Memorial for Arthur Beresford Pite, Architect (1861 - 1934.)
- 8 October 2009 18:3929986Arthur Beresford Pite was the architect responsible for many great buildings both in London and abroad - Burlington Arcade Piccadilly, Christ Church Brixton, Kampala Cathedral Uganda, a hospital in Jerusalem, Institute of Chartered Accountants Moorgate, West Islington Library, 30 Euston Square, All Souls school Marylebone and Holy Trinity Church Clapham to name a few. His works most of which survive today, and years spent teaching and lecturing at The Royal College of Art have shaped the landscape and minds of many.
On 20th April 1887 Arthur married Mary Kilvington Mowll from Dover at the Parish church of Whitfield.
After nearly three years of delays and difficulties regarding his grave restoration project and the fact that it could take a further number of years to complete, I have decided to install a memorial plaque so that people can locate the grave which currently has no inscriptions or visible identifying features. I propose to hold an unveiling ceremony at West Norwood cemetery, London to mark the occasion. The planned date for this is Saturday 28th November 2009 and coincides with the 75th anniversary of Arthur's death.
Anyone who would like to attend please let me know, you will of course be more than welcome to join us at the cemetery and for drinks afterwards.
Jeane
- 8 October 2009 20:3529991Well done Jeane. Hope all goes well on the 28th Nov sorry I can't be there for the memorial.You are certainly doing your 'bit' to put Dover on the map.Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter) - Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
8 October 2009 20:4229994good luck jeane.
- 9 October 2009 07:3330003Good luck with that Jeane. If you can send me a picture or indeed put one up yourself of the ceremony would be good. Maybe the papers might pick it up from there.email: dover7@msn.com
- 9 October 2009 07:4830005What a lovely event! Good Luck Jeanne.
- 9 October 2009 08:0030009Has the inscription been erased over the years through the weather up in West Norwood then Jeane ? I guess there must have been one.
Good Luck with that, it sounds an extremely good idea to recognise his achievements and I hope the ceremony goes well.
Is there no (other) memorial to him and his works (although I do appreciate this is not so much a memorial to him, just a plaque to say who is buried there.
Well done Jeane.
Roger - 9 October 2009 08:3730016Thank you Marek, Brian and Bern.
I will send you a pic PaulB; the plan (weather permitting) is that I will wear Victorian mourning dress. Some of the local (South London) press hope to cover it.
Roger, the original inscriptions were on copper plaques which were stolen years ago. The word 'Loved' can still be seen etched into the stone which I think is from 'Beloved wife'. Eventually if we get through all the red tape the graves will have inscriptions of those buried there reaffixed. There is no other memorial to him even though he was a well known architect of his time. He even submitted plans for St Paul's Cathedral but was narrowly beaten by Wren.
Loved:
- 9 October 2009 12:2230026Yes, Well Done Jeane and good luck on the day, if you do get to wear victorian dress, would love to see a photo or two.
- 9 October 2009 15:3430045It is a shame and quite surprising that there is no memorial to such a gifted architect, with so many quality buildings he designed.
I thought St. Paul's Cathedral was built long before Arthur's time ?
Hope all goes well Jeane.
Roger - 9 October 2009 15:4530046You are quite right Roger, St.Paul's was completed roughly 160 years before the birth of Arthur.
- 9 October 2009 16:2330057Thanks Colette.
Yes Roger I agree, there are many lesser important architects who have a memorial or statue.
Duh,
sorry yes I was writing something else about cathedrals and had Wren on the brain. I should have said Pite was asked to submit plans for Liverpool Cathedral and was narrowly beaten by Giles Gilbert Scott! - 9 October 2009 16:4630058Here's a photo he had taken in Dover - GT Amos? Fine Art Studio 12 Snargate Street.
- 10 October 2009 06:5430099Thanks Dave1 - and Jeane for the photo of Arthur.
Is that an old relation of your's Sheila ? G.T. Amos.
Roger - 18 October 2009 17:1130877I have just confirmed special guest Kevin Varity who is giving a talk on Victorian funeral customs and mourning following the unveiling.
- 6 November 2009 15:3932536Just a little update, I collected the plaques recently ready for the unveiling on 28th, they look lovely. My Victorian mourning dress has been made and is now hanging in my office along with a hat and a lace parasol - let's hope the weather is on our side!! The red carpet is ready to roll, the souvenir magnets have been delivered and many of the papers have been advertising it or running stories.
Plaques and some of the coverage.
- 6 November 2009 17:3632540Well done Jeane, the plaques are great and thats excellent coverage in the newspaper. Lets have more pictures on the big day and a small feature with aim to getting it on our frontpage, if we can highlight the reference to Dover.
Can you pencil in your diary our Christmas "Do" on the 11 December at Josie's Bar. The bar is called after Josie a regular customer who died prematurely. You may remember some pictures from it recently, its in our 'all recent features' section. Will put up more details, or Colette will, nearer the time...but stick it in your diary.email: dover7@msn.com - 6 November 2009 18:4432548Thanks PaulB, will do.
I am long overdue for a trip to Dover, I'll see what I can do. - 6 November 2009 18:5332550Well done Jeane, will be thinking of you and your unveiling.
I used to skateboard and cycle regularly around the area with friends from school who lived in Chestnut Road.Oh Boy!, That'll be the day......... - 6 November 2009 19:0032555do you think you could rephrase that first line buddy?
some on here could misconstrue it.
not me, of course. - Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
6 November 2009 19:0232556howard,go and take a cold shower and say 3 hail marys in the corner.
