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Journal of the Archaeology & History Society

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Vol 6 No 1 Spring 2016 incorporating Islington History Journal

A legacy of homes George Peabody built homes to give poor people “comfort and happiness”

Flying Scotsman steams again l Call to reinstate historic road layout l Islington People’s Plaques l tower blocks opposed l The IAHS in its earlier days l Filming a 1940s thriller l Vigilant residents save mosaic l Scientific testing pioneer l ‘Justifiable homicide’ of police officer at riotl Books l Events and exhibitions l Letters and questions About the society

Our committee What we do: talks, walks and more Contribute to this

and contacts he Islington journal: stories and President Archaeology & History pictures sought Rt Hon Lord Smith of TSociety is here to investigate, learn and celebrate We welcome articles on local Vice president the heritage that is left to us. history, as well as your Mary Cosh We organise lectures, walks research, memories and old Chairman and other events, and photographs. Andrew Gardner, andy@ publish this quarterly A one-page article needs islingtonhistory.org.uk journal. We hold 10 about 500 words, and the Secretary meetings a year, usually at maximum length is 1,000 Alexis Magness  Islington Town Hall. words (please do not submit [email protected] The society was set up in articles published elsewhere). Membership, publications 1975 and is run entirely by We like pictures – please check and events volunteers. If you’d like to we can use them without Catherine Brighty, 8 Wynyatt get involved, please contact infringing anyone’s copyright. Street, EC1V 7HU, 020 7833 our chairman Andrew The journal is published in 1541, catherine.brighteyes@ Gardner (details left). www.facebook.com/ print and online in pdf form. hotmail.co.uk 8 www.islingtonhistory.org.uk groups/islingtonhistory.org.uk Deadline for the summer Treasurer issue is 1 May. Philip Anderson, phlpandrsn6 @btopenworld.com Journal back issues and extra copies Ever wondered…? Academic adviser Do you have any queries about Lester Hillman, former visiting Journal distribution is Islington’s history, streets or professor, Metropolitan overseen by Catherine buildings? Send them in for University Brighty (details left). our tireless researcher Michael Journal editor Contact her for more Reading and other readers to Christy Lawrance copies, back issues, if you answer. Please note we do not Committee members move house and about keep an archive or carry out Michael Harper membership. Back issues family research. Derek Seeley can also be downloaded l See Letters, page 6 Samir Singh via our website at www. Zena Sullivan islingtonhistory.org.uk Copyright Copyright of everything in $ (photocopies acceptable) this journal lies with the Join the Islington Archaeology & History Society creator unless otherwise stated. While it can be difficult Membership per year is: £12 single; £15 joint at same address; concessions single £8/joint £10; to trace copyright ownership corporate £25; overseas £20; life: £125 (renewal forms sent out when due) of archive materials, we make every effort to do so. I/We would like single/joint/concession/joint concession/corporate membership and enclose a cheque payable to “Islington Archaeology & History Society” for ...... Editor Christy Lawrance, christy@ Name(s) ...... islingtonhistory.org.uk,  c/o 6 Northview, Address ...... Road, London N7 0QB

...... ,...... The Journal of the Islington  Tick here to go on our email list. Email address ...... Archaeology & History Society is published four times a year Tel no (in case of membership queries) ...... ISSN 2046-8245 Please return this form (photocopies acceptable) to: Catherine Brighty, Islington Archaeology & History Society, 8 Wynyatt Street, London EC1V 7HU Printed by PrintSet, 15 Palmer We will not give your details to third parties unless required to by law Place, London, 

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2 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society

Incorporating Islington History Journal 

Vol 6 No 1 Spring 2016

Crossroad plans need the Green Cross Code

top, look, listen. That was the message of the Green Cross Code Sman, and it holds today at Contents Corner roundabout and other postwar gyratories being remodelled in London. They were of their time, and have News 4 served their time. We now have the Flying Scotsman steams again, opposition to tower blocks by Bunhill Fields grows chance to reconsider them and a once in and nominate a person, place or event for an Islington People’s Plaque a lifetime opportunity to get them right. Perhaps we should pause and reflect on Your letters and questions 6 the remodelling of Elephant and Castle The William Tyndale school affair, seeking Smith’s Buildings, a ghost story, a and Archway, before launching Highbury rooftop playground, mystery ceramic items and more Corner into becoming another 50-year guinea pig. Earlier days at the society  10 Highbury Corner is more than a A look back looks at what the society was doing from the mid-1990s roundabout. The arboretum is a memorial garden to people lost in the V1 thriller 12 attack in 1944 that destroyed the Filming in the 1940s Compton Terrace houses that were on the site. Lives lost are hard to comprehend Victorian mosaic saved 14 when they are in the thousands; a street Vigilant residents to the rescue gone next door brings the loss home. The planting of so many varieties of A legacy of homes 14 trees in the arboretum may remind us of American philanthropist George Peabody built homes to promote the “comfort and Islington’s diversity of people, from so happiness” of the “poor and needy” many backgrounds and histories sharing a space. Facts not opinions 16 Highbury Corner should be a garden of Engineer David Kirkaldy pioneered the scientific testing of structural materials reflection, not an isolated, unapproachable in the late 19th century vista. As I write, discussions of how best to address this continue. Publications  18 Smithfield’s story, amusement parks, a church tower over the centuries, what Fifty years back Victorian rubbish can tell us and Crossrail archaeology This year, we said goodbye to George Martin, who grew up in Highbury. Fifty ‘Justifiable homicide’ at riot 22 years ago, he produced the Beatles’ The story of the Culley cup and a police officer killed in a riot Revolver, when the band were at their pinnacle. It was the same year England Reviews 23 won the World Cup. If you remember Theatrical displays from London to New York, and Soane’s architecture of legacy 1966 – at school, partying, in the pub, starting work or a family – we’d love to Events and exhibitions  24 hear your memories. Days and evenings out

Andy Gardner Directory of societies, museums and resources 28 Chairman Islington Archaeology & History Society Islington Archaeology & History Society events 31

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 3 news In brief Flying Scotsman steams again

Dad’s Army butcher’s van back to 1935 glory The butcher’s van from Dad’s Army has been returned to its original condition by Ford apprentices in the same Dagenham building it would have left more than 80 years ago. The 1935 Ford BB Box Van appeared in the first colour episode of the series in 1969.

Plague passed on between humans Plague has occurred in people for more than twice as long as previously thought, according to research on ancient DNA. It would have been spread mainly by contact between people until genetic mutations allowed Yersinia pestis, the bacteria that causes plague, to The Flying Scotsman on its way from King’s Cross to York earlier this year survive in fleas. The Flying Scotsman started and completed in 1923, was In t 1928, i was fitted with a Old War Office to its first run after a decade- the London and North new type of tender with a become hotel and flats long, £4.2m refit at King’s Eastern Railway’s first corridor, which meant crews Cross in February. locomotive. could change without the train The Old War Office in to The locomotive, which was In 1924, it was selected to having to stop. This allowed it become a luxury hotel and retired from service in 1963, appear at the British Empire to complete the first non-stop apartment complex, after the was restored for the National Exhibition in London and was London to Edinburgh run on Ministry of Defence sold the Railway Museum in York, named the Flying Scotsman 1 May, which took eight hours. site to a multinational where it will go on display. after the daily London to In 1934, it was first train to company. The Old War Office, The Flying Scotsman, Edinburgh service that had reach 100mph. completed in 1906, was the designed by Sir Nigel Gresley run since 1862. l www.flyingscotsman.org.uk army’s HQ until the Ministry of Defence was set up in 1964. Ministers who served in the Nominate a person, place or Road tunnels plan building include Lord threatens historic sites Kitchener, Lloyd George, and event for an Islington plaque Winston Churchill. Two road tunnels through This year’s Islington People’s geographical importance. London proposed by the Antique ‘perpetual’ Plaque scheme has opened for The shortlist of nominations pose a huge mousetrap still works nominations. will be published on Islington threat to historic buildings, The scheme recognises Council’s website, then people the Victorian Society has said. A 155-year-old mouse trap on significant people, places and will vote for winners. The Part of the proposed route display at the Museum of events with public plaques. three nominations getting the runs from Camden to English Rural Life at the Anyone can make a most votes will receive an Highbury. University of Reading has nomination. Islington People’s Plaque. Christopher Costelloe, caught a mouse. On the side A nominated person must Last year’s scheme received Victorian Society director, of the “simplest, cleanest and have a connection to the a record number of votes, and said: “We must be careful not most humane trap” is written borough by birth, work or the winner was Mary Tealby, to repeat the mistakes of the that it “cannot fail” and “will residency, be reasonably well who founded what became mid-20th century which saw last”. The trap, known as a known and have died over Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. vast areas demolished for “perpetual mouse trap” was one year ago. A place or event l www.islington.gov.uk/ traffic schemes which are

Davd Page/Jim Freebury Page/Jim Davd patented in 1861. must be of historical or peoplesplaque often regretted today.”

4 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 Repairs ahead for St Mary’s church Call to restore historic Highbury layout More than 70 repairs are to be carried out to the 18th IAHS members have called for Map of century St Mary’s Church in the original layout of the Highbury , including to its crossroads by Highbury Corner before landmark 167ft spire. Some of Station to be reinstated. the houses on the disrepair is serious. Compton Terrace originally the end of English Heritage recently extended to where the Compton Terrace were recorded the portico at the roundabout island is; 11 destroyed in front of the church on its houses at its north end were the Second Heritage at Risk Register. destroyed by a V1 rocket in World War the Second World War. George Martin have drawn up proposals to Beatles producer George redesign the road layout to get Martin, who recently died aged rid of the one-way system. Its 90, grew up in a flat over a shop plans would see the road on in Drayton Park in Highbury. the west side of the gyratory He signed the Beatles to closed to traffic, and the rest “There is good and bad in system, has criticised TfL’s Parlophone in 1962 and of the system two-way. proposals to close off any of proposals for being too helped them achieve global IAHS chair Andy Gardner the sides. I’m open to views complex. success. He set up Wessex said: “My suggestion has long but, for me, it’s obvious to  There are also concerns Sound Studios in Highbury been that the pre-1944 street put it back, sensitively, as  about the loss of green space New Park, where Queen, the pattern was proven, and the it was.” from the arboretum, which Rolling Stones, the Sex Pistols unreachable garden should be The Islington Society, which was planted to commemorate and The Clash recorded music. re-incorporated into has long campaigned for the lives lost in the bombing of Compton Terrace Gardens. removal of the one-way Compton Terrace. Plans in pipeline to restore Athlone House Opposition to Bunhill Fields tower blocks grow Athlone House in Hampstead could be restored after it was sold earlier this year. Its Poets, playwrights and House and others. previous owners spent years environmentalists have called , Daniel trying get permission to on the government to stop Defoe and writer and baptist demolish the mock- plans to build tower blocks preacher are all Elizabethan house, built in overlooking Bunhill Fields. buried in the grade I listed 1871, and replace it with a The writers, who include park and burial ground. huge mansion. They gave up Will Self, Heathcote Williams The letter says: “Office after a government planning and Jet Payne – whose spaces are every­where in inspector then a judicial nonconformist ancestors are London, Bunhill Fields is review rejected their plans. The buried in Bunhill Fields – rare… a natural, historic and new owners are understood to made an “emergency appeal spiritual oasis. have discussed restoring the for cultural protection of a Bunhill Fields: grade I listed “Sadly, its natural beauty building with Camden. grade 1 listed park and green space in built-up area and cultural heritage have garden” to communities become a target for secretary Greg Clark. The letter asks: “What is the developers.” The move came after London point of having a grade 1 The writers point out: “This mayor Boris Johnson overruled designation if the listed park is the third time in two years Islington Council, and gave and garden in question is used that Islington has been consent for four tower blocks as a bait for high-rise property undermined by the mayor’s – one of 11 storeys. development, and its protected planning powers, leaving the Islington Council said the status so easily violated?” council divided and office blocks would Also objecting to the tower demoralised in the extreme Our Facebook group now has “substantially harm the setting blocks were the Ancient and seemingly unable to more than 300 members. Read of the grade 1 listed Bunhill Monuments Society, Georgian protect the jewel in its crown.” news, post a photo and join a Fields burial ground, the Group, Victorian Society, A petition to Mr Clark has conversation at www.facebook. conservation area, and the Twentieth Century Society, topped 3,000 signatures – sign

com/groups/islingtonhistory streetscape”. Blake Society, at http://tinyurl.com/hueo4lv. of Scotland; Christy Lawrance National Library

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 5 Letters and your questions We draw on the expertise of our researcher Michael Reading and our Facebook group members, so get in touch if you have a query or can respond to anything here

