Organised by the City Livery Club, the Mistress and I
visited the City Centre complex in the Guildhall off Basinghall Street for a
very interesting evening focusing on the architecture of London, both now and
in the past. We also got to see the famous model of London – amazing!
Hosted by the President of the City Livery Club, Dr Trevor
Brignall, we assembled in the exhibition space at 18:00 before descending the
steps into the basement. Laid out before us is the most incredible 1:500 scale model
of the City of London with every street, building and bridge shown in perfect
detail (see pictures). The level of craftsmanship was exceptional and it is
obviously regularly updated as all completed buildings are shown, including the
Shard and the Scalpel. All it needed was a model railway running through it!
There then followed a lecture by Peter Murray, Chairman of
New London Architecture and past-Master of the Company of Chartered Architects
who took us on a fascinating journey through the development of the Square Mile
from the Great Fire to the modern day. Picking out some of the most iconic
buildings, he gave us the insight into how, why and for whom the buildings were
created and the inevitable furore that (even then) most of them caused. It is extraordinary
to think that some of the most treasured buildings we have in London were, in
their time, as controversial as say, the Tulip is today. Nothing new under the
sun! But one can see from the lecture how these things happen.
Following on was Christopher Hayward, Chairman of the
Corporation’s Planning and Transport Committee who gave us an insight into the
very real problems of planning the growth of a city the size and significance
of London. This has been no mean task and with the advent of for instance,
Crossrail and the influx of additional workers (some 540,000 commutes into the
City every day) there are some real challenges. Add to this the need to cut
traffic and improve air quality (the controversial Bank road junction closure
being an example) and the demands to increase green spaces and reduce carbon
consumption, means the planners have never been busier. But he was optimistic
that London can and will remain the best city in the world!
After questions from the floor guests were once again able
to examine the model and participate in a short quiz about London. You will be pleased
to note that your Master Water Conservator came second, failing only on not
knowing where Dick Wittington’s house stood!
Light refreshments followed what had been a most successful
and enlightening evening. Thank you to our speakers and the City Livery Club
Clerk, Liz Wicksteed for their contributions.
Further details about the City Centre and opening times can
be found at www.thecitycentre.london
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