London,
04
November
2018
|
19:12
Europe/London

Mosaic commemorates links of nursery to the end of World War One

A new commemorative mosaic has been unveiled at Konstam Nursery by the granddaughter of the couple who founded a health clinic there shortly after World War One.

Based on archive photos, the mosiac by artist Tessa Hunkin depicts the clinic not long after it opened.

Konstam Nursery, now run by Camden Council's early years service, is in the building in Chester Road, Highgate, which was used as a health clinic shortly after World War One.

Writer and former Guardian journalist Madeleine Bunting said: “My great-grandparents, Emily and Rudolf Konstam, decided after the First World War to fund a health clinic for children in the then dire slum of Highgate New Town, in north London, in memory of their sons Norman and Jack who were both killed in the war. It was for minor operations, convalescence and general outpatient services. It was in operation for 40 years until it was handed over to Camden Council in 1967.”

The artwork, commissioned by the Konstam family, was unveiled by Ms Bunting's mother, Romola Jane, who is the granddaughter of the clinic founders.

Five generations of the Konstam family were present at the event on Saturday, 3 November, as well as staff from the nursery and Councillor Oliver Lewis, Chair of Camden's Children, Schools and Families Scrutiny Committee, whose daughter attended Konstam Nursery. The under-fives nursery is rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted.