Peckham Rye Station

We were delighted today to join the unveiling of a plaque at the award-winning Peckham Rye Station project. HOLT Director Nicola Stacey spoke about HOLT’s recasting of the station’s 1865 iron cresting on the roof of the station - a stunning example of Victorian architect Charles Driver’s ironwork design. Using the original archive drawings, the crestings were recast by FSE Foundry in Braintree and their 32 finials gilded by Kevin Ruggeri. HOLT supported the restoration at each stage to ensure the golden cresting’s return to its former glory on the roof of the station building. 

Speakers included Harriet Harman MP who unveiled the plaque, Andrew Wood from Network Rail, BAM, architect Benny O’Looney, Andy Savage and Tim Hedley-Jones from the Railway Heritage Trust.

HOLT x Berkeley Homes & Farrer Huxley

An exciting partnership between HOLT's Proud Places programme, housing developers Berkeley Homes and landscape architects Farrer Huxley is yielding inspiring results. Young people from City of Westminster College have been working on ideas for what should become of a 50-metre-long concrete relief which decorates the southern side of Paddington Green Police Station. Dating from the late 1960s, the panels were designed by J Innes Elliott, the Metropolitan Police architect.

Over the next year Proud Places is taking part in a series of workshops which will see the 16-17 year olds take part in real world practical exercises, working with designers to have a significant influence on the permanent landscape of their local area. The concrete reliefs will be adapted and re-used in the new housing development.

“I’d like to add some poetry or motivational quotes in different languages to the back of the panels as Edgware Road is a very diverse area”

– First year T level student, Art & Design

“We want the panels to be re-used in three different elements, earth, water and plants”  

– Diego, T level student, Civil Engineering

“The panels remind me of ancient history, hieroglyphics and abstract art”

– Kai, T level student, Civil Engineering

So far, 45 students from City of Westminster College have participated in public realm and landscape design workshops with Berkeley Homes and Farrer Huxley, created their own designs and pitched their first presentations.

"These streets have been my route to work for the past 20 years and they get ever grimmer. It's been largely a wasteland - neglected spaces filled with rubbish. This is such an exciting project and will really lift the area."

 – Louise Reynolds, T level Lead, Curriculum Manager, City of Westminster College

In 2024, the students will be working with a professional sculptor on their proposals, developing their designs with Berkeley Homes and exhibiting their work on the project in an exhibition next summer with a view to a permanent installation by the end of the year. They will research the original panel materials, visit other relevant sites in London and also take part in Proud Prospects workshops with Berkeley Homes.

Poet for Places event Ham Yard Hotel

Kira Nelson held her first public performance in her new role as Poet for Places at London’s Ham Yard Hotel in Soho on Monday night. Kira was in conversation with HOLT Chairman Sir Laurie Magnus CBE and performed three of her latest poems, alongside a discussion about exploring London’s secret histories. 

The sold-out evening saw a wonderfully broad audience including Professor Thomas Betteridge, Dean of Business, Arts and Social Sciences at Brunel University London, Richard Upton, creative entrepreneur and developer, Doug Black, Head of Urban Design at Lambeth Council, Shaw Worth & Marianne Doherty, Poetry Editors at Oxford Review of Books, Arnaud Mbaki, who had previously held the role in 2021 and other young poets all joining us.

Kira’s poems explored themes around loss and transition, focusing on old Columbia Market and a surviving piece of the once epic building; a 1960s street sculpture by leading graphic designer FHK Henrion in Bromley, Kira’s birthplace; and the palatial 18th century Wanstead House – with Wanstead Grotto in Wanstead Park the only physical evidence of the grand mansion lost in 1825. 

“There is no place in the world like London - it’s just an epicentre of culture and history and the HOLT projects I’ve seen so far truly exemplify that.”

Kira’s first three poems can be found here.

Introducing Tears of the Nymph, about Wanstead Grotto, Kira said:

"All that remains of the Grotto is the façade but you can tell how beautiful and ornate it once was. It contained so many curiosities, cubby holes and statues. Grottoes used to be a huge part of the ancient world so the Grotto was like a time-travelling example of what used to be there. It really allowed me to tap into that ancient mythos. I got to wear my hi-vis and hard hat – look a bit cool! There was so much that could have been said about this place, the fact that I’ve written three stanzas isn’t enough – I could have written far more!"

Over the year, Kira will uncover London’s secret places and curiosities, interpreting them lyrically in new ways. She will also be working with young people to enhance their creative writing skills as part of HOLT’s Proud Places youth engagement programme. Her body of work will be compiled for publication at the end of the year. 

The Poet for Places programme is in its second year, and is run in collaboration with Brunel University, bringing historic sites, research, poetry and creative perspectives together over the year.

Looking forward to the rest of the year, Kira said:

"It’s not just about building a big body of work but about the significance of the work that we are doing and making sure that whatever mark I’ve left at the time of the passing of the torch is an impactful one. I want to do the best that I can, enjoy it and celebrate these places while teaching young minds, introducing them to these places and poetry itself."

Sir Laurie Magnus CBE, Chairman, said: 

“We are so fortunate to have Kira, I really hope that she will continue to be involved in working with HOLT long after this year is complete.” 

Ella Fabregat, Partner, Knight Frank, who also joined us for the evening said:

“I was completely amazed by Kira’s talent and very moved by her poems and clear passion for her new appointment. The conversation between her and Sir Laurie Magnus was fascinating and I think it is an incredible opportunity.”

Huge thanks to Kit Kemp and Firmdale Hotels for hosting the event.

Poet for Places 2023 is in partnership with Brunel University London and generously supported by the Caledonia Investments Charitable Foundation.