The Adelphi

[GOSH]

I have recently discovered that The Adelphi, at least the part remaining after the original development was partly demolished in the 1930s, and where JM Barrie lived from 1909 till his death, can be visited. His flat on the 4th floor of 3 Robert Street, is now part of the offices of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA) and has been much changed since the days he lived there. His study overlooking the Thames, on the corner of the building, is now a conference room but its outlook and style can still be appreciated. The present occupants are very much aware of the heritage of the place and display photographs of the flat in Barrie's days (the ones you can see on this site's database), and it was very nice to see his name very much not forgotten and commemorated. The balsa wood panelling presented by Robert Louis Stevenson, alas, has gone and so has the famous inglenook...

I have added a couple of pictures to the 'JM Barrie's London' set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/24671749@N07/sets/72157626324576283/) but you can see more on the blog created by Céline, Barrie's greatest advocate in France and translator of Margaret Ogilvy and The Little White Bird: http://rosesdedecembre.blogspot.com/. You don't need to understand French to appreciate her comprehensive set of photos and video clips!

Anyone interested in visiting the Adelphi can call CIPFA on 020 7543 5612 to make an appointment. http://www.cipfa.org.uk/conferencecentre/history.cfm

[DeanChurch]

I have mentioned the flat in a posting just sent, before I saw this entry. From what is said, it sounds as though CIPFA, the present occupants, have responded to a suggestion I made when I visited the flat some years back, that they should obtain and display some of the photographs taken there about the time of JMB's seventieth birthday. They are to be congratulated on their desire to celebrate his memory