Camden New Journal - News: A t-urn up for the books

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Camden New Journal - by DAN CARRIER
Published: 26 April 2007

The urns were stolen from the right-hand side of the building

A t-urn up for the books

Ornaments disappear from roof

MYSTERY surrounds the theft of two Edwardian urns that used to sit on the roof of Highgate Library.
The listed building, celebrating its 100th birthday this year, once had six urns, but recently members of Friends of Highgate Library noticed two had been stolen.
No one knows when or how the clay-red ornaments, along with two cast-iron gas light-holders, were taken.
Green Party councillor Adrian Oliver, who sits on the Friends committee, said the theft from the Chester Road building was discovered when the state of the library’s railings was being discussed by the Friends.
He said: “I asked Camden Council for information about when railings around the library may be repaired, as they are dangerous, and as owners the council are legally obliged to keep them in good repair.
“We then noticed the decorations had gone missing. It seems they will not be replaced any time soon.”
He added: “Camden should be setting an example to other owners of listed buildings.
“The fact that the theft has only recently been noticed shows they are not surveying the library properly.”
It is believed thieves could have climbed on the roof when the building was covered in scaffolding.
The urns could have then been sold privately, as there is a large market for antique architectural fittings. It is believed the urns would be worth hundreds of pounds each. The library was built by St Pancras Council in 1907, and paid for by a gift from the Carnegie family.
A council press official said there were no plans to reinstate the urns.

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