Covent Garden London
The heart of London's West End
Gracious
I came to live in Covent Garden in 1960-something because I worked here and I was tired of travelling. I didn't know then that I was walking into history and that I, a Londoner by birth, interest and inclination, was about to become a village dweller.
I soon found out that Covent Garden was different and I liked it, but that was all. I had a fulfilling job that interested me, a circle of friends and colleagues and found Covent Garden was a convenient place to live.
It was fun to walk through the Central Market on my way to work, particularly when I had a new hat, and enjoyed the banter of the Market traders. Shades of Eliza Doolittle haunted the cobbled streets - it was becoming a special place.
From time to time, I saw notices about public meetings but I wasn't a political animal and they didn't seem to be for me.
Occasionally, a friend mentioned an article in the paper and asked me if I was worried? None of that registered until one day a notice came through my letter box which raised questions in my mind. Ever curious I decided to find out what this was all about.
I attended my first CGCA meeting, but I couldn't see that it would affect me. However, I put my name down - nothing happened, they didn't seem to want my help. At the next meeting, they asked for helpers, so I asked why they didn't follow up offers. The result was that I found myself gradually more and more involved, and, by the time of the demise of the GLC and sale of Covent Garden, I was chairman, and the activities of the CGCA dominated my life.
This is not a warning, but do take care - the CGCA may change your life!!
Grace Cook
Covent Garden Community Association Annual Report 2000-2001
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