Harrow has had a long and prosperous history, and there are many statues and plaques reflecting this history around the borough, but also some inspired by recent history. In this article I will look at some of the many dotted around the borough.

I will start of with the most famous statue, named ‘Katie’. The statue is of a skipping girl, by the name of Katie, and is situated on Station Road, just outside St. George’s and St. Annes Shopping Centres. On the side of the statue, there is a plaque that reads ‘This plaque was unveiled on 1st April 2004 by Her Majesty The Queen accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh in celebration of Harrow’s 50 years as a Borough’. The statue itself was built in 1987 by James Butler, to celebrate the launch of the new pedestrianised shopping centre, St Anns. The other shopping centre next to St Anns, St Georges, was opened in 1996. The skipping girl is inspired by Butler’s daughter.

Another prominent statue in Harrow is in one of the exterior walls of Harrow School. The statue of Queen Elizabeth I is in the exterior wall of the south tower of The Speech Room. It was originally built in the 19th century by Richard Westcott, and was located at Ashbridge Park, but moved to Harrow School 1925). It certainly is not hard to miss and is an impressive sight!

Next, it is the Gantry with a portrait of Henry VIII. Though not a statue or plaque, it is still a fascinating sight and gives a great contrast with the modern brick surroundings. It is located on the junction of High Street and Bryon Hill Road. The designer of the gantry is not known, but it was created circa 1780, about 150 years after the end of his reign as King. It was restored and placed where it is now in 2010.

Finally, there is the Harrow War Memorial, situated outside the Harrow Civic Centre. It is in remembrance of those killed in all wars ‘so that others might live in freedom’. It has an inscription on the front and a plaque on the base. The inscription reads ‘This memorial was erected by the London Borough of Harrow in the year 2005 in grateful memory of all the citizens of the borough and from around the world who gave their lives so that others might live in freedom. Let those who come after ensure that they are not forgotten’. The plaque reads ‘The Harrow Memorial was dedicated by the Right Reverend The Bishop of Willesden In the presence of His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO 26th June.

To conclude there are some wonderful and poignant markers of history and architecture in Harrow, and hopefully they will be preserved and more like them made to remind the future generations of those who came before them.