THE ST MARYLEBONE SOCIETY NEWSLETTER Summer 2014 Number 341 www.stmarylebonesociety.org Registered Charity 274082 MARYLEBONE STATION CELEBRATING 30 YEARS SINCE THREATENED CLOSURE

Marylebone Station now. Photo: Mike Wood. This summer Chiltern Railways will . The report also stated that •There would not be a reduction in celebrate 30 years since Marylebone terminating coaches at Marylebone would coaches on the roads, Station was saved from closure. have the benefit of reducing coach traffic at •The station buildings must be Listed. In the early 1980s Marylebone Station Victoria Coach Station. Following an earlier proposal to List presented a sorry sight. There had been Horrified at the proposal, the Marylebone Station and the Great Central Hotel the DofE had answered: little BR investment in Marylebone’s St Marylebone Society began an intensive trains and facilities, and the 1970s campaign against the coach station and ‘We have now inspected these buildings recession, coupled with high fares busway, writing to a wide range of inside and out, but have concluded I am controlled by the GLC and LT, took its toll organisations to garner support. Pre- afraid that none of them qualifies for listing and passenger numbers started falling. BR computers, this represented a as a building of special or architectural was losing money on Marylebone’s considerable administrative workload and historic interest.’ commuter routes, such that in 1983 only 6,000 passengers alighted daily at the SMS coordinated correspondence and Correspondence ensued between the St Marylebone. Therefore, when the regular meetings to plan their strategy. Marylebone Society and the Rt Hon National Bus Company commissioned a They attacked the idea of the station Patrick Jenkin MP, Sec of State for the study for a new coach terminus at closure and NBC Coach terminus arguing: Environment, the GLC, WCC and local Councillors. They also involved national Marylebone Station, BR and Westminster •It would cause hardship for local organisations with similar objectives, such saw a possible solution to their problems. residents and commuters, It was published in July 1983 and as SAVE, The Georgian Group, The Civic •A coach terminus would be detrimental concluded that the new terminus would Trust, SPAB and the Victorian Society. take 250,000 coaches off existing roads to the environment and the Dorset The SMS capitalised on their links to and by concreting over the tracks it would Square Conservation Area, neighbouring amenity societies, such as utilise the existing rail tunnels to create a •A busway in the tunnels was technically the Regent’s Park Conservation Area ‘busway’, as a fast link into Central unfeasible, Advisory Committee (RPCAAC) and Continued overleaf. the St John’s Wood Society. Utilising this those elected to represent their views. network of well-connected groups who The SMS collected detailed policy included, the Crown Estate and the information, scrutinised timetables and Camden Civic Society, they brought the fares, and listed legal and technical matter to the attention of many people in reasons supporting their objections to power at the D of E and in Parliament. prove that closure of the routes would be unfeasible and cause hardship. Leading the protest locally was the late Sam Briddes, a keen railway supporter What gave the campaign its strength, and what was the significant contribution of and train enthusiast. He distributed a Marylebone Station in the 1980s. flyer to all the residents in Boston Place the SMS, was its ability to link people and and started a resident’s petition and sub connect directly with those in positions of November 1985. Effectively writing their group, ‘Bostonians against Buses!’ Sam authority. Under the umbrella of the SMS own planning brief for the site, in what is also had many contacts along the lines an array of objectors grouped together perhaps the first case of ‘Neighbourhood leading out from Marylebone and across the social and political spectrum; Planning’ in Marylebone. They envisaged especially with the Aylesbury & District from the aristocracy to NUR members, the site used for housing and community Passengers Association. Together they from local Labour councillors to those in facilities and launched their plan with shared information, conducted their own the Conservative home counties, as panache by staging a ‘Monopoly Board’ passenger surveys and started to get summed up by Sam Briddes: event in Dorset Square. railway men involved, with NUR General ‘What we have to remember is that the fight The SMS’s activities and commitment Secretary, Jimmy Knapp writing to the for the retention of the railway will have the grew over four years of intensive SMS in support of retaining rail services support of many thousands of individuals, campaigning to Save Marylebone Station, and jobs. together with every local authority bar the and this determination is characteristic of It is interesting to note that the SMS were Westminster City Council –yes, the the Society and its membership, who Conservative shire counties are joining pro-active and well ahead of BR plans, as believe in self-determination and the right forces with ASLEF for this fight!’ much campaigning activity took place to protect one’s neighbourhood. some three years before BR posted the Westminster’s planning brief for Prolonging the consultation period, asking Notice initiating closure of the station on Marylebone Station was released in April questions in high places and creating 15 March 1984. This official decision 1985 and the SMS formulated detailed diversions brought about advantages with prompted keen interest from the national comments on every line of the brief, time, such that when SMS Chairman, press and interviews on LBC Radio and a cajoled local councillors on board and Carolyn Keen, wrote to The Times in TV documentary spread the debate to a requested permission for a deputation to Spring 1986 she could state, ‘16,000 wider audience. Many people joined the speak at the Planning Committee passengers now use the station every day’ fight to save Marylebone Station, with one meeting. The SMS also started lobbying and highlight the role of the station as exception …Westminster Council. politicians and joined forces with destination for Steam and Rail, a residents in Victoria, to get the coach sentiment echoed by Steam Railway terminus out of Central London magazine which declared, ‘Marylebone: A altogether, suggesting it would be better Recipe for Success’. placed on the recently completed M25. They managed to get David Mitchell Passenger numbers had increased with (Under-Secretary of State DofT) to agree the introduction of the Capital Card and but despite this and widespread protests, BR’s plans to divert trains to Baker Street in July 1985 Westminster Council now seemed impossible due to increased approved their own Planning Brief for capacity across the public transport Marylebone Station in the 1970s. Marylebone Station, although with network. The tide had turned and on ‘At a committee meeting on 11 June 1984, conditions attached to the future coach 30 April 1986 BR officially announced that it was determined that, subject to station use. Local Councillor Jo Hegarty Marylebone Station would remain open. decried their decision, stating, ‘When the conditions, Westminster Council in The NBC commissioned a new report into Council goes out to consultation, it doesn’t principle: an alternative coach terminus site at mean consultation. It’s largely a sham.’ •Raised no objections to closure of the Paddington, which gave rise to a new station and withdrawal of BR services To counter the Westminster Planning amenity society, still thriving today, brief, the SMS and associated resident’s Paddington Residents Against the Coach •Were willing to consider proposals for groups began suggesting alternative uses Terminus (PRACT), but that’s another a coach station. for the site; from a steam railway centre to story. Marylebone Station was saved and Consequently, Westminster’s Planning a specialist-shopping destination designed today the St Marylebone Society Department started to draw up a planning by SMS member and architect John continues to support the conservation and brief for the site assuming station closure. Prizeman. One group in particular was improvement of this historic station, proactive, the Paddington Federation of which is a success for Chiltern Railways Dismayed at this stance by Westminster Residents and Tenants Associations and has become the hub of our Council, the SMS responded with (PFTRA), gaining £1,650 GLC funding to neighbourhood. determined lobbying of their local submit an alternative planning application Conservative councillors, angry with for the Marylebone Station site in Gaby Higgs 2 A F U N N Y T H I N G H A P P E N E D O N T H E W A Y T O T H E F O R U M Regent’s Park was also removed from the designated Marylebone NA. This was a surprise because somewhere along the line in these tortuous negotiations WCC had encouraged us to include Regent’s Park in our NA. The reason for exclusion of Regent’s Park in the NA Designation Notice was simply that: “Regent’s Park is not considered to be part of Marylebone but a separate geographic entity in its own right.” The final surprise was that our area was designated as a Business Area (as opposed to a Residential Area). The practical consequence of this is that there will need to be two referendums on the Neighbourhood Plan – one for residents and one for businesses. If these two referendums go in opposite directions, WCC gets a casting vote on whether or not to accept the Plan. The next step is for us to formally constitute the Forum and to apply to be designated the Neighbourhood Forum for the Marylebone NA. Mike Wood

