Welcome

The Society was formed in 1985 to save from demolition London's first public library in Great Smith Street (above right).  Since then we have kept a watchful eye on developments in this area, which includes the World Heritage Site encompassing the Abbey and Houses of Parliament. 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.

Instagram Logo

Christchurch Gardens Reconstruction Short Talk - January 2020

 
 
We were delighted to welcome David Beamont, from Victoria Business Improvement District (BID), to launch our 35th birthday events and short talk series, fulfilling our plan to use our Archives for talks on planning and history.
 
The reconstruction of Christchurch Gardens in Victoria Street is now in full swing.  The design and planning were extensive due to this very historic site including arrangements in the event of archaeology discoveries.  Dating back to the 17th century this was the burial ground of St Margaret's, Westminster, prior to the construction of Christ Church in the 19th century, which was destroyed in the Blitz.  Among those buried there are Captain Blood, who famously tried and nearly succeeded in stealing the Crown Jewels, and Ignatius Sancho who was born on a slave ship but educated himself to become a distinguished man of letters in Georgian England (more about Sancho in our February Talk).

David explained how with great reluctance they cut down a number of plane trees which prevented sufficient light from reaching the grass and gardens. New flowering trees are being planted and although it will be a long time before they have the same impact on carbon reduction, most people accepted that this had to be done if the gardens were to be made attractive for visitors and increase bio-diversity.  New lighting and benches are being installed together with a new paved performance area.  Flower beds would be re-installed with well chosen shrubs and permeable resin pathways would further aid drainage.  The Purcell and Suffragette sculptures would be moved slightly to enhance their visability and the back wall against the ugly BT building would be covered in flowering jasmin.  To remember the history of the site, we have contributed to the content of a series of information noticeboards which are displayed together with a historical map.

With thanks to David and his team and we look forward to the new gardens opening in late summer.
 
 
 
 
 

Victoria Tower Gardens, UKHM&LC Environmental Statement, Our Response - December 2019

We have now submitted our response to the new Environmental Statement documents, submitted by MHCLG/UKHMF in October 2019 as part of the planning process.  To view our response, CLICK HERE

 

 

Visits & Events 2020

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.


2020

Tuesday 4th February 2020, 6.30pm        ‘Ignatius Sancho’ - Short talk by Victor Keegan. MEMBERS ONLY.  TTIS Archives, 10 Old Pye Street, SW1P 2DG - SOLD OUT/WAITING LIST

Monday 9th March 2020, 2pm                  Talk and workshop by Master Florist, Jens Jakobsen. MEMBERS ONLY.  The Blewcoat School, 23 Caxton Street, SW1H 0PY – £20-£25pp - SOLD OUT/WAITING LIST

Saturday 4th April 2020, 2pm                  Visit to St Stephen’s Church, Rochester Row, SW1P 1LE - £15-20pp

Wednesday 6th May 2020, 12.30pm         Westminster/Kingsway College, Vincent Square, SW1P 2PD     Lunch in The Vincent Rooms Restaurant and tour - £20-£25pp

Tuesday 2nd June 2020, 3pm                  Visit to RUSI (Royal United Services Institute), 61 Whitehall, SW1A 2ET - £15-£20pp 

June 2020, Date & Venue to be confirmed            T@35 Celebrations – The Society's 35th Celebration Summer Party

Saturday 4th July 2020, 2pm                   ‘Caring for the Poor & Vulnerable on Thorney Island’ - A local walk by Michael Marriott. Meeting point in Broad Sanctuary tbc, SW1P 3EE - £15-£20pp

Tuesday 14th July 2020, 2pm                  The IncrEDIBLE RHS Collections Tour, Lindley Library, 80 Vincent Square, SW1P 2PE - £15-£20pp

Tuesday 8th September 2020, 10.15am    Tour of Shepherd’s Bindery and Talk on Antiquarian Books by Anthony Davis, 76 Rochester Row, SW1P 1JU - £15 MEMBERS ONLY

Saturday 19th September 2020, 2pm       T@35 ‘In Celebration of Thorney Island’ - A new local walk by Victor Keegan. Meet at our Archives, 10 Old Pye Street, SW1P 2DG – £15-£20pp

Tuesday 29th September 2020, 12noon   The Guards Museum and Guards Band Recital in Guards ChapeL. MEMBERS ONLY.  Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk, SW1E 6HQ - Free of charge

Monday 5th October 2020, 7.30pm                      T@35 Celebrations - Cocktails and Canapés at The Cinnamon Club, Old Westminster Library, 30-32 Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BU – Further details to follow.

Tuesday 10th November 2020, 6.30pm     The Society’s 34th AGM and Talk, Blue Orchid Rochester Hotel, Vincent Square (entrance in Vane Street) SW1P 2PA – Free of charge.

