RENT CEREMONY 1998

From left: Geoffrey Holland, OBE, Chairman of the Covent Garden Area Trust, presented posies of flowers and red apples to Andrew Hyder (centre) of Scottish Widows.

This was Andrew’s first Rent Ceremony - he obligingly turned up wearing a kilt. Peter Moore, the Town Crier (right) had rung his bell and shouted, “Today the Covent Garden Area Trust is ten years old! The Chairman and Trustees are here to pay rent to Scottish Widows. Is Andrew Hyder of Scottish Widows here? Are you willing to accept the Trust’s rent? Rent owed for the Bedford Chambers block is one red apple and a posy of flowers”. They are standing in front of Bedford Chambers, the arcaded building on the north of the Piazza. The posies and apples were kindly donated by the New Covent Garden Market Authority.

The Trustees marched up Southampton Street from Maiden Lane and into the Piazza past Jubilee Market Hall. Here is Jim Lee of the Theatres Trust holding a “rent” basket on his head while his wife flies silvery balloons printed with “Happy 10th Anniversary”.
The Trust’s Administrator, Leana Pooley, is on the right, carrying apples.


What a glorious din! The jazz band is formed of musicians who have been friends for years. Trustee Tim Wacher, a retired chartered surveyor who plays saxophone, at one time worked with the Greater London Council’s Covent Garden team. After the Central Market was restored and re-opened on June 18 1980 he organized the letting of the shops inside.

Julla Martin of Guardian Properties (centre) accepted the “rents” for the Central Market. On her left is June Denson of Guardian Properties.

Perhaps this is what’s meant by “Going widdershins” remarked Paul Velluet as the Trustees swirled around the Piazza. Paul is an architect who represents English Heritage on the Trust Council.

Here the “rents” are carried by Noel Tobin, (left) a former Trustee and local resident and Kim Church, (centre) Trustee and publisher of the magazine In and Around Covent Garden. Slightly behind and to the right of Kim is Stan Sheriff another local resident and Trustee. Stan is a Judge’s Clerk in the Law Courts in the Strand.

All dressed up - Mike Pargiter, Trustee and Company Secretary, with his wife, Margaret.

All photographs by Sheila Burnett

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