Save Bloomsbury, says Griff Rhys Jones

Published: 6th May, 2011
by KARINA WHALLEY

GRIFF Rhys Jones has warned against “government plans” to transform Bloomsbury and central London.

Without dedicated conservation groups like the Marchmont Street Association, he said, inappropriate buildings would spring up without any protest.

Mr Rhys Jones, who lives in Fitzrovia, said: “There are government plans to increase the density of Bloomsbury and other parts of London by making it more work orientated. I think these areas have a good work and life balance with all of these people intermingling. You’d be surprised what plans are being made while we remain unaware and without anyone protesting. These things merely go ahead.” 

He added: “I’m president of Civic Voice, a trust that preserves the fabric of the urban landscape so it’s just great to see Marchmont Street so lively, so lived in.”

He was speaking on Wednesday last week at the unveiling of a plaque in Marchmont Street for acclaimed playwright and actor, Emlyn Williams, who lived there from 1930 to 1934.

Mr Rhys Jones said: “How wonderful it is to be celebrating one of London’s Welsh. He was in a way the first of those great Welsh actors to take Hollywood by storm. He was a cosmopolitan Welshman who was as much at home with Charles Dickens as with Dylan Thomas. 

The street is already littered with blue plaques. Kenneth Williams lived across the road from Emlyn Williams, and they were friends. Frankenstein author Mary Shelley also lived in the street and was celebrated with a blue plaque in 2009. 

Marchmont Street Association chairman Ricci de Freitas said: “This is our fifth plaque now, and we’ve just published a third edition of the story of Marchmont Street.”