Camden New Journal - News: Crowds watch first train leave for Paris

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Camden New Journal - by SIMON WROE
Published: 15 November 2007

Candida Lycett Green, daughter of Sir John Betjeman, with her children by the late poet’s statue at St Pancras station

Crowds watch first train leave for Paris

FOR years it has been the heir apparent of the English railway system – yesterday (Wednesday) St Pancras International finally fulfilled its destiny.
After a five-year wait and an £800 million renovation project, the revamped station and Eurostar terminus was unveiled to the public.
Trainspotters, commuters and onlookers witnessed the historic first high-speed TGV train depart from the Victorian station – it arrived in Paris a little over two hours later.
The first trains from Brussels and Paris followed shortly after, and arriving passengers were greeted by the sounds of a local children’s choir from Christ’s Church School, Regent’s Park.
Among the crowd was John Whittingham, who had travelled from Nottingham especially for the opening day.
Also present Michael Dinhan, 79, who had been evacuated from St Pancras station during the Second World War.
He said: “I came to see the station and to have a look at Sir John’s statue. I think he ought to have a bigger statue than those two (the Meeting Place couple), though – it wouldn’t be here at all without him.”

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