Figure 1: Officially designated Marylebone Neighbourhood Area. In our update on Neighbourhood One of these, “Fitzrovia West”, Planning last summer we reported that consisted of a triangle of land within the residents of Church Street and St Westminster roughly between the John’s Wood had applied to become underground stations of Great Portland separate Neighbourhood Areas (NAs). St, Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court We also reported that we had joined Rd. The other Fitzrovia application was forces with the Marylebone Association for a “Cross Borough” Fitzrovia NA, and the Fitzrovia Neighbourhood which roughly included “Fitzrovia West” Association to apply for a “Marylebone in Westminster and an equivalent area to NA” which roughly corresponded to that the east in Camden. of the old London Borough of St On 28th March 2014 WCC officially Marylebone, less the Church Street area designated the Marylebone NA as and that of St John’s Wood (see the Map shown in Figure 1. This effectively in the Summer 2013 Newsletter for the hived off Fitzrovia West from the area exact area concerned). Gaby Higgs was commended in the we applied for, but left us with both sides Westminster – Better City, Better Lives The decision on our combined of Portland Place. At the same time Community Awards. “Marylebone NA” was delayed because Fitzrovia West, with minor boundary Also commended were our members, of a couple of subsequent NA changes, was approved in preference to Baker Street Quarter, in the same applications for Fitzrovia – both of which the Cross Borough Fitzrovia application. category, and the Landmark Hotel in the overlapped with our Marylebone NA. As well as losing Fitzrovia (West), Business Award category. 3 M U S I C I A N S I N M A R Y L E B O N E scene led initially by Bert released the results from these 1 Jansch, an untested artists straight onto 12”, 33 /3 instrumentalist rather rpm vinyl without bothering to test the than a singer, who took market first with 45s, which was the this combination to an starting point with all pop groups, the enthusiastic world of folk Beatles included. clubs. John moved into a Whilst John spent his early years fitting flat on Somali Road, NW3 into the folk circuit playing folk songs with Bert in 1964, the and blues to keep him solvent, he soon start of an association developed a style known as Baroque that peaked with Folk, formally composed, even stately, Pentangle. folk music, mixed a hint of jazz; in 1968, Yes, it is true that there after flower power became Iron was a moment in the Butterfly, he recorded the truly early 1960s, when the wonderful ‘Sir John Alot of Merrie Beatles seemed merely a Englandes Musyk Thyng and ye Grene pop group producing top- Knyghte’, an LP which sounds This is the first in a series about notch singles, when Mersey beat completely out of its time and in a style musicians with connections to the pushed past trad jazz and calypso as the which was immediately overshadowed by his complete involvement in Marylebone area and I thought I would next big thing and when serious Pentangle for the next six years. Yet he start with the one who has the strongest musicians ignored this popular culture continued to develop the style, reaching ties as he was born here and was and instead took the acoustic guitar to perfection on the Black Balloon, an LP recorded by a local label. The guitarist be more worthy than the electric guitar. with which he combines the formal came to fame by creating a new style Most of this was due to the awesome baroque folk style with numerous and the label was the first independent technique of Davey Graham, more so variations and then pure improvisation, to achieve national success. He was a than the blues and attachment to the all seamless and thoroughly listenable member of the fab five, Pentangle, and civil rights movement in the USA. to and again as completely out of its his name is John Renbourn. John, who performed on the folk circuit time as ‘Sir John Alot…’ was in 1968. – Les Cousins on Greek St, Soho, the I have yet to find out where in His interest in Baroque music was not Black Horse on Rathbone Place, the Marylebone he was born but we know entirely in isolation, but almost. What Troubadour in Earls Court – recorded he went to Marylebone Grammar influence did events many miles away