The William Tyndale school School reports: some, such as Ruth Ellis at the exhumation of the bodies affair: were you there? can you help Holloway and Timothy and the reburying of them in I’d be very grateful to receive with a Evans at , were a lawful place for burial. This firsthand any recollections from former reinterred, in Evans’ case procedure appears to have been account? pupils, staff, parents or others after his posthumous pardon followed in the 1970s when the involved with the William (which prevents him from licence would have been issued Tyndale junior and infants being declared innocent). by the Home Office. school in the mid-1970s, 40 John Christie is still there, Derek Seeley years on from the uproar and unmourned and unmarked. Archaeology controversy surrounding its Andy Gardner IAHS committee member radically progressive teaching approaches and methods. Before the prison was rebuilt Ruth Ellis was buried in an The affair was subject to a (circa 1970), Islington Council unmarked grave within the parliamentary inquiry; Robin wanted the land to build walls of Holloway Prison, as Auld QC’s report to the Inner much-needed council housing. was customary for executed London Education Authority There is even more need for prisoners. runs to 309 pages and 15 “Many couples claimed to social housing now but I Her body was reburied in appendices, and was critical of be of the same parish in order expect it will become “luxury the churchyard extension of all involved. In addition, to halve the charge for banns. apartments” with a tiny St Mary’s Church in Times Educational Supplement This frequently leads to percentage of “affordable” Amersham, Buckinghamshire. journalists John Gretton and marriage certificates where housing around the back. The headstone was inscribed Mark Jackson wrote an both the bride and groom give Wikipedia states that the “Ruth Hornby 1926-1955”. account of the experiment, exactly the same address as bodies were moved at this time. Her son, Andy, destroyed the entitled William Tyndale: their residence, something Barry Edwards headstone shortly before he Collapse of a School – or a which is most unlikely to be took his own life in 1982. System? A group of teachers at the case, but was a cost saving I believe the burial ground The four women reburied at the school published their practice that was widely was cleared before the 1970s were own account, William tolerated.” redevelopment. There were Styllou Christofi, Edith Tyndale: the Teachers’ Story. I found this in a great little five interments, of which four Thompson, Amelia Sach and I would like to collect book called Solving Genealogy were reburied at Brookwood Annie Walters. firsthand recollections and Problems by Graeme Davis. cemetery in Surrey. Andy Gardner reflections on what happened Linda Sullivan If burials were still in place, and would very much like to Whitianga, New Zealand there is a procedure for The strongman of the hear pupils, teachers, parents obtaining a licence from the Duke’s Head or anyone else connected with Holloway prison’s graveyard Department of Justice to allow Does anyone know anything the school at the time. Speculation arose on the about the Duke’s Head pub Andy Gardner IAHS Facebook pages that was in St Alban’s Place, [email protected] following the news Holloway . When it was Women’s Prison is to close. there? I’d like to know its Living in sin – or just saving precise location. sacred payments? I wonder what they will do Philip Nelkon I have just learnt something with the cemetery. that explains a lot in my Mary Wash It was on Gadd’s Row (south- research. I noticed that many east corner of St Alban’s Place) brides and grooms were This could also apply to in the 1730s. A famous recorded as living at the same Pentonville which too is on strongman, Thomas Topham, address before marriage. the “unfit for purpose” list. was landlord around 1734. “The reading of banns was The remains of people, even Craig Cross charged for at each church those who were hanged, have where read. If the bride and to be treated respectfully. Strongman and pub landlord Before 1835, the road was groom were of the same parish There’s a lot of folk myth as Thomas Topham lifting water Cadd’s Row – it was printed

Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia there was only one charge. well as fact. The remains of barrels weighing 1,836lbs on a 1735 map as Gad’s Row.

6 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 The reference to it being on the south-east side of St Alban’s Place comes from The History of Islington by John Nelson, published in 1811. Another source states that it stood approximately where 79 Upper Street is now. Today, no 79 is occupied by the Euphorium Bakery. The building is believed to have stood there in the 1600s when Islington was a village. The map of 1801 shows houses mainly along Upper Street with open fields behind. It was not there in 1859, the earliest date I have for the Post Office street directories, and it may have disappeared as the Tibberton Square: two terraces across a shared residents’ garden area changed from rural to urban, perhaps many years death of his wife in 1823, who Cyril Wontner Smith is one day, and also provost of Eton before. he had met in Tibberton. of my great great uncles. He and of King’s College The Duke’s Head was kept By 1970, the square had died in 1952 in Worthing and Cambridge. Most of his stories by Thomas Topham (1710-49) become run down, so Islington I think there was an obituary are based on fact or scholarship a prodigious strongman of Council bought it and restored for him in The Times. up to a point, so it seems Islington, who started his the houses as flats; the garden He also was involved in likely there is some historical career as a publican aged 24 at was landscaped and its railings refurbishing and extending basis to these characters. Coldbath Fields. replaced. The opening BMA House in central It would also otherwise be His wife was unfaithful to ceremony for the new scheme London, and I think he also curious that he should locate him, so he beat her, stabbed in July 1979 was attended by Sir worked on Thaxted Church. the story specifically in her then turned the knife on Hugh Wontner, a descendent If you find anything more, Islington, with which he had himself. He died on 10 August of Thomas Wontner. then let me know. no other connection known to 1749 at Hog Lane in This information is from Edwina Wontner Osborne me. I would be interested to . His wife recovered. London Gardens Online (www. know whether anyone can There is quite a long londongardensonline.org.uk) cast any light on the description of the many and British History Online Many couples background to this story. anecdotes about Topham’s life (www.british-history.ac.uk). claimed to be of the James Dunnett and a drawing of him in John Valerie Brook info@jamesdunnettarchitects. Nelson’s book. same parish in com Michael Reading While researching Beech Hill order to halve the Golf Club in Hadley Wood, I charge for banns I read The Two Doctors, but Tibberton Square and the came across a Wontner: “the could find no reference to a ’Wontner clan’ architect who converted the specific place or person I was wondering if any of you old mansion into the club Can anyone identify the related to Islington. The story know anything about the house was Cyril Wontner doctors in the ghost story? is set in 1718 and Islington is origins and history of Smith, a member of Old Fold I am an admirer of the ghost described as being “colourful Tibberton Square in Islington. Golf Club. He lived in The stories of Montague Rhodes and pleasant”. Later, there is a Edwina Wontner Osborne Byres, demolished in 2000 James (1862-1936), one of reference to Islington lanes; at Via Facebook and now 34-36 Beech Hill.” Is which, The Two Doctors, is set the beginning of the 18th he part of your clan? in Islington in 1718. century, Islington village was Thomas Wontner built his Joe Studman Published in 1919, it tells in becoming popular and the family home on the site that the tale of an encounter population was increasing. became Tibberton Square Sir Hugh Wontner was lord between two doctors living in While the rector in the story in 1808. mayor of London in 1973-74. Islington, Dr Abell and Dr is Jonathan Pratt, the Tibberton Square consists Is he in your family tree? Quinn, and of their interaction incumbent at St Mary’s, the of two terraces of houses, Andy Gardner with the rector, Jonathan Pratt. Islington parish church, was facing each other across a Dr Quinn is described as living Reverend Robert Geary. communal residents’ garden. Both of them are. They at Dodds Hall in Islington. I could find no reference to Wontner built the houses in certainly get around, that James was a great scholar, Dodds Hall on the earliest grounds of his home after the Wontner lot. the leading medievalist of his map I have, which is dated Alastair Rae

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 7 1801, but there may have been Searching for the school By any chance, would he have a property of that name 83 with a rooftop playground gone to Our Lady of the years earlier. My dad moved from Sacred Heart in Eden Grove? Also, the author was born Yorkshire to 90 Rhodes Street That was a long, skinny some 144 years after the time in November 1945 when he school with the playground on in which he set his story and was six years old, and is trying the roof. In my time, in the the Islington of 1862 would to find out what infants’ 1960s, there was a playground have been nothing like the school he went to. and parish hall across the road Islington of 1718. He can remember walking to but they weren’t built till well James, unlike many authors school up Rhodes Street, then into the 1950s. who use a real location, did turning right into Mackenzie Esther Doyle not include a well-known Road. He then turned left into feature or place, possibly what would now be Lough My relatives lived in Lough because he had not visited and Road or Westbourne Road, Road. St James Road (named did not know any. I should be and the school was along one after St James’ church in delighted if you find evidence of these roads. He says he Chillingworth Road) was to disprove my opinion. remembers the school being renamed Mackenzie Road in Michael Reading very tall and the “playground” 1938. On the junction of Lough being on the roof. Road and Mackenzie Road Why boxer Len Harvey’s Len Harvey: green plaque will I found different three stood the Wellington pub. green plaque was delayed appear on pub he managed entries regarding Lough and I am reasonably sure in the I have been researching boxer Westbourne Roads. 1970s and 1980s the Inner Len Harvey and his connection that, as society progressed, the l The Journal of the Islington London Education Authority with Islington, and found that track developed into a proper Archaeology and History owned 84-88 Westbourne an Islington People’s Plaque thoroughfare. With this in Society, vol 2 no 1, mentions Road (intended to be a school about him was due to be put mind, I suggested that “cross” that Lough Road used to be extension, which never up in 2013 but was not. could refer to being able to Wellington Road. materialised). So your dad’s The plaque will be on the look across the fields between l British History Online – school might have been in Steam Passage Tavern in Upper Upper Street and Lower Islington Education says that Westbourne Road. Street (he managed it for many Street, and Cross Street Westbourne Road used to be Bill Patey years when the pub was called became common usage. Wellington Road. the Star & Garter). The pub is In his The History of Islington l The website thehunthouse. Wellington Road was renamed due to be refurbished, and the published in 1811, John Nelson com/…/New_to_Old_ Lough Road in 1937 when the unveiling has been delayed mentions Cross Street several London _Street_Name_ until that has been completed. times when describing Changes.htm, says Lough renamed a lot of roads to cut Philip Nelkon properties nearby, but does not Road used to be Wellington down on duplicate names. Via Facebook mention the origin of its name. Road and the name change A school was built in There is another suggestion. occurred between 1929 and Wellington Road in 1891 in The rural origin of Cross Sir George Colebrooke held 1945, probably between 1936 the London School Board Street’s name freeholds in the area, which and 1939. three-decker style, with a Can anyone let me know how he sold to a William and later Can anyone shed any light school house and rear entrance Cross Street got its name? Edward Cross, but I think the on this or about the infants’ on Westbourne Road, next to Chris Burton street and name were already school that was along either of St David’s Church. The school Via Facebook well established by then. these roads? buildings in this area were Michael Reading Lesley Matthewson used by a number of schools In my booklet on Cross Street – Islington: a History of One of the Oldest Streets in the Can you identify mystery Borough, I start by referring to ceramic items? a map entitled Map of My wife Caroline and I Islington or Isledon in the reign bought these ceramic items a of Queen Elizabeth I. This junk shops in Hastings a few showed an unnamed path or years ago. They were made by track, beginning at Lower Royal Worcester and their Street (now Essex Road) and bases are perforated. continuing westward past the Although we’ve asked house of Sir Thomas Fowler people about them, no one but petering out before it seems to know what they are reached Upper Street. or what they were used for. The surrounding land was Does anyone recognise them?

Peter Fuller; Islington Local History Centre Peter rural and one must assume Peter Fuller Laboratory items? These small items were bought in a junk shop

