Road danger reduction news.fitzrovia.org.uk Fitzrovia News Fitzrovia News is produced by residents and volunteers and distributed free to business and residential addresses in Fitzrovia Issue 154 Autumn 2019 Pedestrian crossing on Tottenham Court Road is a collision hot spot Four pedestrians have been hospitalised by southbound buses since road became 2-way

By Linus Rees buses go slower than other vehi - Where’s Equiano cles might have the opposite ef - A light-controlled crossing on Tot - fect, encouraging overtaking and buried ? page 10 tenham Court Road has become a putting road users at risk. collision hot spot after four pedes - “In the case of the [June] colli - trians were seriously injured after sions in Tottenham Court Road, being struck by buses in almost the vehicles involved were travel - identical circumstances. ling at around 10mph, and the Since April emergency ser - severity of injuries was thankfully vices and collision investigators relatively low. Bus operators also have attended the junction of Tot - briefed drivers about the road lay - tenham Court Road and Torring - out changes and undertook a bus ton Place on four separate test before the road opened,” he occasions. said. On the morning of Tuesday The Fitzrovia Neighbourhood 11 June a man in his 30s and a Association has called on Camden southbound number 24 bus oper - Council and Transport for London ated by Metroline collided; a to review the layout of the junc - week later on Tuesday 18 June in tion and to immediately bring in a what appears to be nearly identi - 10mph speed limit for all vehicles, cal circumstances a second pedes - not just buses, to reduce road dan - WIN THIS trian and a southbound bus ger. operated by Arriva collided; on Councillor Adam Harrison, BOOK page 11 Monday 2 September a female cabinet member for a sustainable Police investigaters at the scene in September after a third pedestrian was student from SOAS University of Camden, said: “We are working knocked down by a southbound bus at the same crossing point. London was knocked down by a with the Police and TfL to better southbound bus also operated by understand these collisions and of people advising pedestrians to area. Arriva; and on the evening of what our appropriate next steps look both ways, along the entire “Our campaign continues to Thursday 26 September a woman should be. length of the road ahead of the advise people to use the pedes - was struck in the face by route 29 “An independent road safety traffic change and for eight weeks trian crossings as the safest way to bus operated by Arriva. audit undertaken at this location afterward. We also employed cross and to look both ways, with Since the 1960s traffic had did not find any issue with the stewards along the road for the posters still up locally, signage at been restricted to one way north - layout of the junction and we first week after the traffic change, all crossings and look both ways bound along Tottenham Court have put in place a range of mea - to advise pedestrians. Posters painted permanently on the Road but from April this year sures to ensure people are aware were placed in tube stations and road,” he said. buses have been running in both of the switch to two-way working. announcements made for bus pas - Just before Fitzrovia News directions as part of a £35m pro - “As well as communicating street stor sengers and tube users, as well as went to press, TfL instructed all y ject to transform the Tottenham with businesses and householders direct emails to Oyster Card hold - bus drivers on Tottenham Court Court Road area, which Camden about the changes to the road lay - ers who make journeys in the Road not to exceed 10mph. Council says has benefited cy - out, we installed life-sized signs page 14 clists and pedestrians. Similar collisions have oc - curred on Baker Street, also re - cently changed to two-way, which prompted London Assembly member Caroline Russell to ask TfL to lower the speed limit to 10 est1958 mph for buses operating on such streets. Awarded Mayor of London Sadiq Khan The home of traditional tripadvisor responded saying: “Trying to im - certificate of fish and chips. pose lower speeds for buses along excellence five GIGS these roads would not be likely to years running Fully licensed Greek restaurant enhance safety. In fact, making 2014 - 2018 12 Tottenham Street 020 7636 1424 2 — Fitzrovia News issue 154 Autumn 2019 Fitzrovia News Formerly The Tower Letters, email and comment established 1973 news.fitzrovia.org.uk Write to [email protected] twitter.com/fitzrovianews face - book.com/fitzrovianews instagram.com/fitzrovianews [email protected] My Huegenot refugee ancestors Issue 154 Autumn 2019 Published 1 October 2019 Editorial Team Mike Pentelow: lived at 22 Colville Place editor and features editor I have been researching my fam - who was born in 1818. further children in France in 1845 Linus Rees: ily history on the paternal side for This is the Samuel who ties and Strasbourg in 1847. While at website and assistant editor many years and discovered a the family to 22 Colville Place. Colville Place two