'Time and Tide Bell' by Marcus Vergette

Attached to the sea wall of Trinity Buoy Wharf is this bell, designed by the sculptor Marcus Vergette.

The unique design of the bell, developed by Marcus Vergette and Dr Neil McLachlan, means the bell is rung by the river to mark each high tide. Uniquely, from just one strike the bell sounds different notes one after the other to form a melody.

"Fixed in space, rung by the power of nature, yet making ever-changing sounds, the bell symbolises the complex relationship between man and his environment. The Time and Tide Bell creates, celebrates and reinforces connections between our history and our environment. Here at Trinity Buoy Wharf Leamouth, it will serve as a powerful marker of sea level rise at the very heart of our maritime history." 

- Marcus Vergette

The Trinity Buoy Wharf Bell was launched at high tide on September 19, 2010.

Part of the 'Time and Tide Series', this 3 metre tall bell, cast in aluminium bronze, is third in a planned series of twelve bells, located throughout the United Kingdom. 

The first bell was installed at Appledore, North Devon, while the second was installed at Great Bernera, Outer Hebrides.

Walking with Keilyn: Crystal Palace Park and Wellington Arch

Sunday March 30, 2025.

The day was set to be a warm one, as Keilyn and I set off for Watford Metropolitan station, ready to begin another day in London. However, unlike our usual visits, I had yet to decide where to go. So, we sat on the train, which would be terminating at Baker Street, due to a points failure, still wondering where to go. Approaching Finchley Road, I had an idea, so we left the train and changed to a Jubilee line train, which we took to Green Park. Here we changed to a Victoria line train, heading for Brixton.

On exiting the station we had one minute to get to Bus Stop 'Q', where we hopped aboard the 432 towards Anerley Station. Roughly 30 minutes later we got off the bus, at Thicket Road, with Keilyn still having no idea where we were going.

We entered Crystal Palace Park, via Cintra Gate and found ourselves on the Lower Terrace. Once I had explained where we were we went off to explore the terraces, sphinxes, ruins and, of course, the BBC Transmitter.

Much of the structure is now protected, by metal railings, with some of the statues in a sorry state. Walking along the upper terrace you get a sense of how massive the site is. Standing at the top of the steps we were both amazed by how far we could see, so stunning was the view.

We then headed down the park towards the National Sports Centre, where people were running around the track, while others were practising Beach Volley Ball.

Following the path we descended the steps and turned south, heading around the lakes in search of the dinosaurs and other extinct animals. We spent a good forty-five minutes wandering around, spotting as many of the animals as we could, with only the Pterodactyle being obscured by the overgrowth.

We then headed towards the Crystal Palace Park Market, that we had spotted earlier, in search of some lunch. The market had food stalls from various corners of the Earth, while other traders were here to sell their unique wares: cheese. chili, wines, pastries, herbs and the like. The smells were incredible, as we made our way through the market, making us hungrier than ever. 

It was then that Keilyn noticed a Hot Dog stall. The sausages were thick and a foot long and looked amazing. Keilyn ordered a six-inch one, with ketchup, while I had the foot-long, with onions, gherkins and chili sauce. With food in hand we sat on the grass, in the shade of a tree, and tucked in. They were delicious!

Feeling like our bellies were going to burst, we headed off around the Lower Lake, making our wat back towards the Bus Stop, stopping at a local shop to buy some more drinks and an ice cream for Keilyn.

Walking with Friends: Barbican to Tower Bridge... and beyond

Thursday March 27, 2025.

Having celebrated my birthday, yesterday, I was eager to use my day off to visit London. With my girls at school I roped in my friend, Gary, to join me for the walk.

I took a bus to meet Gary at Rickmansworth station, where we caught a fast Aldgate-bound Metropolitan line train to Barbican. 

Our first stop was a visit to Postman's Park and the G.F. Watt's Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice, which Gary had never seen, before we continued our walk south towards St Paul's Cathedral.

Turning on to Foster Lane I spotted the two open blue doors and, after climbing the three stone steps, we found ourselves in a secluded courtyard. This courtyard, once part of a graveyard, is a public garden that is owned by the church of St Vedast-alias-Foster.

A tree acts as a centrepiece to the slabbed and pebbled space, with various potted plants and shrubs dotted around the space. Two white walls are in juxtaposition with the brick walls, while the covered arcade adds an almost Mediterranean feel to this tranquil space. A framed display of Roman pavement pieces along with various plaques adorn the walls, while a relief sculpture of Canon Mortlock, by Jacob Epstein, is affixed to another wall.