8 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 and had several names. directory as the “John Craig St Mary Magdalene’s Registered Lodging House”. building was bombed in 1940 Islington Borough Council and they used the Wellington did not exist until 1900, and Road building, probably local government came under alongside the existing school. the vestry, whose powers may Apparently, it was renamed not have included anything Alfred Pritchard School in like planning and development. 1947-51 and later used as an Michael Reading annexe by the Catholic Our Lady of Sacred Heart School A radical change of style and (Eden Grove) until they took size indicate a change of plan over former county school by the speculators who, in building in Georges Road. truth, were largely responsible Barry Edwards for the marching urbanisation if this area in the 19th century. Smith’s Buildings in Compare and contrast: different styles and sizes in Englefield Road I thought the large white St Peter’s ward building may have been I’m hoping someone can tell me Executor of James Smith.” (1790) – By 1813 earlier and the smaller if Smith’s Buildings still exist. “In the rate books until changed to Buildings, nos buildings built on its garden. A friend’s daughter is 1855, but not in the 1852-60 17-21 demolished 1856-7. Ivano Ruggeri studying in London (we’re in Islington local directories. On All left renumbered 293-307 the US). Her ggg‑grandfather census returns for 1841, 1861, City Road.” Talk about your Islington lived at 11 Smith’s Buildings in 1871 and 1881. Barry Edwards Islington Faces is a website St Peter’s municipal and “Its 23 houses were in 1875 with more than 170 interviews ecclesiastical ward in 1861. It declared then to be insanitary.” A strange group of homes with people who live or work appears to have housed scores The 1871 Ordnance Survey This strange cluster of in Islington, including the of Irish labourers and their map shows Smith’s Buildings, buildings at the top of IAHS’s Andrew Gardner. It families at this time. Another in the parish of St Peter’s. Englefield road do not seem acts as a living history project, online reference states that it stylistically connected to the recording the lives, stories and was used as a school in the other buildings on that street. memories of people today. 1820s and 1830s. It appears to have The father Thames detail Islington Faces isn’t just I would love to give her a housed scores of above the ground floor-window about looking back. I love to modern address so she can see Irish labourers and of one house and the size of ask people where they like where her ggg-grandfather the houses are intriguing. Can going in Islington, so there are lived. their families anyone cast any light? always loads of good tips about Marianne Holloway around 1861 Ivano Ruggeri what to do and what’s new Via Facebook Via Facebook from Clerkenwell to Archway. I’m always looking for There was a Smith’s Buildings Regarding the Smith’s I gave been unable to find any people to interview, guest on City Road, which is now a Buildings in City Road, the information on why the eight writers and photos of the area pavement backed by a block block of flats across from houses at 141-155 Englefield – just email me if you have an of 1950s council flats. Nelson Terrace is the site. The Road are such a mixture of Islington story to share. Incidentally, the term surrounding houses, including styles in so small a space. Interviews take about 30 “buildings” before late those across City Road, are The large white building, minutes and happen at a Victorian times usually refers Victorian; they were likely to no 155, is out of keeping with venue of your choice – home, to a street of small terraced have been there in 1861, so its immediate neighbours and office, cafe, park, bench. I then cottages rather than an actual your friend’s ancestor would the rest of the street in style write them up and send you a building or block of flats. have known them. and size. I wonder if this was to draft. When you are happy Valerie Brook The City Road Smith’s do with a lack of space, leading with it, I will publish it on Buildings is not marked on the builder to fill the space as islingtonfacesblog.com. Two Smith’s Buildings may the 1871 map, which shows best he could to provide the I put one new post a week have existed in 1861. Victorian terraces and required number of homes. on http://islingtonfacesblog. From Eric Willats’s Streets St Matthew’s Church (which Englefield Road was com, so it’s easy to follow. With A Story: “Smith’s Willats states was built in completed around 1860 and Nicola Baird Buildings, Islington High 1847-48). appeared in the Post Office [email protected] Street. In 1806, the occupier Willats does not mention street directory in 1866. All the of one tenement on the site the City Road Smith’s eight houses as they are now l Write to us at christy@ was one James Smith. In 1841, Buildings but does mention appear on the Ordnance Survey islingtonhistory.org.uk or via there were 29 tenements and a the neighbouring Andersons map for 1870 and no 155 www.facebook.com/groups/ stable, the owner being the Buildings as “Andersons Row, appears in the 1906 street islingtonhistory Ruggeri Ivano

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 9 Earlier days at the society

The Islington Archaeology & History Society recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. Janet Wootton, who was both secretary and newsletter editor, looks at what the society was doing from the mid-1990s

hen I moved to archaeological and historical Islington to artefacts” by Val Munday, Islington Lecture topics ranged from ancient take on the Museum development officer, inhabitants of London to the ministry of formerly a British Museum senior Union Chapel, conservation officer; development of transport systems WI was aware that I was working l “The immortal Londoner – a (always popular) to the history of with an important historic Look at interesting London statues” building. We wanted to develop the by Valerie Colin-Russ, chairman of industry and architecture church for use in the community the London Appreciation Society and the arts, and we did – and that and a London guide; magnificent dome and tower rose l “Ice wells and ice factories – Museum of Childhood. Catherine effortlessly above all our activities. London’s commercial ice trade” by Brighty, who turned up at each So I started to join every Malcolm Tucker, engineering meetings then as now with her historical organisation I could find: historian and archaeologist; well-stocked bookstall – and made historic chapel and church groups, l “The uncompleted Northern Line a mean pavlova for more festive and, of course, the Islington extension – to occasions – organised the visits. Archaeology & History Society, Alexandra Palace” by Jim Blake, and soon became happily involved. local transport historian. Medieval village discovered I started editing the newsletter in I did say, didn’t I, that lectures on Rose Baillie, secretary to the (I think) 1995, taking over from transport always drew large society, also arranged visits to Roy Vinjevold. At some point, we audiences? archaeological excavations where took on the defunct Islington As well as lectures, the society possible. The August 1999 History Journal, acquiring its arranged visits to local museums newsletter reported on the circulation list and ISSN. and historical sites, such as the discovery of a medieval village in In general, articles were based on Ragged School Museum and the excavations at Islington Green. lectures given to the society, or The highlight was the Spitalfields arose from areas of interest among excavation, which turned up “a the members. I remember a long high-status burial in the stone series on 90 years of Islington sarcophagus and decorated lead scouting by Albert Pinching,  coffin with finds including a jet box and found a letter to him, dated and a glass phial probably dating to May 1999, thanking him for  the fourth century. The remains “all the articles” and within the coffin were looking forward to  those of a woman in  the next instalment  her early 20s. Next to  – a dream for this the sarcophagus was a newsletter editor. wooden mausoleum Lecture topics ranged containing at least  from ancient one child’s burial, inhabitants of London accompanied by six  to the development of glass vessels.” transport systems At this time, Barney (always popular) to the Sloane of Museum of history of industry and London Archaeology architecture. As an Service (now the example, the autumn Museum of London 1999 programme Archaeology) was chair included: The society organised visits to sites and museums including the V&A Museum of of the society. His l “The conservation of Childhood, where the Nuremberg House (1673) is displayed involvement in

10 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 taking on the role of secretary. Peter Fuller took over as newsletter editor, and made an excellent job of it. I came across a rather peevish verse that I seem to have sent out with a set of minutes in 2001:

My weary fingers tap the keys Recording every statement, As arguments chase round and round With scarcely an abatement.

Then back home my computer comes, The printer spews out paper. A dozen envelopes are stamped – It’s really quite a caper.

But when committee next convenes, My spirits hit rock bottom As members say with eyes so wide: Filming Channel 4’s Time Team: Barney Sloane, a former chair of the society, was involved in “What minutes? Never got ’em!” the programme, and took on the role of site supervisor The purpose of this minor verse Channel 4’s Time Team was noted proceeds went to the Friends of the Is not to transgress limits, with interest – and he went on to , under the But simply, if you’re reading this, become prominent in his field. auspices of Jim Lagden, who was YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE Mary Cosh served as vice-chair for one of its founders. MINUTES! a long period, and her book on the Around the turn of the New River was reissued in millennium, we noted that the the 1990s. Images of England project was t the end of 2003, I left We enjoyed companionable starting work on “the largest ever Union Chapel and took on relationships with other local photographic survey of England’s Athe post of director of history societies. The AGM was built heritage” managed by a studies for the Congregational often held in conjunction with the dedicated team from National Federation. The minutes of the Islington Society, through architect Monuments Record, the public November committee meeting Harley Sherlock, who was a archive of English Heritage. record several new member of both. Over 500 volunteers were to names. Andrew capture 360,000 “defining Gardner and Rolando Cricket and wine images”, including: 52 garden Savva were to take on At one AGM, the talk was “The sheds, 35 fishponds, one racing the roles of secretary and Early History of Cricket”, by pigeon loft, 3,800 milestones programme secretary, Stephen Green, curator and and posts, 11 army camps, and the minutes record archivist at Lord’s Cricket Ground. nine skating rinks, 2,195 that I had handed over There was a note in a committee telephone boxes, 489 pigsties, the files. meeting around that time to the 663 lavatories, 192 postboxes, I thoroughly enjoyed effect that: “Although a box of wine 982 lamp posts, 3,369 country my association with the might be purchased for autumn houses, 14,393 churches and IAHS. I learned a great meetings, bottles would be used  chapels, 197 palaces, 425 deal and met some at the AGM.” castles, 2,075 factories and fascinating people, many We ran a Quistory Hizz for mills and 5,811 bridges. more than I can name in a several years at Union Chapel, with This was also a period of short article. It gives me The society a fish supper, Catherine’s superb major changes to the IAHS great pleasure to read the journal, newsletter in desserts and “one free glass of committee. Peter Powell, a 2000: the cover and to see that the society is still wine” (it doesn’t say whether from well-known local figure, was shows the former full of interest. n a box or a bottle). Questions were elected chair and I became Clerkenwell set by Richard Wallington, of the programme secretary and minutes Library, now Rev Janet Wootton was minister at

Friends of Union Chapel, and secretary before finally giving in demolished Union Chapel in Islington 1986-2004 Archaeology Wessex Team: Time V&A Museum of Childhood;

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 11 Canonbury thriller

Seventy years ago, parts of award-winning film Odd Man Out, starring James Mason, were filmed in Canonbury. Michael Reading was nearly there

3 t was one late afternoon, in be home. So, regretfully, I had to the autumn of 1946, that my leave without seeing the actual friends and I heard that a filming, which I later learnt did not film crew had arrived in take place until after midnight. Canonbury Grove and were The film was completed and Isetting up their equipment. shown in the cinemas in 1947 We went along and found they where it was well received with had already started to unload their great success and critically vehicles at the junction of acclaimed. Canonbury Grove, Willow Bridge At the cinema, I naturally waited Road (then open to road traffic), expectantly to see the familiar 4 and Douglas Road. streets, not knowing exactly when A crowd had begun to gather the particular sequence would and steadily increased to the extent appear. I was rather disappointed Mason) is the leader of the group that a policeman was present to that what I did see was so short in the city and has been in hiding keep order – although this was not and passed so quickly. the past six months after escaping really necessary. Seventy years on, I have been from prison. We learnt that the film would be able to watch the film again on He is ordered, with three a thriller and the main actor would YouTube, and replay the scenes accomplices, to rob a mill. The be James Mason, a leading British filmed in Canonbury over and  gang get the money but, as they  film actor who had been in many over again. are leaving, they are confronted  successful films. We were told he I am now able to describe what by an armed cashier who Johnny would be arriving later, which happened in relation the familiar shoots and kills – but not before caused much excitement. streets. Before doing so, it may be the cashier has fired his weapon Things moved very slowly, with helpful if the story of the film is and wounded Johnny badly in  much discussion and various briefly told. the arm. pieces of equipment being moved In the ensuing confusion and around and measurements being Story of Odd Man Out panic, the three get to the car, but taken, probably for shots at The story is set in Northern Ireland the fourth member of the gang – various angles. and, although the city and the the driver – speeds away and The afternoon turned into organisation are not specifically Johnny falls out of the car. While evening, with not too much mentioned, one can see the Today’s view of the gang argue over what to do, happening, then finally Mason likeness to Belfast and the IRA. Canonbury Johnny gets up and dashes away. arrived and was immediately Johnny McQueen (James Grove The film continues, with Johnny recognised. He spent a long time in growing weaker due to his wound discussion with someone who was and trying to get help and reach a probably the film’s director. place of safety. He meets a variety During this time, he removed his of people, some who help him and camel coloured overcoat in others who shun him. exchange for a darker one, which In the meantime, the police have had large stains down the front. mounted a large manhunt for the We then learnt that he was to be a gang. This continues throughout man who had been wounded by a the film, which finally reaches a gunshot and was now on the run dramatic ending – which I will from the police. not disclose. Unfortunately, for me, time was The film, directed by Carol Reed, beginning to run out. I was only features James Mason, Robert 13 years old and it was now Newton, Cyril Cusack, Robert

Odd Man Out/YouTube; Christy Lawrance Odd Man Out/YouTube; approaching 10pm when I had to Beatty and a cast of familiar Irish

12 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 and English actors. It received a Canonbury streets scenes BAFTA award for Best British Film The scene opens with Johnny 1948, and was nominated for a McQueen walking slowly across the Golden Lion award at the Venice screen from right to left, with a long Film Festival 1947 and for a Best shot of Canonbury Grove up to Film Editing Oscar for 1948. Canonbury Road, with a truck appearing behind him (1). There is then a shot from inside Watching online the cab of the lorry showing Johnny To watch this very brief clip of turning towards its, with the railings Canonbury, go to http://tinyurl. of the New River behind him (2). com/oddman-1946. The camera returns to Johnny – When it starts, move the timing the lorry passes in front of him and indicator to 41.50 minutes and the he staggers back and falls to the 1 scene described above will begin. ground. The camera follows the Looking at Canonbury Grove in lorry and we have a long shot of the railings of the New River in Douglas Road. the film and comparing it with a The camera immediately returns and we see two photograph of today, very little has middle-aged women, one exclaiming “it hit him!”, who changed, other than there seems to start moving. There is a long shot again of Canonbury be more foliage on the trees. Cars Grove, with the two women running towards the Johnny are parked today but in 1946, there (3). They help him up and take him through the gateway 2 were none. n of the first house in Canonbury Grove (4).