girls were born Pete Whyatt: London past going back three Prior to taking his family to about a year apart from Septem - news and production editor hundred years and more, proba - Fitzrovia he travelled in Europe. ber 1858. In 1861 another girl was Clive Jennings: bly as Huegenot refugees. My Whilst on the Continent he met a born to Eugenie now aged 42. arts editor four times great grandfather John French woman, Eugenie Caroline The 1871 National Census Brian Jarman: Recknell entered St Pancras Vall, born in 1819. Their lusty be - shows a total of 19 men, women writer and sub-editor Workhouse and died there about haviour in Amsterdam in 1840 and children living in number 22: Janet Gauld: 1824 and was buried in an un - produced a love child also truly a place of multiple occu - associate editor marked pauper’s grave at High - named Samuel. They got married pancy, four or five different fam - George Gissing (below) wrote Barb Jacobson: gate Cemetery. at the English Church in Amster - ily surnames being listed about Colville Place in New Grub associate editor His son Samuel, meanwhile, dam in 1841. Their occupations including the Recknells. The Street. Jennifer Kavanagh: was a resident of the City of Lon - entered on the Dutch marriage houses in Colville Place appeared associate editor don Fleet Prison, as the family certificate were “keeper” for him, to register many family names had fallen on hard times. After re - and “servant” for her. and working class occupations Contributors: lease in 1825, with the debts paid, They both then travelled, mostly artisans. Eugenie lived he produced a number of off - romped, and bedded around the there in excess of 30 years before Jayne Davis spring, including another Samuel Low Countries bringing forth reluctantly moving to Kensington Terry Egan where she died in 1889, aged 70, Clifford Harper leaving the sum of £24. Amy, my Angela Lovely Who remembers the iron cow? 35-year-old daughter, is expecting Wendy Shutler her first child, a daughter, soon, Clifford Slapper I recently came across Sam lived above had the "iron cow". and hopefully amongst her Sunita Soliar Lomberg's article "Charlotte Could Sam Lomberg have been names will be Eugenie. Chris Tyler Street as I remember it" (posted mistaken? Andre Recknell, Alderney, Kipper Williams Sept 2010) and wondered if any The only dairys I have found Channel Islands. Robert Workman reader might know if the build - in Charlotte Street for that period EDITOR’S NOTE: You may be in - wrote about his experiences in the ing which housed the dairy with have been at numbers 21,43 and terested to note that 22 Colville Place novel New Grub Street, published in Printed by: Sharman & Co Ltd, the "iron cow" in Charlotte Street 65; the first two under the name is where author George Gissing 1891 and still available in paperback. Newark Road, Peterborough still exists. My great -grand - of Richards and the last under (1857-1903) lodged in 1878. He See “Outlaw Artists”, pages 12-13. PE1 5TD. sharmanandco.co.uk mother lived above this dairy in the name of Williams. Fitzrovia News is produced the 1930s. Any help would be greatly by the Fitzrovia Community In Sam Lomberg's article he appreciated. Socialists in Charlotte Street Newspaper Group. writes that the name of the dairy Readers may be interested to cles and speaking at meetings in - ISSN: 0967-1404 was "Hewson's". I have, however, Benjamin Coppell, learn that the first annual confer - doors and outdoors. This promi - Published by Fitzrovia searched London directories of [email protected] ence of the Socialist Party of Great nent activity led to him losing Neighbourhood Association the period and can find no listing Britain (which still exists) took work in his trade and he became a (registered charity 1111649) for a Hewson's dairy in Charlotte *EDITOR’S NOTE: Upper Maryle - place at 107 Charlotte Street on storeman. c/o Flat 2, 19 Tottenham Street, street. I have, however, found a bone Street became the part of New April 20, 1905. Later he joined the Commu - London W1T 2AN Hewson's Dairy at 8 Upper Cavendish Street east of Great Port - Among those present was T nist Party of Great Britain and was fitzrovia.org.uk Marylebone Street*. land Street in 1937. No 8 was on the A “Tommy” Jackson, who later employed writing for its newspa - I definitely know that the south side halfway between Cleve - Fitzrovia News is published became famous for his history per the Daily Worker (now called dairy my great grandmother land Street and Ogle Street. book “Ireland Her Own” (pub - the Morning Star). four times a year. lished in 1946 and still in print). Margit Andersen and John Our deadline for news, For at least five years he was Poulsen, Copenhagen, features, letters and adverts active in the SPGB, writing arti - Denmark . is normally two weeks Hanson Street in the 1940s before publication. The My mother and father Evanthia come out at night, and take our Thanks to Pancho next issue will be out on and Chris Mavrommatis with my blood. But as a child, I knew no Tuesday 17 December 2019. brothers Vassili, Panycos and An - different, so got on