Outside Central Ref on a warm late morning

It has been a long time since I have been able to appreciate the sheer beauty and simplicity of the entrance to Central Ref.

It wasn’t just because of all that scaffolding and fencing that got in the way; it was also that bit of road in front which was forever being clogged up by buses.

Now you get a grand view from the platform of the metro stop and I guess when that in turn is moved the view from the new gardens will be all the more impressive.

And what I also like is the way people are already beginning to reclaim the steps as a place to meet, sit and pass the time of day.

On a hot summer’s day it was a pleasant enough place to spend the odd half an hour away from the books, the notes and the grind of study.

It will I think become another of those precious open spaces which are beginning to pop up all over the place and enhance where we live.

That said the men were still moving the steel fencing as I took the picture, and over to the right and left there was still much clearing and making good.

Picture; Central Ref, May 2014 from the collection of Andrew Simpson