Diane's presentation at The Kings Cross visitor centre

Diane was invited to talk at The King's Cross Visitor Centre it was standing room only. Diane chatted - and sang - to a large and jolly crowd at The King's Cross Visitor Centre on the 6th August 2014. She explained how the London - wide Pearly tradition started in Somerstown, moving on to talk about the life and times of her father, Alf Dole - in particular his early years living and growing up in Somerstown during the 30s and 40s, how the wartime years affected the families living in the area and how they made it through the rough times. Diane - and the audience finished with a great rendition of all three verses of 'My Old Man' (A song which also tells the story of some of the Londoners' plight).

http://www.kingscross.co.uk/the-pearly-prince-of-st-pancras

My visit to The Kings Cross visitor centre was full to standing - all attended enjoyed the jaunt through some of the old times of Kings Cross / St Pancras and we finished with a good old sing song.

Queen Mary

Queen Mary Our lovely Queen Mary has sadly recently passed away.  Mary and Alf were a formidable Pearly duo – raising fun and funds together for over 30 years.  Like Alf, Mary was a Londoner through and through, experiencing great changes in the City during her 95 years.  In the wartime years she worked in the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich.  Along with many other ladies at that time she took on the hard and dangerous work of producing munitions for the British military.  So she and Alf are now together again, as they were for so much of their life.

As is the Pearly tradition, Princess Diane is now Queen Diane.

Queen Mary

Presenting Chas and Dave with a copy of dad's book

Di with Chas and Dave

Di with Chas and Dave

War and Peace Revival 2014

Vicki Michelle w&p

The Pearlies of St Pancras had Five days of fun and book signing at W&P also catching up with friends. Allo allo our china plate Vickie Michelle.

Diane's B.B.C Radio London interview!

On Thursday 19th June 2014 dads book was published, I was in London being interviewed on B.B.C Radio London by Robert Elms. Robert and me had a great banter about Pearlies, Hopping and old London - thanks Robert interesting to hear about your family being Costers and your London roots.

Alf Dole RIP

Alf Dole, Pearly King of St Pancras

It is with great sadness to say that Alf Dole, Pearly King of St Pancras, passed away on Monday 13th May 2013.  In recent years Alf became an icon in Greenwich every Sunday with his Pearly cab, raising fun and funds for his charity great Ormond Street Childrens hospital. Alf was a people person and cared deeply about those less well off than him. He was at his happiest singing the old songs and playing his spoons (one of his nicknames was 'Alfie Spoon') which certainly raised spirits and put smiles on others faces.

Alf's grandson Lee has taken up his Grandad's mantle, and is now the fifth generation of the family to take the throne - Lee's great great grandad, George Dole, being the first pearly King of St Pancras back in the 1890s.

Lee the new Pearly King of St Pancras

Lee is now taking the tradition into a whole new field - as the only Pearly Pro Golfer on the UK and European professional golf circuit and is looking to link up with some corporate sponsors to help raise fun and funds.

Alf 'n Dave 'n Boris

Alf gets to have a rabbit with his china's, Boris and Dave at Leadenhall Market in London during the 2010 elections. The Mayor of London and our future PM both listened closely to Alf's Pearly wisdom on matters of state.  The showing of the three of them on the popular TV show 'Mock the Week' below gives some great one-liners whilst Alf is little disappointed that his advice is given a slightly different spin!

Why not come along to see Alf at Greenwich Market (he's there most Sunday mornings) and he can tell you what really passed between  between him and  these two wily old Costermongers of State!

For definitions please see the Cockney Rhyming Slang Glossary.

Alf with Boris in Leadenhall Market, City of London