with it, yet we I would like to send my grateful opment on behalf of the Deadline: 29 November drew Mavrommatis, all lived in were happy. thanks to Labour Councillor Pan- residents. the flat above Beardmore at No My father came from Cyprus cho Lewis, West End Ward, for all Nick Bailey, Secretary, from Notice 76 Hanson Street. in 1946 and my mum followed in his hard case work supporting me Fitzrovia West Neighbourhood Please note we are no longer I met many Greeks and Jews 1947, not knowing a word of En - and many of my neighbours in Forum, has also been very sup - based at Fitzrovia Neighbour - who were living in Hanson Street, glish. She made her way from Liv - Newman Street and Charlotte portive. hood Centre. Please email plus fond memories of Patrick, erpool after the ship docked, to Street. FSK House want to extend I know Cllr Lewis works re - [email protected] and visit who used to push us up and London alone with two boys. I their office space, which is going ally hard for local residents and our website news.fitzrovia.org.uk down the street in his wheelbar - came later in 1950. Thank you for to block daylight to many of the receives a lot of support from his to keep in touch. row. allowing us to remember our past. surrounding residential proper- wife Maggie. I just want to offer Subscribe to Fitzrovia News No TV, no bath, no proper ties. Pancho wrote a detailed let- my appreciation. for regular updates: heating, and loads of rats in the Andrew Mavrommatis, ter to Westminster Council bit.ly/fitzrovianews basement, and bugs, that used to by email. objecting to the proposed devel- Ann Goodburn, Newman Street. Fitzrovia News issue 154 Autumn 2019 — 3

Brexit building bargains for Bangkok bourgeoisie The Cartoon Museum Anyone still dim enough (like Westminster's councillors) to think that demolishing perfectly comes to Wells Street sound buildings, kicking out thriving businesses, and then building an ugly tower block of luxury flats in the hope it will ad - dress local housing need ought to read more widely. Because this September at a hotel in Bangkok, property devel - opers were busy flogging des res pads off-plan to overseas in - vestors. Climate strike placards on display in the window of architects Feilden Clegg “We are excited to be bringing Bradley Studios in Tottenham Street. 101 on Cleveland Street to Asia at this time,” cheered Richard Leslie, Architects and engineers can play of Dukelease Properties. "This is the right time to buy their part against climate change London property as the pound sterling has been in sharp decline and habitat loss against the Thai baht," chipped in by Angela Lovely Pornpimol Pheungkhuankhan, of The climate strike on Friday 20 September saw thousands of adults join Steve Marchant, learning co-ordinatior and comic art curator, outside the new CBRE in Bangkok. museum in Wells Street. the movement started by young people taking action against climate change and species extinction. These included many architects and en - The Cartoon Museum had a grand opening at 63 Wells Street at the end Labour anger over no gineers in Fitzrovia. of June. “More than 100 assembled outside London’s Building Centre be - planning applications Guardian cartoonist and a trustee of the museum Steve Bell told fore going on to a rally in Westminster, while outside the capital, archi - A lack of major planning applica - Fitzrovia News : “It has been a joy doing it and a great treat going tects took part in protests in numerous other towns and cities,” noted tions usually brings light relief to through all the material. There is so much wonderful stuff and a great the Architects Journal. most people living in central Lon - advantage here compared with our previous venue is that we can get The Journal did however point out that architects’ designs “can don who are fed up with the much more on the walls, and they are all on one level.” have a major effect on the level of carbon emissions” — something Ar - amount of demolition and de - Fellow cartoonist and chairman of the museum, Oliver Preston, chitects for Social Housing have pointed out. struction blighting their lives and said: “We are delighted to be in Fitzrovia and have now got a 25-year But this wasn’t a strike like any other because “in most cases walk - business. lease through a deal with Great Portland Estates. ing out is positively embraced by their employers. Major planning applications “We have 8,000 books, and 6,000 cartoons going back to Hogarth “Among the numerous practices encouraging their workers to almost always fill community and Galbraith, of which 400 are on the walls.” down tools were Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Stanton Williams, Ben - groups in London's neighbour - The museum also hosts children’s classes and visits local schools. netts Associates and PRP — and RIBA staff also joined the protests. hoods with dread. “Even Grimshaw tweeted that it would be proudly supporting its But not so for Westminster A photograph frequently used to il - Council's opposition Labour lustrate anything relating to the teams from around the world as they