My apologies for a couple of quiet weeks blog-wise. GCSE’s are keeping me busy and when I’m not revising or sitting exams, I’m busy with classes and rehearsals for our end of year performances. Tonight our year group have some time out and we are on our way to see Northern Ballet perform The Great Gatsby at Sadler’s Wells.

The 1920′s theme leads me to reflect on London during the Art Deco era and I wanted to share this view looking towards the Embankment from the Golden Jubilee Pedestrian Bridge

The building in the centre of my photo is known today simply as 80, The Strand, London. Designed by the architectural firm of Messrs Joseph, it was built in 1930-31 and until 1975 it was known as Shell Mex House. It remained the head office of Shell UK Ltd until the 1990’s. The clock, which was known for a time as “Big Benzene”, is one of the biggest in London.

For anyone interested in lovely London during this golden era, take a few moments to take a double-decker bus ride through the streets of the city back in 1926. This incredible colour footage was shot by an early pioneer of film named Claude Friese-Greene. Many thanks for Tim Sparke for uploading this clip onto Vimeo. Enjoy!