England Then and Now.

 

I first walked into Harrods when I was about 9 years old, and on that first experience I distinctly recall a number of strong impressions. Firstly, the superb building. It is a civilisation indeed which makes such a building of a shop, never mind its foreign ownership for the moment, may a patriot rectify this. The second impression was very negative. It so happened on this occasion that there was a voluble and aggressive protest being held outside this wonderful building by animal rights protestors. I asked my godfather what they were shouting about, he said he thought it was to do with the fur that was sold in the shop. I said 'oh', and moved slightly closer to him. These people ought to realise that their violence is frightening and threatening, no matter their cause. Then I walked into the building, and suddenly the bellowings through megaphones were instantly consumed by the sights, sounds, and smells, of refined people, the cream of society. I knew from that moment, whatever the pragmatic case of concerned ethics, which way of life and what manner of behaviour I preferred.

   These dratted lamposts that have replaced the glorious Victorian lamp posts of Dover's now sadly destroyed Prince of Wales pier seem perfectly representative, to me, of all that is mediocre about modern British design. I do not say it is all bad as the development is in parts impressive, but it lacks style. Where are the old railings and the rest of the lamp posts?