Leaning Woman under restoration

Restoration works on the Leaning Woman are progressing and we have had some brilliant Proud Places programme visits throughout with the young people able to try their hand at conservation. Alex Cardew, whose mother was the model for the sculptor, Dr Karel Vogel, was also able to visit the conservators at work as they restored the corroded iron armature and repaired cracks in the concrete. Work on the sculpture will be completed towards the end of this month.

HOLT at Buckingham Palace

We were thrilled that our Director Nicola and our Trustee John Phillips were able to join the King and Queen for the Creative Industries Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on 15 May. The King spoke at some length to Nicola about HOLT’s work and they discussed their shared commitment to London’s heritage, “so much of which has already been lost”. It was a glorious day with so many other brilliant arts & culture organisations and a chance to share their enthusiasm about the future of the Creative Industries.

Work begins on United Service Transport Mosaic

Work has begun on the restoration of the United Service Transport Company mosaic in Southfields.

The 43-feet long green and gold sign dates from the 1920s and marks the hub of the ‘United Service Transport Company Ltd’, one of the first Passenger Transport companies in the UK. For nearly 50 years, ‘United Green’ coaches served day trippers from across London for days out to the seaside, historic towns and racing meets. The sign is a rare and attractive piece 1920s industrial heritage which had been in very poor condition and at risk of total loss.

Along with local residents’ association Southfields Grid Residents’ Association, HR Owen who own the site, generous local donors, the Sutton Byre Charitable Trust and the Jones Day Foundation, HOLT raised the funds to restore the mosaic. Work has now begun by specialist conservators London Stone Conservation.

Our Proud Places programme will be engaging local young people in the project.