Regeneration Photo Blog – The Hall Cocooned
By Clare Corbett and Keith Greenough
I recently joined other former residential volunteers ahead of the demolition of Profumo House, my home from 2003-2004. It’s wonderful that the grotty kitchens and overheated rooms of the past will be replaced with a modern multipurpose building that can support Toynbee Hall’s pioneering advice and wellbeing services – with new flats for future residential volunteers in the restored halls.
As a trustee at Toynbee Hall it’s been a privilege to be part of the journey to restore and redevelop the Toynbee Hall estate and exciting to see the layers of Toynbee Hall’s history uncovered – from forgotten friezes to hidden fireplaces. Thanks to the work and support of many, many people, the Toynbee Hall estate will soon shine again, inspiring and serving its community for decades to come.
Clare Corbett, Trustee
On my recent visit to Toynbee Hall the most prominent change was to see the old hall cocooned in a white canopy – the roof is being restored. High up, the scene is quite surreal with the chimney tops visible from inside the building. To the rear construction has started on the new facilities and at the front the former gardens are full of temporary offices. Profumo House is being prepared for demolition and just a few vestiges of its former occupation remain. Apparently at a recent reunion one former resident volunteer spotted a table and chair set bought from Woolworths many years ago – these still sit on one of the balconies!
Keith Greenough, Photographer
