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| Sunday, 3 April 2005 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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One of the finest bridges in the world
At one time, only the London Bridge was there to link the two banks of the Thames. As London grew, many more bridges were added, but they were all to the west of the London Bridge. The east of London became densely populated by the 19th century, and the public cried out for a new bridge to ease the delays caused by congestion. In 1876, the Corporation of London, which was responsible for that part of the river, decided that action needed to be taken on the matter. A Special Bridge or Subway Committee was formed in 1876, and the designing of the bridge was open to the public through a competition. A design was chosen, from over 50 submitted, in October 1884. Construction took eight years, five major contractors and 432 workers and was completed in 1894. It was originally a chocolate brown colour and was painted red, white and blue in 1977 to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee. The Tower Bridge is lifted 900 times a year to allow tall ships, cruise ships, naval vessels and other large craft to pass through. It is certainly an impressive sight and tourists throng the area to watch this spectacle. The bridge, during the period of its construction, was the largest and most sophisticated bascule (comes from the French word for see-saw) bridge ever built. It was hydraulically operated, and the huge pumping engines were powered by steam. The energy created was stored in six massive accumulators so that power to lift the Bridge was readily available. The accumulators fed the driving engines, which drove the bascules up and down. Although the system appeared to be complex, it took only a minute for the bascules to be raised to the maximum 86 degrees. The bascules are still operated by hydraulic power, but have been driven by oil and electricity instead of steam, since 1976. The original pumping engines, accumulators and boilers are now a part of the Tower Bridge Exhibition, which in 1982, opened to the public for the first time, since 1910. The Tower Bridge Experience, the centenary exhibition, opened in 1993, featuring animatronic models telling the story of the bridge. It became available to be hired for parties and receptions from 1994. The current Tower Bridge Exhibition, refocusing on the magnificent views from the walkways and the history of the bridge, opened in 2002. Various activities designed to appeal to families as well as individuals, and to add further excitement to the visit are organized throughout the year as part of the exhibition. The opportunity of becoming a Guinness World Record Holder was provided to visitors this year. Between March 22 and April 3, visitors got the chance to enter a record breaking competition to build 30 levels of a 'Jenga Tower' in the fastest time possible. ************ A palace, fortress and prison
It has performed many roles as an armoury, royal palace and fortress, prison and place of execution, mint (where coins are made), menagerie (collection of wild or exotic animals) and jewel house. Construction of the tower started during the reign of William the Conqueror (1066-87) and remained unchanged for over a century. Its primary function was always to provide a base for royal power in London and a stronghold to which the Royal Family could retreat in times of civil disorder. Some of the sections of the edifice are: White Tower - Begun by William the Conqueror, this marks the start of the Tower of London's history as a palace and fortress. Today it houses the Royal Armouries' collection, which includes the armour of Henry VIII and the historic instruments of torture. Crowns and Diamonds - The Martin Tower houses a special exhibition 'Crowns and Diamonds: The making of the Crown Jewels', which explains the evolution of British crowns and the role that diamonds played in their decoration. Included in the display are five royal crowns, and over 12,000 diamonds. Traitors' Gate - The gate beneath St Thomas's Tower provided access from the river. It came to be known as Traitors' Gate because of the number of prisoners accused of treason who are supposed to have passed through it. Medieval Palace - Gives visitors an opportunity to see the part of the tower that was generally used by the kings of England when they were in residence. Scaffold Site and Tower Green - Some of the Tower's most famous and important prisoners were held in the buildings around Tower Green. Seven of them, including three English queens, were executed here. The Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula is the final resting place of those who died here. Bloody Tower - Is traditionally believed to be where the 'Princes in the Tower' were imprisoned and murdered in 1483. Today the tower is furnished as it might have appeared during the 13-year imprisonment of Sir Walter Raleigh, who was charged with plotting against James I. Wardrobe Tower - From very early on, the enclosure contained a number of timber buildings for residential and service use. It is not clear whether these included a royal residence. Wakefield Tower - Which was used as the King's lodgings. Lanthorn Tower (rebuilt in the 19th century) - Probably intended as the Queen's. Between 1800 and 1900, the Tower of London took on the appearance which, to a large extent, it retains today. Early in the century, many of the historic institutions which it had housed, began to move out. The number of visitors to the Tower increased during the second half of the 19th century, although sightseers had been admitted as early as 1660. By the end of Queen Victoria's reign, in 1901, half a million people were visiting the Tower annually. The tower is still home to about 150 people; the Yeoman Warders ('Beefeaters'), the colourfully dressed guards of the tower, and their families are prominent among them. |
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| Politics | Produced by Lake House |
The Tower Bridge, which stands over the River Thames in London,
England, is one of the finest and most recognised bridges in the world.
The Tower of London is another famous tourist attraction in England and
is located close to the River Thames. Founded nearly a millennium ago and
expanded upon over many centuries, the Tower of London has housed,
protected as well as imprisoned thousands of people. 