took to the streets. It can only be hoped that those included the team working on its proposal for a mas - councillors who flew into a rage leading black campaigner for the abo - in the summer heat after the lition of the transatlantic slave trade sive expansion of Heathrow Airport which will facilitate a significant increase in air travel,” noted AJ. major planning applications com - Olaudah Equiano (1745-1797) turns mittee in August was cancelled out to be of someone else. The origi - While in Fitzroy Street staff from Arup held a solidarity march from its London offices, to show “our commitment to being part of the solu - due to a development slow down. nal painting is almost certainly of Ig - Councillor Geoff Barra - natius Sancho (1729-80) who was tion to the climate crisis and shaping a better world”. When Fitzrovia News questioned the involvement of Arup, one clough, Labour’s planning born on a slave ship and brought to spokesperson thundered: "The England. He later ran a grocery shop staff member was happy to clarify. “The event has been organised by members of Arup staff, but is not unprecedented decline in plan - in Westminster and died in 1780. ning applications in Westminster The artist is believed to be Allan an Arup organised event as such. We have planned this event in order to show our support for the youth strikers, and to ask Governments to is squarely due to this Govern - Ramsay. The painting as at a mu - ment’s reckless anti-business ob - seum in Exeter. The image on the take greater action to tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis,” said the source. session with Brexit at all costs. No Goodge Place mural (left) is based on sensible business can plan for sig - Sancho not Equiano. Arup is a key player in the expansion of Heathrow Airport and the delivery of HS2. Two of the highest profile projects that will add to the nificant, long-term investment in climate and biodiversity crisis. Let’s hope there current conditions. We need a are more strikes. thriving economy to build afford - able homes, modern office blocks Westminster council con - and a regenerated Oxford Street.“ sultation on 20 mph limit News in brief Westminster council is considering a 20 Brexit has been good for US miles per hour speed limit across the city with booze shoppers visiting London. the announcementof a public consultation on the The price of a 50-year-old bottle plans. of Scottish Dalmore whiskey in a If given the go ahead it will mean an end to Great Portland Street has fallen two different speed limits in Fitzrovia on the bor - $9,400 since the Brexit vote to der with Camden which already has a 20 mph $108,500 — what a bargain! limit. A spate of overnight vandal - “Our proposal for a 20mph limit is part of ism over the summer and early our drive to create a safer, healthier and cleaner autumn left shops and other environment for all those who live, work, visit buildings on Goodge Street, and study here,” says Councillor Tim Mitchell, Charlotte Street and Tottenham deputy leader of Westminster City Council. Street with shattered glass. 4 — Fitzrovia News issue 154 Autumn 2019 New Brexit group is stuffed above a Former hospital and restaurant in Charlotte Street workhouse site reveals People chomping down sausages and slurping bub - assistant to Ronald Reagan. Other signatories in - bly in a Charlotte Street restaurant will likely be un - clude Jon Dobinson and David Berens. aware that in a room above their heads is the Dobinson and Berens are founding directors of human burial remains registered London office of a US-based pro-Brexit World4Brexit a company which was registered at UK lobbying group. Companies House in August with a correspondence Nigel Farage, leader of the Brexit party, hosted a address in Charlotte Street. launch for World for Brexit in New York in July, Dobinson is the CEO of London based media alongside American political figures who support group Other Creative and stood as a Tory councillor Donald Trump. in Surrey earlier this year, arguing the case for an According to the Guardian newspaper the W4B exit from the EU on WTO terms. He failed to get website, which has a page soliciting donations of be - elected. tween $100 and $1,000, says the group was formed Berens is a trustee of The President Reagan “by friends of the UK from around the world who Memorial Fund Trust, a charity registered in the UK. welcome it back to the international community free He has an office on Charlotte Street where he is a of the EU”, but does not give details about who is partner at Fuglers Solicitors. He sits on the board of behind the organisation. The Fitzrovia Partnership Business Improvement But more was revealed in August when the Sun - District. day Telegraph published a letter from W4B which He is also an ambassador for Bury Football stated the organisation will be “launched in Britain Club, which was expelled from the English Football on August 27”. League in August after they failed to resolve their fi - The letter was signed by Peggy Grande, chair of nancial difficulties. W4B, and several others. She is a former executive