in some demos which raised no interest School, on Lisson Grove/Marylebone the US have – there Joshua Rifkin from the two established record labels, Road before heading off to Kingston Poly released the LP Baroque Beatles Book EMI and Decca. This is where Nat to play in Hog-Snort Rupert's Famous in November 1965 on Nonesuch, the Joseph, head of independent label Porkestra before moving into the world classical label of Elektra, and Elektra Transatlantic (86 Marylebone High of folk music in the early 1960s. itself released LPs by many New York Street) took a chance. This was a brave He made the move into the world of folk folk singers. Only slightly more popular move for two reasons. The first is music following his discovery of the was the group, the Left Banke, which John‘s early recordings are not that blues by the likes of Big Bill Bronzy and released a series of excellent Baroque compelling, in terms of the material, pop singles starting in 1966 with ‘Walk he started playing cover versions, voice or playing, especially in Away Renee’ and ‘Pretty Ballerina’. typical for the time. He was also comparison with Bert Jansch at this Best Baroque folk LP – Black Balloon, inspired by Davey Graham who stage in his career and who was already 1979 easily available. championed guitar playing in the UK, signed to Transatlantic. Nat had an moving it on from the three chord advantage as he was unfettered, Best Baroque pop – the Left Banke, strumming of skiffle in the mid/late Transatlantic was his own label, and he collected on ‘There’s a storm’. 1950s into something far more intricate spotted the opportunity of taking the Beat Baroque Beatles LP – Joshua and with a wide range of influences, East first generation of folk singers out of the Rifkin’s Baroque Beatles Book, and West. John is one of the first folk clubs, but with no idea where this released on Elektra in 1965. generation of acoustic guitar players, a would lead. The second is that he Johnathan Monnickendam 4 Artist’s impression of the restored Cinema (Tim Ronalds Architects, 2014). ALFRED RENESON COUCHER, THE POLYTECHNIC AND THE REGENT STREET CINEMA completing his studies. He was a regular commencing in the next month. To help contributor to the Tuesday Social the University reach their final target a Evenings, giving talks to accompany films Name a Seat initiative has been launched, he had shot himself, in colour, often whereby supporters may select a name of detailing his travels abroad. Many readers their choosing to be placed on the back of may be aware of the colour footage he a seat in the restored auditorium. Those filmed in London during the Blitz. These who have already supported include films remain some of the only colour broadcaster OBE and Nick footage of the Marylebone area from this Mason of Pink Floyd, himself an Alumnus time and are now held by the Imperial War of the University. The University is Museum. aiming to have all 200 seats named before Coucher continued to film after the war. the Cinema opens next year. On March 11th 1952, the Polytechnic Magazine promoted “A Holiday in Spain” illustrated by colour films (by) Mr Councillor A. E. Reneson Coucher in its listings, and in 1955 “With a Cine-Camera at home and abroad”. These screenings or ‘illustrated talks’ took place at the Polytechnic at a time when the Cinema Alfred Reneson Coucher.. also operated a full screening programme for the general public. Founding President of the St Marylebone Society, Councillor (and later Alderman), Considered the birthplace of British Alfred Reneson Coucher, enjoyed a Cinema, the same special venue was lifelong association with the University of chosen by the pioneering Lumière Westminster, formerly the Regent Street brothers as the site for the first public Polytechnic, on Regent Street. The display of moving images in Britain in University of Westminster Archive details 1896 when, for the price of a the achievements of A R Coucher during shilling, their Cinématographe was the period 1906-1910 when he studied at demonstrated to an astonished audience. both the day school and the evening It remained a working cinema until it School of Architecture. His list of awarded closed its doors to the public in April 1980, since when it has been used by the prizes include certificates for grammar Members being shown the renovation work. and composition, English and French and University as a lecture theatre and for medals for both Football and Cricket. In occasional events. The St Marylebone Society also decided to the entertainment programme for the Members of the St Marylebone Society name a seat in support of this unique 1907 prize-giving ceremony he is listed as recently paid a visit to the Cinema, to