Dean Remembers Tower Hill

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31230, 30 November 1966, Page 2

Dean Remembers Tower Hill

The sights, sounds and people of Tower Hill in London were recalled by the Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. M. L. Underhill) at the Rotary Club’s ladies’ day luncheon yesterday.

Dean Underhill spent 1932 on Tower Hill and his boss, the Rev. Tubby Clayton, an "enthusiastic archaeologist,” delighted in showing him the inner city of London. “Built into the back of a row of undistingiushed houses where I roomed, was the Roman wall. Nearby, the scaffold, now removed, was a popular sight-seeing spot for visitors,” said the Dean.

“Tubby Clayton had discovered some ruins in his church premises which he claimed to be Saxon. Of course, everyone laughed at him, but sure enough, when the church was demolished during the war, his theory proved true. There were the remains of one of the oldest Saxon churches in London.”

The Tower Hill public park was the scene of much heartfelt agitation. Orators would set up their soap boxes on the wall and expound their causes to all who would listen. Dean Underhill particularly remembered the powerful and engaging speaker, Donald Soper. Of the customs abounding in old Loudon, the Dean related one which appealed to him. “There were many city merchants in the area and one firm held office prayers every morning. Visitors would be curious about the origin of the custom and the reason for continuing it. *Well,’ the staff would reply, *we’ve been doing Jt since 1780, and we don't sea any reason to stop’." 1