The re-dedication of the plaque on “Booklovers Corner” South End Green 18th July 2015

David Kitchen, of the South End Green Association in Hampstead, hosted a re-dedication of the plaque to George Orwell, which was attended by a good crowd of members from the Association and the Orwell Society. We were able to enjoy the event in warm sunshine.

The Former Booklovers Corner

The Plaque

The plaque has had a difficult life and after the restoration, which was made with the active involvement of the Orwell Society and Committee Member Phil Robertson and the skills of his Father, Richard Blair re-dedicated it for what was its 3rd unveiling.

After a witty speech of welcome by David Kitchen, in which he re-imagined the daily routine of Orwell around the Green, including fetching his French Newspaper from the local News Agent, which still sells a host of international titles, Richard spoke about his Father and his time in the area.

David Kitchen and Richard Blair by the Fountain on the Green…

…and the News Agent

We were pleased to also hear from our local member, Lorcan Greene, who has written a comprehensive paper on Orwell in Hampstead, which will be published in November in the Historical journal for this area.

David Kitchen and Lorcan Greene

The Re-dedication

Once the formal re-dedication was completed, members of SEGA and the OS went to 77 Parliament Hill, which George Orwell lived in and where he met Eileen.

A stimulating event, in which we had enjoyed the hospitality of David Kitchen and SEGA, ended suitably with a drink and relaxed conversation in one of the pubs on South End Green, which George Orwell frequented.

A view of the Green from the pub, looking towards the bookshop

In the foreground on the green is a young elm tree. When the previous tree died, SEGA conducted research to establish, which type of tree was George Orwell’s favourite. The Local Authority agreed to plant an elm, and to progressively create an elm grove around the fountain on the Green as trees need replacing.

Our next event is the London Walk in Fitzrovia and Soho on the 26th September, led by Michael King.

By Quentin Kopp