hear project and will take their place amongst playing the hilarious Mrs Malaprop in about the plans to restore this unique the growing community of supporters to Sheridan’s The Rivals! venue. Visitors were given a talk by the be recognised in the restored Cinema. University Archivist detailing the historic Coucher continued his relationship with A fitting continued association with the the Regent Street Polytechnic after use of the site and learned about the plans to reopen the Cinema to the public in former Regent Street Polytechnic which spring 2015. The restored Cinema will we hope Alfred Reneson Coucher would offer a stimulating programme of have been pleased to support. screenings, talks, lectures and workshops. For further information on the project or It will also provide a unique venue for to find out how you can become involved students to showcase their work or support personally, please visit the alongside established practitioners of film, University’s website and offer a platform for debate and learning for film enthusiasts, and a new w w w. b i r t h p l a c e o f c i n e m a . c o m o r arts venue for the local community. alternatively contact James Williams on 020 3506 6291 or e-mail The University of Westminster has been [email protected] fundraising for the £6m required to complete the project since 2012. James Williams Interior of the Regent Street Cinema, believed to have been taken around 1900. Very few photos of the cinema With over two thirds of the funding Development Officer interior exist. (University of Westminster Archive). now secured, the restoration will be Regent Street Cinema Project 5 V I S I T T O T H E O P E N A I R T H E A T R E lighting and staging, the undercroft was existing trees and foliage. This building stripped-out ready for refurbishment. incorporates offices for the directors With only a month to go before the first and the rest of the team who run the performance it seemed a daunting task Theatre, dressing rooms with showers, to have everything finished in time. wardrobe and a green room. Most of these activities were run out of The box office was being extended and portakabins or off-site before. we were shown the low-build corporate entertainment building, which doubles We finally saw the original workshop as an audition and rehearsal room. building which had been, while retaining the old exterior, fitted-out in the same The really interesting part of the tour Members and Emma Friend outside the east end of the style as the new building. admin building. was to see the new administration On 9 April, a beautifully sunny day, a building, which has been cleverly It was fascinating to see how the group of society members were given a designed to fit into a thin strip of land to Theatre, which is self-funding, comprehensive tour of the Regent’s the rear of the stage and facing out on to continues to evolve and maintain its Park Open Air Theatre by Emma the Inner Circle. Built with a steel position as a unique landmark in Friend, Assistant to the Artistic frame, clad in sustainable wood and London. having a green, living roof it is a great Director. The Society’s thanks go to Emma and solution to the space problem that the the Theatre staff for letting us have We were shown the auditorium, which Theatre had. Now that the exterior such an interesting tour. was being given a complete refit with wood has weathered the building is new waterproof seating and updated hardly noticeable and blends in with the Robert McAulay

O B I T U A R I E S Sir Terry Farrell and Sir Nicholas Grimshaw in the late 1960s, Mike and Maz lived there from the beginning, in the 1970s. He wrote about the scheme in his magazine, thus contributing to the reputation, not only of the building but of the careers of the architects, both of whom are now world-famous. To his great delight, he succeeded in having 125 Park Road made a Grade II listed building in 2001. Mike’s own apartment on the eighth floor echoed the extraordinary style of the building. Black, grey and white was the theme carried out in glass and steel. Marylebone. His knowledge and Mike tackled planning issues and the experience were invaluable to the Mike Sharman Council with steely patience – most Society. He chaired the Planning Committee for many years during the Members of the Society will be shocked recently with the next-door, Atrium building in Park Road, the design of 1990s. He never missed a meeting and and saddened to learn of the death of always turned up having studied the Mike Sharman, a long-serving member. which he regarded with some disdain. A tireless champion of good design and drawings and documents thoroughly, so Mike was not only a qualified