Sir John Surveys, and Admires...

Sir John Surveys, and Admires...

Well, perhaps not so much the bright, bold Olympic Rings, already appearing on this November afternoon
in 2011 in celebration of the coming games, as the soaring architecture of St Pancras in London, the
grand railway station the poet, preservationist, and railway devotee was so instrumental in saving.

Sir John Betjeman called plans to demolish St Pancras a "criminal folly." He wrote of the station, "What
[the Londoner] sees in his mind's eye is that cluster of towers and pinnacles seen from Pentonville Hill and
outlined against a foggy sunset, and the great arc of Barlow's train shed gaping to devour incoming engines.”

When the magnificent Victorian-era station re-opened in 2007 as St Pancras International, the London
terminus for Eurostar trains to the continent, Betjeman was honored with a statue created by Martin Jennings.

He seems to be surveying one of the finest examples of Victorian temples of transportation with a certain justified proprietary pride.

An afternoon visit in November, 2011 afforded the opportunity to enjoy the inviting combination of
Victorian architecture and a modern railway nexus, also including regional trains and the Underground.

And how I love this quote:

“People hate anything well made, you know. It gives them a guilty conscience.”

-- Sir John Betjeman

Photo + Design ©2011/2012 Steve Ember