, thank you so much. By strange coincidence I am reading 'Right Ho Jeeves' by P.G. Wodehouse, in which Bertie Wooster reminisces being 'hauled off to Vine Street Police Station' on Boat Race night and to avoid a drunk and disorderly fine 'assumed in a flash the identity of Eustace H. Plimsoll'. Doubt you could get away with that today, but if the circumstances arise I might just give it a try. Also, regarding Swallow Street: there is a Swallow Passage on the south side of Oxford Street. I wonder if they were both once connected?
Lovely comment David, thank you so much. I didn't know Vine Street police station as mentioned in that book! Swallow Passage I'm not sure about, will have to look into it... .thanks again and stay well.
What a great story! Thanks Rob! Monopoly was always my favorite game as a kid, but I won't lie, I've turned that darn board over a time or two.
Thank you so much Martha :-) Stay well.
As always a great vid Rob. As a child played this with my Gran, mum and dad and brothers and sister. Have played with my kids and now with my grand kids! Somethings never go out of fashion.
Lovely comment Clive, thank you. Yes, I think Monopoly will always be here. Stay well 😉
I was born in London quite a long time ago. I always learn something new every time I watch one of your videos. This one was outstanding! Thanks man👍🍺🍺
Nice comment; thanks and thank you for watching 😉
Rob, your research is amazing! Each video is so interesting, and you tie up all the loose ends so effortlessly. I look forward to each one.
Thank you Linda! Really kind of you to say :-) Stay well.
Rob, your videos never fail to inform and enchant - the perfect start to a Sunday evening! Wasn't there also a fairly notable police station at Gerald Road, near Eaton Square (I believe it featured in many 'well to do' scandals from the 1930s onwards)? On a side note, several decades ago I stayed overnight at the Cadogan Hotel in the very room where Wilde was arrested - no ghosts, alas.
That means a lot to me, thank you so much. Don’t know about the Gerald Road station, will have to look into it! And that’s quite something; staying in the great Oscar Wilde’s room! Very jealous! 😉 Stay well and thanks again
Superbly written and edited video. Nice work!
Thank you BonBon!
Hi from Texas. Excellent video. I am simply amazed how you find all of the research to tell the stories that you do.
Truly appreciate that Bd Manus, thank you my friend. Great to have someone from Texas here! Thanks again and stay well.
Brilliant - past go and claim a new sub. We in Australia grew up with the UK version years before we got our own state specific Monopoly boards. Love that game and love this story.
Such a lovely comment Brad, thank you so much for the kind words mate. Really good to have you here! Cheers and stay well 🇦🇺
Fascinating stuff once again Rob. It's always amazing how much history even the most unassuming of streets has.
Thanks Raymonda :-) Yes; it never ceases to amaze me how much history is hidden away out there....
Great research, so detailed and informative! Just came up in my feed and now a subscriber! Lived in London from 1980-2002 and loved everything about it; never bored always something new to discover and I’m now going to continue exploring via your videos!
Lovely comment LadyMissP, thank you! It's great to have you here 🙂
What a smashing post
Loved it. Really interesting documentary as always. Nice to know a History of Monopoly and some of the Streets behind it.Thanks again Rob, keep up the good work
Many thanks Doug! Cheers ;-)
Fascinating stuff. A filling in of little gaps in knowledge that I'd never really considered to be missing until now. 😀
😁
Hi Rob super video,happy to know that Victor and Marjorie came from My home county “God’s own”I happened to find a old German Monopoly set in the recycling centre and the Vine Street equivalent is called Berliner Straße and costs 4000 Marks.All the property names are standardised like the station’s are named main,north and south etc.The street names also like Park,Museum,station,new and direction streets like Munich and Berliner Straße.Not any kind of imagination as our beloved game.Cheers mate and thanks once again 👍👍
Brilliant comment Nicholas, thank you. Leeds is a great city 😉
Great content. I like it too. Thanks Robert.👍👍👍💜💜💜
Thank you Sharon 😊
The only thing I know about Vine Street is that there was a Police Station there. It was also regarded, by some people, to be haunted by the ghost of a policeman who hanged himself in the cells. The atmosphere in some parts of the place was said to be unpleasantly oppressive, and gloomy. (even after it re-opened in the 1970's). I was told this by my late mother, who was a Metropolitan Police 'Special', in the mid 1950's. She never believed in ghosts or the supernatural, but the fact the story was told to her by stolid, unimaginative Policemen of the 'old school', who just stated it as fact, and were not trying to scare a 20 year old girl. The station was closed by the time mum was in the met, but she said she went to lots of places that just felt 'wrong', for no apparent reason, whilst on the beat and, being a tremendously rational person, it annoyed her that she could never find out why.