Vigilant residents save Victorian mosaic

managed with a few residents to Road, writes Ivan Ruggeri. prevent this rare Victorian Incredibly, Partners for Islington, Im osaic path from being not renowned for their sensitivity concreted over by partners for to our Victorian heritage, were Islington during their recent about to cover it with concrete. The repairs programme on Pyrland path has now been cleaned. Many buildings in Islington, while not being listed, have heritage features that  are being obliterated. Fine iron railings are being destroyed and let’s not even start considering Above and left: plastic windows beautiful restored mosaic and horrific path – its tiles satellite dishes. have orange, Here in this yellow, red, blue London street is and green hues; something that right: how it was connects us directly to one of the most wonderful and ancient art

forms. Ruggeri. Ivan

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 13 A legacy of homes

American philanthropist George Peabody built homes to give “ameliorate the condition of the poor and needy”. Alan Pattison tells his story

eorge Peabody was several business trips to England to a successful purchase goods. On one trip, he businessman who negotiated an $8 million loan for the turned to setting near-bankrupt state of Maryland, up museums and accepting no commission on the liGbraries and providing homes for transaction as a show of good faith the “poor and needy … to promote to his home state. their comfort and happiness”. He moved to London in 1837, Peabody was born in Danvers in setting up as George Peabody & Massachusetts, a small town near Company, Merchant and Banker, Boston in the US on 18 February which became Morgan Grenfell 1795, the third of eight children. investment bank and is now part of He then turned his attention to He only had four years of Deutsche Bank. He amassed a London, where his first ideas were education, between the ages of fortune of $20 million and spent a for drinking fountains or schools. seven and 11, before he started as large proportion of it on However, following the advice of an apprentice in a dry goods store. philanthropic works. Lord Shaftesbury, he took up the When he was 16, his older His first interest was education suggestion of housing, leaving the brother’s dry goods store burned in his home area in the US; his final decision to his trustees. down and his father died. Peabody Institute provided a On 26 March 1862, he launched So, in 1811, he went to library, art gallery and music the Peabody Donation Fund, with Georgetown in Washington, to academy in Baltimore. He also an initial gift of £150,000. The aim work in a wholesale dry goods funded a museum and library in of the organisation, he said, would warehouse for Elisha Riggs. By Danvers, a natural history museum be to “ameliorate the condition of 1814, he had become a partner in at Yale University and a museum of the poor and needy of this great the business, which became archaeology at Harvard University. metropolis, and to promote their Peabody, Riggs & Co and was He contributed to many colleges comfort and happiness”. relocated to Baltimore. By 1829, he and historical societies and his The Times reported: “We have was the senior partner of the Peabody Education Fund was today to announce an act of business, which had branches in endowed with $3.5 million to beneficence unexampled in its Philadelphia and New York. promote education of southern largeness and in the time and In this role, Peabody made children of all races. manner of the gift.” Shortly before his death in 1869, Peabody increased his gift to a munificent £500,000 – equivalent to about £35 million today. By 1867, Peabody had received honours from the US and Britain, including being made a freeman of The first block of the , the first Peabody homes American to receive this honour. in Commercial When he refused to accept a Street, baronetcy or the Grand Cross of Spitalfields, the Bath, Queen Victoria sent him depicted in the letter of appreciation and a large Illustrated London News in miniature of herself. 1863, shortly A bronze statue of him was before it unveiled by the Prince of Wales on opened; it is 23 July 1869 behind the Royal now private flats Exchange in the City of London.

14 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 Peabody died in England on 4 November 1869 aged 74 and was buried in . However, when his will was opened, it showed he had asked to be buried in his home town of Danvers – South Danvers was renamed Peabody – and he was reburied there. He received a number of enthusiastic eulogies, including: “Isn’t it not more wonderful than the legend that delighted our childhood, the tale of Whittington, citizen and mercer and thrice .” By the time he died, his money was already doing good; the first Peabody estate opened in Spitalfields in 1864. The Islington estate, the second estate built by Peabody, is the oldest the housing trust still owns

Islington legacy 1941. When the war ended, it was The Islington estate was built in An annual report in 1866 praised decided to demolish the ruins and 1865, on a site just off what is now the estate for its “good order and start again. Essex Road that was reputed to The area was enlarged by have once been the home of Sir contentment’ as well as the “health acquiring the site of a church that Robert Duce, a lord mayor of and morality of the children” had also suffered war damage. Two London in the 17th century. It was closed burial grounds were only the second estate built by incorporated into the site after the Peabody, and is the oldest in still from the number of blocks, we removal of the human remains. its ownership. have ventured to describe as The first of the new buildings Designed by Henry Astley Peabody Town.” opened in 1957 and included two Darbishire, Peabody architect until It was reported that the collective blocks, each 13 storeys high. While 1885, its first four blocks were built cost of the new estates was it has sometimes been said that they at a cost of just over £40,000. An £194,000 – including land and were London’s first tower blocks, annual report in 1866 praised the building costs – and that “the this is incorrect as public authorities estate for its “good order and population of Peabody Town is had already built some. However, contentment” as well as the “health now close on four thousand souls”. they were the first multistorey and morality of the children”. There is some uncertainty about blocks that were allowed to be built In 1996, major portions of the the origins of the Palmer estate without a second staircase. The last estate – namely Peabody House, near Archway. It was probably four Victorian blocks were also the 12 workshops in Peabody Yard known in the 19th century as demolished so Banner House and blocks A-D – were all Holloway estate, and was renamed could be built in 1972. designated grade II listed buildings in honour of a 17th century The Priory Green estate, a because of their significance in the clergyman who had donated the modern estate designed and built history of housing provision for land. Its new owners, the Charity in 1957 for Islington Council, was the working classes. for the Relief of Poor Widows and transferred to Peabody in 1998. The There are a number of other old the Children of Clergymen (later community centre, Hugh Cubitt Peabody estates in Islington, the Corporation of the Sons of the House, was shortlisted for an RIBA including the Whitecross Street Clergy), sold the estate to Peabody Design Award in 2005 and was estate which was started in the in 1972. Some of the homes were featured in the RIBA Journal. 1880s and consisted of 21 blocks in a state of disrepair and were The Peabody link with Islington on the east side of Whitecross demolished; new ones were built in is due to continue with a proposed Street between Roscoe Street and the 1970s and early 1980s. development at Archway, which is Errol Street. The Roscoe Street estate near the going through public consultation. An anonymous article in the Pall Barbican was opened in 1883. It Archway Campus is a residential- Mall Gazette in 1883 said of the suffered severely during the led mixed-use scheme for a former new estates: “You will be Second World War; six blocks were university campus site. n confronted, when you reach the burnt out as a result of an air raid top of Whitecross Street, by several in December 1940, and two more Alan Pattison has lived in Islington lofty structures, which form what, blocks were badly damaged in for more than 30 years Commons; Christy Lawrance Wikimedia

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 15 Facts not opinions

Engineer David Kirkaldy pioneered the scientific testing of structural materials in the late 19th century. Chris Rule tells his story

In the 19th century, many engineers performed only rudimentary testing of the materials they were using. It took major disasters such as the collapse of a new railway bridge over the he name of David river Dee in 1847 or the Tay Bridge Kirkaldy, who once Disaster of 1879 to highlight the lived in Islington, is need for thorough testing of seldom recognised but construction materials and for in Victorian engi- engineers to base their decisions Tneering circles he was both well on verified test results, not on known and widely respected. assumptions. David Kirkaldy was born in 1820 in Dundee in Scotland, the son of a A huge, unique machine prosperous linen merchant. He During 1861-65, Kirkaldy designed worked for a short time in the his “universal testing machine” family business but decided to which was made for him by The Kirkaldy family’s second pursue a career in engineering and, Greenwood & Batley in Leeds. This Islington home in Carleton Road in 1843, became an apprentice in enormous, unique machine the Glasgow engineering works of weighed some 116 tonnes. The first London home of the Robert Napier. David Kirkaldy decided to move Kirkaldy family was in Kentish Kirkaldy’s natural talents, to London to set up his business Town. By 1878, David Kirkaldy especially in engineering drawing, and, on 1 January 1866, opened his had moved to a larger house at ensured that he rose quickly to an testing works in The Grove in 55 Hilldrop Road in Islington, and important position in the Napier . the 1881 census records him as a business and, in 1848, he was The business grew rapidly and, widower living there with his two appointed “chief draughtsman and in 1874, the works moved to children and two servants. calculator”. 99 Southwark Street, where this By 1884, the family had moved During his time with Napier,  enormous testing machine survives yet again, this time to a much Kirkaldy’s he developed many new in working order. approach was larger detached house nearby at procedures for testing engineering David Kirkaldy’s approach to cut into stone 45 Carleton Road, also in Islington. materials. In 1861, he decided to materials testing is preserved in above the David Kirkaldy died at 45 Carleton resign and concentrate instead on stone above the entrance to the entrance to his Road in 1897 and was buried in developing his own business. building – “Facts Not Opinions”. testing works Cemetery. The family business was inherited by his son, William George Kirkaldy, who lived at 6 Carleton Road, and he continued to run it until he died in 1914. In 1914, William George’s son, David William Henry Kirkaldy, was only four years old so ownership of the business passed to William George’s widow, Annie. Together with a Dr Gulliver,  she ran the business until 1934 when David was old enough to take over.

16 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 DavidH W Kirkaldy continued to run the family business until 1965 Facts not opinions when, after being run for 99 years by three generations of the Kirkaldy family, it was sold to Treharne & Davies, which continued to operate the testing works until 1974 when it was closed down.

ollowing closure, the future of the works and its unique Ftesting machine appeared uncertain but Dr Denis Smith, a lecturer in industrial archaeology at Goldsmiths College at the University of London realised the importance of the works and campaigned successfully for it to be preserved as a specialist industrial museum. The Kirkaldy Testing Machine circa 1891: it is one of the earliest testing machines in the world A team of dedicated volunteers still in working order and can be seen in operation at the museum then set about restoring the machine and maintaining it in The Kirkaldy Testing Museum, working order and the Kirkaldy 99 Southwark Street, SE1, is open It took major disasters to highlight Testing Museum was opened  on the first Sunday of each month the need for thorough testing of in 1984. This year, 2016, marks  10am-4pm. the 150th anniversary of this The big machine may be in construction materials and for remarkable machine, an  operation – the museum attempts to engineers to base their decisions on important part of London’s run it on every normal opening day. industrial heritage. n There are smaller machines which verified tests, not on assumptions visitors can have a go on and break Chris Rule is long-term resident of something under the guidance of David Kirkaldy and his Testing Islington and is a member of the an experts. and Experimenting Works by Chris Industrial Admission, including a tour, costs Rule, a book telling the stories of Archaeology Society: he has also £5/concessions £4). the Kirkaldy family and the testing has written several books on More information at www. works, is available from the IAHS industrial heritage. testingmuseum.org.uk. for £5 (see page 21).

Industrial survivor

The Kirkaldy Testing Museum building was first listed in 1971 and was upgraded to grade II* in 2014, putting it in the top 5% of UK listed buildings. The listing includes the testing machine. The building was designed in an Italian Romanesque style by Thomas Roger Smith; its exterior, ground floor and basement are largely unaltered. It has historic interest as the world’s earliest purpose-built independent commercial materials testing laboratory. Many investigations into failed structures, including the collapsed Tay Bridge, were carried out here. Door sign: Lars Ploughmann; Carleton Road: Chris Rule; other images: Kirkaldy Testing Machine Archives Machine Testing Door sign: Lars Ploughmann; Carleton Road: Chris Rule; other images: Kirkaldy

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 17 Publications and bookshop

This month, we bring you the history of Smithfield, amusement parks, a church tower over the centuries, what Victorian rubbish can tell us and Crossrail archaeology

Smithfield: Past, Present but the later buildings to the up to date with an insider’s and Future west – the poultry market, account of the planning Alec Forshaw general market and annex inquiries and other recent £18.99, 304pp, Robert Hale, market – are disused. history of the market 2015 Their future has been the buildings and the surrounding Smithfield and its subject of a struggle, through area. surrounding area have a two planning inquiries, It retains from the previous fascinating and diverse between the forces of light editions a concise and history. In the medieval (the Victorian Society and readable account of the period, there were four SAVE) who want the history of the area from the religious houses, a hospital, a buildings conserved and put medieval period on with, in will contain good news of the livestock market, an annual back into use on the lines of addition to the history of the (currently unresolved) fate of fair, various trades and a place the old Covent Garden markets, chapters on St the redundant market of execution. market, and the forces of Bartholomew’s Hospital, the buildings, and a fuller account The religious houses, the darkness (the City religious houses, commerce, of what will be a major railway executions, the fair and many Corporation and big business) and life and leisure. Anyone interchange between Crossrail of the trades have gone, and who want to demolish most of on the lookout for congenial and an enhanced Thameslink. the livestock market was them and add to the towers of pubs or restaurants in the area The next edition could also replaced by the present meat Mordor. The forces of light will find the last chapter correct some minor errors – market in the mid 19th prevailed in both inquiries, particularly useful. the architects of part of Barts century. much assisted by the efforts of The book ends with two Hospital the I’Ansons are The meat market building the author of this book, who chapters on regeneration and referred to as L’Anson for opened in 1868, and is one of was Islington Council’s the prospects for the future, example – but none of these the greatest surviving conservation officer for many which are essential reading for detract seriously from the commercial buildings of years before retiring in 2007. anyone with an interest in the excellence of this work. Victorian London. It This is a timely new (third) future of this area. Forshaw continues to thrive as a meat edition of this excellent book, ends on a note of cautious Richard Wallington is chair and market, after major first published in 1980, which optimism, and it is to be membership secretary of the modernisation in the 1990s, brings the story of the market hoped that the next edition friends of Union Chapel

Historic Amusement Parks gathered to trade and enjoy 1823 announced it would and Fairground Rides entertainment. Fairgrounds soon be closing. Free, Historic England, 2015. were also much influenced by This short guide provides an Download from https:// the 1890s Coney Island introduction to the history historicengland.org.uk/ fairground in the US. and development of buildings images-books/publications/ The guide singles out associated with historic iha-historic-amusement-parks- Blackpool Pleasure Beach for amusement parks and fairground-rides/ its pre-1939 fairground rides. fairground rides. England has some of the finest Worldwide, there are only 35 Wonders such as Sir Hiram amusement park and rollercoasters that predate Maxim’s Captive Flying fairground ride heritage in the 1939, which shows how Machine, a “ruined abbey” world, a surprising amount of important Britain’s fairground and menageries are described which survives. heritage is. alongside traditional rides Many seaside amusement Rollercoasters can be traced such as gallopers, ferris wheels, parks were founded in the late back to ice slides in Russian railways and water splashes. 19th and early 20th centuries, cities, and there was once a This download is illustrated but their origins can be traced 17th century, and annual fairs “montagne Russe” at Sadler’s with colour and black and to pleasure gardens, first that took place around the Wells in Islngton; an white images, including created in London during the country where people advertisement in October several aerial shots.

