We've canvassed the London Walks guides, asking them to nominate their desert island museum and we'll be posting their responses throughout the month.
As usual, you are more than welcome to join in! Get in touch via Facebook, or Twitter or via the usual email address.
Hang on to your (stovepipe) hats, folks, here's Robert…
I am so glad you asked! If I could take one
London Museum to a desert island, it would be The Brunel Museum because it has
a secret underground chamber, in case it got too hot out there above ground.
London Walks take you there five times a week with ‘Brunel’s London’ and
‘Mayflower to Brunel’s Tunnel’.
The Brunel Museum travels well because it is an International Historic
Landmark. Also what the Victorians called the 'Eighth Wonder of the World!’
More important, I need to clear something
up about museums. Forget display cases, ancient coins and bits of broken
pottery, ‘museum' actually means ‘House of the Muses’. In other words 'House of
Inspiration'.
There are nine muses and they are alive and
well and live in a secret underground chamber at The Brunel Museum. Say Brunel
Museum, say Inspiration.
Here’s the evidence:
Calliope Muse of epic poetry
Brunel Museum home to epic verse, as in Ode
to M Brunel by Thomas Hood
Well! Monsieur Brunel,
How prospers now thy mighty undertaking,
To join by a hollow way the Bankside
friends
Of Rotherhithe and Wapping
etc
Clio Muse of history
Brunel Museum above the Oldest Tunnel in
the Oldest Underground System in the World. Birthplace of the tube, birthplace
of the World City.
Euterpe Muse of flutes and lyric poetry
(and hang drums)
Brunel Museum stages Concerts, Pop Up opera
and jazz in the underground chamber, including Manu Delago the best hang drum
player in the world
Thalia Muse of comedy and pastoral poetry
Brunel Museum relaunches the Hellfire Club
with Martin Soane (Greatest Show on Legs), and a regular stand up night follows
shortly also as in Poem by Alan Gilbey
Brunel Road in Rotherhithe is often
pronounced Brunnel,
as if to bond it closer to the men who
built the tunnel.
Perhaps when they say tunnel then, they
ought to say too-nell,
as if to bond it closer to the family
Brunel?
Melpomene Muse of tragedy
Brunel Museum no stranger to tragedy. In
1828 six men died in this chamber, and Isambard Kingdom Brunel nearly drowned. Also
as in our recent promenade performance Othello by William Shakespeare: young
bride killed in tragic misunderstanding over laundry.
Terpsichore Muse of dance
Brunel Museum hosts Kings Cross Hot Jazz
Band and Flamenco and tap dance on special advertised days
Erato Muse of love poetry
Brunel Museum directly above the ‘Tunnel of
Love’ where IK Brunel met and romanced a famous actress called Fanny Kemble. Special
amorous events here every year, every Valentine’s Day
Polyhymnia Muse of sacred poetry
Brunel Museum keen observer of ritual. On
17th January we celebrate Wassail, an old and sacred ceremony. We dance around
fruit trees in the garden, recite poetry at them and give them a good kicking
which ensures they will produce cider.
Urania Muse of astronomy
Brunel’s earliest commission was to build a
telescope (he also built watches).
Dig deep for Brunel Muses, Dig deep for Inspiration.
Details of these and other events on www.brunel-museum.org.uk
Brunel’s
London walk & boat trip every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. Mayflower
to Brunel’s Tunnel walk every Sunday, Wednesday.
The Editor simply adds: Phew!
Robert
Robert is allowed to drive sheep across
London Bridge. An Oxford graduate, he's an actor, museum director, author and
holder of the Freedom. Let alone the first person since Brunel to organise an
underwater fair. He's got the keys.
Here's how to find the Brunel Museum…
All three parts of our London Museums
Podcast…
POST UPDATED 25/3/16
A London Walk costs £10 – £8 concession. To join a London Walk, simply meet your guide at the designated tube station at the appointed time. Details of all London Walks can be found at www.walks.com.
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