I have been thinking of the role of Historic England in terms of its total failure to recognise the historic importance of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry and protect it. Last year it received £87.1 million from H.M. Treasury via the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to ‘protect, champion and save the places that define who we are’. Yet, it has sat on its hands and allowed England’s oldest place of manufacture to be butchered and turned into a hotel. Not one single one of its 884 staff has lifted a finger to protect the Foundry, but instead they have worked in league with the developer, accepting payment for their advice. So, could we maybe ask whether or not it is fulfilling its role ?