18 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 Ivy-Mantled Tower. A retained and incorporated in sole occupancy of the History of the Church and into the design and many of churchyard. Churchyard of St Mary the old church’s monuments The story of the three Hornsey, relocated in the new building. churches starts with an Bridget Cherry Hornsey continued to grow interpretation of the original £19.50, 133pp, Hornsey and by the mid-century had medieval fabric and proceeds Historical Society, 2015 evolved from a country village through eight chapters to The entry for St Mary into a vibrant and populous weave together a Hornsey in Pevsner’s Buildings London suburb. In the 1880s, complementary narrative of of England consists of just 18 the 60 year old St Mary’s was, their architectural history and lines; in Ivy-Mantled Tower, again, not only inadequate for historical context. architectural historian Bridget the congregation but, given the Set out in fascinating detail Cherry, herself author and change of taste in ecclesiastical the research, as one would editor of many of the Pevsner design, also regarded as being expect from this author, is not guides, carries us way past this unsophisticated and old only wide ranging and spare description and charters fashioned. meticulous but readily the history of the church and site’s three churches. Rather than demolition, accessible. Text is supplemented churchyard from its 13th Once a pretty bucolic however, a new larger church by a wealth of photographs, century origins through an village, by the early 19th was built adjacent to the old plans, illustrations, drawings early 19th century rebuilding century Hornsey had a rapidly and the 1832 church, with its and highly evocative and a second rebuild just 60 expanding population and it tower now ivy clad, was left to watercolours - a huge amount years later. was realised that the existing decay until it was eventually of informative material to The 15th century square medieval church was pulled down in the 1920s. In engage both professional and brick and rubble stone tower inadequate to accommodate its turn, this third church also interested layman alike. seen from the High Street a larger congregation. had a short life; it was ill Roger Simmons is a retired today is all that remains Accordingly, in 1832, a advisably built on made-up architect who worked on the visible of the site’s 500 year replacement church with ground, and subsequent repair and conservation of history and, apart from giving more than double the settlement and war damage historic buildings, including as the book its title, provides a previous seating was proposed led to its demolition in 1969 conservation manager for the common element between the and built; the old tower was leaving the 15th century tower Churches Conservation Trust

What the Victorians Threw The world of people who advertising, household chores Away lived in England before the or foreign imports. A broken Tom Licence First World War now is fast plate can introduce us to the £4.50, 108pp, Oxbow Books, fading from ours, yet does not children in the Staffordshire 2015. Available from the IAHS appear overly distant. potteries who painted in the Tom Licence gave an It is not too late for us to colours of a robin, crudely enthralling talk to the society encounter these people  sketched on a cheap cup  in January, and we’re now so intimately that we might and saucer. stocking his new book. catch ourselves worrying  The book’s three main case Rubbish can be examined to that we have invaded their studies are a labourer’s cottage reveal stories about the people privacy. in Kent, a post office in who threw it away and to look Digging up refuse is like Shropshire and a rectory in at the origins of our peeping through keyholes. Norfolk. The objects throwaway society. To this How far off are our ancestors discarded by these end, Licence has spent much in reality when we can sniff households reveal the detail time going around the the residues of their perfume, of their everyday lives. country digging up old cough medicines and face how a famous brand emerged, l Tom Licence’s database of rubbish dumps. cream? or whether an inventor found objects is at www. He reveals how everyday If we want to know what triumphed with a new design. whatthevictoriansthrewaway. household items, dug from they bought in the village An old tin can tell us about com/ the ground, contribute to the store, how they stocked their bigger story of how our not kitchen cupboards and how too distant ancestors built a they fed, pampered and cared Buy from the IAHS throwaway society on the twin for themselves, there is no You can order using the form overleaf or buy at our foundations of packaging and better archive than a rubbish meetings and at local fairs. If you have any queries, would mass consumption. His tip within which each object like to collect books in person or would like to make a trade research also illustrates how reveals a story. or bulk order, contact Catherine Brighty on 020 7833 1541. our own throwaway habits A glass bottle can reveal were formed. what people were drinking,

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 19 Stepney Green: Moated century, the estate had passed The Thames Iron breaking civil Manor House to City Farm into the hands of radical Works 1837- engineering David Sankey nonconformists. The house 1912: a Major projects using iron £10, Museum of London became a Baptist college and a Shipbuilder on structures. Archaeology Congregationalist church was the Thames Several Remains of a late medieval built there. Investigated important and Tudor moated mansion, Other parts of the estate David Harrison components of the Worcester House, were were developed as small £10, Museum yard were investigated on Crossrail’s factories and houses for dock of London investigated at a Stepney Green shafts worksite. workers. The area suffered Archaeology Crossrail site on Its was a fine severe bomb The Thames Iron the Limmo country house, damage in the Works and Shipbuilding peninsula in Canning Town, once owned by Second World Company, one of the great including engineering merchants and War. private enterprises of the workshops, a furnace, a mast aristocrats, Local people Victorian age, launched some house and mould loft providing easy describe life of the most famous warships building, and a slipway. access to the city before, during and of the time from its slipways at An account of the history of and river Thames after the war, up to the mouth of the River Lea. the company places it in the and so to overseas the founding of A pioneer of shipbuilding in wider context of London’s trade. what is now iron, the yard’s expertise was 19th-century shipbuilding By the late 17th Stepney City Farm. also deployed in ground- industry.

Prefab Homes systems, they proved popular New City. Contemporary Elisabeth Blanchet and, instead of being Architecture in the City of £7.95 + £1.50p&p, Shire, demolished as intended, they London 2014; available from the IAHS were defended by residents Alec Forshaw, with At the end of the Second who campaigned to keep their photography by Alan Ainsworth World War, Winston homes and communities. £19.95, Merrell, 224pp; Churchill promised to Nearly 70 years later, available from the IAHS manufacture half a million Elisabeth Blanchet tells the This book examines the City prefabricated bungalows to story of these popular homes of London’s architecture from ease the housing shortage; in and their gardens and shows offices blocks to shops, the end, more than 156,000 the various designs that were cultural organisations and temporary “prefabs” were produced. public spaces and includes delivered. Through the memories of over 200 photographs. Nicknamed “palaces for the residents, she also reveals the Historic development, the people”, and with kitchens, communities who were The IAHS hosted the launch effects of changes to financial bathrooms and heating pleased to live in the prefabs. of this book in December 2014. regulation and the roles of the $ City of London Corporation as planning authority and Order form for books from the IAHS (photocopies acceptable) developer are examined, as are the work and influence of large Name ...... and small architectural firms. The main part of the book Address ...... shows 12 guided routes with detailed descriptions of ...... individual buildings. Tel no/email (in case we need to contact you about your order) ......

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Please make cheques payable to “Islington Archaeology & History Society”; send this form (photocopies acceptable) to IAHS, 8 Wynyatt Street, London EC1V 7HU

20 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 Buy from the society store The Jewish Communities of Islington, 1730s-1880s The society stocks books, postcards, maps of Islington and beyond Petra Laidlaw and more – some are listed here. Call Catherine Brighty on 020 7833 £9.99 + £2.80 p&p, Islington 1541 if you wish to order several items or collect them in person. Archaeology and History Society Book title Author Price p&p Total Islington has (£) (£) (£) been home to a sizeable Jewish An Architect in Islington Harley Sherlock 14.99 2.80 17.79 population for Angus McBean in Islington Mary Cosh, ed 4.00 1.20 5.20 over 250 years, The Building That Lived Twice Alec Forshaw 20.00 2.80 22.80 although their long history is Caledonian Park and its Surroundings Sylvia Tunstall, Patsy 5.00 0.75 5.75 largely Ainger, Robyn Lyons forgotten. Church Design for Congregations James Cubitt 11.00 1.50 12.50 Several were well-to-do public Cinemas of Haringey Jeremy Buck 9.99 1.50 11.49 figures, while many more The Contexting of a Chapel Architect: James Clyde Binfield 18.00 1.90 19.90 lived in much humbler Cubitt 1836-1912 circumstances. This volume traces a cross section of Criminal Islington Keith Sugden, ed 5.00 1.40 6.40 characters, their religious life, 53 Cross Street. Biography of a House  Mary Cosh and 9.95 1.90 11.85 their occupations and their ON SALE Martin King contact with the rest of the David Kirkaldy and his Testing and Christopher Rule 5.00 1.50 6.50 community. Experimenting Works Dead Born Joan Lock 7.99 2.80 10.79 Bargain books Dead Image Joan Lock 7.99 2.80 10.79 Two IAHS books are on sale. Discover and Environs Mike Gray and 1.50 0.75 2.25 Isobel Watson 53 Cross Street. Biography of a House Discover . A Walk Through David Mander and 4.95 1.20 6.15 Mary Cosh and Martin King, History Isobel Watson with photographs by Pauline Dissent & the Gothic Revival Bridget Cherry, ed 15.00 1.65 16.65 Lord. Hardback An Historical Walk Along the New River Mary Cosh 4.00 1.65 5.65 £9.95 (was £20) + £2.10 p&p An Historical Walk Through Mary Cosh 4.00 1.65 5.65 This s book i a must for anyone interested in the history of Islington’s Cinemas & Film Studios Chris Draper 5.00 1.65 6.65 home decor. It Islington: Britain in Old Photographs Gavin Smith 12.99 1.65 14.64 tells the story Islington: the Second Selection Gavin Smith 12.99 1.65 14.64 of how one house The Jewish Communities of Islington, 1730s-1880s Petra Laidlaw 9.99 2.80 11.79 changed since The London Dog James Dowsing 4.00 0.75 4.75 1785, London’s Mummies James Dowsing 4.00 0.75 4.75 illustrated Only Bricks and Mortar ON SALE Harry Walters 5.00 1.50 6.50 with glorious colour photographs. New City: Contemporary Architecture in the Alec Forshaw 19.95 2.80 22.75 City of London Only Bricks and Mortar 1970s London Alec Forshaw 12.99 1.65 14.64 Harry Walters Prefab Homes Elisabeth Blanchet 7.95 1.50 £5 (was £7.99) + London’s New River in Maps. Vol I Part I Michael Kensey £20 £1.50 p&p A tale of London’s New River in Maps. Vol I Part 2 Michael Kensey £25 growing up and The Squares of Islington Part II. Islington Parish Mary Cosh 7.50 1.50 9.00 working class 20th Century Buildings in Islington Alec Forshaw 14.99 2.80 17.79 life from the 1930s through What the Victorians Threw Away Tom Licence 9.99 1.50 10.49 the Second Other items World War to the 1970s in Old Ordnance Survey maps 2.50 0.75 3.25 notorious council tenements Mugs: Union Chapel and Caledonian Park 6.00 2.80 8.80 in Popham Road, where Cathy Come Home was filmed.

