The Victorian Society Appeals for Return of Stolen Brass Plates

Taken from headquarters of Bedford Park based heritage group

The two plates the Society would like to see restored

February 24, 2023

The Victorian Society, a heritage organisation based in Bedford Park, is making an appeal for the return of two brass places which were taken from its offices.

The plates disappeared overnight on Tuesday (21 February) from the listed building the society occupies at 1 Priory Gardens. The historic front door plates would have been seen by many of the charity’s members and visitors across the decades including Sir John Betjeman, the poet laureate who was the charity’s secretary, and current President Griff Rhys Jones.

The crime is part of a local spate of thefts around Bedford Park where the bronze plaques on the war memorial, designed by architect Inigo Triggs (1919-20), outside the neighbouring church hall, designed by architect Maurice Adams, have recently been stolen for the third time. Luckily, the war memorial plates had not yet been replaced at the time of the theft from the Victorian Society.

The scrap metal price of brass has more than doubled over the last three years leading to a surge in this kind of crime.

The charity champions Victorian and Edwardian buildings is appealing for the immediate return of brass plates which formed a part of the picturesque style 3-storey house, is built in red and yellow brick. It has Dutch gable and oriel windows. The charity’s headquarters was previously brought back from near dereliction in the 1970s.

If anyone knows the whereabouts of the doorplates, or can provide more information they should contact the charity on 020 8994 1019 or email admin@victoriansociety.org.uk

The charity which is just 1 minute from Turnham Green Tube is also currently looking for volunteers to support the work of the small team that campaigns to protect and conserve Victorian and Edwardian Buildings. The amenity society’s expert caseworkers are consulted on all applications where there is an element of demolition of listed Victorian and Edwardian buildings and its work is largely funded by its members.
There are a range of different ways that volunteers can assist, and many volunteers have been working with the charity for decades.

People can follow the work of the Victorian Society by signing up for its free newsletter.

Membership of the society starts at just £2.50 a month for people under 35 and our work is mainly funded by our members. Join The Victorian Society here.

This page is sponsored by Rocks Lane who support community initiatives in Chiswick.