Category: Uncategorized

Trafalgar Square, London

Trafalgar Square in London, photographed in 1972 by David C Cook. The National Gallery is on the left of the image, and Canada House is on the right. At this time, it was still possible for traffic to pass in front of the National Gallery.
Image: David C Cook
From the same spot in October 2020. The road layout has changed and the parking is more difficult!
Image: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)
A merged version of the two images above. Use the slider in the centre.

Bishopsgate, London

This photograph was taken in 1989 and shows part of the extensive the redevelopment of the Bishopsgate entrance to Liverpool Street railway station. Completed in 1874, Liverpool Street station was built on the site of the old Bethlem Hospital. The station thrived throughout the 20th century with the growth of commuter services to the east of London. However, further investment was required and in 1975 a plan to demolish Liverpool Street and Broad Street stations was first proposed.
With opposition to these plans, it was finally agreed that Broad Street station would be demolished, and Liverpool Street station would be redeveloped. Work on the project began in 1985 and the ‘new’ station was opened by HM The Queen in 1991.
Image: Robin Webster
This November 2020 photograph shows Bishopsgate entrance to the station, including two of the four Victorian-style clock towers.
Image: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)
A merged version of the two images above. Use the slider in the centre.

Hale End Road, Highams Park, London

A photograph of the (former) Regal Cinema in Highams Park, taken in 1985. Originally opened in April 1911 as ‘The Highams Park Electric Theatre’ with a capacity of 550, it was re-named ‘Regal Cinema’ in 1928. Further improvements were made to the building in 1933.
It was partly rebuilt in 1935, and given a modern Art Deco style facade and foyer. The Regal re-opened in September 1935 with a double bill – Irene Dunne in ‘Sweet Adeline’, and W.C. Fields in ‘It’s A Gift’.
The Regal (as a cinema) closed in September 1963 and was converted into an independent bingo club. There were further attempts to introduce films to the building, which lasted until 1971. It then became a bingo club again (circle), with the stalls being used as a snooker club.
Since 2014, plans (later abandoned) were put forward to make the building the Head Office of a security company. Then, it was planned to re-open the Regal as a 50-seat cinema. By May 2016, this seemed to have also been abandoned. In March 2018, permission was granted to restore the Regal Cinema into a twin-screen cinema and incorporating a cafe and bar.
Credit: Sandeep David Christian
By April 2020, no progress seems to have been made and the Regal remains unused.
Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)
A merged version of the two images above. Use the slider in the centre.

Covent Garden, London

Taken in c.1900, this photograph shows workers at the Covent Garden fruit and vegetable market in London.
Image: F J Mortimer / Getty Images
The market moved out a long time ago and the area is now one of London’s major tourist attractions. I took this photograph in September 2020 during the Coronavirus pandemic, which has severely affected visitor numbers.
Image: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)


A merged version of the two images above. Use the slider in the centre.

Trafalgar Square, London

n this photograph from the 1960s, Trafalgar Square was a sea of pigeons. There was also a stall where tourists could buy feed for them (as long as you returned the tin!). In the centre of the photograph (the northwest corner of the Square) is the ‘fourth plinth’. Originally intended to support an equestrian statue of King William IV, the funds for the statue ran out and the plints remained empty for over 150 years. Towards the end of the 20th century, it was decided that the plinth would hold a rolling series of temporary (and contemporary) art installations, rather than having a permanent representation of one figure or idea.
Credit: Photographer unknown
Since July 2020, a work by Heather Phillipson is on the fourth plinth. It depicts a large portion of whipped cream with toppings including a cherry, a fly, and a drone. The drone films passers-by and displays them on a screen. Also, no more pigeons!
Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)

Trafalgar Square, London

A photograph I took on New Year’s Day in 1990. At that time, traffic was allowed in front of the National Gallery – as indeed were horses! The bus stop sign can also be seen.
Credit: © Steven Miell
The ‘pedestrianised’ view at the same spot in October 2020. There were very few people in the Square due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)

Cockspur Street, London

This photograph – taken by David Rostance in 1975 looks east from Cockspur Street. Unveiled in 1836, an equestrian statue of King George III stands at this junction, in the small area of open space where Cockspur Street meets Pall Mall. The King is depicted riding his favourite horse – Adonis – which is shown as having great spirit. However, the King’s pigtail was the subject of much ridicule at the time. The statue was not intended to be situated here and was meant to be in Waterloo Place – further to the west. But, a statue of the Duke of York (King George III’s son) stands there on a tall column. As that statue faces away from Waterloo Place, it was thought improper that the father’s statue should have the son’s back turned to him.
Also, the statue was intended to have the king seated in a triumphal carriage, drawn by four horses. However, the cost was deemed to be excessive.
Image: David Rostance

The trees – seen as newly planted in the 1975 photograph – have now flourished (October 2020).
Image: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)
A merged version of the two images above. Use the slider in the centre.