Ha ha! Yes... from what I've heard, the ghost is of a former bent copper- he took a lot of bribes in the early 20th century and apparently made a fortune. When he got found out, he promptly took his own life...
Brilliant video Rob, really enjoyed it. Vine Street is a location I have walked past hundreds of times and not even noticed it is there, feel a bit guilty now.
Thank you so much! And I’m sure you’re not alone; I was guilty of that until recently!
Fascinating stuff, as usual, Rob! Excellent research. 👍
Thanks so much Bryan! Hope you’re keeping well
Fantastic as always Rob me old mucker! That whole Vine Street- Little Vine Street switcheroo seems like much ado about nothing, a very strange affair!
With love from Yorkshire x
Chew Mickey! And yes, very much in agreement 😉
Cheers Rob. Really loving these videos that bring my adopted home city to life.
Absolute pleasure Richard, glad you like them! Thanks for watching and stay well.
Another "I never knew that" video, great job ! Thanks for your work.
Much appreciated Stephen! Cheers 😉
Thanks, I've taken part in Monopoly Run Live (you play Monopoly by visiting the real life locations from the London Monopoly board) a few times now and always wondered why Vine Street seemed to be down a random back alley. Now, if my Guides ask me when we play again in a few weeks time, I can tell them that it used to be the location of an important police station.
I think a modern version would probably centre around the attractions of London, e.g. one colour set for the museums, as well as places like the London Eye, Tower of London and London Dungeons being included. You could also have well-known buildings like the Shard, Gherkin and Walkie-talkie on there.
In terms of stations, Waterloo, Paddington, Liverpool Street and one of Euston/St Pancras/King's Cross would be good options for the four corners of London.
Brilliant comment Hannah, I enjoyed reading that. I didn't realise there was a Monopoly run! Cheers and stay well :-)
@@Robslondon Yeah, it happens on the first Saturday in March every year, but it's only open to people in Scouting and Guiding. So if you see loads of kids (and adults) in uniform running about London on 4th March you know why.
It's due soon then!
Wow Rob - that’s an impressive and complex piece of research! Thanks for another great video 😊
It's a pleasure Annette, thank you so much for the kind words 🙂
Rob, greetings to you again from Thailand, oh Monopoly as kids my brother always had to be the Banker and sometimes games went on for days. As always yet again very interesting and thought provoking video. August 1993 I was actually working on a farm in Buckinghamshire a little more than a stones throw from Leatherslade farm , the concrete track in those was mud and there lies a story of its own. Looking out for the next video
Great comment Butch, thank you! Hope you're keeping well.
How cool! I've been to that Bermondsey Street watchhouse cafe :D
I was watching this as a follow-up to my finding out that the choice of train stations on the Monopoly board was due to the fact that those stations served Leeds, unlike the other, sometimes larger and more important stations (e.g. Waterloo, London Bridge, Paddington).
Thanks Alan! And that’s a very interesting fact 😉
As an American, I have always been interested in hearing the reasoning behind the street names in the UK version of monopoly. Brilliant video. I'm fascinated by UK and English history.
Thank you! Lovely comment 😉
Another fascinating and well-researched video Rob. I'm told that professional Monopoly players (who knew there was such a thing!?) very much covet the orange set as opponents leaving jail are very likely to land there. 🤑
Cheers Brian! I didn’t know that, very interesting- will have to bear it in mind next time I play 😉
Wonderful!! I am a Londoner now living Manchester far too far away from the Emirates (or Highbury) but needs must. However it’s great to get such a London ‘fix’ such as this piece. I knew very little about this story so was doubly pleased.
Thanks
Bob
England
Thanks so much Bob; appreciate the kind words! Cheers ;-)
Very interesting! Looking forward to exploring London again. Hi from Australia 🇦🇺
Thanks Ruth! Hope you make it back here soon.
I was once incarcerated at Islington nick for the night in Tolpuddle st. Unfortunately I never had the pleasure of sampling the delights of Vine St. Great Video!
😂 Cheers Andrew!
Did that make you a Tolpuddle Martyr, then?
@@rachelhenderson2688 Ha, no i was guilty
I love your videos so much Rob, especially when they don't go too far east 🙂
Not being a Monopoly man 'Vine Street Police Station' has always been the phrase or name that pops into my mind but I don't believe I have ever stepped in Vine Street itself. Though I've sold books to a dealer in (I think) Albemarle Street and have perused the stalls in front of St James' Church I think of myself as on the Regent Street side of things rather than the Picadilly, which apart from the Royal Academy has never interested me as much. When I was young it was Hamleys and in the late sixties the guitar shops in Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road and then when working with a Thai gentleman with an intrepid streak in the '80s, eating at all manner of Chinese and Indian restaurants that he had uncovered in his travels.
Thanks again Rob, for all your work. I enjoyed your Monopoly inspired graphics.
What a brilliant comment!