But, I was here to see a rather obscure brick. It is a mud brick, etched with cuneiform writing, that was unearthed in Iraq and is almost 3,000 years old. Strangely, there is no plaque or marker, so I had to do some research on this piece of ancient history, on my return home.

Just metres from this 'secret' garden we saw a London Plane tree, growing in the grounds of the former St Peter West Cheap Church grounds. This platanus x acerifolia tree is said to be the oldest tree in the City of London.

From here we continued our route, by following Cannon Street, to Eastcheap, before turning down Pudding Lane, passing the Monument, before reaching Lower Thames Street, where we visited the Church of St Magnus-the-Martyr.

The Church of St Magnus-the-Martyr is a wonderful Grade I listed church, which was one of the first buildings to be destroyed by the Great Fire of 1666. Although this church dates from 1687, there has been a church here since the 11th century. 

Inside this church there is a model of the Old London Bridge, which was created by David T Aggett, a member of the Metropolitan Police who rose to the rank of Detective Superintendent in the Fraud Squad. He was also a keen model maker and this model of Old London Bridge took almost three years to complete. As he was also a liveryman of the Plumbers' Company, he donated the model to St Magnus Church, which is the Plumbers' Company church. As a little joke he placed a Metropolitan Policeman on the bridge, which people can seek to find when admiring the model.

Having found the Policeman and some of the other interesting parts of the model we explored the rest of the building, before leaving the church and continued our walk along Lower Thames Street.

We stopped at Tower Hill Market for a bite to eat, which we ate on the square outside All Hallows by the Tower. The sun, by now, had burnt away the fog and mist, causing the temperature to soar, as we made our way across Tower Bridge to the south bank.

St Vedast-alias-Foster Public Garden and its Treasures

In the shadow of St Paul's Cathedral and hidden along a small passageway, from Foster Lane, is this wonderful public garden, that holds some intriguing and historic items.

The garden is built on what was once a graveyard belonging to St Vedast-alias-Foster, a church that was founded in around 1170. 

The church has been restored many times and rebuilt at least twice, the last by Sir Christopher Wren following the Great Fire of 1666.

The church was completely gutted during The Blitz, with its restoration being undertaken by Canon Charles Bernard Mortlock, Poet Laureate John Betjeman, Noel Mander a master organ builder and architect Stephen Dykes Bower.

An adjacent plot to the north, formerly the location of the Fountain Pub, was purchased and used for the construction of a new Rectory. On land between this new Rectory and what is now the parish hall of St Vedast a small secluded courtyard was built.

Passing through these blue doors and up the three small stone steps you will find yourself in a small courtyard, with a tree as a centrepiece, various plants and plaques. The white walls in contrast with the brick walls and the covered walkway gives this small courtyard an almost Mediterranean feel. 

But there are secrets to be discovered here: Roman tiles, sculptures and a 3,000 year old brick, from Iraq.

On the south wall you will find the remains of a Roman pavement, discovered 18 feet below the floor of the church of St Matthew, Friday Street, which was demolished in 1886.

There is a small sculpture of Canon Charles Bernard Mortlock, entitled 'Head', by Jacob Epstein.

'The Wild Table of Love' by Gillie and Marc

At the corner of Eastbourne Terrace and Praed Street, Paddington, there is a rather large sculpture of various endangered animals, sitting and having a banquet together.

The animals, being hosted by Rabbitwoman and Dogman, are a koala, Bengal tiger, African elephant, Masai giraffe, a hippo, a lion, Northern white rhino, mountain gorilla, Grevy's zebra and a chimpanzee.

Two seats allow visitors to join the banquet, as this is an interactive sculpture where interaction is key.

About the sculpture.

'The Wild Table of Love' by internationally renowned artists, Gillie and Marc, features a banquet table full of delicious food, hosted by internationally beloved hybrid characters, Rabbitwoman and Dogman. Sharing their table with ten of the most endangered animals in the world, promising to protect them from the threat of extinction. When we sit and share a meal, we share friendship and support. With two empty seats at the table, you can join the family of love, becoming a protector of wildlife and saving many species from the threat of extinction. This is part of the broader 'Love the Last' project, a social movement driven by public art to raise awareness, funds and support for endangered animals across the world, encouraging people to take action before we lose these animals forever.

'The Wild Table of Love' serves as a beacon for a brighter future.

Help share their story through the hashtags

#LoveTheLast and #WildTableOfLove

and find out more at www.lovethelast.com

www.gillieandmarc.com

This interactive sculpture is currently on display at Eastbourne Terrace, opposite 'Real Time' by Maarten Baas, until July 2026.

You can view sculptures, by Gillie and Marc, that have been seen in London by clicking the link below.

Sculptures by Gillie and Marc