Centuries old East End tradition reinstated

The restored George Green tomb in Trinity Gardens, Poplar was unveiled last week. Green was one of the most important 18th century shipwrights in the East End. His charitable work included the founding of schools, almshouses and a Sailors’ Home and he spent over £100,000, the equivalent of over £11 million today, on philanthropic causes. When he died aged 82, the shops in Blackwall and Poplar were closed as a mark of respect and the population lined the route from his house to Trinity Chapel. Every vessel in the East and West India Docks flew its flag at half-mast. Much of George Green’s charitable work continues to benefit the local community today.

His tomb was isolated and in a very poor state with broken railings, illegible inscriptions and open to further damage. It was restored this autumn in a project working closely with George Green’s descendants (who contributed funding), George Green School, the Mayflower Primary School, George Green’s almshouses charity, The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights and Tower Hamlets Council. As part of our Proud Places programme, local pupils learnt about George Green as well as met the stonemasons working on site. 

After decades of abandonment, the centuries old tradition of George Green pupils laying a wreath to their founder has been reinstated. Headteacher of George Green School, Jon Ryder, spoke, alongside George Green school pupils Summayah Begum and Amina Taleb, 15, primary school pupils Ayman, Inara, Sabrina and Maryam, from Mayflower Primary School. 

“This is a very proud moment for me as current Headteacher of George Green's School. Today, the School is thriving thanks to George Green's vision and generosity. Tens of thousands of children have passed through our gates over the past 200 years. All of them have benefitted from George Green's belief in the importance of education. His tomb should stand as a symbol of the importance and significance of education. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to be part of this project."

Jon Ryder, Headteacher, George Green School

Tom Ryland Award for Conservation

We are thrilled to announce that we have received the Tom Ryland Award from the Hammersmith Society for the restoration of the Leaning Woman statue.

This has been a fantastic project, with huge local engagement, including over 400 young people involved in visits and creative workshops, and excellent conservation work.

A big thanks to all who supported the project – the St Peter’s Residents Association, the many generous local donors, the Hammersmith & Fulham Historic Buildings Group and Hammersmith Society and Hammersmith & Fulham Council. Our thanks particularly to CMS Cameron McKenna for their support for our grant.

We’ve had wonderfully positive feedback from the project and look forward to it providing many decades of enjoyment & interest!

HOLT Director Dr Nicola Stacey received the award last night from Deputy Mayor Cllr Daryl Brown from Hammersmith & Fulham Council.

In July 2025, the plaque was unveiled at the statue with representatives from all supporters and Liz Ryland in attendance.

Temperance Fountain

We were delighted to be joined by our Royal Patron, HRH The Duke of Gloucester, for the unveiling of the restored Temperance Fountain this week. HOLT and Kensington & Chelsea Council worked together to get this Victorian fountain back into use on Kensington High Street, with fresh drinking water for the public.

The stone fountain was installed in 1900 and paid for by the local Temperance Society, which was dedicated to promoting drinking water over alcohol. Its restoration this summer included replacing missing stonework including the carved cross on top, and reinscribing lettering, as well as brand new piping & taps.

Guests including RBKC Mayor Cllr Will Lane, Cllr Lloyd North, Cllr Catherine Faulks, Giles Semper, CEO of Opportunity Kensington and HOLT Trustee Richard Johnston all sampled the water. Mayor Will Lane and The Duke made speeches.

The fountain hopes to reduce single-use plastic by encouraging residents and visitors to make use of fresh and free water all year round.

Dr Nicola Stacey said “We have been thrilled to work with Kensington & Chelsea Council to restore this beautiful historic fountain – now back in use as a public amenity after so many years. This is one of 12 historic fountains we’ve restored and it’s so great to see passers by making use of it.”  

Cllr Johnny Thalassites, Lead Member Net Zero Council said: “It’s great to see a historic fountain being restored and returned on our high streets that not only provides free drinking water but also helps the environment by reducing the use of plastic. It is a step towards making our amazing spaces greener and more sustainable for all our residents and communities to enjoy.”