London Fire Brigade issues warnings Lidl coming to Fitzrovia One of the burials found in a trench dug along the south cemetery wall. Source: Museum of London Archaeology. after blaze at Fitzrovia restaurant German supermarket chain Lidl has announced it will open its first central London store on Tot - An archaeological investigation at the Middlesex Hospital Annex and tenham Court Road next summer. former Strand Union Workhouse site has recovered 55 intact human buri - Lidl will takeover and refur - als dating from 1780 to 1853 from three test trenches dug into the ground. bish the Sainsbury’s store near The findings are revealed in a report by Museum of London Archae - Warren Street tube station. It will ology (MOLA) which concludes that “archaeological deposits survive ex - be a full-sized Lidl store with a tensively across the site, in the form of articulated burials linked to the 1,300 square metre shop floor, workhouse cemetery and deep cess pits and quarry pits”. selling its full range of products, A previous report by MOLA anticipated that human remains would including baked in-store and be found as parish burial records suggest that “the total number of inter - “middle-aisle” items — non-food ments made at the site might be between 9,000 and 10,000″. But uncer - products that change frequently, tainty was expressed as to how many remains had been removed after from clothing and toys to kitchen the workhouse closed and the building became an extension of the Mid - appliances and garden tools. dlesex Hospital. The site in Cleveland Street, Fitzrovia is currently being redeveloped for housing and offices by University College London Hospitals (UCLH) Part of the basement kitchen at Lantana was damaged by fire but no-one was Charity and the archaeological survey was a requirement of the planning injured. permission given by Camden Council. The London Fire Brigade has issued a warning about the dangers of As a new basement is to be dug as part of the redevelopment plans it tumble drying and ignoring alarms after a fire partly gutted a Charlotte would remove all of the surviving archaeological deposits, and a con - Place restaurant. trolled excavation of the yet-to-be-found human remains and historical Investigators believe the fire within the basement kitchen of the finds would have to be undertaken in advance of any groundworks on Lantana restaurant was started by self-heating within tea towels and site. aprons that had been laundered and folded into a pile before the A decision on how this is to be done rests with Greater London Ar - premises closed for the evening on Wednesday 10 July. chaeological Advisory Service and Camden Council, states the report. The Brigade was called at 21:39 and the fire was under control by 23:47. Firefighters from Soho, Euston and Paddington fire stations were at the scene. These types of fires often involve textiles that become contaminated with oil, most commonly linseed, massage and cooking oil on tea tow - 41 Fitzroy Square W1T 6AQ els, tablecloths and chef whites, said the investigators. Registered Charity since 1920 “Sometimes when materials are cleaned, put in tumble dryers and Ideal place for students, professionals and transit guests then folded and stacked, the heat from the tumble drying cannot es - A real “Home away from Home” cape. This can result in a high enough temperature allowing it to build centrally heated wi-fi study rooms TV lounge indoor recreation and gym facilities up to a point where it smoulders and eventually ignites,” said a London Fire Brigade spokesperson who issued fire safety advice. According to the LFB half of the basement was damaged by fire but email no-one was injured. Authentic Indian cuisine 7 days a week “A smoke alarm sounded and residents living in flats above the YgsM@indCianAymc a.Iorng dian Student Hostel restaurant self evacuated before the Brigade arrived. The restaurant was vegetarian and meat / fish options take away available closed at the time of the incident and no one was in the premises at the visit weekdays : – breakfast 7:30 - 9:15am, lunch 12:00 - 2:00pm, time of the fire,” they said. www.indianymca.org evening meal 6:30 - 8:30pm A note on the window of Lantana tells customers that the eat-in (please check for weekend and Bank Holiday hours) part of the restaurant is closed but will open soon. They invite cus - tomers to use the take out part of the restaurant or one of their other Equipped conference rooms (25 - 250 people) branches in Shoreditch and London Bridge. 