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 21 Exhibitions Artefact commemorates ‘justifiable homicide’ at Clerkenwell riot

his cup, on display at to prevent the meeting assembling”. the Crime Museum Against the wishes of the Uncovered at the coroner, the jury returned a verdict Museum of London, of justifiable homicide. The Times was created after a of 21 May 1833 heavily criticised Tpolice officer was killed at the first the jury’s verdict and questioned major clash between political its knowledge of the Riot Act. protestors and the recently created A few days later, an anonymous Metropolitan Police. package arrived at Stockton’s home. The demonstration, at Coldbath This contained pewter-type 1¾ Fields on 13 May 1833, was inch medals, one for each juror. The organised by the National Union of inscriptions included: “In honour the Working Class to protest of the men who nobly withstood against low wages and what they the dictation of the coroner; saw as inadequate changes to independent, and conscientious, electoral reform. The secretary of discharge of their duty.” state declared the meeting illegal, The jurors and their families were the demonstration turned into a also rewarded with a boat trip up riot, and a police officer was killed the Thames on the steamer and two others injured. Endeavour, arranged by a group of Some 600-700 people had radical City men, the Milton Street assembled by 1pm, rising to 1,000 Committee. Despite the rain, by 2pm. Before the meeting crowds cheered them at Blackfriars. opened, they were “amused by two Their arrival at Twickenham was professed infidels, who promulgated saluted with cannon fire. their doctrines”, according to a A year later, a banquet was held to broadside dated 16 May, citing the mark the anniversary of the verdict, Dreadful Riot in London reported hosted by Marylebone MP Samuel in the Caledonian Mercury. Whalley. Following a toast to “the (Broadsides were cheap single people, the only source of legitimate sheets of paper carrying news, into a mob. He soon reappeared, Culley cup: the power”, the Milton Street Committee information and ballads.) holding his chest, which was inscriptions said presented the jurors each with a The crowd was being addressed bleeding heavily. He staggered into these cups were silver cup – a Culley cup. a “perpetual by a Mr Mee, who had been cheered the Calthorpe Arms, collapsed into Nearly 30 years later, when memorial” of for stating that “noble men” who the arms of the barmaid, and died. the jury’s Stockton attended a dinner in were “the producing power were the Two other officers, Sergeant John “glorious verdict March 1861, in honour of his work real wealth of the country”, when he Brooks and PC Redwood, were of ‘justifiable for the Benevolent Institution for was interrupted by a cry of “Police!” also stabbed but survived. homicide’ [of] the Poor of St Pancras, his role as The Times reported: “The police The meeting was dispersed; Robert Culley a foreman of the jury at the inquest furiously attacked the multitude police pursued demonstrators, and policeman who was mentioned in a speech with their staves, felling every arrested around 30 people. was slain whilst mentioned his role at the inquest. person indiscriminately before brutally The justifiable homicide verdict attacking the them; even the females did not Inquest was later overturned. n people when l escape the blows from their batons Two days later, a coroner’s inquest peaceably The Crime Museum Uncovered is – men and boys were lying in every into PC Culley’s death opened at assembled” on at the Museum of London until direction weltering in their blood the Calthorpe Arms. The 17-strong 10 April, £10/concs and calling for mercy.” jury, made up of local tradesmen Mr Mee was reported to call out and led by foreman Samuel Christy Lawrance to the meeting to “stand firm” but Stockton, a baker of Cromer Street, escaped by the back of the House of were hostile to the police, seeing Further reading broadside, 16 May 1833. Correction, the broadside reported. their conduct as “ferocious, brutal Aston M (2005) Foul Deeds http://digital.nls.uk/broadsides/ One officer present was 27-year- and unprovoked by the people”. and Suspicious Deaths in broadside.cfm/id/15389 old PC Culley. He had joined the They also said the police’s action Hampstead, Holborn and Open University and Metropolitan Police in September was illegal because the Riot Act had St Pancras. Wharncliffe Books Metropolitan Police Authority Gruner P (2010) Police officer (2009) Heavy-Handed 1829, the year it had been formed. not been read to the crowds first; killed in union protest! Policing: the Killing of PC Culley became separated from they also criticised the government Islington Tribune, 9 July Constable Culley. http://

Museum of London/Metropolitan Police Crime Museum Museum of London/Metropolitan Police his fellow officers and disappeared for not taking “proper precautions Dreadful Riot in London, tinyurl.com/zd99ueg

22 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 Theatrical displays from London to New York

he creative cross-fertilisation War Horse at between Broadway and the New TLondon’s West End theatres London Theatre; since 1975 is celebrated in this costume design exhibition. for The Phantom Rooms have been transformed of the Opera into a backstage space, full of mysterious shadows and bright, ever-changing lights in neon blues and reds. There are numerous costumes in all their sequined glory, such as Michael Crawford’s scarlet powder blue Wedgwood urn won by people: set and costume designers, and gold suit for The Phantom of the Dame Penelope Keith, plus some of lighting technicians, choreographers, Opera and a male swan’s costume the large Laurence Olivier busts that lyricists and composers as well as from Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake. decorate the awards ceremony itself. actors and directors – not to I particularly liked the original Posters, programmes mention the theatres themselves. puppet for War Horse – you (suspended on wires from This lively exhibition exudes can glimpse underneath the the ceiling), and clips from glamour in spades. After its show legs and see where the numerous shows are here, it transfers to New York. n puppeteers made him come everywhere – I enjoyed l Curtain up: Celebrating 40 Years alive. There are also theatre watching A Chorus Line of Theatre in London and New York costume designs (including standing under a brightly lit is on at the Victoria & Albert for Wolf Hall) and set models. row of original silver top hats. Museum until 31 August, free The Tony Awards section has Curtain Up reminds us that its own glamour. There’s a case a successful show is dependent Elizabeth Hawksley full of awards, including the on a huge range of talented www.elizabethhawksley.com V&A Museum/ Brinkhoff Mögenburg Archive; V&A Museum/Maria Bjornson

Mausolea and monuments: leaving a legacy in architecture

his exhibition at Sir John St Pancras Church cemetery – on three “sealed receptacles” – time Soane’s Museum, commem- that of Rousseau, near Paris. capsules Soane sealed with strict Torating the death of Soane’s On display are rarely exhibited instructions to open them on the wife 200 years ago, examines the drawings for mausolea, funerary 30th, 50th and 60th anniversaries recurring themes of death and sculpture and monuments by of his wife’s death. They were in mortality in the architect’s life architects such as Robert Adam fact opened shortly after his death Bird’s-Eye View and work. (who Soane venerated), Piranesi, of the Soane and resealed. The contents turned The marriage was harmonious William Chambers, Nicholas Family Tomb by out to be both mundane and and Soane’s grief was immense. He Hawksmoor, John Flaxman and George Basevi, bizarre, including false teeth, blamed his son George for her George Dance. one of Soane’s Masonic gloves and cheque death and decided to leave his Also included are objects from students book stumps. home and architectural collection For the event, the museum has to the nation, pretty much on the republished Soane’s Crude Hints condition that it was left as it was. Towards an History of My House in The exhibition shows how death Lincoln’s Inn Fields, wherein he became a fascination for Soane,, visualises his home as a ruin, in the who was Professor of Architecture nature of many of the architectural at the Royal Academy. pieces he collected and the glories Many of the Roman and Greek of Rome that he studied. n monuments that the Georgian l Death and Memory: Soane and architects drew so much the Architecture of Legacy is on at inspiration from were funereal and Sir John Soane’s Museum until Soane would refer to these in his 2 April, free lectures, through his drawings. He based his own mausoleum – in Old Stewart Rayment Soane Museum Sir John

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 23 What’s on Events, exhibitions, courses, walks and more. Contact details of organisers are in the directory on page 28 – events may change or need advance booking. Islington Archaeology & History Society events are listed on the inside back page

Saturday 26 March, 1.15pm Thursday 7 April, 4pm Friday 15 April, 1pm Saturday 23 April, 2pm and Monuments from the Reign Being Imperial: Egyptians at Servants in London 3.30pm of Ramesses the Great Home and in the Levant in Households 1600-1700 Swept Under the Carpet? George Hart the New Kingdom Geffrye Museum, free Talk on domestic service in British Museum, free Linda Hulin London British Museum, free, booking Friday 15 April, 1.15pm Geffrye Museum, free Tuesday 29 March, 6pm essential Ostentation and Ingenuity: Researching Call the Clockwork Wonders of the Saturday 23-Sunday 24 April, Midwife Thursday 7 April, 9pm 16th Century 11am-5pm Heidi Thomas The Stratford Canal Laura Turner The A to Z of London The National Archives, £6/ Clive Henderson British Museum, free Open weekend at London concs London Canal Museum, £4/ Transport Museum’s depot concs Monday 18 April, 6pm celebrating the centenary of the Wednesday 30 March, 1.15pm The Queen at 90 Johnston font. £10.00/concs Ceramics in the Korea Tuesday 12 April, 1.15pm Professor Vernon Bogdanor Gallery British Renaissance Museum of London, free, Wednesday 26 April, 1.15pm Eleanor S Hyun Treasures Gresham College event Silk Road: Why the Chinese British Museum, free Hilary Williams Learned to Love the Horse British Museum, free Tuesday 19 April, 1pm Diana Driscoll Friday 1 April, 1.15pm Turing and von Neumann British Museum, free Death and Burial in Ancient Tuesday 12 April, 6.30pm Professor Raymond Flood Cyprus Neolithic Ditches, Middle Museum of London, free, Wednesday 27 April, 1.15pm Thomas Kiely and Late Bronze Age Gresham College event English Treasures: British Museum, free Enclosures at West Drayton Renaissance to Romantic Peter Boyer Tuesday 19 April, 1.15pm Hilary Williams. Saturday 2 April, 1.15pm Museum of London, London Ancient Britain Beneath British Museum, free An Architectural Walk & Middlesex Archaeological Our Feet around the British Museum Society with the Prehistoric Katharine Hoare Wednesday 27 April, 7.45pm Margaret O’Brien Society, £2 British Museum, free A Greenspaces Walk British Museum, free Mike Gee Tuesday 12 April, 8pm Wednesday 20 April, 2pm Friern Barnet & District Local Tuesday 5 April, 1.15pm In the Lift to the Beach: How to Read a Coat of History Society, £2 The Conservation of a Visit to the Lundenwic Arms Footwear from the Waterfront Dr Robert Peck Thursday 28 April, 1.15pm Islamic World Douglas Killock Society of Genealogists, £8.00/ Introduction to the Barbara Wills and  Hendon & District concs Enlightenment Gallery Bronwen Roberts Archaeological Society Janet Larkin British Museum,  Wednesday, 20 April, 6pm British Museum, free free Wednesday 13 April, Sir Christopher Wren: 7.30pm Buildings, Place and Genius Thursday 28 April, 2pm-3pm Wednesday 6 April, 6pm Shakespeare’s Curtain Dr Simon Thurley BFI Presents Films from the The Port of London Theatre Museum of London, free, Archives Authority’s Works Julian Bowsher Gresham College event Public record films screening. Programme and How it Hornsey Historical Society, £2 The National Archives, £6/ was Affected by the Wednesday 22 April, 1.15pm concs Great War Thursday 14 April, 1.15pm Men of Metal: French Edward Sargent. From Dining Table to Altar: Medals and the Glory of Saturday 30 April, 1.15pm Museum of London Chinese Ritual Bronzes France Love and Lust in Greek Myth Docklands, £2. Docklands Yi Chen Christopher Stewart, British Carolyn Perry History Group event British Museum, free Museum, free British Museum, free

24 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 Wednesday 4 May, 6pm Helen Fry The Princess Alice Disaster Friern Barnet & District Local Joan Lock History Society, £2 Museum of London Docklands, £2. Docklands Wednesday 1 June, 6pm History Group event For Sailor, Rigger and Sailmaker – Tools for the Thursday 5 May, 1pm Rope and Canvas Working Medieval Music: the Lands Trades of the Bell Tower Des Pawson Professor Christopher Page Museum of London St Sepulchre Without Docklands, £2. Docklands Newgate, free, Gresham History Group event College event Wednesday, 1 June, 6pm Thursday 5 May, 7.30pm London’s Great Fire and its The Lancaster Canal Aftermath Robert Philpotts Dr Stephen Porter London Canal Museum,  Museum of London, free, £4/concs Gresham College event

Friday 6 May, 1.15pm Thursday 2 June, 7.30pm Magick land? Francis Towne Three Cheers for the and his Response to Rome Regent’s Canal Dr Jonny Yarker Lester Hillman British Museum, free London Canal Museum,  £4/concs Tuesday 10 May, 6.30pm Archaeological Tuesday 7 June, 1pm Investigations and Crossrail Inventing the Criminal: Jay Carver Sciences of Policing in Museum of London, London Nineteenth-Century Europe & Middlesex Archaeological London Transport’s Johnston font is celebrated at a special Professor Jane Caplan Society, £2 weekend at the LT Museum depot on 22-23 April Museum of London, free, Gresham College event Tuesday 10 May, 8pm Thursday 12 May, 2pm Tuesday 17 May, 6pm Hadrian’s Wall: Life on Understanding Civil The Iraq War, 2003 Tuesday 7 June, 1pm Rome’s Northern Frontier Registration – a Registrar’s Professor Vernon Bogdanor Reframing Disability: Matt Symonds View Museum of London, free, Hidden Histories from Hendon & District Antony Marr Gresham College event the Royal College of Archaeological Society Society of Genealogists, £8.00/ Physicians concs Thursday 19 May, 2pm Emma Shepley Wednesday 11 May, 2pm Cultural Heritage and War Hunterian Museum, £4 Births, Marriages and Thursday 12 May, 1.30pm Sir Derek Plumbly Deaths at Sea Athens’ Sicilian Gresham College, Barnard’s Wednesday 8 June, 7.30pm Paul Blake Adventure Inn Hall, free Searching for Victor Society of Genealogists,  David Stuttard Hember: the Battle of the £8.00/concs British Museum, free, booking Thursday 19 May, 7.30pm Somme essential An Accident in Cat’s Meat Hugh Garnsworthy Wednesday, 11 May, 6pm Square Hornsey Historical Society, £2 The Five Catastrophes That Friday 13 May, 1pm Camden History Society Made London Servants in London Thursday 16 June, 7.30pm Dr Simon Thurley Households 1700-1800 Saturday 21 May, 10.30am Camden: the First 50 Museum of London, free, Geffrye Museum,  Open Day – with Free Years Gresham College event free Lectures Tudor Allen Society of Genealogists, free, Camden History Society Wednesday 11 May, Tuesday 17 May, 1pm booking essential 7.30pm The Sorcerer’s Apprentice: Friday 17 June, 1pm The Day Peace Broke Out Edward Jenner Wednesday 25 May, 7.45pm Servants in London Mike Brown Professor Gareth Williams Germans who Fought with Households 1800-1900

