WELCOME TO ISSUE 32…

As we enter the longer days and see the bulbs popping up everywhere around the Market Building we want to welcome you to the Spring 2024 Issue. We have dedicated it to New Beginnings – trying out new things and learning new skills, finding out about birth and babies in Covent Garden, exploring new cities and going to shows never seen before.

Our award-winning cover artist Sarah Perkins is known for her digital reworkings creating layers using sourced imagery, painting and typography. Here she sums up the start of the Spring season with charming cherubs, new lambs and flowers.

Mick O’Hare uncovers the history behind Charing Cross Hospital – which is now Charing Cross Police Station on Agar Street. “When the hospital opened in 1834, it arguably marked the beginning of modern healthcare in the UK, pioneering the latest medical training in what today would likely be called a centre of excellence”. (Read more p8).

We hear from Adam Dant about the astounding Dr James Graham, pioneering Sexologist, proprietor of the Adelphi’s “Temple of Health” and creator of the electrical “Celestial Bed.” This bed guaranteed that married couples, in exchange for a crisp £50 note to spend the night in this contraption, would be “blessed with progeny”. (See p10).

From historian Lucy Moore we find out about putti (small winged infants), usually boys who were a familiar motif in classical times, often depicted playing, fighting or dancing on the tombs of children, and acting as a link between the mortal and heavenly worlds. Many can be seen in the National Gallery. (See p12).

Along with our usual suspects Shopping, Back in the Day, Food & Culture, Hidden in Plain Sight and a new selection of characters on our Map – which as you know is updated every issue – we are launching our Mayfarer Cover Competition in partnership with Jack Barclay, Bentley (p21).

Our focus is always on artists and writers, creativity and community, we are incredibly passionate about print and our beautifully curated and fully commissioned publications.

We are always interested in more partnerships and collaborations. Do get in touch with ideas & suggestions.