Last week, under a beautifully sunny and blue London sky – my ‘London Shoes’ set off for Waterloo station, because a few of yards down the road from there is Waterloo’s-‘Millennium Green’ – currently the site of an unusual but interesting exhibition….”Born Free Forever”
‘Born Free Forever’ is an exhibition of 25 life sized bronze lions designed by the internationally acclaimed artists ‘Gillie & Marc’ – who, on the global stage, are viewed as being the most successful creators of public art at the moment.
Anyway, this pride of ‘Born Free Forever’ lions – will be on-the-prowl at Waterloo’s Millennium Green (just opposite the Old Vic Theatre) until April, when they will go on a little UK tour, with the next stop being Edinburgh.
The purpose of the exhibition is to raise awareness of the fact that the long-term survival of these magnificent beasts, is in serious danger – with numbers declining so drastically, they could be extinct across the globe within 30 years. 
Those who are as old as me will remember the iconic 1966 film ‘Born Free’ – adapted from the best selling book of the same title, which was all about the plight of ‘Elsa’ the orphaned lion cub that was raised by conservationists Joy & George Adamson (played in the film by Virginia McKenna & Bill Travers) – and eventually released into the Kenyan wilderness. 
Virginia McKenna and the late Bill Travers were heavily involved in the protection of endangered wildlife, and founded a conservation charity which is now known as the Born Free Foundation.
Virginia McKenna was able to be there at the opening of this exhibition – which depicts ‘Elsa’ on top of an old jeep, looking out at all the lions in the pride.
I felt that the exhibition warranted London Shoes venturing down to Waterloo to capture the event and publish it as a blog on the Shoes website – as it’s not every day you come across a pride of lions roaming around in the middle of the ‘Smoke’.
Hope you enjoy the photos.
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Waterloo’s ‘Millennium Green’ – the site of the ‘Born Free Forever’ exhibition of 25 life sized bronze lions designed by the internationally acclaimed artists ‘Gillie & Marc’
‘Elsa’ looks out over the pride of lions on Waterloo Millennium Green
The ‘Born Fee Forever’ pride of lions on the Waterloo Millennium Green
Me – at the entrance to the Waterloo Millennium Green
The ‘Born Fee Forever’ pride of lions on the Waterloo Millennium Green
‘Elsa’ looks out over the pride of lions on Waterloo Millennium Green
The ‘Born Fee Forever’ lions on the Waterloo Millennium Green
The ‘Born Fee Forever’ lions on the Waterloo Millennium Green
The ‘Born Fee Forever’ lions on Millennium Green-Waterloo
The ‘Born Fee Forever’ pride of lions on the Waterloo Millennium Green
Me & ‘Elsa’ – at the ‘Born Free Forever’ exhibition – Millennium Green-Waterloo
The ‘Born Fee Forever’ lions on Millennium Green-Waterloo
The ‘Born Fee Forever’ lions on Millennium Green-Waterloo
The ‘Born Fee Forever’ pride of lions on the Waterloo Millennium Green
One of the ‘Born Fee Forever’ lions on Millennium Green-Waterloo
Me – amongst the Born Free Forever lions on Millennium Green-Waterloo
Some readers o0f this blog may remember the iconic 1966 film ‘Born Free’ – adapted from the best selling book of the same title, which was all about the plight of ‘Elsa’ the orphaned lion cub that was raised by conservationists Joy & George Adamson (played in the film by Virginia McKenna & Bill Travers) – and eventually released into the Kenyan wilderness.
One of the ‘Born Fee Forever’ lions on Millennium Green-Waterloo
The ‘Born Fee Forever’ pride of lions on the Waterloo Millennium Green
The ‘Born Fee Forever’ pride of lions on the Millennium Green-Waterloo – with the London Eye in the background
A couple of the ‘Born Fee Forever’ lion cubs on Millennium Green-Waterloo
Lion’s arses….Millennium Green-Waterloo
‘Elsa’ overseeing the lions on Millennium Green-Waterloo
Me – amongst the Born Free Forever lions on Millennium Green-Waterloo….. Grrrrrrr rooooooaaaaar
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. Looks brilliant. Must try and make some time to visit. Thank you
What a wonderful exhibition. Great photos.
Some great photos of a wonderful exhibition. Thanks Geoff. 🦁
Thank you Geoff. Was not aware of this display. And some wonderful photos too.
Thanks for highlighting this exhibition Geoff. I will try and get there with the grandsons before it goes ‘On Tour’👍
Thank you Geoff you are bringing London to me. The film and the music of Born Free are amongst my favourites of all time. The sculptures are just amazing.
Brilliant and very informative again – I hadn’t seen anything of this exhibition before reading this! Cheers.