London’s rising skyline

Over the years, I have been astonished by the amount of new skyscrapers being erected in Central London – not to mention their size. Huge cranes seem to be a permanent part of the landscape. These pictures in The Guardian show how the skyline will look in a matter of years.

River Thames wins conservation award

I wonder if earlier generations would recognize it today?

An article in today’s Guardian

Stayin’ Alive in The Wall

A must-see video from Oz

The Olavian Magazine – January 1965

When I read these magazines, I am quite surprised at the range of activities and clubs that were available at Stogs even 45 years ago. 1965 was a key year in my life. I visited Spain for the first time and took my “O” levels. Unfortunately, the year at the school began tragically, with the death of one of the boys in a freak accident on the premises.

New Stogs site from the air

A large copy of this photo is on display at the school. Orpington High St. can be seen running along the top of the picture.

The Olavian Magazine – July 1964

This is another school magazine loaned to me by my friend Alan.  I wish I had more time to upload them, as they contain some real gems. The article on computers and the report on the school trip to Spain particularly caught my eye. The following Easter I would make my first trip to Spain and fall in love with Andalusia.

Visit to Stogs in Orpington

I was offered a chance to look around the school premises in Orpington, where I spent my last year having helped with the move from Tooley St. (the street name is a corruption of St. Olave’s). Unfortunately, it was something of a whistle-stop tour, so I couldn’t take many photos. This is the board at the entrance to the premises.

The facilities are first-rate. The music rooms, libraries, etc. are really impressive. The swimming pool is being converted (filled in) for other uses. And of course, the playing fields are more than adequate.

In the assembly hall, there are relics from the old Stogs. It was very dark and my photos contain reflections of the flash but I couldn’t resist this one.

It’s a very good likeness of the Oaf.

This is the portrait of Queen Elizabeth I familiar to all Stogs boys.

This painting hangs on the wall of the school reception. It was on the cover of the brochure that my parents were given when I started at Stogs.

This monument to the old boys who died in WW2 will also be very familiar to old Olavians.

Photo of London Bridge and the Thames

My friend Alan directed me to this photo, which dates from 1920. It was originally posted here, in a larger size. Tower Bridge is just off the bottom of the picture. The large number of barges is something that I remember. It was possible to board them, and even go down inside them. The roofs of all the warehouses behind the wharves are clearly visible. The Pool was still “London’s Larder” at that time.

VW camper turns 60

I only ever had one of these (a 1960 split-screen model like the one in the picture), and it was pretty battered at that. But these vans are icons for the 60s generation.

The BBC and The Independent have both had interesting articles on them recently, which you can read here and here, respectively.

Louise Bourgeois

I read an obituary of her today. As an artist she divided people but I would have loved to have seen this exhibit at the Tate Modern.