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Announcing the 2nd annual Wandsworth Beer Festival hosted by Le Gothique in the wonderful setting of the Royal Victoria Patriotic Building.
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Now more about the Festival Venue:
Completed in 1859 this stunning building was officially opened by Queen Victoria 150 years ago. Originally a purpose built orphanage for dependants of servicemen lost in the Crimean war the building was requisitioned in 1914 becoming the 3rd London General Hospital. The walking wounded and shell-shocked victims of the trenches recuperated here disembarking from troop carrying trains at a specially constructed halt in a cutting at the front of the building. Between the wars the orphanage re-opened before finally closing down on this site in 1938. But as one chapter closed another opened.
The Second World War saw occupation of the building by M.I.5, M.I.6 and M.I.9.and use as a detention and interrogation centre. In all, 20,000 refugees fleeing Northern Europe passed through on their way to a new beginning in Britain. Most were genuine but in amongst them were spies and 5th columnists. Rudolph Hess was kept for several days in the cellars below Le Gothique following his ill-fated attempt at brokering a cease-fire.
In the 1950’s the building was bought by the London County Council for use as a school, but despite it’s grade II (star) listing it fell into disrepair. The present re-birth with mixed use and residential occupancy is entirely the result of entrepreneur Paul Tutton who bought the building in the 1980’s and renovated and restored the building after purchasing it for just £1. (Yes, one pound).
