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The Lady of the Lamp |
A new battle for the Lady of the Lamp
SHE is famous for fighting death and disease in the Crimea, but now Florence Nightingale is in a battle she could not possibly have foreseen.
The nurse will need more than dressings and bandages when she goes head-to-head in a David and Goliath-style battle with property tycoons the Candy brothers.
The Lady with the Lamp has been wheeled out as a mascot in the “say no to Noho” campaign – to thwart the duo rebranding their neighbourhood.
The woman behind it, who just so happens to be in the medical profession in Fitzrovia, is calling on residents to get behind her bid to have the proposed Noho Square renamed Nightingale Square after her heroine.
Dr Yvonne Craig, has discovered Nicholas and Christian Candy are yet to submit a name for their planned development. And because the name has to be approved by Westminster City Council, Dr Craig hopes that planning chiefs might come round to Nightingale because of the nurse’s connection with the Middlesex Hospital.
Dr Craig said: “It is to be hoped that people concerned about the inappropriate proposal ‘for marketing purposes’ of Noho Square, will write to Candy & Candy and the council with their own preferred names.
“Mine is for Nightingale Square, as Florence was at the Middlesex Hospital, and because an alternative, Fitzrovia, is rather anglo-centric…”
We wish her well.
Lottery to fund a people’s history of Edgware Road
WITH its aroma of shisha smoke and pulsating soundtrack of Middle Eastern beats, the Edgware Road is a heritage site in its own right.
But now, thanks to a grant from the National Lottery, the story of the bustling road is to be the subject of a new history project. From Romans to medieval pilgrims, French Huguenots fleeing persecution and intrepid 19th-century Arabs, all those who have left their indelible mark on the area will be commemorated.
Where Marble Arch stands today was once the site of the infamous Tyburn Tree gallows, one of many landmarks along the road such as Church Street market and Penfold Street. More than 100 older people will be interviewed for their oral histories as well as workshops led by painters, film-makers and photographers.
In addition to a number of publications resulting from the project, there will be a website and a series of talks, exhibitions and activities.
Julie Peyton-Jones, director of the Serpentine Gallery, said: “We are thrilled that this project has been made possible by a grant from the lottery fund. It will enable thousands of people in the Edgware Road area to have the opportunity to be involved in the creation of artworks that celebrate culture. This groundbreaking project continues the gallery’s programme of working with artists to challenge notions of where art is made and by whom.”
Taking the lead – and advice!
WE now know what we knew all along.
Colin Barrow is the new leader of Westminster City Council. He should have known his first appearance in the chamber hot seat would be an eventful one.
Even praising the new incumbent, ribald Labour hecklers couldn’t resist a snipe or two at his predecessor.
Looking like a lost sheep in the unfamiliar territory of the back benches, Sir Simon Milton appeared rather wistful as Labour group leader Paul Dimoldenberg offered some advice to his successor.
As the French philosopher Michel Foucault used to say, subtext is the key.
Tip number one: the step from deputy leader to leader is not easy even if you’ve had your eyes on it for a long time.
Tip number two: everything should now be your concern, not just the money, which we know you’ve got enough of. Tip number three: watch your back, watch your front, watch your side and above all beware of the pillow talkers – a reference – met with audible groaning to Sir Simon’s relationship with the new cabinet member for the built environment and deputy leader Robert Davis.
Gems of the Liberty style
A RARE exhibition of Liberty jewellery, sketchbooks and catalogues went on display in Marylebone as part of London Jewellery Week.
On loan from art historian and author of Liberty Style ,Victor Arwas, the collection featured pieces made for or retailed by the Regent Street store, and was a feast for jewellery enthusiasts who got the chance to see the seamless journey from pen to pendant last week.
Audrey Lewis, council cabinet member for customers and neighbourhoods said: “Westminster Archives is a valuable resource. This exhibition provided an opportunity to encourage people to explore further collections, as a source of delight for the present and inspiration for the future.” The collection has now moved to the council’s St Ann’s Street archives centre. |
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