Thank you as always Paul, really enjoy hearing your memories- it’s important to share them, for it’s how people in the future will gain a window into our lives.
Thanks again my friend and stay well.
Thanks Rob, That clears up a lot of things re Vine St. I've got a photo standing under the street sign from about 2003.
Anytime Stephanie ;-)
What a unique way to research history, and really come across a lot of interesting stories.
Thank you!
Thank you Rob - yet another fascinating video. I'm very interested in the sites of now demolished buildings, especially in central London - trying to imagine the scene at each location in times past. Your impeccable research is therefore greatly appreciated!
Glad to be of service, William :-) Thank you so much for the kind words.
A great video - and evidently took a lot of effort to put together! I live in the Netherlands now, but still homesick for London every now and then. Every street has a story to tell.
Such a beautiful comment, thank you so much mjwemdee. Stay well my friend.
Thanks for all your hard work Rob, enjoyed that.
Thanks so much Mark, really appreciate your support. Stay well.
This is great Rob, I used to work at the hotel and have fond memories of coming into work through Vine street, always wondered why it was on the board and now I know 😊. Anyway, thanks for bringing back some great memories and enlightening me at the same time!
Great comment Sam, thank you!
JUST Subscribed.
Very good history lesson of Vine St, a street I have past many hundreds of times, but with very little knowledge or any at all about it.
There is another story about Swallow Street or near by it, that its where a murder took place in 1896 of two young boys, but the case was not followed, as the boys where part of the Dove-Row Gang.
Thanks Ray! That's interesting about Swallow Street, I wasn't aware of that...
Very informative. I always thought Vine St. was a bit obscure but never gave it a second thought.
Thank you :-)
the title was intriguing but this vid is even more fascinating than i expected. really good work.
just wish there was the same vast amount of information presented this well about all our other cities as there is about london.
if anyone has any suggestions pls let me know.
Your comment has made my day; thank you so much! Really appreciate your kind words.
Cheers and stay well 🙂
Hi Rob
Thoroughly enjoyed that one, I know all of the areas you mentioned, but once again, you have shown me the history, as with all your videos, I always make a point of driving past the locations,
Thank you
All the best
Mike
Thanks so much Mike, hope you’re keeping well.
Great research and engaging presentation style. Thank you Rob!
Much appreciated, thanks for watching 😊
@@Robslondon Subscribed too! Looking forward to viewing more. All the best!
@@martycrow Lovely! Thank you 🙂
I've been fishing at the pond by Bridego Bridge, where the robbery happened. You always get a few people visiting, who know a great deal about the robbery. Always fascinating listening to them.
I noticed the fishing area when filming this Gary 😉
It's always such a absolute pleasure to watch your videos, so interesting and very well researched. I am very much looking forward to watching your future videos.
Really appreciate your kind words Darren; they mean a lot to me. Stay well mate.
Hi Rob, catching up on your videos that I haven't seen. Another brilliant video my friend. Almost 20 minutes passed as if it was only 10 minutes. Seeing as St James's is my favourite area of London, I would have to say that St James's Street, Jermyn Street, Pickering Place, and Arlington Street should be included on the Monopoly board. As for the colour that they should have, it could only be Eau de Nil, Fortnum & Mason's colour.
Lovely comment Barry, and it's great to see you here!
Didn't know that I didn't know this, and certainly not that it was a very interesting tale! Thanks!!
Thanks very much for watching, Leif Vejby :-) Stay well.
Thank You Rob , for making this interesting episode today !
Cheers from California 😊
It's a pleasure Olin! Hope life in California is treating you well ;-) Cheers and stay well.
Brilliant video Rob,what an interesting subject for a video.
Much appreciated Cal, thanks for watching 😊
What an excellent channel and video! Love you Rob!
That means a lot to me, thank you Viktoria 😊
I used to be a police officer working for some time at the metropolitan police station in Vine Street,it closed in 1997
You must have some interesting stories to tell Steve
As seen regularly on ‘Police5’ 🤭
Thank you. Your depth of knowledge and presentation are exceptional. I have been to London a few times but am not familiar with Vine St.
I appreciate that Jeff; many thanks sir.
Fantastic little slice of history, thanks very much!
Thank you so much Sean 😊
Fantastic work yet again my friend. Thanks.
It’s an absolute pleasure my friend; thanks for watching and stay well.
Very interesting video. Thanks!
Much appreciated; thanks for watching 😊
Rob, just have to echo the positive comments below. Many thanks for bringing this hidden gem to our attention. Truly grateful!
Much. appreciated; thank you 🙂
Thanks Rob, still got our old Monopoly game dating back to the early 60s, who knew that Vine Street had so much history?! 👍😊
Thanks Tony ;-) Yes, it's an interesting little place for sure.
