[Pitscum]

then there was that old classic at the pont de la tour when ashley found out he wasnt well liked when one of his dining partners stood up and stuck a wine bottle round his head...that stopped the chat for a bit!!!!!

[Pitscum]

christ this has started me off now, anyone rememeber ken clarke visiting the floor with his brown suedes??

or the stripper doing her stuff in the visitors gallery at the old royal exchange??? that was the day to be in the ftse pit for sure!!!

[Directional]

you gotta elaborate on these last two for sure!!

[SOCRATES]

Does anyone remember the dip in the gutter opposite the main entrance to the Bank of England in Threadneedle St. which used to fill up with water on rainy days, and then the occasional passing vehicle would put its wheels in it and create a huge splash that would drench passers by caught unawares from head to foot. There was a sandwich bar on this side of the pavement in Threadneedle Street overlooking the very spot. We used to cross over from the Bartholomew Lane exit to the London Stock Exchange Floor to have a sandwich at this sandwich bar and a cup of tea and sat at the window laying bets amongst ourselves as to who would be drenched first. Wicked ! This dip has been since filled in by the spoilsport Corporation of the City of London.

[SOCRATES]

And does anyone remember the unveiling of electronic display of prices for the London Stock Exchange featuring all the FTSE 100 constituents in which the Chancellor stood in front of a blow up and pressed the button to start it and began his speech, and suddenly....all the prices turned red...and he was so offended by this...that he ordered it to be turned off ?...ha ha ha !

[SOCRATES]

And does anyone remember the cork pinboard on the Floor of the London Stock Exchange near to Wedd's pitch which displayed an array of ties ? These ties were snipped off and pinned there if they were considered to be "loud" or "inapropriate"....this was in the day when politeness was the norm...in the days of stiff starched collars when shoes had laces and trousers had braces and ties were quiet and everyone, from the most senior to the most junior, knew his place, and behaved in a proper manner befitting professionals.

[SOCRATES]

Originally Posted by Pitscum

christ this has started me off now, anyone rememeber ken clarke visiting the floor with his brown suedes??

Yes, I do, and what about the other Yokel who insisted on attending the Annual Banquet of the Mayor of the City of London dressed in a lounge suit instead of Tails like everybody else ?

Sartorial Hooliganism and Rock Bottom Crass Ignorance Personified.

Surely Moss Bros would rent him a proper tail suit if he does not himself own one.

[SOCRATES]

And does anyone remember when ladies were first admitted on the floor of the London Stock Exchange and all the "special facilties" that had to be provided for them, and how it is that they "played at" entering a man's world but never bought anyone lunch or a drink , or were incapable of offering anyone a cigar ?