architect, always modest about his talents and that the rest of the committee had a he was a journalist and former editor of intellect, Mike Sharman will be greatly good idea of what they were to consider. Building Design magazine. He brought missed. This did not mean that he ignored the these skills to the St Marylebone Gwyneth Hampson opinions of his fellow committee Society, in particular to the Planning members, everyone’s thoughts were Committee. Passionate about modern taken into account. As a result his architecture, he lived at 125 Park Road, John Gentle (1930-2014) reports to Westminster Council were a an iconic building of which he We were sorry to hear that John had model of how comments from a local was immensely proud. Designed by died. perspective should be: concise, Married to Jacqueline, a teacher, they informed and professional. began their married life on a barge in Typically, he kept a full record of all the Little Venice that they fully restored applications and comments which, after and fitted-out. Later they moved to a much heart searching he had to dispose delightful house in Linhope Street of because he could not take them to where John became involved with the their new home in Cambridgeshire, Society. which they moved to in 1996 to be John trained as an architect, at the closer to their three daughters and nine Architects Association (AA), and was a grandchildren. partner in Rosenberg Gentle Architects, He was a good friend to the Society and based in Nottingham Place, will be missed. 125 Park Road. 6 ST MARYLEBONE SOCIETY PROGRAMME 2014 Tuesday 24 June 7.00 pm. your place with Douglas Temple. Royal College of Surgeons, 35-45 Westminster History Group. Lord You will be escorted to her garden in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2. Mayor’s Reception Rooms, 18th Floor, the sky, but mind that last flight of A fascinating collection of surgical and City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London stairs! Waterdale Manor House, 20 medical instruments illustrating SW1. A talk given by Professor Julia Harewood Avenue, NW1 61X. developments in the sciences since the Merritt entitled “Westminster and the Tuesday 22 July 2014 2.00 pm. 18th century, with a particular medical English Revolution 1640-1660”. The Benjamin Franklin’s House, 36 theme. Meet outside 10.50 am. Free effect on Westminster of the English Craven Street, London WC2 (near Wednesday 24 September 10.00 am. Civil War and the restoration of the Charing Cross). The diplomat, St Marylebone Society Coffee monarchy. There is a panoramic view of the London skyline and a glass of wine statesman and inventor lived here for Morning at Aubaine Restaurant, 7 is included in the price. Meet outside many years during the 18th century Moxon Street, London W1U 4EP. A City Hall at 18.40 pm. £10 payable before returning to America at the time new venue in Marylebone, pay your on arrival. of the start of the War of Independence own way. in 1776. A guided tour of the house. Wednesday 9 July 10.30 am. St For more information and late bookings Marylebone Society Coffee Morning Meet outside 1.50 pm. Price £5 on please contact: St Marylebone Society kindly hosted by our member Michèle arrival. Events Secretary, Douglas Temple, Flat 1, Hart at her home. 12 members only – Thursday 14 August 2014 11.00 am. 23 Seymour Place, London W1H 5BH – first come first served. Please book The Hunterian Museum of the 020 7723 6417.

Bridge Club at Rayne House, Maida Vale, every Tuesday 1.30 – 4.30pm. For more info phone: Lawrence Block 020 7569 2530.

BAKER STREET QUARTER EVENTS Guided Walks – These are free to origins of the Quarter’s most famous well-known former residents. Lasts 90 attend and no registration is needed. character Sherlock Holmes in our Minutes. Meet our guide outside 55 Baker Street. whistle-stop walk. Whether you’re a fan WOMEN OF THE QUARTER of Arthur Conan Doyle’s crime sleuth or GARDENS OF THE QUARTER 27 August 1.00 pm – Many influential 25 June 1.00 pm – Discover the have a penchant for literature history women have shaped the Quarter’s beautiful green spaces in the Quarter. come and join us. Lasts 45 Minutes. history. From Lady Montagu, the We explore its delightful parks and pay a BLUE PLAQUE DISCOVERY women of the Wallace Collection, visit to two charming private garden ‘EVENING WALK’ squares, not usually open to the public. 13 August 6.00 pm – The Quarter has Madame Marie Tussaud to Sherlock’s Lasts 45 Minutes. been home to many of the famous and very own Mrs Hudson. Join us for some STREETS OF SHERLOCK notorious! Let our blue plaques walk tales of the unexpected. Lasts 45 23 July 1.00 pm – Get to know the take you to the doors of some of our Minutes.

