By Royal Appointment

This is another familiar sight which I pass every time I walk between Broadcasting House and Regent Street.  It's a wall-bust, under the circular portico of All Souls Church, of its architect John Nash.  It was set up there in 1956, on the completion of extensive repairs after aerial bombardment during World War II had caused considerable damage to the church.  Not only do I admire the Regency designs and influence of John Nash in and around the area of London where I work, but I also love this wonderful lifelike bust of him.  It was made by the sculptor Cecil Thomas (after the original one of 1831 by William Behnes, which was destroyed in the bombings).  It makes me feel as if I could almost talk to John Nash and ask him what it was like to work on his commissions from the Prince Regent.  These included such famous buildings as Buckingham Palace and the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, and Nash also designed the elegant sweeping arc of Park Crescent near Regent's Park.