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 Society is looking for a new Chair and Membership Secretary

Sue Ball Chaired the Society for 5 years and stood down at the Society's AGM in November 2022 and Louise Cartledge would like to gradually hand over the role of Membership Secretary which she has held for 3 years.  

BOTH THESE ROLES ARE CRUCIAL TO THE RUNNING OF THE SOCIETY ! 

Please click below to see what they entail and if you are interested in either of these worthwhile voluntary roles or know someone who is, then please do get in touch at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

DESCRIPTIONS OF ROLES OF CHAIR & MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY - click HERE

 The Society is looking for a new Chair and Membership Secretary

Autumn/Winter 2023 Newsletter

CLICK ON COVER IMAGE TO READ INSIDE:

Events 2023/2024

NEW EVENTS HAVE BEEN ADDED!

Please see below events still to run in 2023 and NEW EVENTS FOR 2024.  Full details can be found on our Eventbrite page.  Please note, some events are for Members Only.

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 (our telephone number is on our "US" page via tab above or email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or post cheque to 10 Old Pye Street, London SW1P 2DG

Victoria Tower Gardens

Update August 2023

The Holocaust Memorial Bill is making its way through Parliament. It seeks to dis-apply the clauses in an Act of 1900 that said that Victoria Tower Gardens should be maintained as a garden open to the public. The Government tried to introduce the Holocaust Memorial Bill as a Public Bill but the Clerks and Committees in both Houses agreed with us that it is a Hybrid Bill, making it more difficult for them to get it through the parliamentary process. Meanwhile disquiet is being expressed publicly by a wide range of people, especially following the closure of the Jewish Museum in Camden, which had run out of funds. Why should the Holocaust Memorial Learning Centre not be combined with the Jewish Museum in new premises? It seems a very good idea, but the site would have to be more suitable than VTG.

For further reading, please go to the campaign website:  CLICK HERE

Read more: Victoria Tower Gardens

Lambeth Bridge Safety and Security Project

Transport for London recently announced that they were proceeding with plans to improve safety on Lambeth Bridge.  The plans include replacing the existing roundabouts on the Westminster and Lambeth sides of the bridge with signal-controlled junctions.  These changes are intended to provide:

• Safer signal-controlled pedestrian crossings
• Safer connections for cyclists to existing cycle routes, such as Cycleway 8 on Millbank
• Public realm improvements, including the removal of the existing palm tree in the Millbank roundabout to a site in Churchill Gardens and the introduction of two new palms in extended footways next to the obelisks on the Westminster side of the bridge, as illustrated here:
  
  

TfL consulted on the scheme in 2017 and, following analysis of the consultation responses and further investigations, published a final design and consultation report in February 2020.  This information can be found at tfl.gov.uk/Lambeth-Bridge-North.

TfL are planning to start the works in spring 2024.  A public consultation was held on 18th July 2023.

Lambeth Bridge Safety and Security Project - Consultation Tues 18th July 2023 

Spring/Summer 2023 Newsletter

CLICK ON COVER IMAGE TO VIEW INSIDE:

Whitehall - New Public Spaces Development Proposals

The Whitehall BID are pleased to share their proposals for the area.  As well as improving the physical realm, a 'hidden gems' tour will be available with Augmented Reality and interactive maps to navigate and learn the history of the area, including the route of the former River Tyburn and the Whitehall Palace Footprint.

READ MORE HERE

New research into the 'Letter Purse' in our Archives collection

Following fundraising amongst our Membership and the purse's expert restoration in 2018, the story of our beautiful object continues:

We were delighted when Marie-Louise Plum, a painter and mudlarker with a keen interest in history and creative activities came to explore our Archives in Old Pye Street.  We were even more delighted when she set about identifying many of the artefacts in our collection the provenance of which was unknown.

READ FURTHER - CLICK HERE

She was particularly taken by the Georgian letter purse and we are delighted to share with you her video of the research findings.  This will be the first in a new series The Letter Purse Profiles.

We look forward to Marie-Louise's next visit to the Archives to find out more about this and other artefacts using the histories of local streets in our files. This is a perfect use of our Archives and we can't wait to see what else she uncovers.

Research Visit to the Archives - Tufton Street Tree & Plaque to Siegfried Sassoon

During 2022, we had a visit from Richard Derecki to research the tree in Tufton Street, together with the plaque that The Thorney Island Society successfully campaigned for in the 1990's. 

Richard is an economist and governance expert who has worked for the 10 Downing Street strategy unit and the Greater London Authority.

We are very happy to be able to share with you Richard's article for ONLONDON:  CLICK HERE