I used to work very close to there, and I didn't know it existed. I recognise most of the other nearby streets you showed in the video, but not Vine Street.
Thanks Katrina, hope you found it interesting 😊
Wow! That was so informative!
At around the time that it was being snapped up with a view to becoming a theme park, I worked for a company that had similar ideas. I'd say that it had a lucky escape. Don"t even get me started on what it has been turned into now... (more assets for the rich to snap up).
When 'Sloane Rangers' started buying up Wandsworth and Lambeth during the mid to late 80s, I heard that they were referring to Brixton as "Brixton Village", pronounced Clapham as "Claaarm" and Battersea as "Bat-terr-see-yahh". That's when I knew it was time to move.
I don't even want to think about Monopoly,! It's too close to the truth , leaving increasing numbers of us living with the uncertainty of renting (and we're lucky if we can still afford to do that!).
Good comment, cheers 😉
I learned as much in the comments as in the video.
Thank you.
Thanks! Yes, I’m very lucky to have some good commentators 😉
Another brilliant video! I've only recently discovered Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, which has become one of my favourite works of literature. I live close to Worthing, a place Wilde travelled to for romantic getaways. I also grew up on a street with a house owned by the composer George Posford. Noel Coward, who was rumoured to be Posford's lover, regularly visited him there.
Thank you so much Paul- and a really interesting comment.
Fascinating. Thanks for your research and producing this article. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
It’s a pleasure Melvyn, thank you so much for watching.
Thanks for the video, I never knew where Vine Street was. After watching, I realised I have actually been in the street. I was being treated to afternoon tea in the Piccadilly Hotel and there was a fire alarm and the muster point was around the back in Vine Street!
Ha ha! Nice comment altosanon, thank you.
I love your channel so much. Thank you. ❤
Thank you so much Priscilla :-) I couldn't do it without the lovely support of wonderful people such as yourself. Stay well and thanks again.
Just want to say I love your channel.
That means a lot to me, thank you! ☺️
Thankyou Rob this is so interesting ..I lived in London for many happy years and it's wonderful finding out the History from the past 😊
Such a lovely comment Cally cat, thank you :-)
Ahh, so that's Vine Street! Nice informative video, Rob, thank you.
Thank you so much Nellie 😊
Thanks
Thanks Michael
Really kind of you Michael; thank you my friend :-) Stay well.
That was fascinating as usual Rob.
Thank you so much Kerry 😊
Yet another well researched video ! Great work.
Thank you so much Rachel :-)
Rob,
Superb video. Once again
😊🏴☠️
Much appreciated Alan, thank you. Hope you're keeping well.
@@Robslondon always much better , especially on a Monday morning, after watching and listening to one of your fabulous London videos.
The Best city in the World
Always a Treat
😊🏴☠️
@@alanchriston6806 Thanks!
Outstanding work Rob.
Cheers!
Fascinating video- great free education- I love it I really love it❤
That you so much ☺️ Your kind words mean a great deal to me, thank you for watching and stay well.
great storytelling! well-paced & voiced. brian potiki
Much appreciated, thank you :-)
A very enjoyable vid Rob.
Thanks.
Thanks very much Mike
Very amusing & entertaining. I applaud your forensic investigation. What can you tell us about La Belle Sauvage Yard, Ludgate Hill & the many versions of Old Seacole Lane & Limeburners Lane, please?
Thanks so much Perry! Those are all intriguing places... I aim to cover them in time ;-) Thanks again and stay well.
Hi Rob my old friend, you sure threw the dice and landed on 6, even skipping out of jail without a penalty!! I learnt stuff too! On a few times in my misspent youth on mu weekends trips to London I stayed at the Piccadilly Hotel on Piccadilly Circus it was easy to get mistaken for a rent lad of you stayed leaning too long on the 'meat rack' of the roadside fence 😲 All great days of my carefree years sighhhhhh. Cheers matey DougT
Cheers Doug 😉
Amazing video presented so well.
Thank you so much Iain. Cheers and stay well.
Absolutely fascinating - well done
Thank you Jacob 🙂
Late to the party, apologies...video was fascinating and well researched. Reading the comments I've suggested a reason for the m with a horizontal line through (it may symbolise the more international 'monopoly money'. However the main point I wanted to make was that it may be true that this orange row and Vine St in particular may be the most cost efficient ones for building houses and raising rent for them. So I heard from someone and I've never done that badly with them in my portfolio.
Interesting comment Altair, thank you!
You're on to something here Rob, u could do a vid of every square of Monopoly. 🤣 that makes sense all the orange ones being associated with Law. Excellent explanation of Vine St👍🙂
Much appreciated Dave, cheers! There is a Monopoly pub crawl but I’ve not been brave enough to ever attempt it! 😬
Great research Rob of my London.
Thanks Jonathan :-)