Vol 55

Local History CommitteeThe Committee held a total of five meetings, in October 2003 and January, March, June, and September 2004.The Annual Conference on 15th November 2003 was on the subject of'Lunatick London' and was well attended,despite its rather unusual title. Delegates heard talks on 'Medieval London hospitals' by Christopher Thomas,'Care of the mentally ill in the 17th and 18th centuries' by Sara Pennell, 'Charles and Mary Lamb' by LionelLambourne, 'The architecture and design of Victorian asylums' by Dr Jeremy Taylor, and 'Psychiatry and war' byDrs Michael Neve and Trevor Turner. The Conference concluded with two talks by members of Affiliated LocalHistory Societies: Robert Leon from Camden on St Luke's, and Dr Oliver Natelson from Friern Barnet on FriernHospital.The assistance of the Committee was sought over a proposed 20th Century Gallery at the Museum of London,and a projected web site on the same topic. This seemed an ideal opportunity to promote the closer involvementof Affiliated Societies both with LAMAS and each other. Societies were invited to a half-day Conference at LAARCin March 2004, which included an interesting tour of the Collections. The project is on-going.The Committee received 29 submissions for the Publications Award and met in September to create a short listfor final assessment by three independent judges.Historic Buildings and Conservation CommitteeThe Historic Buildings and Conservation Committee have had ten meetings and looked at 123 planningapplications over the past year. 21 were from Kensington and Chelsea, 15 each from Westminster and Lambeth, 8each from Camden and Tower Hamlets, 7 from Hounslow, 6 each from Haringey, Harrow and Bexley, and 5 fromthe City. There were 3 cases from Islington and 1 or 2 each from 14 other London Boroughs.We have responded to the pressures of Local Planning Authority deadlines by increasing the number andfrequency of our meetings, allowing for a faster response rate.We have also dealt with extremely complex cases, Thameslink 2000 and the Kings Cross/St Pancras developmentbeing the most difficult. These two have taken much of the Committee's time because of the impact on so manyhistoric buildings across such a wide area. Other large proposals have included Farrell's scheme for the RoyalInstitution, the proposals for Smithfield Market, the Royal London Hospital redevelopment scheme, and the newblocks planned around the Lots Road Power Station. We have also looked at the Ram Brewery in Wandsworth, andBrixton Prison. In the West End, the Queens Theatre and the Crown Commissioner's proposals for Regent Streethave also taken up much time. The Grade 1 Listed Ickenham Manor, East End Farm, Pinner and other timberframed buildings in the outer Boroughs form a contrast to this work.Numerous other projects have been considered across the Greater London area and detailed comments made toLocal Planning Authorities. The work continues and we look forward to the 150th Anniversary for which we shallbe organising a series of Central London walks examining some local historic buildings and some of the issuesconsidered by the Committee.BY DIRECTION OF COUNCILJohn ClarkChairman of CouncilNikola BurdonHonorary Secretary