As of 9 September 2015, the RVT becomes the first building in the nation to be listed for its place in LGBTQ history and heritage. It’s a brilliant recognition of the Tavern’s unique role in our country’s story, and also a vital protection against radical redevelopment.
RVT Under Threat
Watch the video in the Guardian about the threat to the Royal Vauxhall Tavern:
http://www.theguardian.com/news/video/2015/aug/17/london-oldest-gay-pub-royal-vauxhall-tavern-video
The crime scene being examined by the police
More crime in the VPG !
Unfortunately over last weekend some serious crimes have been committed in the gardens. A violent fight erupted on Saturday morning between some youth or gangs, resulting into a non-fatal stabbing and other violent episodes. The police were called and arrests have been made, but the fact remind that families with children had to witness such crimes.
In the early hours of Sunday morning a sexual assault was perpetrated by the farm's paddocks, which have been cordoned off. After a time of relive peace we once again have to deal with these worrying episodes or violence. Very sad!
Artwork on the columns is up
After many years of planning and hard work the artwork on the columns has finally been installed. A huge thanks to all those who helped make this happen!!!
There will be an official opening. Date TBA.
This is Lambeth's briefing note:
Art comes back to the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens
Lambeth Council commissioned artist Paola Piglia to produced two sculptures to go on top of the 18m cement columns at the entrance to Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. The new artwork depicts the figures of a lady in 18th century garb being offered a flower from a young man from the present-day. The sculptures show a representation of a silent conversation between the past and present in Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens.
The fabricator, Mike Smith Studios, have laser cut and welded the steel outlines to create the two finished sculptures. The graphic style allows the openness of the figures to contrast with their backdrop, suggestive of drawings in the sky.
The underlying message of a dialogue between the past and present is what makes the Pleasure Gardens so unique. In the 18th century the Pleasure Gardens had been a main London attraction; the new artwork reprises this tradition for celebrating the arts while raising awareness for the garden’s glorious past for local residents, Londoners and beyond.
Installation
The installation will take place over the week commencing 13th July, with an opening event pencilled in towards the end of the summer to celebrate the events and capital works that have taken place in Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. Consideration has been made for the cycle superhighway 5 construction works and planned events in Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens to avoid clashes.
The Artist
Born in Turin, Italy, Paola Piglia graduated from UC Berkeley and later obtained a PhD in Philosophy of Communication from EGS.
Piglia worked for many years in New York before moving to Vauxhall, London. Her editorial work has regularly appeared in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Magazin, Vogue, GQ, The New York Times Magazine, LIFE, Time, The Atlantic Monthly and Berlin Verlag.She has won several awards including the Gold and Silver Medal from The Art Directors Club NY, The Society of Illustrators, The Society of Newspaper Design and The Society of Publication Designers. She has lectured at the Royal College of Art, London, Virginia Commonwealth University and Stuttgart Art School.
Piglia’s work has also focused on culture and social lift in Vauxhall leading to the development of a logo for Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. This formed the starting point for the design of the proposed artworks for the columns at the entrance to Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens.
Improvement of Goding Street
Now that the mounds by the entrance are being lowered, we can look ahead to the next phase of development. At the moment, although the views into the garden are vastly improved on all sides, we can ever more clearly see how unsightly the back and service entrances of the businesses on Goding Street are. We hope the existing tenants will address this issue soon, and improve their appearance. In the long run however, we hope to gradually transform Goding Street into a pleasant pedestrianised destination for all to enjoy.
Here is what DSDHA's Tom Greenall writes about the plan:
Lambeth Council and the Friends of Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens have commissioned local architects DSDHA to develop ideas for improving Goding Street, which runs between Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens and the railway arches. DSDHA have been working with the Friends of Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens since 2005 when they were first commissioned to undertake a Framework Plan for the entire park. The ongoing development of this plan has led to the construction of the sports pitch, the improvements to the entrance of the park from Kennington Lane and most recently the reduction and remodelling of the mounds to improve visual permeability through the park and maximise the potential of the green space.
The scheme for Goding Street is still at an early stage, but is likely to include new paving, planting and lighting and will soften the boundary between the park and the highway. The ambition of the Council and the Friends of Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens is to reduce the width of the road, increase the size of the park and improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. In addition, it is proposed that access to Goding Street will be restricted during weekends to prevent antisocial behaviour and new shop fronts would create an active street to help improve safety.
The scheme has been developed to compliment the reduction and remodelling of the mounds in the park that was completed in March 2015.
