London-y things this week - Kris

Question of the week: What's the most London-y thing you've done in the last week

"Last Friday evening James (my husband) and I went to our first-ever Rugby League match. I had won two tickets to see Harlequins play Castleford, and we decided that free was the best reason to try something new, and given that it was a nice evening, we headed out.

Even after reading the rules synopsis we found online, we sometimes didn't know exactly what was going on. But that didn't stop it from being a lot of fun to watch, and we got into the swing of things after a few minutes, and cheered with the best of them. It's a faster game than Rugby Union, and seems to have elements of both soccer and US Football, but that is simply from observation, not from a real knowledge of the game.

It was a really fun evening out, and the other fans were great. If you're looking for something new to try before you head home - get out into the nice weather and head to a Rugby League match. You won't be disappointed."- Kris

* Photo by David Howlett, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

Looking forward to in London - Miss Alice

Question of the week: What are you looking forward to in London for the first part of 2011?

"Next weekend (29th and 30th) is Walk London's Winter Wanders weekend, which is always an opportunity to explore new places with great guides.

Further ahead? Today's post had several tickets in it, so I am full of anticipation for so many wonderful things - Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller in Frankenstein at the National Theatre (I just scraped in - it's sold out and day-tickets only now, or you could catch it at a live cinema screening). Bartabas combining horsemanship and dance at Sadlers Wells, as well as les ballets C de la B and Rambert Dance Company (tickets from £10, £8/each if you book two shows at the same time.) And the re-start of the London Rollergirls season, of course."- Miss Alice

* Photo by wirewiping, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London sport - Hal

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite sport and/or team that you support in London?

"Having been taught fencing since the age of 8 as part of my school's curriculum, I've always been keen to extend its outreach and profile as a sport. Sadly, since the salle I was Captain of closed over 10 years ago, so I've not been able to give much of a personal recommendation for places to try your hand (or sword) at the finest of [martial] arts other than Swash & Buckle or the London Fencing Club" - Hal

* Photo by Thomasy7, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London sport - guest post

We couldn't let this topic pass without a guest post from a member of our faculty, whose answer to this question is no surprise! Question of the week: Do you have a favourite sport and/or team that you support in London?

"West Ham United FC (The Hammers, The Irons) play in the Premier League. Founded in 1895 as the Thames Ironworks, they became West Ham United in 1900. Since 1919 they have played in the top two divisions of the English league.

The club has won the FA Cup three times (1964, 1975 & 1980), been defeated twice in the final (1923 & 2006) and have won the European Cup Winners Cup (1965). In 1966, West Ham provided three players for the England side that won the World Cup: Bobby Moore, the captain, Geoff Hurst, scorer of 3 goals, and Martin Peters, who scored the other goal. The film 'Green Street' was based on West Ham's famous (or infamous) hooligans, the Inter-City Firm.

Playing in attractive claret and blue colours, West Ham United can be found at the Boleyn Ground, Green Street, London E13 9AZ; nearest tube station is Upton Park. If you go to see the team play it's always good to know the words of 'I'm forever blowing bubbles', which is the supporters' song.

Celebrity supporters, apart from myself, include Ray Winstone, Russell Brand, and someone called Barack Obama (well, he's been to the ground once, years ago).

See www.whufc.com for fixtures and tickets."- Prof. Surridge

* Photo by Law_Kevin, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London sport - Ric

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite sport and/or team that you support in London?

"London Irish play their rugby outside the city, so I prefer to watch London Welsh Rugby(Old Deer Park, Richmond: www.london-welsh.co.uk)

London Welsh, established by and for London's Welsh community, has played senior-level rugby in England since its formation in 1885. Its name in Welsh, though it is rarely used, is Clwb Rygbi Cymry Llundain.

Tickets are always available for their home games, where a warm welcome, good food and entertaining rugby (even when it pours with rain) coincide. Check the website for details of tickets and fixtures if you missed the trip last week."- Ric

* Photo by smurfomatic, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.

London sports - Miss Alice

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite sport and/or team that you support in London?

"You don't get a lot of three-day eventing in London, Olympics notwithstanding, but you do get roller derby!

Fast-paced contact sport on wheels - I don't have the nerve to play myself, but it's a fantastic spectator sport, and the London Roller Girls are my regular fix. This year they've moved to larger and swisher accommodations in Earls Court, so there's a bigger crowd and better facilities, but they've kept the warm welcome and the inclusive ethos - really, how many sports are there that issue a general invitation to all their fans for the after party?

As for teams - London Brawling when they're playing teams from outside London, of course, and within the London league? I'm a Steam Rollers fan, which meant that Saturday's bout against the Harbour Grudges was a nailbiter, and a hard-won victory!

Tickets for the final bout of the year - 11th December - will be on sale soon."- Miss Alice

London sports - Kris

Question of the week: Do you have a favourite sport and/or team that you support in London?

"Sports are not really my thing... I'm stretching a little bit, but how about the Oxford v. Cambridge boat race

Nearly every year since 1829 Oxford and Cambridge have raced down the Thames for glory and bragging rights - and it's one of the biggest sporting events in London. Thousands of people gather along the banks of the Thames to wait, watch the boats go past, and have a great time with other fans in a fun, festival-like atmosphere.

It's a shame that the boat race takes place in March, so if you're in London now, you'll have to come back for the fun... But if you're reading this and you'll be around on 26 March, I'd certainly recommend that you join the fun! For more info see http://www.theboatrace.org/" - Kris

* Photo by Bruno Girin, used under Creative Commons, with thanks.