St.Bartholomew's

A view of this extraordinary church before the station development obscured it; and a view therefore that none of us is likely to see again.

It wasn't supposed to be this tall but the Rev.Arthur Douglas Wagner just ignored the protests of the Town Councillors and went on building.  The height of its nave, 42 metres above the floor ended up 1 metre higher than Westminster Abbey's and the highest of any parish church in the country. It is also, because of its cheap brick construction with minimal ornament, said to be the cheapest church per cubic metre of enclosed space of all time. This does not lessen in the slightest the visual impact on entering. The effect of the immense soaring space counterpointed in the distance by the glittering Italian mosaics and stately baldachino is simply awe-inspiring.

It has been Grade I listed since 1952 and therefore rightly enjoys the same regard and protection as the Royal Pavilion.

Finished at last . . .

. . . . but very attractive, so well worth the wait. Congratulations to the designer: and words of praise should also go to the unsung urban heroes, the masons and pavers who lay these heavy blocks of stone and concrete with amazing precison while working under very difficult conditions.

The inclusion of some greenery in this busy area is also very welcome; but I am rather concerned about the vulnerablility of the young unstaked trees to urban tarzans returning from their mating rituals in West Street night clubs.

The Old Music Library

Most people know it as "The Old Music Library", and in its latest reincarnation as a restaurant (what else in Brighton!) the smart dark-grey paint seems to render the Brighton dolphins over the door much more discernible. It was, in fact, built in the 1920's as the showroom for the municipal gas company; those being the days when coal-gas was still manufactured and distributed locally. 

For several years while the Museum complex was undergoing the millenium £10M renovation it also served as the Local History Centre.  The present manifestation may be the first time the building has been out of some kind of municipal use. 

Maybe not a great bit of architecture, the top "slabs" seem over ponderous, but it makes a whimsical pairing with the narrow Victorian facade next door. It is good it is finding a new use. 

David Miliband in Brighton

The Public Meeting at the Brighthelm Centre this evening could have been described as a "sell-out" if they had been charging for entrance. Should be interesting; and encouraging that people are still willing to turn out in numbers for political meetings. Perhaps it is indicative of a new spirit abroad amongst the grass roots of the Labour Party.

Urban plunder at Marlborough House?

Until May this year each of the two entrances to historic Marlborough House were complemented by an elegant period lantern surmounting each pillar . .

They have now disappeared from both . . .

 . . . and from the way the wires have been left one fears the worse.

Security has recently been tightened at the site . . .

Have the conspicuous notices announcing this fact have merely served to alert thieves to an opportunity?