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5 Maddox Street, Mayfair, London, W1R 9LE, United Kingdom
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al_mary
Spring in Kensington Gardens - Apr 2010
Camden High Street panorama
Can anyone tell me what days the UK Government offices will be closed over the Festive period? I don't want to know retail holidays but e.g. when the FCO will be on holiday and/or Home Office. I have tried looking it up but am going all around the houses, so if someone knows for sure, then I would be very grateful.
I really want to know 'in general' and not specifically as in my examples, which are purely examples!
Many government depts will be closed on Dec 24th and December 28th (in additon to 25/26/27th). However these are classed as 'priviledge days' and the dates can vary from organisation to organisation (plus, some offices maintain cover for various reasons even on the priviledge days). If you have a specific department you are interested in, email them to confirm.
thinking a bit more about it, Monday 28th isnt a privilege day - that will be a regular bank holiday as Boxing Day falls on the Saturday.
That's very helpful. Any comments re New Year?
You're welcome. The only definite holiday at New Year is the regular bank holiday on the 1st. I should have mentioned previously, many staff pad out the statutory holidays with their leave to have a longer break. This means that some offices (usually those not 'customer facing') may be running on skeleton cover. Just something to bear in mind if you're planning on contacting any departments over the holidays.
Again, many thanks. That's what I thought. One might as well not expect anything to be done between 23rd December and 4th January!!
I think thats a realistic expectation!!
Speaking as a former London-based HQ civil servant of 34 years experience, expecting 'nothing to be done' between Christmas and New Year is about right! Those few days were always an heaven-sent opportunity for some of us to catch up the myriad jobs that you never could devote enough time to, what with the phone ringing all the time. Very few staff came in on those days, particularly those with families.
In general, offices shut up shop around 2pm on Christmas Eve and were obviously closed on 25th and 26th. If, as this year, there was a Bank Holiday in lieu of either or both then offices were closed then as well. My department did away with the wholesale extra 'privilege' day some time back and it was expected that the office would be open with nominally 50% of staff present either day. Then on New Year's Eve the three men and their dog (literally, we had a blind member of staff) actually in the office would be gone earlier than usual. The office was closed on January 1st of course and again if there was a substitute Bank Holiday on the 2nd or 3rd on that day as well.
This was matched by industry and the world of commerce. None of our building contractors were at work on site. I recall with great glee calling a contractor's representative, who hadn't said he was on leave, and being answered from a ski-lift!
So if you do expect to have business with a Government Department between 24th December and 3rd January, best to contact the relevant office well in advance to ensure there will be someone there who can deal with your particular enquiry.
Again, many thanks. Reminds me a bit of my son saying that if anyone wanted to invade the UK they should do it on a weekend, when all the armed forces are "off" or on R&R!!
The strong relationship that exists between the UK and US, that has been very evident lately, is not a new thing. The two countries have always had close links and you will notice several statues around London with an American theme. Not only does Abraham Lincoln look out towards Westminster but Roosevelt and Churchill can be seen enjoying a friendly chat in Bond Street.
Portcullis House may be familiar to some of you as that modern building above Westminster tube station opposite Big Ben and with the strange chimneys all over it. You won’t be familiar with the interior though, with its attractive covered courtyard.
The courtyard was open to the public during Open House weekend, and we were able to wander around the courtyard, and the cloister around the first floor. The building provides office accommodation for MP’s and their staff on seven stories, and includes committee rooms at first floor level.
What impressed me most was the detailing on the structure around the courtyard. Shallow concrete arches with a high quality finish are tied together with steel tension members, transferring all the weight of the building onto just a few columns, which run down through the vast underground cavern that forms the underground station beneath. The timber and steel framing forming the domed diagrid of the courtyard roof is cleverly done, but a bit fussy for my taste, and some of the joints are rather messy.
If you are staying for a week or more in London, then consider staying outside the city area. You can find a decent place to live, like private bed and breakfast cheaper then renting a room in city. Places are comparatively cheap outside London and nice as well. the only thing you need to worry about is travelling expenses, which could be around £ 4.40 a day. living in city is expensive in every way from shoping to accomodation.
With all the presents statistics/issues with STIs and STDs heres a local custom that might be just the thing (or one of those old wives or witches tales that thankfully evidence based practice has managed to do away with!?)....as the recipe goes...take garden snails....and 6 gallons of bruised earthworms.....
Check out the fascinating information at the Old Operating Theatre... follow the signs near St Thomas' Hospital
Us Brits are all obsessed with the weather. Even if we don't think we are on the surface, deep down we know we are.
Small talk is more often than not about the weather - guaranteed. Feel free to talk about it with us but please don't brag and boast that in your country you get 300+days of sunshine.
Oh and don't forget your brolly!
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Address: 5 Maddox Street, Mayfair, London, W1R 9LE, United Kingdom
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