Londoners pick St John's Gate as Islington's landmark for 2012 badge

Outside view of St John's Gate

St John’s Gate, the historic home of the Order of St John and a landmark in Clerkenwell since 1504, has been picked by Londoners to represent Islington on a commemorative badge for the 2012 Olympics.

The London 2012 Organising Committee and London Councils held a vote for Londoners to pick landmarks, to feature in a celebratory set of London 2012 ‘Landmark London’ pin badges, which will go on sale in 2010.

St John’s Gate on St John’s Lane in Clerkenwell, was selected by the public as the most popular landmark in Islington. Winning landmarks for other boroughs range from visitor attractions, theatres and museums to windmills, clock towers and bridges.

The landmarks chosen by the public for the pin set showcase what Londoners want the world to remember about their borough.

Sebastian Coe
Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee

Tom Foakes, Curator at the Museum of the Order of St John, said: ‘This is fantastic news for St John’s Gate. It’s a building many people recognise, but they don’t always know about its colourful past. It has connections with Shakespeare, Dr. Johnson, Hogarth, and Charles Dickens, as well as now being home to our museum. To be associated with 2012 and the excitement that will bring is a great boost.

‘We hope this will encourage more people to visit the museum to find out more about the history and splendour of the building. It’s currently being redeveloped thanks to a £3.6 million Heritage Lottery Fund grant, but will be re-open in Summer 2010 with completely new displays.’

Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: ‘The landmarks chosen by the public for the pin set showcase what Londoners want the world to remember about their borough.'

Merrick Cockell, Chairman of London Councils said: ‘The huge variety of landmarks Londoners have chosen to represent their local area highlights the fantastic diversity we enjoy in the capital. From iconic stations to film studios or historic parkland – London has it all, and we can’t wait to showcase it to the world in 2012.’

Each landmark will be re-created into a metal pin form alongside the London 2012 logo. Designs will be unveiled early next year.