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The Stag Brewery, Palace Street - Collection of Photographs held at the Westminster Archives

(Of course, we know that the Stag Brewery was not in Pimlico, but in Victoria !) Fascinating photographs and talk. Click image below:

Thorney Tales (21) - Aphra Behn, playwright, poet, feminist, spy - Ahead of her times (1640-1689)

There are no women poets or playwrights buried in Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey but in the nearby East Cloister lies Aphra Behn. She was a star of Restoration drama, writing 18 successful plays which was more than any male dramatist at the time with the possible exception of John Dryden. She was held in esteem by her peers but not long after sank almost without trace for centuries. This was partly because Restoration drama fell out of fashion but mainly because she wrote in a bawdy fashion which was tolerated in the permissive reign of Charles II but later not thought a fit occupation for a woman.

In recent years she has made a comeback into fashion partly due to Virginia Woolf’s famous exhortation on her tomb, that “all women together ought to let flowers fall”. Which is what happened in the Summer of 2021, when pupils from Urswick School in Hackney laid flowers on her grave with personal messages after they had given a - socially distanced - performance of some of Aphra’s work in the hallowed atmosphere of Poets’ Corner. I (Victor Keegan) was delighted to be part of the audience along with others from London Historians.

She was from a humble background but became an icon and role model way ahead of her time. She is still a fascinating talking point among feminists because while she dealt with gender mixing themes and was a proud libertine at a time when it was fashionable, she was also a Tory and a fierce royalist, which don't always go together. She didn't seem to believe in a God yet she dedicated part of a play to the staunchly Catholic James II before he did a moonlight flit out of the country.

In her time Aphra was a poet, novelist, spy and translator. She was probably the first woman to earn her living from writing even though she was always short of money. Nell Gwynn appeared in one of her plays as did Anne Bracegirdle, the esteemed actress, (in The Widow Ranter in 1689). Anne is buried next to Aphra in the East Cloister, close to Poets’ Corner but not quite in it.

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

29th July 2021 - DECISION ! Government marks its own homework ....

Please CLICK HERE to read today's Press Release

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

We have just a few copies left of Dorian's book. Please contact us if you would like to purchase a copy. Proceeds will now be re-directed to the London Gardens Trust who are continuing the legal battle.

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/

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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