Monday 7th December 2020, 6.30pm       T@35 Celebrations - Christmas Party, Carols & Raffle Draw, The Chapel, Blue Orchid Wellington Hotel, (entrance on Vincent Square) SW1P 2PA - £14pp

 

 

 Visits & Events 2019 & 2020

 

Christmas Party 2019

Our Christmas Party at the Rochester by Blue Orchid Hotels was loud and fun with the South Westminster Community Choir and accompanying brass section.  Many thanks to all for a great evening.

 

 

The Garden Museum - Save our Sunlight Appeal

A planning application has been submitted to Lambeth Council for sky-scrapers of luxury flats which would block the sunlight on the new garden designed by Dan Pearson.   The developments would also cast shadow into a recently restored community garden and affect daylight in nearby homes.  For more, visit the website: https://gardenmuseum.org.uk/an-appeal-save-our-sunlight  

This is a serious threat to the life and work of the Museum which is across the Thames next to Lambeth Palace.

 

 

 

The Victoria Tower Gardens & The National Holocaust Memorial & Learning Centre

UPDATE!  November 2019

The application for planning permission for the Holocaust Memorial has been 'called in' by Esther McVey the Housing Minister. This means that a recommendation will be made by a Planning Inspector following a Public Enquiry; Esther McVey will make the final decision. This seems to have happened at the request of the UKHolocaust Memorial Foundation, who understood that WCC were likely to refuse the scheme. So we have many more months of uncertainly, and probably a great deal of work and expense, ahead.

READ MORE:  6 November 2019: Architects’ Journal, Government calls in Holocaust Memorial planning application

 

DONATIONS PLEASE !  The Save VTG campaign are desperately in need of funds for publicity and expert advice. Please do give if you havn't done so already, or give again.  You may donate to the Save VTG campaign by making payment to The Thorney Island Society, and send your contribution and Gift Aid form to TTIS, 10 Old Pye Street, London SW1P 2DG, or via BACS to The Thorney Island Society, Lloyds Bank sort code 30-99-50, account 00355214. Many thanks – and remember that you can greatly enhance the value of any contribution by using Gift Aid. (Click here to download Gift Aid form).


 
WE STRONGLY SUPPORT THE SAVE VICTORIA TOWER GARDENS CAMPAIGN. 

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

 

 

55 Broadway - New Owners, New Plans!

 


The iconic 55 Broadway is being redeveloped as a hotel.  As the tallest office building in the capital in 1929, it was dubbed ‘London’s first skyscraper’ at just over 53 metres and won the RIBA London Architecture Medal upon its completion.
 
View the display boards from the recent pre-planning public exhibiton and consultation:     http://www.55-broadway.com/#secondSection 
 
 

Richmond House, Whitehall - The Northern Parliamentary Estate

The Government has just applied for planning permission to radically alter their Northern Estate. They have been working towards the Restoration and Renewal project in the Palace of Westminster and the full decant of all the people who work there into the various buildings in the ‘northern estate’ – the block that contains Portcullis House at the south end and Richmond House at the north. It has been decided that the two parliament chambers will move, the House of Lords into the Queen Elizabeth ll Conference Centre, and the House of Commons into a temporary replica chamber. It is claimed that the only possible site can be achieved by demolishing the interior and rear façade of Richmond house.

SAVE Britain’s Heritage is leading a campaign to save the whole of Richmond House from demolition – see https://www.savebritainsheritage.org/campaigns/item/550/Richmond-House-a-building-worth-fighting-for

We will also object strongly to the demolition of the interior of Richmond House. Facadism might be acceptable in certain circumstances, but for the sake of a temporary building it should not be countenanced. We will also object to the alterations to the buildings facing Whitehall and encourage a more sympathetic treatment of the various gateways to the Estate than currently exists.

The Planning application can now be viewed at:    https://tinyurl.com/wqryu5t

It would be good if as many people as possible make their views known as a Comment through this web page.

 

20mph Throughout Westminster ?

Westminster are seeking opinions on a plan to restrict all their roads to 20mph. There are already some areas, mainly near schools, that already have 20mph restrictions. And there are other areas, for instance round Vincent Square, that have applied to become 20mph areas. The Council has had positive feedback on the experimental areas so far.
 
It may be that the decision is made for them because TfL are contemplating a 20mph speed limit on all their roads in central London. If this goes ahead it would be ridiculous for the main roads in Westminster to have 20mph speed limits while the side streets are 30mph. If TfL decides on 20mph then the whole of Westminster would become a 20mph zone.
 
Whatever happens on the TfL roads, WCC would still like to know people's views on this question. There have been some public consultations, but it is also possible to make your views known on-line at https://www.westminster.gov.uk/20mph. Click on Take the Survey.
 
 
  1. Duck Island Volunteer Project
  2. The Society's 33rd AGM, 12th November 2019
  3. Autumn-Winter 2019 Newsletter
  4. Visit to the Palace of Westminster & Jewel Tower - October 2019

In order to provide you with the best online experience this website uses cookies.

By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more

I agree