RENT CEREMONY 1999

Jim Lee of the Theatres’ Trust presents the “rent” for the Central Market to Julia Martin of Guardian Properties. Geoff Holland, the Trust’s Chairman was amused by Jim’s courtly manners. In the background is a display of shrubs, part of the Covent Garden Flower Festival which also happens in June.




At the end of the Rent Ceremony of 1999 Peter Moore, the Town Crier, announced “The rent is paid! Congratulations to the freeholders of these beautiful buildings! Congratulations to the Covent Garden Area Trust. Eleven years old today! Only 139 more years to go. See you again in June next year”. The band played “Happy Birthday to You!”.





And the band played on... Trustee Tim Wacher and his musician friends swinging away in the courtyard of the Central Market outside the Crusting Pipe wine bar.









Peter Moore, the Town Crier, leading the jazz band followed by the Trustees at the start of their circuit of the Covent Garden’s
Piazza.






Two little dogs joined in - Bunty, (left) and Daisy (centre) loved all the attention. In the background is the newly-opened Royal Opera House arcade.






Peter Moore, the Town Crier (centre) makes his announcement while James Hardy(right) waits to hand over the “rents” to Duncan Phillips of Burford Plc (left). At that time Burford owned the freehold of the Museum block which includes the London Transport and Theatre Museums.


Town Crier Peter Moore announces the annual “rent” due for headlease on Bedford Chambers. Here the “rents” are carried by Peter Wilcox (right) and a friend. Peter, Manager of the Aldwych Theatre, represents the Strand/Aldwych/Trafalgar Square Association on the Trust Council.

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