Reception at the House of Commons

March 21, 2011

The Heritage of London Trust held a reception in the Strangers Dining Room at the House of Commons on Monday, March 21st. It was hosted by HOLT trustee Ed Vaizey, MP, Minister for Culture. The purpose of the event was to bring together Council Leaders, Heritage Champions, London MPs, funders and conservation/heritage experts to discuss ways we could all work better together in light of budget cuts.

London's heritage assets are a huge draw for tourism and will soon be centre stage when the Olympics arrives in 2012. London's historic buildings often house vital communtiy services including creches, homeless shelters, afterschool programmes for children, and english language classes among many other activities, making historic buildings some of the most essential and frequently used buildings in local communties. It is therefore more important than ever that everyone works together to pool resources and knowledge to ensure heritage restoration schemes across the capital move forward.

HOLT Chairman Ronnie Barden and Ed Vaizey both gave speeches praising the efforts of HOLT to promote London's heritage and work in partnership with London's councils and heritage bodies.

Almost 100 people attended the event, enjoying tea, cakes and sandwiches overlooking the Thames from the grand neo-gothic windows of the Stranger's Dining Room.

A highlight of the afternoon was the presentation of a symbolic peppercorn to Jenny Bianco, DL for Southwark from HOLT Ops Chairman Julian Spicer, in lieu of the peppercorn rent that HOLT Ops will be paying for the Concret House, 549 Lordship Lane. This famous Grade II listed house, one of London's earliest concrete buildings, was compulsory purchased by Southwark Council under Empty Homes Legislation after the owner failed to make essential repairs. HOLT's sister trust HOLT Ops will soon be refurbishing it to create 5 new flats.

HOLT is grateful to Ed Vaizey for hosting the event and thankful that so many of London's key heritage figures. From the lively conversations that kept the room buzzing all afternoon we are sure some new friendships and regeneration partnerships have been forged!

photos: (top to bottom) Ed Vaizey talks with Wesley Kerr of the HLF London; Julian Spicer presents Jenny bianco DL witha  peppercorn in a silver bowl; HOLT Chairman Ronnie Barden (left) speaks with Adrian Atwood of DBR Ltd and Cllr Keith Prince, Leader of Redbridge Council; Jenny Freeman of Historic Chapels Trust (centre) shares a joke with Michael Hoare, Chairman of National Churches Trust and Ian Lush (right), Director of Architectural Heritage Fund