‘Crossrail is major challenge to Soho residents and businesses’ -- says Society's new chairwoman Kaye de Ville

Published: 04 March 2011
by JOSH LOEB

THE Soho Society’s new chairwoman has vowed to fight on behalf of residents and businesses at a time of intense change.

Kaye de Ville, 54, who was elected at the influential amenity group’s annual general meeting, cited Crossrail as one of the major challenges facing Soho.

In her acceptance speech in the Bryan Burrough Hall in Soho Parish School on Friday, she said: “We face important issues. Crossrail won’t be completed until 2017 and is an example of a challenge that we face as residents and business people in Soho. 

“I want the society to be able to support change sensitively.”   

She said the Soho Society needed to “raise its game”, adding: “I want all elected officers and all committee members to accept fixed deadlines and intermed­iate targets on delegated tasks. 

“If we don’t set out targets, we will never achieve anything.” 

Ms de Ville’s election follows a tumultuous year in which the group was evicted from its base in the tower of St Anne’s Church, Dean Street, amid questions over its lease – sparking a continuing legal battle. 

Last month, at a directions hearing held at an ecclesiastical court in Lambeth, the Worshipful Nigel Seed QC, chancellor of the Diocese of London, granted them “temporary occupancy” – allowing them to return to the church for an interim period pending a final decision to be made in May. 

Tasmanian-born Ms de Ville replaces Fiona Rhys-Jenkins Bailey, who served for four years as chairwoman and was presented with a bottle of champagne at the AGM.

Matthew Bennett and Christine Yau are co-vice chairs and Bob O’Dell fills the post formerly occupied by Ms de Ville, that of secretary.

Ms de Ville, a psychotherapist who specialises in bereavement counselling, moved to England in 1984 and has lived in Soho since 1989.