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The Society formed in 1985, saving from demolition, London's first public library in Great Smith Street (above right). We respond on behalf of residents and businesses to local planning applications. Our 350+ members enjoy local visits & talks of historic and other interest, social events and an archive of books, prints, plans and ephemera.

Visits & Events 2019

Our visits and events are open to all unless specified and we hope non-members will enjoy our programme and consider joining the Society. To book and read further details, please go to our Eventbrite page CLICK HERE.

If you do not wish to book online, please contact us and we will be happy to make your booking (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by post to 10 Old Pye Street, London SW1P 2DG) A full description of visits is on our Events/Visits page.

Monday 29th April, 2.30pm Visit to The Speaker's House, Palace of Westminster - £15pp (Members Only)

Thursday 9th May, 11.15am Tour of Westminster Cathedral including Campanile Tower - £15-£20pp

Tuesday 14th May, 3pm Bonhams Auctioneers, Fine Chinese Art Preview and Curator Tour - £15-£20pp

Wednesday 22nd May, 6pm The Green Park Tree Walk with Royal Parks Arboriculturist Greg Packman - £15-£20pp

Sunday 16th June, 2pm Tour of Methodist Central Hall including Organ Recital - £15-£20pp

Tuesday 25th June, 6.30pm The Society's Summer Party, Grange Rochester Hotel - £14pp (Guests welcome)

Saturday 29th June, 11am 'Gems of Thorney Island' - A Guided Local Walk by Victor Keegan - £15-£20pp

Thursday 18th July, 11am Westminster Abbey Special Tour with Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries Option - £15-£20pp + £5pp + b/fee

Saturday 27th July, 11am 'From Beer to the Bard' - A Guided Victoria Walk by Anthony Davis - £15-£20pp

Tuesday 6th August, 1.30pm SORRY, SOLD OUT! Tour of the Gardens of Buckingham Palace - £15pp (Members Only)

October date and time to be confirmed Visit to the Palace of Westminster (Members Only)

Tuesday 12th November, 6.30pm The Society's 33rd AGM and Talk, Grange Rochester Hotel (Guests welcome)

Tuesday 10th December, 6.30pm The Society's Christmas Party and Raffle Draw, Grange Rochester Hotel - £14pp (Guests welcome)

Spring-Summer 2019 Newsletter

Illuminated River

We have been consulted about this interesting new project, the Illuminated River. The idea is to enliven all 15 bridges between Albert Bridge and Tower Bridge at night with a lighting scheme that celebrates each particular bridge’s characteristics. Because LED lights will be used the total energy consumption will be less than the current lighting schemes and will also be less intrusive to the wildlife in the river, which depends on natural darkness.

If you want to read more about the project, and watch an animated visualisation go to: https://illuminatedriver.london/project#about-project

Dolphin Square Redevelopment

Residents of Pimlico are very concerned by the threat to Dolphin Square from a development that plans to make significant alterations to the buildings and threatens the garden. They would welcome support in fighting this proposal - initially by signing their petition at Change.org:

https://www.change.org/p/westminster-city-council-save-dolphin-square-and-its-beautiful-listed-grade-ii-gardens

The issue is of Westminster-wide concern because the increased density proposed, in what is already a high density development, is setting a dangerous precedent.

The Victoria Tower Gardens & The National Holocaust Memorial

UPDATE! ITS NOT TOO LATE TO RESPOND!

THE PLANNING APPLICATION IS NOW WITH WCC

Your comments and (hopefully) objections should be specific and can be made online (registration required) CLICK HERE

There is a lot of detail on the SVTG homepage, but we have identified a number of points and reference to at least two or three should be the basis of an objection. Click READ MORE below

READ OUR OBJECTION LETTER - CLICK HERE

WE STRONGLY SUPPORT THE SAVE VICTORIA TOWER GARDENS CAMPAIGN.

https://www.savevictoriatowergardens.co.uk/

PARK THREATENED

Townsend House, Greycoat Place

UPDATE !

February 2019 Whilst we are still sorry to see the demise of the present Edwardian building, we think the new version, without the metallic upper floor, is a big improvement on the first submission last February 2018. Read our full response on the Planning page.

January 2019 This application has been backwards and forwards to WCC with various changes over the past year. The current proposals for the latest planning application were unveiled at a public exhibition on site on Thursday, 17th January.

6th February 2018 We are sad that this attractive brick-built building is to be demolished; it is surprising and unfortunate that none of the surrounding conservation areas cover this small area, which includes the nearby Grade 2 listed Greycoat Hospital School.

Autumn-Winter 2018 Newsletter

CLICK IMAGE BELOW TO VIEW:

AGM 2018

The Society's AGM was held on 13th November 2018 at the Grange Rochester Hotel. The meeting was pleased to welcome Ptolemy Dean, architect of the new Weston Tower leading to the Queen's Jubilee Galleries and 19th Surveryor of the Fabric of Westminster Abbey, who gave an excellent talk with slides on the background, design and construction of the tower and explained some of the future plans and challenges facing the Abbey in order to improve the overall visitor experience, ticket hall, security check and storage areas.

Please click below to view:

Annual Report

Financial Statements

Centenary of Armistice Cenotaph Service and Exhibition in St James's Park

Remembrance Day, 11th November, started at 11am with two minutes silence marked by the firing of guns from the King’s Troop on Horse Guards Parade followed by a service at the Cenotaph. TTIS Vice President, The Right Revd Dame Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London led the service of remembrance which was attended by the President of Germany for the first time.

St James’s Park has made a special contribution this year by hosting the “Fields of Battle, Lands of Peace” exhibition with superb images of the sites of battlefields by photographer Michael St Maur Sheil. It demonstrates the “healing power” of the land and minds over the raw memory of war. The exhibition continues until 19th November.

Centenary of Armistice Exhibition in St James's Park

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