Leonard Bentley
Tower of London
This is a Kardorama postcard printed and published in Great Britain, the view is looking north from the south bank of the Thames showing the Tower of London and sailing dinghies. It is Saturday 21st July 1962 and the dinghies are taking part in a race from Putney to the Tower and back again as part of the City of London Festival which was first held in 1962. It was a biennial event until 1980 when it was subsequently held annually until 2015, in April 2016 the Corporation of the City of London ended the Festival citing financial problems due to the lack of sponsors. It was a three week arts Festival consisting of Classical music concerts, lectures and other events including, at least in 1962, a half ton Ox which was roasted at Old Change. The Ox produced 1,000 portions at 2/6 each. There were 332 boats in twelve class groups, each leaving Putney at five minute intervals, the group shown consist of the Enterprise class of dinghy which are discernible by their light blue sails. Other classes were International 14s, Merlin Rockets, 12ft Nationals, Fireflies and Solos. Each group were to beach their boats at the Tower and have lunch whilst the tide turned, it looks like they are on their way back. The beach at the Tower of London dates to 1934 when over a thousand barge loads of sand were dumped on the foreshore to make a beach for the children of London. The beach was opened by King George V and was very popular with local children, some of whom had never been to the seaside. The beach was closed to the public in 1971 over pollution and health concerns.
Tower of London
This is a Kardorama postcard printed and published in Great Britain, the view is looking north from the south bank of the Thames showing the Tower of London and sailing dinghies. It is Saturday 21st July 1962 and the dinghies are taking part in a race from Putney to the Tower and back again as part of the City of London Festival which was first held in 1962. It was a biennial event until 1980 when it was subsequently held annually until 2015, in April 2016 the Corporation of the City of London ended the Festival citing financial problems due to the lack of sponsors. It was a three week arts Festival consisting of Classical music concerts, lectures and other events including, at least in 1962, a half ton Ox which was roasted at Old Change. The Ox produced 1,000 portions at 2/6 each. There were 332 boats in twelve class groups, each leaving Putney at five minute intervals, the group shown consist of the Enterprise class of dinghy which are discernible by their light blue sails. Other classes were International 14s, Merlin Rockets, 12ft Nationals, Fireflies and Solos. Each group were to beach their boats at the Tower and have lunch whilst the tide turned, it looks like they are on their way back. The beach at the Tower of London dates to 1934 when over a thousand barge loads of sand were dumped on the foreshore to make a beach for the children of London. The beach was opened by King George V and was very popular with local children, some of whom had never been to the seaside. The beach was closed to the public in 1971 over pollution and health concerns.