Plaque behind the bar - Saint Mary's

High up on the right hand side of the bar you see the the blue figure of the Virgin Mary together with and the infant Jesus. The Latin inscription surrounding the figure of Mary is “VIRGINIS MARIAE NOSOCOMIUM BEATAE” which pretty much translates as “Hospital of the Blessed Virgin Mary”. The text on the ribbon below says “St. MARY’S HOSPITAL - PADDINGTON”.

The plaque dates from well before the merger, a time when St Mary’s and Imperial were fierce sporting rivals. The Virgin Mary crest is widely superceded by the more graphical fleur-de-lys.