Tom Greenall
Associate Director
World Architecture Festival Inaugural Wood Excellence Prize 2014: Alex Monroe Studios, Snowsfields
RIBA London Award 2014: Alex Monroe Studios, Snowsfields
Shortlisted RIBA Stephen Lawrence Prize 2014: Alex Monroe Studios, Snowsfields
Feeling Bouncy?
After the Southbank Bounceway project was cancelled , Architecture for Humanity has approached Lambeth and are trying to find a space in or around Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens to install a Bounceway. What do you think? For those who are interested we can send the PDF for the full proposal. Just write to us at: info@fovpg.com
ST GEORGE'S FESTIVAL
Introducing the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens St George's Festival 2015. The festival will take place on Saturday 25th April 2015.
This year is a fantastic year for the celebration of England's Patron Saint. As I am sure you are aware it is:
- 800 years since Magna Carta
- 750 years since the Summoning of Parliament by Simon de Montfort
- 600 years since the battle of Agincourt
- 300 years since the last battle on English soil
- 200 years since the battle of Waterloo
- 100 years since the formation of the Women’s Institute
Our celebrations on the historic Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, on the south bank of the river Thames, within earshot of Big Ben plan to incorporate all of these significant dates and much more.
The centrepiece of the Festival will be the inaugural London Tournament. A host of international fighters from “Battle of the Nations” will congregate on the Queen Anne Field for a tourney of full contact medieval combat. Battle of the Nations hold a world championships every year in different places around the globe. The UK team entered its first World Championships in 2013 at Aigues Mortes in France. They were followed on this trip by the BBC documentary “Knight Club”.
While the World Championships move cities every year, we are creating a Tourney in the capital of the World to augment the schedule of this exhilarating, emerging spectator sport. The London Tournament takes place on St George’s weekend as a celebration of England’s Patron Saint.
Make no mistake, this is not re-enactment. There will be a full contact, armoured, singles competition where knights from around the globe will compete to be crowned the London Champion, an honour that will gain respect in all competitions for the fighter skilled enough to win. He will receive a trophy and a badge for his armour, signifying his status as London Champion in every battle he fights in the next twelve months.
We will also hold The Agincourt Memorial Melee in which the English team will take on the French team for bragging rights in the oldest rivalry. The entente cordiale will be put on hold for an afternoon and the crowds will roar at this exciting spectacle.
Surrounding the London Tournament will be a medieval fair with plenty to entertain the whole family.
- Mummers plays of St George and the Dragon
- Falconry demonstration
- Have a go at archery
- Shakespeare
- Punch and Judy
- Morris Dancers
- Medieval market featuring a Hog Roast and Real Ale
This is going to be the greatest show on Earth!
For more information please contact 0207 207 4585
www.fovpg.com
Lost Dragon
Can anyone help find this dragon? The new Games of Thrones is about to start and we cannot risk incurring in the wrath of her/his older siblings.
Sleepover anyone?
This morning this happy camper was brushing his teeth after a night in the park. He then packed the tent and rode away on a bicycle taking his home with him.
New area in front of Tea House finished!
And lovely it looks with all the planting done. All we need now is some sun.
Chris' new look. SOO Vauxhall!
Finally Chris Law of VauxhallOne sheds his preppy look and fully embraces the Vauxhall spirit! He claims the new hair style was instigated by his children for Red Nose Day... Maybe, but we hope he will soon sport other adventurous hairdos and colours. Well Done Chris!
Good morning! 9 am and the police makes some arrests in the Gardens
This morning at about 9 am the Met Police was busy arresting some individuals near one of the sculpted benches. You could not miss the scene as there were no less than 3 police vehicles parked by the bench. While it is good to see the Force performing their duty and being present in the park, it is sad that this is still necessary.
Planting started today in the new area front of Tea House theatre
Today the planting started with three Tibetan cherry trees and many more plants are being waiting to be put into the ground. It looks like it's going to be fabulous!!!
Who said the benches were uncomfortable?
New Works in the gardens
A lot is happening in VPG!
1. The mounds near the entrance are being lowered and reshaped. Increased visibility into the park hopefully will reduce some of the anti-social behaviour we have recently experienced.
2. The building of Cabinet Gallery is well on it way and should be completed by beginning of 2016. With the Damian Hirst's gallery soon opening in Newport Street, this should put the VPG on the 'Arts Corridor from the Tate Modern to Chelsea.
3. The bit on front of the Tea House Theatre is being re-landscaped ( thanks to 106 money) and should add a bit more shape and green to the park and the adjacent playground.