London SE1 community website

Alan Kitching’s Borough High Street print launched at Royal Oak

London SE1 website team

A print called 'The Borough' by leading typographer Alan Kitching has been hung in the Royal Oak in Tabard Street.

Alan Kitching’s Borough High Street print launched at Royal Oak
Alan Kitching
Alan Kitching
Simon Hughes MP and Stephen Humphrey
Simon Hughes MP and Stephen Humphrey

The letterpress print, one of just 45 copies, has been issued in memory of his wife and fellow artist Celia Stothard.

Celia, a prominent member of the Vauxhall Society, died last December after a long illness.

Speaking at the unveiling event at The Royal Oak in Tabard Street on Wednesday night, Professor Kitching said that the work featured streets, pubs and restaurants familiar to him and his wife.

The couple came to know the Borough well through regular visits to Guy's Hospital. Both are also associated with Advanced Graphics London in Long Lane.

Buildings highlighted on the 'letterpress map' include the Royal Oak, St George the Martyr Church, 'Mr Guy's Hospital', Fish!, Southwark Cathedral and The Shard.

Among historial figures mentioned are Octavia Hill and John Harvard.

The Borough's history was outlined during the evening in a humorous speech by local historian Stephen Humphrey.

Looking at places featured on the print he likened the Hop Exchange to the Colosseum and said that it deserved to be cherished in the future having survived a fire and the Thameslink scheme.

Turning to Borough High Street he noted that among those who had passed along the ancient highway were the Emperor Hadrian of Hadrian's Wall fame and Charles II who was brought safely back from exile by Southwark resident General Monck.

The launch was hosted by landlord Frank Taylor.

The prints, produced at the Typography Workshop in Kennington, are available from Advanced Graphics London.

The SE1 website is supported by people like you
We are part of
Independent Community News Network
Email newsletter

For the latest local news and events direct to your inbox every Monday, you need our weekly email newsletter SE1 Direct.

Archive
News archive from February 1999 to January 2001
Got a story for us?
Contact us with your tip-offs and story ideas.