Richard1
Great feedback for From Prejudice to Pride walk
Yesterday’s sold-out LGBT+ History Walk: From Prejudice to Pride was a complete joy 
30 people joined us to explore Bloomsbury & King’s Cross, uncovering the stories of those who dared to live, love and resist openly.
A special moment occurred on Marchmont Street outside the childhood home of Kenneth Williams 
– where we bumped into another group marking the 100th anniversary of his birth (22 February 1926). A lovely reminder of how these stories continue to resonate.
Thank you to every one of you for joining us and raising £160 for Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust in the process. If you joined us, please leave feedback via our link in bio!
And a HUGE shoutout to Richard Cohen, our fantastic tour guide 
– for bringing history to life with warmth, depth and passion.
FROM PREJUDICE TO PRIDE Sunday 22 February at 11:00
Celebrate LGBT+ History Month 2026 by walking the streets where history was made. Join this guided walk through Bloomsbury and King’s Cross and walk in the footsteps of the trailblazers who dared to live, love and resist openly.With longstanding local resident and Camden tour guide Richard Cohen, you’ll uncover Camden’s deep and rich heritage of sexual diversity.
Learn about the extraordinary range of people and places that are part of Camden’s LGBT+ heritage. Hear about the Molly Houses, the Victorian cross-dressers and the notorious and much policed watering holes of the Bohemian demimonde of the 1920s and 30s. Learn about the theatre which was the vanguard of lesbian and gay drama and pass London’s first LGBTQ+ bookshop.Meet the Bloomsbury Set who challenged Victorian codes of behaviour and Kenneth Williams the great genius of Polari. Hear the inspiring story of how the LGBT+ community rallied together to respond to the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s.Witness the struggle against the hated Section 28 and the joyous celebrations of the first Same Sex weddings at Camden Town Hall.Don’t miss this inspiring walk, visiting the sites where history was made and honouring those who came before. All proceeds from donations will go to Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust – a Camden-based charity supporting, educating and inspiring LGBT+ young people aged 12–18 and 18–25. Click here to join the waitlist.
NIGHTTIME RIVER WALK Thursday 26 February at 6.30
Join me for another fabulous riverside walk to take in the brilliant lighting on the bridges that cross the Thames in the heart of our wonderful city. They have all been lit up in glorious luminous colours under the Illuminated River Project. We meet at 6.30 pm at Blackfriars Station. Here is the link to sign up via Eventbrite:
ILLUMINATED RIVER WALKS Thursday 6 November at 6.30
If you are looking for an exciting and inspiring way to spend a dark early November evening you could come on the Illuminated River walk with me. I am leading a group from Blackfriars station (north side) to Westminster on THURSDAY 6 NOVEMBER at 6.30. This is a great chance to see the beautiful lighting on the Thames Bridges and take in magnificent views and architecture and soak up the lively atmosphere of the riverside by night. Sign up HERE through Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/illuminated-river-shining-a-light-on-the-western-bridges-tickets-1657744671939?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
MY CHURCH STREET, MY WESTMINSTER
Are you looking for something positive to do on a Sunday morning? Why not come along on a walk to support the Lord Mayor of Westminster’s Appeal? I am leading the walk in which we will be exploring London’s most thriving street market at Church Street which runs between Lisson Grove and Edgware Road? The walk is at 11:00 on SUNDAY 2 NOVEMBER. All proceeds will go towards the Lord Mayor’s Appeal which is the Avenues Youth Project. We will be hearing about some early social reformers, learning about the life and heritage of the market and exploring Paddington Green where the great Sarah Siddons lies at rest. The walk will give a true insight into the extraordinary heritage of this fascinating corner of London. Click HERE to join this walk. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-walk-with-the-lord-mayor-in-in-church-street-tickets-1683347019249
VOICES FOR HUMANITY Tour of Fitzrovia
I am offering a fundraising walking tour of Fitzrovia on Wednesday June 11 at 18:30 and Saturday June 14 at 14:00. All proceeds will go the International Rescue Committee which helps people affected by humanitarian crises around the world to survive, recover and rebuild their lives. The tour is part of the London Festival of Architecture whose theme this year is Voices so my tour is entitled VOICES FOR HUMANITY IN FITZROVIA. You will meet some of the extraordinary individuals who have lived in the area and raised their voices for freedom including Olaudah Equiano, Mary Prince, Sarah Parker Remond, Lady Ottoline Morrell, the colourful habitués of the Fitzroy Tavern and many more. You will also have the chance to look at beautiful buildings from the Eighteenth to the Twenty-first centuries. There is much to enjoy in Fitzrovia. All proceeds will go to the IRC. I suggest £15.00 as a generous payment but there are no upper limits to what you can give. PLEASE DONATE GENEROUSLY!!
Costa Rica Land of Contrasts
I have recently been to Costa Rica for a fabulous holiday. Here is my account of the trip:-
https://richardcohentraveller.wordpress.com/2025/01/24/costa-rica-land-of-contrasts/
HUMAN RIGHTS HEROES AT THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY
This is a fundraiser for Amnesty International. Sunday 23 February 2025 at 2.30
The National Portrait Gallery reopened last year after a four-year refit restoring it to its original architectural splendour. Its collection has been rehung and some wonderful new portraits added. We will look at the images of many famous individuals, many with local London connections, who have been champions of human rights over the centuries and have campaigned for political and social freedom. This event is a fundraiser for Amnesty International who support prisoners of conscience around the world and campaign for freedom of speech and democratic rights. We suggest a minimum contribution of £10 to come on the tour but there is no upper limit. Please contribute generously.
Please use this link on Eventbrite to book your place.
LABOUR FUNDRAISER AT THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY
A Visit to the National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery reopened last year after a four-year refit restoring its original architectural splendour. The collection has been beautifully rehung and some wonderful new portraits added. The tour will try to assess how the new gallery has redressed gender imbalance and stressed diversity through our history. We will look at the images of individuals, many with local London connections, who have challenged orthodox values and brought about social change and progress. We will hear the stories of several key leaders who have played a vital role in the story of the Labour Party.
This is a fundraiser for the Labour Party. All takings will go towards our campaigning expenses in this election year. Please contribute generously. There is no upper limit to contributions.
To join please use this link
Malaysia December 2023
Here is a link to the blog I have written about a fantastic trip I have recently returned from in Malaysia. Do read it if you have the time and inclination!
richardcohentraveller.wordpress.com/2024/01/08/malaysia-december-2023/
