'Million Women Rise' March Saturday 3rd March 2012

Saturday, 3rd March, over 2000 people are expected to take part in the 'Million Women Rise' March in London's West End.

The march will form in Orchard Street from 12noon, move off at 1:30pm and finish at 6:00pm.

The route will follow along Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Haymarket, Pall Mall East and Trafalgar Square. London bus services will be diverted.

Metropolitan Police have advised us that there is an appropriate policing plan in place.

Open air street gallery at former Middlesex Hospital site

A selection of photographs from the Fitzrovia Photography Prize organised by Diemar / Noble Photography are now on display at the former Middlesex Hospital site on Cleveland Street.

A fantastic opportunity to see art in an open space surrounding the developement works.

Webchat on tackling gangs

On Friday 17th February between 10.30am-11.30am the Commissioner will be hosting his latest live webchat.

The webchat provides a unique opportunity for Londoners to ask the Commissioner about the Met's new focus on tackling gangs in London and the recent launch of a dedicated police unit.

Earlier this month Commander Eastaugh took part in one of the first webchats which was around stop and search.

Find out how to get involved by clicking here.

New £50 Note with Increased Security Features

From 2^nd November a new  £50 note will enter circulation, featuring images of Matthew Boulton and James Watt, leading figures of the Industrial Revolution. But the biggest change comes in the form of new security measures introduced by the Bank of England to deter counterfeiters.

Chris Salmon, the Bank of England's chief cashier, said in a speech last week to the British Numismatic Society that he had been determined that banknotes must be "instantly recognisable and hard to copy".

"As well as a first for our banknote art and being the first to bear my signature, the new £50 will deliver a significant update in security features, carrying eight features for cash users compared to the five of its predecessor," said Mr Salmon.

One of these features, called Motion Thread, includes semi-translucent windows woven into the note that show the £ symbol and the number 50 when held up to the light.

"When a note is tilted from side to side, the images move up and down. And when the note is tilted up and down, the images move from side to side and the number 50 and £ symbol switch.

Anyone lucky enough to get their hands on a £50 will - on the newest notes - find the portraits of industrialist Matthew Boulton (1728-1809) and James Watt (1736-1819).

Matthew Boulton was an entrepreneur, was key to the emergence of Birmingham as a centre for manufacturing.

Meanwhile, Watt was an engineer and scientist who improved the steam engine and, encouraged by Boulton, made one for the textile and cotton spinning industry.

He introduced the term "horsepower" and the metric unit of power is named after him.

The reason both appear on the £50 note is that their partnership brought steam-driven machinery to the minting of coins.

Boulton established the Soho Mint, to support the Royal Mint, and produced coins of the highest quality.

Sure Start Drop-In Sessions or Under 5s

Mondays 10.30am-4.30pm

The Drill Hall is the local theatre and arts centre for Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia. We offer weekly drop-in sessions for children under five and their parents/carers from the local neighbourhood.

View the activity schedule 

The Drill Hall's drop-in sessions are funded by Camden Council.