29/01/2026
As we began 2026 planning lots of exciting opportunities for the coming year ahead, we looked back at 2025 in order to evaluate our work and it’s impact.
We have celebrated successes, taking forward lessons we have learned along the way, but we have also suffered loses and had to move on.
No bigger loss was there than having to say goodbye to 17 Holland Park. With the sale completed we had to pack up over half a century’s worth of work, research and a lifetime of memories.
Holland Park was the home of our dear founder Dr Ann Hutchinson Guest MBE and her husband Ivor Forbes Guest. It was also the birth place of the Language of Dance, and was a huge part of the LODT’s history, with the UK centre being set up and run from the office in 1967 to us moving out to bigger premises in 2007, and even then it was always considered the LOD HQ.
Inside the walls of number 4, history was made, lifelong friendships forged and the LOD family grew, but most of all, at its heart lasting memories were made.
Distinguished dinner parties were held with guests that would fill a hall of fame; rooms were decorated with fascinating objects from far off places not to mention the thousands of interesting books; important debates and discussion were held deliberating various aspects of dance notation; afternoon tea and cake was served in quaint china cups; dozens of books were written seated at the leather topped walnut desk; and the annual Christmas gatherings were always filled with fun and laughter - not to mention bubbles 🥂
As we said goodbye to Holland Park, it marked the end of an era but also the start of new beginnings to come.
In the words of Dr Seuss - “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
Were you lucky enough to ever visit Holland Park and if so what are your fondest memories? Do you have any pictures you could share with us?
If you do please leave us a comment, send us a DM or drop us an email at [email protected] as we would love to hear from you and for you to share your pictures 🤍
