At last. Six months since the last drawing and finally felt OK about going off for two hours at lunchtime. Lovely warm day, came back with one of best drawings so far.
In 1500, England's first press with movable type was brought to rooms next to the old St Pauls, to be close to one of it's best customers. This is why Fleet Street has been associated with the press ever since. St. Brides is the journalists' church just south of the street of shame near Ludgate Circus.
After the great fire, the congregation quickly raised £500 to start the rebuilding and Wren got straight on with the job. The Old Bell pub right next to the church was built by Wren for the workmen.
It was damaged by the Luftwaffe incendiary bombing. The church was burned to the ground, but the steeple survived, despite the fire being so hot that the church bell melted. St Bride's was restored in the '50s to Wren's original plans, thus losing all the additional bits it had gained over the centuries.
St Bride's spire is supposed to have been the inspiration behind countless wedding cakes.
Arriving on the bike from Fleet Street, St. Bride can just be seen down a narrow walkway. It turns out to be hemmed in on all sides by tall buildings and impossible to see from any distance. (I bet there's a great view from the top floor of one of the offices though.) So, I retired across Fleet St. and sat in the doorway to the old, beautifully Deco Daily Express building.
Really pleased with the result - spent much longer drawing the buildings and street than St Bride's which is mostly hidden. But, this is the idea - Wren's churches in their 21st century setting. Used a thicker wobbly line, didn't get obsessed by church detail, like result.
2 hours 15 mins, to get back to my desk. Sat on pavement in doorway. Forgot blotter - Eat generously provided one for finished drawing.
Map
Appeal
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