My surprise regarding the portrait also probably stemmed from my
expectation that there would have been some prominent recognition of the Le
Rossignols, and turning to the wall just to the right of the portrait I indeed
found what I was expecting, but this time a far more modest affair. A simple
grey stone plaque, where the gift of ‘Mr. and Mrs. Le Rossignol’ is recorded,
but almost lost amongst the names of those who opened the building and the
Trustees at the time. It wasn’t possible to look inside the flats themselves,
these were all occupied and of course private, but it was clear from this brief
visit that Robert and Emily had left a precious legacy here. And just imagine
how fortunate one would consider oneself, spending your remaining days
here in Penn, especially if coming from one of those areas up and down the
country where others felt it best if ‘friendly bombs’ should still fall (Plate 19.3).
19.3 The Memories of Dr. Sims
Leaving the flatlets, I traveled back down the B474 to an afternoon meeting
with Dr Raymond Sims. I had previously made a number of telephone calls
to Dr Sims to arrange a meeting with him, and he kindly agreed to ‘fit-me-in’
Plate 19.2 The tranquil residents’ garden at Penn Mead flatlets today. Photograph
courtesy of Mr. Christopher White
19 February 2012
505
expectation that there would have been some prominent recognition of the Le
Rossignols, and turning to the wall just to the right of the portrait I indeed
found what I was expecting, but this time a far more modest affair. A simple
grey stone plaque, where the gift of ‘Mr. and Mrs. Le Rossignol’ is recorded,
but almost lost amongst the names of those who opened the building and the
Trustees at the time. It wasn’t possible to look inside the flats themselves,
these were all occupied and of course private, but it was clear from this brief
visit that Robert and Emily had left a precious legacy here. And just imagine
how fortunate one would consider oneself, spending your remaining days
here in Penn, especially if coming from one of those areas up and down the
country where others felt it best if ‘friendly bombs’ should still fall (Plate 19.3).
19.3 The Memories of Dr. Sims
Leaving the flatlets, I traveled back down the B474 to an afternoon meeting
with Dr Raymond Sims. I had previously made a number of telephone calls
to Dr Sims to arrange a meeting with him, and he kindly agreed to ‘fit-me-in’
Plate 19.2 The tranquil residents’ garden at Penn Mead flatlets today. Photograph
courtesy of Mr. Christopher White
19 February 2012
505