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 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 Royal Parks Panel - Sign Up!
The Society's Summer Party - June 2022
Having waited patiently for 2 years, Members were finally able to enjoy our Summer Party on the balcony of Benugo's overlooking the lake in St James's Park. With many thanks to all who attended, despite the tube strike and to Mark Wasilewski, Parks Manager for his talk and all the staff at Benugo's. A lively and fun event in what must be one of the best locations in London on a summer evening.
Local Choir Sing for Jubilee!
The South Westminster Community Choir in association with The Thorney Island Society sang their hearts out in Christchurch Gardens contributing to the Platinum Jubilee events this June.
Events 2022
Please see below our 2022 Programme of Events. Full details and descriptions can be found via our Events/Visits tab at the top of this page.
Plus! Our 2021 Talks can now be viewed on our YouTube channel.
Please book via 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 cheque and post to 10 Old Pye Street, London SW1P 2DG)
2022
Wednesday 28th September, 10.15am - Mudlarking on the Thames Foreshore (SOLD OUT - waiting list) Rescheduled from July.
Tuesday 4th October, 3pm - Visit and tour of the RUSI Library (SOLD OUT - waiting list) Details via our Events/Visits tab.
Tuesday 1st November, 12.30pm - Lunch at the Westminster Kingsway College by students and Tour, Following the success and oversubscription of the lunch in May, we are pleased to be revisiting the College.
Tuesday 8th November, 6.30pm - The Society's 36th AGM and talk by Ptolemy Dean on the new Sacristy works at the Abbey - Blue Orchid Wellington Hotel, Vincent Square
Monday 5th December, 6.30pm - The Society's Christmas Party - Details to be confirmed.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed at the Society's events are those of the speakers and guides and do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Thorney Island Society.
PREVIOUS EVENTS:
Recordings of previous talks & events can be viewed on our YouTube channel 3 months after the live event:
CLICK HERE
Spring/Summer 2022 Newsletter
CLICK FRONT COVER BELOW TO READ FURTHER.
Act of Queen Victoria rescues Victoria Tower Gardens
8th April 2022
The London Gardens Trust, which has been fighting so valiantly against the construction of the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in Victoria Tower Gardens, has just heard that the High Court judge found in their favour.
Although the judge did not agree with the points made over planning issues, she did find that the 1900 Act prohibited construction in the park. She decided that 'the appropriate remedy is to quash the decision, so as to enable further consideration of the implications of the 1900 Act'.
Read the court judgement in full
Read summary of court judgement
London Gardens Trust Heads To The High Court
22nd February 2022
To read updates CLICK HERE
PHOTOS FROM THIS MORNING !!
From 9-10am there willl be a ‘gentle’ demonstration outside the Law Courts (“the Royal Courts of Justice”) on The Strand. You will see the gates just by the zebra crossing. After which you’ll have the option of heading inside to watch the hearing. Do bring anyone and everyone who is interested in showing the press our support.
This High Court case is scheduled to continue on 23rd February, but the decision may take a few weeks. We’ll update further when we have news.
In the meantime.....
Rowan Moore has written another excellent piece for The Observer (click link) interviewing Martin Stern, a Holocaust survivor. The piece couldn’t have come at a better time and elegantly reinforces Rowan Moore’s great interview with Anita Lasker-Wallfisch (click link) from December 2020.
Also read here (click link) superb joint letter to The Secretary of State from the Rt Revd Dr Rowan Williams (former Archbishop of Canterbury, theologian, Chancellor, University of South Wales) and Dr Irene Lancaster (historian of Jewish thought, Holocaust scholar and child of Holocaust survivors)
Tuesday 22nd February - London Gardens Trust head to the High Court!
Europe's 6th Most Gorgeous Park - February 2022
News ! Victoria Tower Gardens
JANUARY 2022
Contractors do ground penetrating radar work in Victoria Tower Gardens, hoping to start excavations in February. We object to the Government's proposal to build a Holocaust Memorial and underground Learning Centre on this Grade 2 listed park. We support the London Gardens Trust whose legal case will be heard also in February.
22nd NOVEMBER 2021
GRANTED LEAVE TO APPEAL! Read more CLICK HERE
29th OCTOBER 2021
The London Gardens Trust (LGT) have at last heard that their appeal against the decision to grant planning permission for the Holocaust Memorial in Victoria Tower Gardens (VTG) is to be heard in the High Court. The judge has ruled that there is a case to answer on two of the six grounds: one is to do with the meaning of 'substantial harm', which LGT say will be caused to the grade 2* Buxton Memorial as well as the Grade 2 gardens themselves. The second is the fact that no alternative sites were seriously considered and weighed up against VTG.
Thorney Tales (22) - Rosamund's Pond
Everyone knows and loves the lake in St James’s Park but not everyone knows that there was another one before that called Rosamond’s Pond which was just as famous, indeed infamous, in its day and a source of delight for poets.
Pope, in “The Rape of the Lock” summed it up:
"This the blest lover shall for Venus take,
And send up vows from Rosamonda's lake."
Bishop Warburton was even more succinct, describing it as "long consecrated to disastrous love and elegiac poetry".
The pond was situated at the Buckingham House end of the park stretching from near the end of the existing lake, then a canal, to St James’s Street (now Buckingham Gate) in front of Tart Hall (long since demolished). There was also a vineyard nearby.
Often referred to in contemporary comedies as an assignation for married ladies with fashionable lovers but it also had a darker side which Fanny Burney hinted at in her writings, as a place where thwarted lovers drowned themselves in it. It was filled-in around 1770 when the Crown purchased Buckingham House and turned it into a palace.
Who was Rosamund? She is sometimes supposed to be ‘Fair Rosamond” Clifford, the favourite mistress of Henry ll who was later painted by Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Burne-Jones and was the subject of many poems and myths (such as that she was murdered by Henry’s wife Eleanor of Aquitaine). A less flattering contemporary description came from the Welsh chronicler Gerald of Wales who dismissed her as 'that rose of unchastity.'
It seems that everyone can make their own images of Rosamond just as Hogarth did of the pond in his painting (above) which has Westminster Abbey with elongated wings posing between conveniently separated trees.