Victorian Society appeals for the return of its brass plaques
Image above: The Victorian Society main door at 1 Priory Gardens
Stolen overnight from the front door
The Victorian Society, based in Bedford Park in Chiswick, has appealed for the return of the brass door and name plates stolen overnight Tuesday 21 February from the door of it headquarters at 1 Priory Gardens.
The building is listed and the brasses are very much part of its character. The Society put out the appeal in social media, saying:
‘The Victorian Society would very much like to have the originals back as the signs are part of the history of the society and our building.
‘The front door plates would have been seen by many of the charity’s members and visitors across the decades including Sir John #Betjeman, the poet laureate who was the charity’s secretary, and current President Griff Rhys Jones.
‘Here are the name plate and the door plate prior to restoration during the recent renovation of the building. They looked wonderful once renovated and were polished every week.’
Image above: The Victorian Society’s missing brass plates
Not the first time metal plates have been stolen in Bedford Park
They say the theft is part of a spate of thefts around Bedford Park.
A number of plaques were stolen from the First World War memorial bench outside St Michael & All Angels Church, on the corner of Bath Rd and The Avenue in Bedford Park, in June 2021.
Eight of the 17 metal plaques that named the dead were prised from their place on the back wall of the stone seat, which was created by subscription of Bedford Park residents, and specially designed by architect Inigo Triggs in 1918.
The Bedford Park Society raised funding to replace them, securing a grant from the Hounslow Thriving Communities Fund, with the help of local councillors.
Image above: the vandalised memorial in Bedford Park, June 2021
Protecting Victorian and Edwardian heritage
The Victorian Society is a charity which acts as a champion for Victorian and Edwardian heritage. They put a lot of work into trying to have buildings listed as heritage architecture so they cannot be demolished or unsympathetically developed.
President Griff Rhys Jones was recently seen relaunching a campaign to stop “the insensitive and harmful plans” for Grade II listed Liverpool Street Station and Grade II* listed former Great Eastern Hotel, now the Andaz London. The charity has also campaigned to stop Westminster Council removing historic Victorian gaslights and gives regular talks about Victorian life and culture.
They are rightfully proud of their Bedford Park base:
“Our wonderful building is Grade II. We are very proud of it. The picturesque style three-storey house is built in red and yellow brick with Dutch gable and oriel windows. Dated 1880, it had a sensitive refurbishment in 2019 as an exemplar of the approach that the Society advocates.”
Image above: Victorian Society HQ, Priory Gardens
Read more stories on The Chiswick Calendar
See also: Chiswick House uses shire horses to work in the Gardens
See also: Latest phase of Cycleway 9 complete
See all the latest stories: Chiswick Calendar News & Features
Support The Chiswick Calendar
The Chiswick Calendar CIC is a community resource. Please support us by buying us the equivalent of a monthly cup of coffee (or more, if you insist). Click here to support us.We publish a weekly newsletter and update the website with local news and information daily. We are editorially independent.
To subscribe to the weekly newsletter, go here.
Read more stories on The Chiswick Calendar
See all the latest stories: Chiswick Calendar News & Features
Support The Chiswick Calendar
The Chiswick Calendar CIC is a community resource. Please support us by buying us the equivalent of a monthly cup of coffee (or more, if you insist). Click here to support us.We publish a weekly newsletter and update the website with local news and information daily. We are editorially independent.
To subscribe to the weekly newsletter, go here.
