WCC say "No" (AGAIN!) to proposed sculpture outside Westminster Central Hall
UPDATE - January 2017
We regret to report that the Appeal has been dismissed by WCC. Many of the arguments used by the Council to prevent this small sculpture from being placed at Central Hall (eg. within its Monuments Saturation Zone) would apply to the Holocaust Memorial but will they take the same view ? We suspect not.
Appeal Decision Document - 9th January 2017
UPDATE - April 2016
Westminster City Council have disappointly turned down this application. Read more here in a Guardian article.
To sign the on-line petition to overturn the decision, click here.
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We support this application for the installation of the sculpture 'Homeless Jesus' in front of the Methodist Hall on Storey's Gate.
The sculpture is very moving and is appropriate in this location, near where there is so much wealth and yet so many rough sleepers.
Westminster Fire Station
UPDATE: December 2016
The Society is sorry to have to report that planning permission has been granted for the redevelopment of this important heritage building.
Following a public exhibition in May, please see our response here or on the Planning page.
Vauxhall Bridge Road/Tachbrook St Draft Development Opportunity
November 2016
Out of our area, but important enough to comment on. The block that contains the Queen Mother Sports Centre is being considered as a 'Development Opportunity' by Westminster City Council. They produced a draft document which can be viewed at: https://openforum.
Our response can be viewed here and on the Planning page.
June Stubbs 1927 - 2016
It is with great sadness to the Society that June Stubbs passed away on Friday 14th October, suddenly after collapsing at her nursing home.
June was a co-founder of the Society and for over 25 years was its Chairman and driving force. From her flat in Westminster Mansions, Great Smith Street, she was in an excellent position to keep a close eye on Thorney Island, and never missed an opportunity to represent the Society in public. She presided over many meetings, Christmas bazaars, parties and dinners. She was honoured with the award of an MBE in 2011 for services to conservation in the City of Westminster. June moved several years ago to an excellent nursing home in the New Forest, close to her family and enjoyed her final years in comfort and rest.
To send condolences to June's family, please write to info@thethorneyislandsociety.
Visit to Tate Britain's Archives & Library, November 2016
With huge thanks to Derek Rice, Library & Archives Co-Ordinator for a fascinating visit behind the scenes.
We were shown around the archives and store room. Temperature controlled with tight security arrangements and flood protection in place. Large moveable storage shelves and cupboards house the many treasures. We were shown prints and documents relating to the Millbank Penitentiary on the present gallery site. Next we entered the library to see documents, books and computer displays about the Thames and its history, part of a special project that changes monthly called Show and Tell. Finally Derek took us to view the Nash exhibition. A fascinating visit.
One of the many in the collection, here is a photograph of the gallery at the time of the 1928 Thames Flood.
AGM 2016 & the Panorama of The Thames Project
© 2015 Panorama of the Thames Ltd
© 2015 Panorama of the Thames Ltd
Our AGM was held on 9th November 2016 at the Grange Rochester Hotel, Vincent Square. For further details and documents, please select the "Us" tab at the top of this page.
Following the business of the meeting, we were treated to a presentation and film of the project to restore Leigh's beautiful 1829 Panorama of the Thames and to create a current photographic panorama.
Highly recommended, please read further about this project.
http://www.panoramaofthethames.com
St Andrew's Club - 150th Anniversary, October 2016

Henry V's Chantry Chapel Visit, October 2016
Thorney Tales (10) - Oliver Cromwell v Charles I
Most Westminster walkers are familiar with the statue of Oliver Cromwell peering imperiously from his plinth on Cromwell Green, in front of Westminster Hall. It was erected in 1895 at a cost of £500 against furious opposition from Ireland. But not many people are aware of who is looking at him from immediately across the road. It is none other than a lead bust of Charles I, who was executed on Cromwell's orders. It is affixed to the side wall of St Margaret's Church. One of two busts of him found in a Fulham salvage depot in 1945 by Hedley Hope-Nicholson, secretary of the Society of King Charles the Martyr, one of which he donated to the church in 1950. The other is now at the Banqueting House further up Whitehall, where Charles was executed. Curiously, the statue of Charles I on horse back at the southern tip of Trafalgar Square is looking towards both his place of execution and the second bust of him. Cromwell is not being allowed to forget.
Fundraising Gala Dinner September 2016
Many thanks to all who attended and supported us on Monday 26th September at The Cinnamon Club, The Old Westminster Library. With special thanks to the Hon Jacob Rees-Mogg MP for his speech, describing growing up in Smith Square, using this building as a public library and the huge refurbishment project planned at the Palace of Westminster. Also many thanks to Colin Sheaf, Chairman of Bonhams UK & Asia who auctioned some unique lots and raised an excellent amount for our Archives refurbishment. Finally, thank you to all those who donated items for the auction, as follows :
Belgrave Communications - Tour of the Old War Office, Whitehall
Bonhams UK - Lunch and a glass of champagne for 2 at Bonhams Michelin starred restaurant in Mayfair
The Cinnamon Club - Champagne breakfast for 2
Claudia & Nobuko Bespoke Hair @ Headonizm, Page Street - 2 ladies or gents haircuts
M Wines, Victoria Street - £50 private wine tasting voucher
Joanna Moncrieff - Westminster guided walk
Catherine Slater - An illustrated history of your London house/flat and street
St James's Theatre, Palace Street - 2 tickets to 'The Pianist of Willesden Lane'
St John's Smith Square - £100 voucher for a SJSS Concert
Taj St James's Court Hotel, Buckingham Gate - The Shakespeariance Dinner for 2
The Royal Parks - Rare opportunity to feed the pelicans in St James's Park, a tour of Duck Island, Cottage & Duke of York's Column.