Camden New Journal - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Published: 18 October 2007
Bob, a fitting memorial
• I WOULD like to share my happy memories of Councillor Bob Hall with readers of the New Journal. In January 1999 Bob Hall and Ambassador Cesar Bautista blended earth from the Philippines with earth from Camden to create an oasis of tranquillity at the rear of Chalk Farm Library.
The overgrown patio was restored and is now known as the The Rizal Memorial Garden in honour of Jose Rizal (1861-1896), writer and first national hero of the Philippines.
He lived in Camden while doing research at the British Museum.
Under threat of closure, both councillors Bob Hall and Bill Budd voted to keep Chalk Farm library and, at an extraordinary meeting, they defied the whip and won us a reprieve, achieved by voting to allow public consultation to take place.
If it wasn’t for Bob, I wouldn’t be sitting at Chalk Farm library writing this letter. Curiously Jose Rizal was the man who stated to the world “the pen is mightier than the sword”.
Thank you Bob, you’ll be remembered by the readers of Chalk Farm library, young and old alike. ROSE HARTE
Grafton Road, NW5
Send your letters to: The Letters Editor, Camden New Journal, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR or email to letters@camdennewjournal.co.uk. The deadline for letters is midday Tuesday. The editor regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published, although names and addresses can be withheld. Please include a full name, postal address and telephone number. Letters may be edited for reasons of space.