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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 250+ members enjoy local visits & talks & more recently virtual on-line talks, of historic and other interest, social events and an archive of books, prints, plans and ephemera.

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

29th July 2021 - DECISION ! Government marks its own homework but we will go to Appeal....

Please CLICK HERE to read today's Press Release

The definitive book on the history of VTG ......

You can purchase Dorian Gerhold's book via the PayPal “Buy Now” button below, for £12 + £3 p&p per copy. You can use a PayPal account if you have one, or you can pay by debit or credit card without needing a PayPal account.

Alternatively, please send a cheque for £12 + £3 p&p per copy (made payable to “The Thorney Island Society”) to TTIS, 10 Old Pye Street, London SW1P 2DG with your name and address.

To read description and our review:

The Truth behind the National Holocaust Memorial in Victoria Tower Gardens

A History of the Victoria Tower Gardens

Save Victoria Tower Gardens - Planning Inquiry 6th October - 13th November

UPDATE! OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

The long awaited inquiry began at 10am on 6th October and ran until 13th November. Daily recordings of all Sessions can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQqDetL1R5aRgbNm8PDViNw We now patiently await the result which is not expected until the Appeal by the LGT (London Gardens Trust) has been heard.

Victoria Tower Gardens - Judicial Review brought by the London Gardens Trust

UPDATE ! 20th October 2020

The London Gardens Trust (Previously LPGT) will APPEAL the decision reached at the Judicial Review.

UPDATE ! 5th October 2020

The Judicial Review has now come and gone, a moment of great excitement that resulted in LPGT winning one argument and losing another. The Government was castigated for not having implemented sufficiently convincing “handling arrangements” to guarantee a total separation between its two internal functions (applicant and also decision-maker – It is considered this is a conflict of interest), but the judge sadly did not consider the arguments sufficiently serious to suggest that a final decision on this matter should be taken away from the Minister who is currently designated to make it. LPGT and SVTG (Save Victoria Tower Gardens Campaign) are of course troubled by this decision and currently very seriously considering an appeal….

Proposed destruction of Victoria Tower Gardens - Background to our Opposition

WE STRONGLY SUPPORT THE SAVE VICTORIA TOWER GARDENS CAMPAIGN.

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

Events 2021 - AGM & Talk, 9th November 2021

Our 2021 Programme of Zoom talks has now finished but they can nearly all be watched on YouTube after 3 months following the live event.

CLICK HERE to be redirected to our YouTube Channel

Thank you to the members, guides, historians, authors and speakers for their contributions and support which made these talks so informative, varied, well attended and entertaining.

Our next talk will follow our AGM on 9th November 2021 and is free to members. Registration will be via Eventbrite from September/October. Dr Pat Oakley, Head of Pharmacy at the old Westminster Hospital and Fellow of Kings College will talk on The Magic of Pharmacy: Making Unguents, Oleums, Tinctures, Powders and Pills, and Misturae, at Westminster Hospital in the 19^th Century. Our consideration will focus on the development of therapeutics based on the hospital’s Drugs Register in The Thorney Island Society's Archives.

Arrangements for our Christmas Party on Monday 6th December are still to be finalised but we look forward to welcoming the South Westminster Community Choir again.

CoExistence - Elephants in the Parks, June/July 2021

We will be sad to see the public artwork of herds of lifesize elephants leave St James's Park and The Green Park on 23rd July. Made from lantana camara, an invasive weed whose removal from protected areas benefits wildlife in India.

Brought to us by Elephant Family, 'they arrived at a unique moment in time when a global reduction in human activity has had a positive effect on wildlife. Elephants may be giants but they tread softly. This 100-strong herd reminds us that when we lighten our footprint, wildlife bounces back.⁠⁠'

Find out how, where and why they were created and how to support the project: Co-Existence

Sketch below, inspired by The Green Park elephants, by Yoke Shun Broom (known as ‘Sam’ to fellow singers in The South Westminster Community Choir who will be singing at our Christmas party on 6th December !)

A Military Musical Spectacular - July 2021

Unable to see the bands for almost two years now, with the Trooping the Colour and Beating Retreat being cancelled in London but thanks to The Guards Museum and The Household Division, they were back for 3 fabulous evening performances in July !

The show included the Massed Bands of the Foot Guards, the Drum Horse and Mounted State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry, the Band and Drums of the Honourable Artillery Company, the Band of the Royal Yeomanry and the Pipes and Drums of the London Scottish Regiment.

Ticket sales supported the Museum and several hundred musicians played as the sun went down set against the iconic backdrop of the Horseguards Building.

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