Duke of Gloucester visits East End Projects
On September 24th, 2008, the Trust’s patron, His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester, KG GCVO, visited some of our projects in the East End and south London. Accompanied by Trust Director Diana Beattie, Vice President Julian Spicer, and HOLT Ops director Laura Norris, the Duke visited 810 High Road Tottenham, St John on Bethnal Green, St George’s Chapel Woolwich and Chislehurst Golf Club Bromley. The purpose of the day was for the Duke to see first hand some of HOLT and HOLT Ops current projects and meet the local people who care for these historic buildings.
Following luncheon at Woolwich Barracks, the Duke inspected the ruins of St George’s Chapel, the Royal Artillery Regiment’s church, which was badly damaged by a flying bomb in 1944. The altar still survives and is decorated with magnificent gold mosaics of St George and the Dragon – the Heritage of London Trust has offered a grant of £5,000 towards their eventual restoration. The apse also contains commemorative tablets honouring those members of the regiment who were awarded the Victoria Cross.
The apse was once protected by a temporary roof, which has fallen off in storms and needs to be replaced – HOLT is working with local partners, including Greenwich Council and English Heritage, to find a long term solution to ensure that the remains of this important chapel are conserved and protected - once a long term plan is in place and a new roof is fitted, work will go ahead on the restoration of the mosaics.
The Duke and all concerned enjoyed this informative day of visits – please click on the links below to see local press coverage.
Photo: The Duke of Gloucester with Greenwich Mayor Cllr Steve Offord at St George’s Woolwich. Photograph by Simon Hildrew. Copyright Kentish Times
