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London's Changing Riverbanks At The River & Rowing Museum

Adrian Jordan

04/11/2005

Image: Shows a photo of a black and white riverside scene with ships in the foreground on the top and a modern colour scene of the same area on the bottom with out the ships and with bigger modern buildings

North bank Pool of London, some similarities can be observed between the old and new scenes. Courtesy the artists

A fascinating insight into the changing face of riverside London is on show at the River and Rowing Museum in Henley on Thames until January 8 2006.

Photographers Mike Seaborne, Graham Diprose and Charles Craig, inspired by a Port of London-commissioned panorama of the river from London Bridge to Greenwich, have recaptured the scene in its modern form.

“This exhibition is a must for anyone who loves London and its river or those interested in urban history and photography”, say event organisers.

Image: Shows photo of a black and white riverside scene on the top with tower brigde in the left corner and a modern colour scene of the same area on the bottom with tower bridge remaining but the old buildings replaced by modern ones

North Bank St Katharines Dock. Big changes have not touched Tower Bridge. Courtesy the artists

The original panorama shows London’s docklands in their peak of productivity, a hive of activity as the world’s greatest port. Ships, barges and boats take their cargoes to and from an array of factories, warehouses and processing plants.

It's a distant memory of this modern, affluent, area as it is today.

Although the area is now highly redeveloped and ‘sanitised’ with prestigious office complexes and luxury apartments, the contrasting images show that not all links with its industrial past have been lost.

The changes over the 60-year period may be dramatic but many of the sites are still recognisable as the old buildings have been put to modern use with their exteriors remaining the same.

Image: Shows a photo of a black and white riverside scene on the top with barges in the foreground and a modern colour scene of the same area on the bottom without the barges and with a mxture of old and new buildings

North Bank Limehouse Sparks Wharf. Although some features remain, the area has changed greatly. Courtesy the artists

To help the viewer’s imagination, the contrasting images have been juxtaposed in the display to highlight the striking differences between the two worlds separated only by time.

The images of the landmarks between Billingsgate Fish Market and Canary Wharf have been set out as a series of over 100 photographs in a book that echoes the display.

With no need to have to recall past times, this is a piece of nostalgia for everyone to enjoy.

River & Rowing Museum
Mill Meadows, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1BF, Oxfordshire, England

T: 01491 415600
Open: Open 7 days a week: 1 May to 31 August 10.00 to 17.30 1 September to 30 April 10.00 to 17.00 Museum Cafe open from 10.30 daily
Closed: Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve & New Year's Day

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