RENT CEREMONY 2007 – DON’T RAIN ON OUR PARADE!

June may have been the wettest on record in the UK, but the clouds parted just in time for the Trust to celebrate its 19th annual Rent Ceremony in the Piazza. A brief shower half an hour before the procession was due to set off from the Trust’s office in New Row had everyone, especially the jazz band, a little concerned, but they need not have worried as the sun then shone throughout the proceedings.

Led by Peter Moore, Town Crier for the Mayor of London and the City of Westminster (to name but a few of his many titles), led the procession down New Row and King Street to the junction with James Street. In his wake were the traditional marching jazz band – including former Trustees Tim Wacher on trombone, and celebrated trumpeter Digby Fairweather – young pupils from St Joseph’s and St Clement Danes’ Schools, Trustees, Trust members, families and friends.

The procession paused at the end of James Street to pay the first two “rents” – a posy of flowers and a red apple to mark the area’s former heritage – to Adam Smith and Simon Radford of KBC Asset Management, representing Lothbury, the freeholders of the terrace of Georgian houses on which the Trust holds the headlease. With a fanfare and roll of drums, and Peter ringing his bell, the “rents” were handed over by the children from St Clement Danes’.

The procession then continued around the Piazza and through the Central Market building, gathering a crowd of fascinated tourists on the way – several of whom decided to join in the parade as well as photographing it to show their friends “back home”! A couple of brief pauses allowed the jazz band to display their talents to the assembled throng – and for them to catch their breath.

Once into the North Hall of the Central Market, the final three “rents” were handed over by the children from St Joseph’s School to Andrew Hicks of Capital & Counties. This was CapCo’s first Rent Ceremony as they purchased the freehold of the Central Market, Bedford Chambers and the Museums Block – together with many other adjacent buildings – in early August 2006. After a few brief words from the Trust’s Chairman, Raymond Cooper – who was also “in the chair” for his first Rent Ceremony – the invited guests adjourned to the courtyard of the Crusting Pipe winebar for refreshments and a further lively “set” from the jazz band which soon gathered a huge and appreciative crowd around the balcony above.

Photographs ©Sheila Burnett and In and Around Covent.
• Note: the Rent Ceremony 2008 will be on June 19th.

Covent Garden Area Trust
13 New Row, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4LF
Tel: 020 7497 9245
Fax: 020 7240 2405
Registered Charity no. 299874