Hornsey Historical Society, £2 Hunterian Museum, £4 the British Geffrye Museum, free Museum Transport London

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 25 Ongoing London Metropolitan Victoria and Albert Exhibitions Archives: regular events Museum free tours Contact the organisations for Events, including advice on These include: Until Monday 28 March dates, times and prices. Please research and meeting LMA l Daily introductory tour Bejewelled Treasures: the note that these may change. professionals. Include: l Medieval and Renaissance Al Thani Collection l Family history starter galleries This exhibition showcases the Tours of Union Chapel l Use LMA: getting started l Theatre and performance evolution and enduring 12.15pm, first Sunday of the and using the catalogue l Britain 1500-1900 influence of Indian jewellery month l Behind the scenes tour See: www.vam.ac.uk/whatson from the Mughal Empire to A chance to appreciate the l Handling documents at the the modern day. It highlights beauty, complex architecture LMA First Thursday of the month, 2pm Indian traditions in design and extent of Union Chapel’s l Deciphering old handwriting Conservation and craftsmanship, focusing buildings, including areas l LGBTQ history club Studio Tour on centuries-old techniques. rarely open to the public, a l Film club See techniques used in caring secret passage and a hidden l A visit to conservation. for collections. Until Friday 10 April garden. Group bookings  Contact the LMA for British Library, £10/concs The Crime Museum also available. information, dates and Uncovered £5, donation, book in advance times. Markfield Beam The exhibition of objects from on 020 7359 4019 Engine and Museum the Metropolitan Police’s Marx Memorial Open Days Crime Museum – on public George Orwell’s Islington Library tours 11am-5pm, display for the first time – Various dates and times Tuesdays and second Sunday of considers the changing nature George Orwell was at his most Thursdays, 1pm the month, plus of crime and detection over the prolific during his time in View a collection bank holidays past 140 years. Giving a voice Islington. While he was living illustrating radical Markfield Park, to victims, perpetrators and at 27b Canonbury Square, and working N15, free, www. police officers, it explores the Animal Farm was published class history. This mbeam.org, 01707 impact of crime and confronts and he worked on drafts of includes where 873628 how society responds when Nineteen Eighty-Four, Lenin worked in Hippocamp from the lives are torn apart, while Waddesdon Bequest published essays and articles, exile in 1902-03, Historic questioning the enduring and broadcast extensively. items from the Spanish Civil Almshouse Tour fascination with this collection. Contact Andrew Gardner on War, Soviet Union posters and The Geffrye Museum’s Museum of London,  walks@islington history.org. artefacts from industrial 18th-century almshouse offers £10/concs uk or 020 7359 4019 disputes. The building’s 15th a glimpse into the lives of century vaults can be visited. London’s poor and elderly in Until Friday 15 April Roman Fort Gate Tours £5/£3 concs, book on admin@ the 18th and 19th centuries. A Room from Damascus Tour the remains of the mml.xyz or 020 7253 1485 [email protected], In the 18th century, the main western gate of London’s 020 7739 9893 reception rooms in Syrian Roman military fort, beneath British Museum: Around upper class houses began to the streets next to the the World in 90 Minutes Clerkenwell and Islington be highly decorated with museum. Fridays, Saturdays and Guides Association: walks colourful painted wooden Museum of London, £5 Sundays, 11.30am and 2pm Guided walks led by the panelling. This display shows Guided tour looking at the mayor of Islington’s guides. the panelling of an interior Billingsgate Roman House Rosetta Stone, the Lewis www.ciga.org.uk. and its contents. and Baths chessmen, the Parthenon Victoria and Albert Museum, Various dates and times sculptures and other items. Treasures of the British free Talk plus tour of the remains British Museum, £12, booking Library of the Billingsgate Roman required Exhibition of more than 200 of Until Sunday 17 April House and Baths, discovered  the world’s most beautiful and Alice in Wonderland in 1848 under Lower Thames Behind the Scenes at the influential books and This exhibition celebrates 150 Street. Museum Depot documents, including hand- years since the publication of Museum of London, £5 Regular tours of the depot in painted and early printed Alice’s Adventures in Acton – check for times books, maps and literary, Wonderland. On show are The Waddesdon Bequest Tours of London Transport historical, scientific and Lewis Carroll’s original Gallery displaying nearly 300 Museum’s depot. This holds musical works. Exhibits manuscript with hand-drawn medieval and Renaissance over 370,000 items, including include Gutenberg’s Bible of illustrations, alongside work pieces, as well as 19th-century vehicles, buildings, signs, 1455, Leonardo da Vinci’s by Sir John Tenniel, Mervyn fakes, illustrating the ceramic tiles, ticket machines notebook, Shakespeare’s First Peake, Ralph Steadman, development of the art market and ephemera. Folio, Handel’s Messiah and a Leonard Weisgard, Arthur in the late 19th century. £10/concs, book: 020 7565 110cm diameter celestial globe. Rackham, Mabel Lucie Atwell,

British Museum Free, British Museum 7298, www.ltmuseum.co.uk British Library, free Helen Oxenbury, Salvador

26 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 Dali and others, as well as a 20th century have been silent 1903 film of the story photographed close to where and early memorabilia. they were found or in places British Library, free associated with them. The images, by National Geographic Until Friday 24 April 2016 photographer Simon Norfolk Lee Miller: a Woman’s War can be seen at http://ngm. This exhibition traces Lee nationalgeographic.com/ Miller’s vision of women and magazine – scroll down, click their lives before, during and on the February issue, then after the Second World War in click on London’s Big Dig. both Britain and Europe. Free, Museum of London Miller was one of only four female war photographers Until 9 October 2016 with US accreditation. The Clangers, Bagpuss & Co Imperial War Museum,  This first major retrospective £10/concs of Smallfilms will go behind King William Street, looking towards the Monument. From the the scenes of some of Oliver Until Sunday 24 April 2016 Cross and Tibbs photograph collection, on display at War in Postgate’s and Peter Firmin’s Philip Webb 1831-1915 London at the London Metropolitan Archives creations including Pogles’ Philip Webb, friend and Wood, Noggin the Nog and colleague of William Morris, and photographs, including Until 15 May 2016 Ivor the Engine. The exhibition was the most significant those taken by London police Life and Sole: Footwear brings together original architect of the arts and crafts constables Arthur Cross and from the Islamic World puppets, archive footage, sets movement in England. Fred Tibbs during the Second Around 25 pairs of shoes, and storyboards, photos, Drawing on the V&A and World War. slippers, sandals, clogs and scripts and filming equipment. RIBA’s archives, this display London Metropolitan boots from North Africa, the V&A Museum of Childhood, brings together his architect Archives, free Middle East, Turkey, Central free and design projects. Asia and South Asia, dating V&A, free Until Sunday 1 May from 1800, are being shown Until Monday 31 October A Stitch in Time: Home together for the first time. Musical Wonders of India Until Monday 27 April Sewing before 1900 British Museum, free Decorated instruments, one in War in London This display examines some of the shape of a peacock adorned Exhibition on the effects of the tools used in domestic From Friday 20 May with feathers, evoke India’s conflicts on Londoners and sewing, which could be highly Designology musical traditions. This display their city, from the English decorative and reflected female The exhibition looks at how is part of a digital project with Civil War to the Cold War, status and accomplishment. design in London’s transport Darbar Arts Culture Heritage, with maps, manuscripts, films V&A, free system has evolved, looking at showing how these instruments publicity, architecture, would have been played. technology, engineering, V&A Museum, free service operation and the urban environment. 16 April-12 March 2017 , Undressed: a Brief History £17/concs, including museum of Underwear ‘It’s ours whatever they say’: celebrating half admission for a year This exhibition traces the role a century of adventure play in Islington of underwear in decorating Until 22 May and manipulating the body Islington Museum Hoards: the Hidden History from the 18th century to the Friday 20 May-Saturday 25 June 2016 of Ancient Britain present day, considering the Admission free This display focuses on practical, personal, sensory, hoarding in prehistoric and sexual and fashionable. On This exhibition looks at the and their play spaces and Roman Britain. Find out why display are corsets, crinolines, history of the adventure why adventure playgrounds ancient people put objects boxer shorts and lingerie playground movement are important to them. into the ground and why they alongside photographs and in Islington. It will also look at the did not retrieve them. advertisements. Highlights Islington has 12 adventure significant role of local British Museum, free include long cotton drawers playgrounds, which have action in the development of worn by Queen Victoria’s been around for almost 50 these sites – especially Until 3 July 2016 mother, an 1842 man’s years. The display will look at mothers in their fight for Under London wedding day belt and gender- the heritage of local children children’s rights to play. Objects found at archaeological neutral pants.

digs in London since the late V&A, £12/concs Association Islington Council/Islington Play Archives; London Metropolitan

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 27 Museum DoCoMoMo UK Directory Lordship Lane, N17 8NU, 020 Modern movement heritage. 8808 8772, museum.services@ www.docomomo-uk.co.uk haringey.gov.uk History, civic, amenity and archaeology East London History Society societies, museums and online resources Burgh House and 42 Campbell Rd, E3 4DT, mail Hampstead Museum @eastlondonhistory.org.uk New End Sq, NW3, 020 7431 0144, www.burghhouse.org.uk Enfield Archaeological To add or update information Bethlem Museum of the Society in our directly, email editor Mind Camden History Society www.enfarchsoc.org Christy Lawrance on christy@ Monks Orchard Road, 020 7586 4436, www. islingtonhistory.org.uk Beckenham, 020 3228 4227, camdenhistorysociety.org England’s Places www.bethlemheritage.org.uk Historic England archive All Hallows by the Tower Camden New Town History photographs. www. Crypt Museum Bexley Archaeological Group historicengland.org.uk/images- 020 7481 2928, www.ahbtt.org. Group www.camdennewtown.info books/archive/archive- uk/visiting/crypt-museum/ www.bag.org.uk, Martin collections/englands-places Baker: 020 8300 1752 Camden Railway Heritage Amateur Geological Trust Estorick Collection of Society Bishopsgate Institute 21 Oppidans Road, NW3, Modern Italian Art 25 Village Road, N3 1TL Library and Archive [email protected] 39a Canonbury Square, N1 230 Bishopsgate, EC2M, 020 2AN, 020 7704 9522, info@ Amwell Society 7392 9270, www.bishopsgate. Canonbury Society www.estorickcollection.com 8 Cumberland Gardens, org.uk www.canonburysociety.org. WC1X 9AG, 020 7837 0988, uk, 1 Alwyne Place, N1 Foundling Museum [email protected] Bomb Sight 40 Brunswick Square, WC1, London map of WW2 bombs, Chartered Institution of 020 7841 3600, www. Ancestor Search www.bombsight.org Building Services Engineers foundlingmuseum.org.uk Guidance on where to look. Heritage Group British Airways Heritage www.hevac-heritage.org/ Freud Museum The Angel Association www.britishairways.com/ 20 Maresfield Gdns, NW3, 020 www.angelassociation.org.uk travel/museum-collection/ Cinema Museum 7435 2002, www.freud.org.uk public/en_gb www.cinemamuseum.org.uk/ Archives Hub Friends of Hackney Archives http://archiveshub.ac.uk/ British Heritage TV City of London Hackney Archives, Dalston www.405-line.tv/ Archaeological Society Sq, E8 3BQ, 020 8356 8925, Arsenal FC Museum [email protected] [email protected] 020 7619 5000, www.arsenal. British Library com 96 Euston Rd, NW1, 0330 333 Clerkenwell and Islington Friern Barnet & District 1144, customer-Services@ Guides Association Local History Society Association for the Study bl.uk 07971 296731, [email protected] www.friern-barnethistory.org. and Preservation of Roman uk. Photo archive: www. Mosaics British Museum Clockmakers’ Museum friern-barnet.com www.asprom.org Great Russell Street, WC1, 020 www.clockmakers.org/ 7323 8299, information@ museum-and-library Friends of the New River Museum britishmuseum.org Head Threadneedle St, EC2R 8AH, Graveyard c/o Amwell Society 020 7601 5545, www.bankof British Postal Museum and www.crossbones.org.uk england.co.uk/museum Archive Friends of Friendless Freeling House, Phoenix Crossness Pumping Station Churches Barnet Museum and Local Place, WC1X 0DL; store at 020 8311 3711, www. www.friendsoffriendless History Society Debden, Essex, 020 7239 2570, crossness.org.uk churches.org.uk www.barnetmuseum.co.uk [email protected] Docklands History Group Geffrye Museum BBC archive British Vintage Wireless info@docklandshistory group. 136 Kingsland Road, E2 8EA, www.bbc.co.uk/archive Society org.uk 020 7739 9893, www.geffrye- [email protected] museum.org.uk Benjamin Franklin House Dictionary of Victorian Craven Street, WC2N 5NF, Windmill London/Cat’s Meat Shop Georgian Group 020 7925 1405, info@ 020 7926 6056, www. Encyclopaedia and blog, www. 6 Fitzroy Square, W1T 5DX, BenjaminFranklinHouse.org brixtonwindmill.org/ victorianlondon.org [email protected]

