The Royal Albert Hall

Photo:  PA

The red carpet stretched down the grand steps to the Royal Albert Hall last night to welcome the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, who were guests at the premiere of the latest James Bond movie Skyfall.  This is not a normal location for film premieres, but proved to be a stunning venue to celebrate the release of Skyfall which comes 50 years after the launch of the first Bond film, Dr. No.

Naomie Harris & Daniel Craig  Photo:  The Picture Library

This magnificent building in the heart of Kensington was built on land purchased with the profits of the Great Exhibition of 1851 and opened in 1871.  Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband, had a vision of a Central Hall which would be used as dedicated area for the promotion of Art and Science.  Unfortunately Prince Albert did not survive to see his Central Hall of Arts and Sciences, and following his premature death from typhoid in 1861 Queen Victoria named the building the Royal Albert Hall in dedication to her beloved Prince Consort.

The design of the building was started by Captain Francis Fowke of the Royal Engineers based upon the Roman Amphitheatres, following his death Major Henry Darracott Scott completed the plans for Lucas Brothers to build.  Constructed in Fareham Red brick, with terracotta block decoration and a dome made from steel and glass.  Henry Cole was the driving force behind the construction of the Hall, having achieved great success with the Great Exhibition of 1851; it was his energy which ensured the project was successful. 

The frieze which runs around the top of the building is an inscription in 12 inch terracotta letters which combines historical facts and biblical quotations.

With a grand organ which is one of the largest instruments in the world at 70 feet high with nearly 10,000 pipes, it was soon apparent that the hall was not suitable for music due to a terrible echo from the domed roof.  The problem was finally solved when 135 ‘mushrooms’ filled with glass fibre wool were hung from the dome in 1969. Now it is a world famous venue seating over 5,500 people, priding itself on the diverse range of events which fill the hall almost every night of the year.   

During seven weeks of the summer months it is home to the Sir Henry Wood Promenade Concerts – known as The Proms, when visiting orchestras, famous soloists and conductors join the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the famous last night is typically a very rowdy evening. The very moving Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance is held in November and the tone changes at the beginning of December for the Masters Tennis championships. 

The floor of the hall has been flooded to make a water garden for Madam Butterfly; frozen for ice-skating; turned into a boxing ring for the likes of Muhammad Ali and Frank Bruno and has hosted most of the world’s top singers, whether they be classical, rock or heavy metal. 

As the Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall  arrived at The Royal Albert Hall for the premiere of the 23^rd Bond film, it is worth remembering that Shirley Bassey performed the Bond theme songs Diamonds are Forever and Goldfinger on the stage in June 2011, as a climax to the memorial concert for the composer John Barry.

Photo:  PA

London showcases the best international design

Sport has left the limelight in London and handed over the focus to design. London is now receiving the attention of the international design world as we host numerous creative events across the capital.

Lady Gaga with her floral headpiece at Philip Treacy's first show in London for 10 years
Photo:  Getty

Today is the last day of London Fashion Week based in Somerset House and with shows at various locations across the capital. Always one of the best is Burberry, who attracted the current sporting celebs Victoria Pendleton and Andy Murray to their show on Monday. Focusing on volume, jewel colours and new shapes, this luxury brand never fails to deliver a stunning show.

Photo: AFP

As we say farewell to the Fashion Pack and they jet off to Milan, the 10th London Design Festival opens across the capital. An extensive range of exhibitions, events, workshops, talks and tours will be taking place to promote the design capital of the world. With over 200 events, the majority of which are free, the London Design Festival programme reflects the widest possible range of design interests. www.londondesignfestival.com/

In the Brompton Design District www.bromptondesigndistrict.com/ you can visit a 12 roomed house, each room given a design experiment by a different designer. 

The V & A have an abundance of special exhibitions and the dome over the main entrance called the Cupola, has been used as an exhibition space showing the magical living patchwork installation ‘Prism’. www.londondesignfestival.com/profiles/london-design-festival-va-0

Design Junction, an old 1960s Sorting Office, showcases more than 100 world-class international brands, temporary restaurants, flash factories and live entertainment in a vibrant and relaxed space. http://thedesignjunction.co.uk

A host of craft makers will be exhibiting in the Old Truman Brewery at the multi faceted TENT London http://www.tentlondon.co.uk and at Earls Court you will find four days of leading contemporary lifestyle design at 100% Design. www.100percentdesign.co.uk/   Recognising the importance of design bloggers, Knoll has created a dedicated VIP lounge.

The Southbank Centre will host the 15th annual Designersblock, featuring furniture, lighting ceramics, graphics and installations in the Royal Festival Hall and the Queen Elizabeth Hall. www.verydesignersblock.com/2009/2012/05/28/designersblock-london-2012/

London has stamina and enjoys being the focus of global attention, there is no doubt.

End to a Sensational Summer

Some Games Makers gather in Trafalgar Sq for an early photo call

A very big thank you was what the day was all about. Thanks from the public to the athletes, the athletes to the public, to all the volunteers, the team coaches and support staff, the servicemen and women, the blue light services and the organising committees who had made the last six weeks, the most memorable London experience that we could ever imagine.

A good space was waiting opposite St. Mary le Strand

People begin to take up their spaces and the street cleaners arrive

An hours later, there wasn't a free space anywhere

A determination to have a good view and be at the front of the barriers, meant a two and half hour wait at the side of the road, but on these occasions time can pass quickly with some people watching. This is a time when total strangers strike up conversations and behave like old friends for a few hours, then pleasantly say farewell and never see each other again! 

There comes a point when everyone gets a cheer!

Great for the Police to work on a happy occasion

The mounted Police joined in the high fiving!

It was a day of overwhelming emotions for both cheering Londoners, our wonderful athletes and visitors to the city who must have been stunned by the euphoria.

The parade was led by red and blue lions followed by dancers, acrobats and musicians. Then it wasn’t long to wait for our first familiar face, the ever smiling Mo Farah on the first of the 21 flatbed trucks.

 

The pavements were now choc-a-bloc, office workers were hanging out of their windows and every side street and alley was packed tight with people. Many had no chance of seeing any of the parade, but were just happy to feel and hear the atmosphere.

Trafalgar Sq. and surrounding roads  Photo:  Getty

The athletes had their own messages of thanks and were quick to engage eye contact with the cheering crowd, and seemed to want to acknowledge us all personally. Some seemed slightly embarrassed to show their medals, we had to persuade some to hold them high for the crowds to see. 

Several looked understandably stunned by the depth of the crowds and the warmth of the welcome. 

A quick change of location to Trafalgar square was only achieved by taking a very speedy walk through the back streets of Covent Garden, before the rest of the crowd had the same thought. 

With a perfect vantage point sitting on the steps of St. Martin’s in the Field the flypast arrived on time, despite the fact the parade had seriously fallen behind schedule, but that didn’t matter everyone was in such a wonderful state of mind. 

 First over was the British Airways ‘Firefly with ‘Thank You’ imprinted on its underbelly, followed by 2 Lynx, a Puma and a Sea King helicopter. 

Photo:  National Pictures

Photo: AP

A surveillance aircraft flew in formation with the two Typhoons which had been on standby near London, in case of emergencies. Then our tremendous RAF display team the Red Arrows, with their red, white and blue streaming across London. This was a dramatic tribute to a remarkable occasion.

Observing this carnival of joy, I didn’t want to leave as it would mean this sensational summer had ended, but we have so many wonderful memories and a desire to keep this amazing spirit of London alive forever.

The empty flatbed trucks head out of London

The wonderful Games Makers head back to their normal lives

Thank you everyone.