History of Red Lion Square Gardens 1960 - Present

History of Red Lion Square Gardens 1960 - Present. . , Churchill House , In 1955-56, the ruins of 35 Red Lion Square were transformed by Lander, Bedells and Crompton into Churchill House, with Sir Winston Churchill laying the foundation stone on 23rd April 1956. Commissioned by Cassell's Publishers, the building was enhanced by a bronze statue of a reclining nude Pocahontas by the sculptor David McFall, cast by the Gaskin Foundry. 'La Belle Sauvage' remained on its purpose-built plinth at the front of No. 35 until the 1980s, when it was sold to a private buyer., In 2006, Churchill House was acquired by The Royal College of Anaesthetists, which also purchased No. 34 Red Lion Square in 2009. No. 34 was the former architectural offices of Richard Seifert and Partners, who are reputed to be responsible for more London buildings than Sir Christopher Wren, including Centre Point., Rebuilding in 1960s , The look and feel of the Square was completely altered in the 1960s following major development at High Holborn and the introduction of a gyratory traffic system from Theobalds Road going southwards. The western edge of the square opened up to Drake Street/Proctor Street, which is as it remains to this day., The Historian and the Opera Singer , No. 33 Red Lion Square, Kingsgate Mansions, which survived the Blitz, had many residents in its subdivided flats. During the 1970s and 1980s Flat 6 was the home of Professor Theodore Cardwell Barker, Emeritus Professor of Economic History at the University of London, one of the founders of the Oral History Society, and his wife the soprano opera singer Judith Pierce (1930-2003)., Bertie and Fenner , Following a high-profile campaign in the early 1980s, started by Sir A.J. Ayer, Fenner Brockway and Dora Russell, a bust of philosopher Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) by Lady Marcelle Quinton was erected at the east end of the gardens., In 1985, a statue of anti-war activist and politician Fenner Brockway (1888-1988) was erected at the west end of the gardens and unveiled by Michael Foot, MP, in the presence of Fenner, also known as Lord Brockway., Naomi Lewis , Naomi Lewis (1911-2009) was a British poet, essayist, literary critic, anthologist and reteller of stories for children. She is particularly noted for her translations of the Danish children's author, Hans Christian Andersen, as well as for her critical reviews and essays. She lived in Red Lion Square from 1935-2007, likely longer than any other resident., Pollinator Planting , Planting and horticultural maintenance in Red Lion Square Gardens supports common urban wildlife species of birds, mammals and insects. The 2018 planting scheme was specifically designed to support bees and butterflies, to contribute to the 'London B-Line' which connects pollinator habitats throughout the capital., Bees can do well in cities due to the wide variety of trees and flowers. They eat pollen and nectar from these flowers that can be used to produce honey. Pollinator species are vitally important within our food chain, so green space and habitat must be planned and managed sensitively to help bees and other wildlife thrive.