28 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 Grant Museum of Zoology London Canal Museum 020 3108 2052, www.ucl.ac. 12-13 New Wharf Road, N1 uk/museums/zoology 9RT, 020 7713 0836, www. canalmuseum.org.uk Gresham College Free lectures on different Museum topics, www.gresham.ac.uk 020 8555 1200, www.london- fire.gov.uk/london-fire- Greater London Industrial brigade-museum.asp Archaeology Society (GLIAS) London Lives 1690-1800 14 Mount Rd, EN4 9RL, 020 www.londonlives.org 8692 8512, www.glias.org.uk London Metropolitan Guildhall Library Archives Aldermanbury, EC2V 7HH, The British Airways Heritage collection includes photographs, 40 Northampton Rd, EC1 020 7332 1868, textphone 020 uniforms, documents and memorabilia from the 1920s to today 0HB, 020 7332 3820, ask. 7332 3803, guildhall.library@ [email protected], cityoflondon.gov.uk Hornsey Historical Society Islington Museum www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma The Old Schoolhouse, 136 245 St John Street, EC1V 4NB, Hackney Museum Tottenham Lane, N8 7EL, 10am-5pm, closed Weds and London & Middlesex 1 Reading Lane, E8 1GQ, hornseyhistorical.org.uk Sun, 020 7527 2837, islington. Archaeological Society www. hackney.gov.uk/ [email protected], 020 7814 5734, www.lamas. cm-museum.htm Hunterian Museum www.islington.gov.uk/ org.uk RCS, 35-43 Lincoln’s Inn museum The Hackney Society Fields, WC2, www.rcseng. London Museums of Health Round Chapel, 1d Glenarm ac.uk/museums Islington’s Lost Cinemas and Medicine Road, E5 0LY, 020 7175 1967, www.islingtonslostcinemas.com www.medicalmuseums.org [email protected] IanVisits Blog with history and other Islington Society London Museum of Water Hendon and District events. www.ianvisits.co.uk 3P Leroy, 436 Essex Road & Steam Archaeology Society London N1 3QP 020 8568 4757, www. 020 8449 7076, hadas.org.uk International Council on [email protected] waterandsteam.org.uk Monuments and Sites Heritage of London Trust www.icomos-uk.org Jewish Museum London Socialist Historians 020 7730 9472, www. www.jewishmuseum.org.uk http://londonsocialist heritageoflondon.com Imperial War Museum historians.blogspot.com Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ, Joe Meek Society Historic Hospital Admission www.iwm.org.uk www.joemeeksociety.org London Society Records Project http://londonsociety.org.uk/ www.hharp.org/ Islington and Camden Dr Johnson’s House Cemetery 17 Gough Square, EC4, www. London Vintage Taxi Highgate Literary and High Road, East Finchley, N2 drjohnsonshouse.org Association Scientific Institution Archives 9AG, 020 7527 8804, www. www.lvta.co.uk [email protected] islington.gov.uk/ Keats House Environment/cemeteries 020 7332 3868, keatshouse@ London Transport Museum Historical Association, cityoflondon.gov.uk 020 7379 6344, www. Central London Branch Islingtonfacesblog.com ltmuseum.co.uk 020 7323 1192, www.history. Living history interviews. Lewisham Local History org.uk, [email protected] http://islingtonfacesblog.com Society www.lewishamhistory.org.uk Railway Society Historic Towns Forum Islington Local History [email protected] www.historictowns forum.org Centre Locating London’s Past Finsbury Library, 245 St John www.locatinglondon.org London Westminster & History of Harringay St, EC1V 4NB. 9.30am-8pm Middlesex Family History www.harringayonline.com/ Mon and Thurs (shuts 6pm London Archaeological Society group/historyofharringay every other Monday); Archive and Research www.lwmfhs.org.uk 9.30am-5pm Tues, Fri and Sat; Centre Online Horniman Museum closed Weds and Sun; closed Catalogue Markfield Beam Engine and 100 London Rd, SE23, 020 1pm-2pm; 020 7527 7988; http://archive. Museum 8699 1872, www.horniman. [email protected], museumoflondon.org.uk/ Markfield Park, N15, 01707 ac.uk www.islington.gov.uk/heritage laarc/catalogue/ 873628, [email protected]

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 29 Mausolea & Monuments Newcomen Society for the Royal Institute of British Theatres Trust Trust History of Engineering and Architects (RIBA) 22 Charing Cross Road, www.mmtrust.org.uk Technology 66 Portland Place, W1B 1AD, WC2H 0QL, 020 7836 8591, 020 7371 4445, office@ www.architecture.com www.theatrestrust.org.uk Marx Memorial Library newcomen.com 37a Clerkenwell Green, EC1 Science Museum Tiles and Architectural 0DU, 020 7253 1485, info@ Action Exhibition Road, SW7 2DD. Ceramics Society marx-memorial-library.org Group www.sciencemuseum.org.uk http://tilesoc.org.uk 020 7359 6027, www. The Model Railway Club newingtongreen.org.uk Sign Design Society Transport Trust 4 Calshot St, N1 9DA www.signdesignsociety.co.uk Lambeth Rd, SE1, 020 7928 020 7837 2542, www. New River Action Group 6464, www.transporttrust.com themodelrailwayclub.org [email protected], Sir John Soane’s Museum 020 8292 5987 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, WC2A Twentieth Century Society Museum of Brands 3BP, www.soane.org 70 Cowcross St, EC1, 020 111-117 Lancaster Road, W11 North London Railway 7250 3857, www.c20society. 1QT, 020 7908 0880, info@ Historical Society Smithfield Trust org.uk museumofbrands.com 020 7837 2542, www.nlrhs. 70 Cowcross St, EC1, 020 org.uk 7566 0041 Union Chapel and Friends Museum of Domestic Design of the Union Chapel & Architecture (MoDA) Northview – 1930s estate Society of Genealogists Compton Avenue, N1 2XD, 020 8411 4394, www.moda. www.northview.org.uk www.sog.org.uk, 020 7251 www.unionchapel.org.uk/ mdx.ac.uk/home 8799, booking: 020 7553 3290 pages/friends.html Ocean Liner Society Museum of London wwwocean-liner-society.com Society for the Protection Victoria & Albert Museum 150 , EC2Y 5HN, of Ancient Buildings Cromwell Rd, SW7, 020 7907 020 7814 5511, info@ Pauper Lives in Georgian 37 Spital Sq, E1 6DY, 020 7377 7073, www.vam.ac.uk museumoflondon.org.uk London and Manchester 1644, www.spab.org.uk http://research.ncl.ac.uk/ V&A Museum of Childhood Museum of London pauperlives Southwark and Lambeth Cambridge Heath Road, E2 Archaeology Archaeology Society 9PA, 020 8983 5200, www. Mortimer Wheeler House, 46 Peckham Society 79 Ashridge Cres, SE18 3EA museumofchildhood.org.uk Eagle Wharf Road, N1, 020 www.peckhamsociety.org.uk 7410 2200, www.museum The Streatham Society Victorian Society oflondon archaeology.org.uk Petrie Museum of Egyptian www.streathamsociety.org.uk 020 8994 1019, www. Archaeology victoriansociety.org.uk Museum of London www. ucl.ac.uk/museums/ Stuart Low Trust Docklands petrie www.slt.org.uk Wallpaper History Society 020 7001 9844, www.museum wallpaperhistorysociety. oflondon.org.uk/docklands Prehistoric Society Rotherhithe & Bermondsey org.uk www.prehistoricsociety.org Local History Society Museum of the Order of [email protected] Walthamstow Historical St John Proceedings of the Old Society St John’s Gate, EC1M 4DA, Bailey Royal Archaeological www.walthamstow 020 7324 4005, www. www.oldbaileyonline.org Institute historicalsociety.org.uk/ museumstjohn.org.uk [email protected] Railway Correspondence Wellcome Collection Musical Museum and Travel Society Royal College of Nursing www.wellcomecollection.org 399 High Street, TW8 0DU, www.rcts.org.uk Library and Heritage Centre www.musicalmuseum.co.uk 0345 337 3368, rcn.library@ John Wesley’s House and Rescue/British rcn.org.uk Museum of National Archives Archaeological Trust 49 City Rd, EC1, www.wesleys 020 8876 3444, www. www.rescue-archaeology.org.uk Thames Discovery chapel.org.uk/museum.htm nationalarchives.gov.uk Programme Ragged School Museum Mortimer Wheeler Hse, 46 William Morris Gallery National Churches Trust 020 8980 6405, www.ragged Eagle Wharf Rd, N1, 020 7410 Forest Road, E17, 020 8496 www.nationalchurchestrust. schoolmuseum.org.uk 2207, thamesdiscovery.org 4390, www.wmgallery.org.uk org Royal Air Force Museum Theatres Trust Wilmington Square Society National Piers Society 020 8205 2266, www. 020 7836 8591, www. www.thewilmington www.piers.org.uk rafmuseum.org.uk/london theatrestrust.org.uk squaresociety.org

30 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 Islington Archaeology & History Society Events

Wednesday 20 April, 7.30pm, Annual general meeting Islington Town Hall The annual general meeting of the Islington Archaeology & History Society will be held at on Wednesday 15 June at Drama 6.30pm, Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, London N1 2UD workshop with Anna Scher Wednesday 15 June, 7.30pm, Islington Town Hall Anna Scher Moves at Islington Local History Centre Anna Scher MBE Mark Aston, Local History Manager, Islington Council will be running a drama workshop Mark will be updating us on the progress of works at the Local – come and watch History Centre, and will be describing the material held in its or, better still, join in. archives and the heritage services it offers. Works to Finsbury Library include a new archive store for the The Anna Scher Theatre in Islington started as a drama club in Local History Centre, which means many items now in storage 1968. Improvisation is at the core of its teaching, combining a should be available from September. community spirit with excellence and professionalism. It has The Local History Centre holds a wide range of resources produced household names for generations including Kathy about the history of the borough, including maps, photographs, Burke, Phil Daniels, Pauline Quirke, Linda Robson and census records, electoral rolls, newspapers and periodicals, Susan Tully. trade directories, advertisements, workhouse records and other Anna, who is an associate of RADA, has served on juries at archive material. BAFTA, Sony and the Royal Television Society. It also holds special collections, including on Sadler’s Wells She last addressed the IAHS around 10 years ago, and we’re Theatre, the Royal Agricultural Hall, Joe Orton and several local delighted to be welcoming her again. businesses. The collections are available for research on family history, local history and many other subjects. Wednesday 18 May, 7.30pm, Islington Town Hall

Agincourt at the Islington borders, Wednesday 29 June, 7.30pm, Islington Town Hall Whitsun 1416 Brutalist Islington Lester Hillman, academic adviser, Islington Archaeology & History Society James Dunnett, Islington architect and past chair of Following the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, there was pressure to DoCoMoMo UK. This negotiate peace with France. King Sigismund of Hungary, a future event is held jointly with Holy Roman Emperor, came to England as a sort of peace broker. the Islington Society. His stay in England with a huge retinue in the summer of 1416 featured high drama, international diplomacy, ceremony, A photo-tour of various pageantry and great feasting. buildings built between Echoes of Agincourt can still be detected along Islington’s 1955 and 1975 in Islington, borders, from Moorgate’s archery heritage to Dick Whittington’s with a talk about them and stone on Highgate Hill. their architects.

The Islington Archaeology & History Society meets 10 times a year, usually at 7.30pm on the third Wednesday of the month

at Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, N1. £1 donation/free to members. Everyone welcome. www.islingtonhistory.org.uk Christy Lawrance

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2016 Vol 6 No 1 31 The Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Back page picture Recognise anyone here at the Martin Luther King adventure playground in the early 1970s? An exhibition on local adventure playgrounds starts at Islington Museum in May Islington Council/Islington Play Association Play Council/Islington Islington