Before heading off to Trinity Buoy Wharf on Sunday, we took in the monument to the early settlers of the colony of Virginia, who sailed in 1606 (if you remember, I took some photographs of a statue of the first Governer of Virginia, Captain John Smith, outside St Mary Le Bow Church in the City a few weeks ago) and the nature reserve in what remains of the East India Dock Basin, which is known for the rare species that make their home there. On this particular occasion it was populated by pretty ordinary birds that can be seen all over the docks, but it was still interesting to see what they’re doing there. Reed beds have recently been replanted to act as nesting sites for some of the more unusual visitors.
Inside the reserve, there’s a millenium ‘commitment’ plaque (I wonder how many people have managed to do the things they promised in 2000 – I hope Mecky Fogeling did), a beacon lit during the millenium celebrations and, at the eastern end of the basin, a very unusual but functional sculpture by Sir Anthony Caro, the ‘Salome Gates’, named after the woman who insisted on the head of John the Baptist being brought to her on a silver platter. It takes all sorts I suppose!
We also took in the peaceful (and populated) Poplar dock, which is home to a large community of houseboat dwellers and bargees. It’s also the home of ‘Figurehead for Docklands’ by Anna Bisset. When I’m in a romantic mood, I can see myself living somewhere like this…
We then wandered down the road to the headquarters of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Far from what you’d expect, the town hall is opposite a lovely artificial lake off East India Dock Road which is fronted by a huge statue, ‘Renaissance’ by Maurice Blick. Mind you, someone had nicked the plaque, and the whole vista is completely ruined by a huge floodlit coke advert above the flyover on the opposite side of the lake, but that’s Tower Hamlets for you…
Funnily enough, we also happened to cross the Greenwich Meridian (again) on Sunday. Check the album for lots more photos of the day.