WELCOME TO ISSUE 29…

I’m always asked how we come up with the theme for each issue. I’m either intrigued by a weird and wonderful story one of our writers has mentioned, or it’s from listening to one of the many history channels I’m plugged into. After just one coffee with sculptor Jill Berelowitz, hearing about her incredible work (the Dorchester Sphere, countless sculptures for the Chelsea Barracks, and most recently a 12ft dachshund face adorning the walls of newly renovated George in Mayfair), and her husband John who owns The Morris Singer Foundry, the oldest in the world, I knew I had my muses. Our summer issue is inspired by this dynamic duo and themed The Elements.

I jumped at the chance to visit The Morris Singer Foundry, excited to see the moulds, bronze being cast and patinated, plus a 20ft wall of fire (which everyone seemed to think was normal). Even more exciting was John and Jill agreeing to recreate two nineteenth century Covent Garden Market tokens (known as tallies) which I borrowed from master mudlarker Jason Sandy. I was thrilled when John suggested the Foundry could make exact replicas for us to give away to our readers for the Treasure Trail we are running over summer. We have ten for The Covent Gardener, each one worth £250, and another ten for The Mayfarer. There’ll be rebuses for you to solve which will then reveal the name of a hidden element. PLUS we have three more coins to give away on Midsummer’s day… (details p.20).

Our focus is always on Covent Garden, creativity and community, and last month we started a new tradition. We brought a few of the illustrated characters from our map at the back of the magazine to life. A priest, a street performer, an artist, a magazine editor and a harlequin were ferried over in three Bentleys (one with very special personalised number plates) from Jack Barclay in Mayfair to Rules restaurant, Maiden Lane for a Meet the Neighbours soirée. With The Covent Gardener just under eight years old and The Mayfarer now celebrating its second birthday, it was the perfect time for both communities to meet… (p.15-17).