Prehistoric archaeological site at Vauxhall - 2nd February 2014

View up river from Vauxhall foreshore

One wonders if I was mad  to go on a walk by the River Thames after a week of torrential rain? It proved to be a good decision, it was an early start, for a Sunday, but wrapped up warm, with the car and knowing where to park, plus glittering wintery sunshine, it was the right one!

Met up with fellow stalwarts in front of MI6 and we took the causeway down to the foreshore. A bit shady on the South side, but we headed for the sunny spots towards Battersea Power Station.

Not as slippy or muddy as expected, apparently due to the high rainfall the river was top heavy, fast moving and swept all before including the grungy stuff!

Our guide, Mike always entertaining, full of wonderful tales and extraordinarily knowledgeable about all manner of artefacts from flint to pottery and everything in between explained the site to us. We had a potter with us and there was some debate as to whether the London clay exposed might be worth giving a go in the kiln, an interesting experiment possible and we wait to hear about the results.

The prehistoric archaeological site we were seeking had been discovered through a mudlark's find in 1993. The famous Time Team got down there in 2005 to discover one of the largest Bronze Age structures in Britain.  You can watch it here in full http://www.channel4.com/programmes/time-team/4od#2927762.

When we arrived the tips were just visible but afer an hour you could see the posts quite clearly with their attendant archaeological stakes around them (to protect them and mark the spot).  The monument is situated at the confluence of the Thames and the ancient River Effra - a site of votive offerings, a bridge leading to nowhere, or perhaps to marshy islands, of which there were many in the unencumbered Thames of ancient times.

The River Effra sluice gate

The Time Team inserted a post in 2005 to record the foreshore erosion and on our Sunday morning it was a foot above ground. This site is also providing evidence of the sea-level rise over the past 12,000 years.

Post inserted by the Time Team 2005

Bronze Age monument revealed

Last minute, lucky find - Bronze Age flint, sharpened as a cutting tool

Special thanks to Mike Webber who guided the walk, South Bank Mosaics who arranged it for us and friends and family who joined us. 

More photographs can be found here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.589603487793724.1073741846.352275708193171&type=1

New Hang of the London Gallery - Guildhall Art Gallery

Left: Blackfriars Bridge and St Paul's (1995) Anthony Lowe b.1957
Centre: Smithfield Market, 1969 Jacqueline Stanley (b. 1928)
Right: The Stock Exchange, London about 1966 Roderick Jordan (1931-    )

Now the Victoriana ~ The Art of Revival Exhibition has been laid to rest, this gallery has  been transformed back into the London Gallery.  

Paintings long in storage are now seeing the light of day, the old mixed with new. An excellent selection from a guiding point of view as they include prominent landmark stops throughout London.

For those of us who have missed the great visual aid to explain some of the City's governance, The Ceremony of Swearing in Alderman Nathaniel Newman 1782 by William Miller  is now hung in Level A1 on the floor for Special Exhibitions and the long awaited arrival of the 'half' canvas Fire Judge is placed nearby.

Have no fear, Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilees Service June 22nd by Andrew Garrick Gow is hung in the same gallery, always interesting and the endless guessing game continues as to 'who is who'!

The long awaited 'half' Fire Judge
Sir William Wylde, Bart., Judge of the Common Pleas (1611-1679)
John Michael Wright

Landscape 715 (2003-4)
John Virtue b. 1947

Market Arcade (1988) Ben Johnson B.1946

Bombed ruins near St Paul's 
James Wallace Robert Orr (b. 1907)

Portrait Group  (traditionally identified as Sir Theodore Janssen and sons) c1720
William Hogarth (possibly) (1697-1764)

The Atkinson Grimshaw has been placed in a new position so this lovely 'moonlight' painting can be admired from a satisfying distance.

Please go and see this new hang, there are many more new paintings to see.

All photographs taken by MissB.

www.guildhallartgallery.cityoflondon.gov.uk

Reportage from the Court of Common Council - January 2014

Lord Mayor of London with
with Pageant Master  (Photo credit: James M D Thomson)

MissB Reporting from the Court of Common Council aka ‘CoCo’

The 16th day of January 2014

All in full regalia today as in the presence of The Lord Mayor, the City Marshall*, Philip Jordan QPM leading the way. The proceedings are opened by the cry of Oyez, Oyez, Oyez  by the Common Cryer*

The Lord Mayor Fiona Woolf opened the court with New Year wishes. The sentiment was returned by the Chief Commoner*.

The motion that the last two set of minutes were correctly recorded were questioned by a Councilman relating to the granting of the Freedom on 25th November 2013 to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the formal response to this honour was noted but the informal version was not included. The latter being rather amusing and interesting. The request was to record both letters in the official record for historical reasons and prosperity.   It was carried that this would be done.

On the subject of the Freedom it is always interesting reading through the applications before the Court and was pleased to find Lord Rogers of Riverside, Richard George Rogers – Architect, on the list. He is supported by Michael Welbank, MBE, Deputy and on the Planning and Transportation Committee, no surprise there then.

The New Year's Honours List this year created last year’s Lord Mayor a Knight, hence forward to be known as Alderman Sir Roger Gifford. It is quite usual for the outgoing Lord Mayor to be honoured thus.

Deputy Michael Welbank was also honoured with an MBE for his work with open spaces, particularly Hampstead Heath, which he stated was of particular interest to him, as it was his ‘back garden’!

The Lord Mayor reported on her first visit outside Europe from which she had returned just that morning. The trip was to Hong Kong, SRA and Taipei City. In brief Lord Mayor attended the 7th Asian Financial Forum where she addressed 2000 people regarding economic reconstruction and growth. The Lord Mayor and delegation met with the President of Taipei to discuss the protectionist and cumbersome banking laws. Also discussed London's diverse products and services. The full report will be available soon.

5. Docquets for the Hospital Seal – the comment when this comes up is usually ‘the book is on the table’, I must remember to look into this statement at the next meeting.

Number 14 - Planning & Transportation

(A)  Adoption of the West Smithfield Area Enhancement Strategy - A Mr Moony asked if this meant serious consideration would now be given to moving Smithfield meat market out of the City. The strategy is in fact involved with improving the streets and general pedestrian environment, whilst improving access to Smithfield and St Barts. The member for Smithfield got up and said 'did not wish to speak'. Michael Welbank added that Smithfield was here to stay for some time to come. Sigh of relief from MissB and other interested parties.

A bit of banter about Public Library Bye Laws - they do seem a bit weighty as they originate from Whitehall and date back to the 60s, however, joking aside, the Court felt they were moving with the times and offered a good service to the community. An interesting bylaw of old was mentioned, whereby the control of boys in libraries was to be strictly adhered to, but girls could please themselves! It was suggested that not much had changed with regard to the female gender in other areas too. (Tongue in cheek, I’m sure)

This was quite a short meeting as ‘strangers were requested to leave the Court’ by 1.45pm, so they could get on with the more confidential business.

All of these documents bar the confidential can be found on the City of London Corporation web site, with a week or two, however I must add that they are never quite as interesting as actually attending the Court of Common Council personally and enjoying the theatrical process and banter live!

We may not know them but would like to note Deputy Robin Eve (Alderman Cheap Ward) died in the new year. Stella Curry was also remembered.

On a more cheerful note the Cart Marking Ceremony will take place on 15th July 2014.

Next meeting of the Court of Common Council is 16th February 2014 at 1pm at the Guildhall.

* http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/about-the-city/history-and-heritage/mansion-house/Pages/ceremonial.aspx