Secret Mosaics

Okay - hands up who's noticed this before? I have no idea how many times I've passed the corner entrance to Borough Hall's wonderful observation tower and never even looked up at the little art deco gem nestled in the canopy roof.

It's so perfect for the building, one of the best examples of 1930s civic art about - a mosaic with Classical overtones that bring to mind Roman/Greek/Egyptian styles.

The twelve panels around the outside are, of course, the signs of the zodiac, but inside is where it really becomes 'Greenwich' - ships, stars - and a telescope.

On the wall, just below, is a plaque with the details of the building, including the architects, contractors and councillors - but not the artist who designed the ceiling...

Check it out next time you're passing, folks, but in the meanwhile, I leave you with this wonderfully dramatic shot from Benedict's collection, of the observation tower. Not that anyone actually gets to observe from it any more, but don't get me started on that one again...

Hot News

Straight off the press, folks.

I emailed the Cutty Sark Trust yesterday about my idea for an Observation Platform - and have just received this from Julia Parker, Operations Manager:

"Guess what? We will soon be having a viewing platform!It’s taken us a while to sort out the details, but hopefully we should have it in place within the next month.I’ll send you an update as soon as I have an exact date….."

So - not quite because of me - the idea was in the ether already - but hey - who cares. Beat you to the front of the queue, guys...

Julia's said she'll send me some up to date pics too. Cor...