Your Places or Mine

Clive and John discuss one of the most spectacular medieval buildings in Britain, Westminster Hall. Originally built by William the Conqueror’s heir, the voracious William Rufus, it was a structure of immense ambition — said to be the biggest hall of its kind north of the Alps.  In the 14th-century, this huge space was reimagined as a statement of royal majesty by art-loving Richard ll; carved angels looked down on the divinely appointed king from the hammer beam roof.  Ironically, this would be where Charles I was tried and condemned to death in 1649.  Attached to the Houses of Parliament, this ancient space remains a natural setting for great national events, such as addresses given to Parliament by visiting foreign dignitaries or HM Queen Elizabeth II’s lying in state in 2022. 

One of the greatest of HM the King’s many enthusiasms is architecture.  He made his first pronouncements on the subject in 1984 with the famous ‘Carbuncle’ speech and has been championing the causes of tradition, community, Classicism and Transylvania ever since.  After 40 years it is time to take stock of his achievement, seen most obviously in the model town extensions (Poundbury outside Dorchester, Nansledan outside Newquay) that are the Duchy of Cornwall’s visionary answer to the housing crisis, but also at Dumfries House, which he rescued from break up.  Thanks to the training programmes he has established there, the estate is now a beacon of hope to an otherwise forgotten community in the former coalfields of East Ayrshire.  

In this first episode of Yours Places or Mine, Clive and John are in London’s Pimlico, exploring the dynamic personality of the great Victorian builder Thomas Cubitt and the area’s struggle to become fashionable. The idea of Your Places or Mine is to replicate the fun that Clive and John on their visits to old sites, towns and buildings around the country, which have often resulted in entertaining discussions in the car home — part historical knowledge, part banter.  We hope you enjoy it!