Nelson Mandela street sign on show in parlour - Former Mayor Julian Fulbrook sought recognition for freedom fighter

FOR 25 years it has graced the kitchen wall of a Holborn flat, but now a historic street sign honouring legendary South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela will be on display for all to see.

The Town Hall’s works department gave the sign to Labour councillor Julian Fulbrook when he was mayor in 1986 after he successfully lobbied to have Selous Street in Camden Town, home to the Anti-Apartheid Movement, renamed in Mr Mandela’s honour.

On Monday, to mark Mr Mandela’s 93rd birthday, he donated the sign to the Town Hall – and it will be fixed to the wall above the door to the Mayor’s parlour.

Cllr Fulbrook said: “When the decision was made to rename the street they realised they had a spare one so they presented it to me.”

The borough has long had strong links with the Anti-Apartheid Movement, founded in North Gower Street in 1959. 

Cllr Fulbrook, who was born in Angola, campaigned to have the road name changed. 

He said: “I have admired the sign over breakfast since the 1980s and felt now would be an appropriate time to give it back to the Town Hall so everyone could see it.”

Published: 21 July 2011
by DAN CARRIER