CORPORATE SUPPORTERS

Abbey National Charitable Trust Limited Fellowship of the School of Economic Science The Portman Estate Able Homecare Fitzhardinge House Tenants’ Association 15 Portman Square Tenants’ Association Alliance Française Francis Holland School Queen’s College Blandford Estate Residents’ Association Goldschmidt & Howland Regent’s University Bryanston and Dorset Squares Safer Howard de Walden Estate Rossmore Court Leaseholding Ltd. Neighbourhoods Team Hyatt Regency Churchill Hotel Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) CAMBARD RTM Ltd Ivor Court Residents’ Association Camerons Solicitors The Landmark Hotel St Marylebone Parish Church Chiltern Court (Baker Street) London Clinic St Marylebone School Residents’ Limited Mac Services The Seashell Restaurant The Chiltern Railway Co. Ltd. Manchester Square Trust Terry Farrell & Partners Clarence Gate Gardens Residents’ Association Marriott Park Lane Hotel The Tyburn Angling Society Clifton Nurseries Marylebone Cricket Club University of Westminster The Crown Estate Merlin Entertainment Westminster City Council Crown Estate Paving Commission Octavia Housing and Care Wood and Vale CRTMCL Old Philologians Dorset House Tenants’ Association Open Air Theatre (Regent’s Park) Wyndham Place Management Dorset Square Hotel Opera Rama York Estates Dorset Square Trust Peoples Travel Zoological Society of London

7 L I F E I N M A R Y L E B O N E – V I S I T T O S T G E O R G E ’ S D A Y C L I F T O N P H O T O G R A P H Y N U R S E R I E S C O M P E T I T I O N 2 0 1 4

Members enjoying coffee at the Quince Tree.

Kate Cooper. This year we were delighted to receive over 350 Runner up was Povila Norvila’s portrait of ‘Chef Aurine Dovydaityte and Dorian Aroyo. entries for the Art in Marylebone Photography Taking a Break’, in one of the most interesting Competition 2014. Usually held around St ginnels in Marylebone, Grotto Passage. The The coffee morning at the Clifton George’s day, 23rd April fell on Easter Tuesday so judges were impressed with the composition this year we included the Easter weekend and Nurseries, Quince Tree Café was catching two people passing by along Paddington following week (19th-27th) to allow as many attended by 16 people, all paying for Street oblivious to the tale of intrigue… Who is he residents, tourists and workers to take part as themselves too. The new manageress possible. talking to? What has happened? What will happen Aurine Dovydaityte (Do-vee-die-tee- The judges look for different elements in deciding next? tay) from Lithuania had prepared a what makes a great photograph: interesting subject, imagination, composition and technical beautiful table for 12 in the centre of the aspects. The weather this year was not favourable room so we spilled over onto other and perhaps for this reason we received many tables as the party grew. Lots of us went more images of people rather than buildings and street scenes. In rain and overcast skies buildings on to shop at the garden centre which was in bloom as if especially colourful for our event!

Dorian Aroyo Alexanda Melman. First prize was unanimous. House of Mirrors by Kate Cooper captures the architecture of OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY Marylebone in a clever self-portrait ‘shot from the 2014 hip’. It is a fleeting glance of life passing by amid the constancy of Marylebone’s Georgian Patron: Lord Montagu of Beaulieu President: Colin Amery Povilas Norvila. streetscape and a good example of how the are much more difficult to photograph, although ordinary can be made extra-ordinary by the Chair: Gaby Higgs when the sun did appear many entrants caught photographer’s eye, a ‘memento mori’… that our Vice-Chairman: Mike Wood Marylebone’s parks and gardens bursting into time is short and we must make the most of it. Hon. Secretary: Andrew Cooper spring. Many more photographers captured The judges selected their top 50 photographs, Hon.Treasurer: Keith Evans people at work, rest and play; at morning, noon which will be eventually deposited at Council Members: and night. It was therefore fitting that we titled Westminster Archives to continue to build up a Dorian Aroyo (Social Secretary) this year’s exhibition ‘Life in Marylebone’. picture of the social and architectural history of Cynthia Poole (Planning Committee Chairman) The judges selected as 3rd Prize Alex Melman’s Marylebone. An exhibition featuring the selected Robert McAulay (Newsletter and Membership) shot of Church Street, one of the oldest markets images was held at the Hellenic Centre on Douglas Temple (Events) in London, which illustrates the wonderful, Paddington Street and a book featuring all the 50 Mike Wood (Local History) cultural diversity of Marylebone as a microcosm selected winning images is available to buy for Ian Wylie (Planning) of London as a whole. £20 from www.art.marylebone.com Published by the St. Marylebone Society, June 2014. ©St Marylebone Society.