020 7387 0411 Fitzrovia News issue 154 Autumn 2019 — 5 ‘Oxford Street District’ plans threaten Fight club opens Fitzrovia with more motor traffic Community groups are bracing previous plan — that is by creat - would lead to increased conges - themselves for another battle with ing a needless diversion around a tion, gridlock and air pollution to Westminster council in advance straight line,” says the Maryle - our area, and would have a detri - of crucial decisions on the future bone Association. mental impact”. of Oxford Street this autumn. “The extra time and hassle Westminster cabinet member While full pedestrianisation that this route entails would in - for Richard Beddoe responded of Oxford Street is off the agenda evitably deter bus users from saying: “We want to make the Ox - the council have been pushing using it due to the extra time ford Street District a better place forward with a plan to pedestri - added to the journey and would to live, work and visit. anise part of the street and restrict result in traffic displacement “We know our scheme private vehicles including deliv - through neighbouring areas by should not be to the detriment of ery vans during peak traffic peri - taxis and other vehicles trying to surrounding streets but that ods. avoid it. This in turn will generate doing nothing is not an option Jacqui-Lee Pryce is head coach at Rathbone Amateur Boxing Club. If given the go ahead the ‘Ox - more pollution and congestion,” and we’ve listened carefully to A well-known female boxer is tak - ern sport is about developing a ford Street District’ plans would they say. people’s concerns to develop a ing the lead at a new amateur club “skill set” to defend yourself, and mean more motor traffic would Westminster council’s reason - scheme that future proofs this which has just opened in a base - good amateur boxing is about be pushed north into Fitzrovia ing is pedestrian safety due to the iconic part of Westminster and ment in Rathbone Street. earning points by landing con - and Marylebone — though less extra passengers that will use the the West End. Jacqui-Lee Pryce, head coach trolled punches rather than trying than under the previous plans to Crossrail when it eventually “The scheme has been devel - at Rathbone Amateur Boxing to knock someone out. pedestrianise the whole street. opens. oped using an evidence based ap - Club, became the first woman to “Under 11’s will learn the The council propose closing a Yet it is not Oxford Circus proach that fully assesses box internationally in 1997, and fundamentals of boxing in a con - section of Oxford Street to the east station that will see the extra pas - potential traffic and air quality was one of the first female Eng - trolled environment. Over 11’s, and west of Oxford Circus and re - sengers but Tottenham Court impacts. Minimising disruption land boxing coaches. once deemed suitable by the stricting private vehicles between Road and Bond Street stations — caused by deliveries, improving “RABC will offer coaching for club’s coaches, can choose to com - 12noon and 8pm for large parts of which makes Westminster coun - air quality and reducing conges - London residents aged 5-40 years pete as part of the squad,” says the street. cil’s plans even more pointless. tion are absolutely vital to making old, ranging from complete begin - the club. Under plans being aired Fitzrovia meanwhile has al - this scheme a success. Which is ners to recreational boxers and ex - During the club’s off-peak buses and taxis would continue to ready got a sight and smell of why we’ve committed to moni - perienced amateurs,” says the hours, trainees will be closely run along the street but would be Westminster council’s thinking toring the volume of traffic and club which will welcome boys, guided by the coaching team and permanently diverted north with the recent congestion and level of air pollution before and girls, men and women to their have access to a variety of equip - around Oxford Circus. pollution along the entire length after schemes – ensuring we get it gym and full-sized training ring. ment including weights, punch To compensate for this the of Goodge Street and Mortimer right. Boxing has earned itself a rep - bags and speed balls. council proposes “enhancing” the Street due to a diversion because “Whilst there’s widespread utation for developing fitness, co- The club has no time for streets to the north of Oxford of road works on the eastern part support for our approach, we ordination skills and discipline slackers and those interested must Street to offset the effects of the of Oxford Street. have remained in dialogue and amongst its devotees. But there is show a commitment to training displaced traffic — a plan that is “Get used to it!” appears to discussion with local community also a concern from many medical and a desire to progress. In return wholly inadequate to deal with be the message because more traf - groups, including Fitzrovia, busi - professionals that repetitive blows suitable applicants can benefit burden of extra motor vehicles. fic will be a permanent feature if nesses and we welcome their in - to the head are harmful and can from affordable prices. “In routing all traffic around the Tory council gets its way. valuable knowledge as we move cause long-term health problems. Rathbone Boxing Club also neighbouring roads it reintro - The Fitzrovia West Neigh - towards delivery of our ambitious When asked about these con - offers facilities to the general pub - duces pedestrianisation by recre - bourhood Forum has stated that strategy that will improve the Ox - cerns, trainers at the club were lic. ating a miniature version of the the “Oxford Circus proposals ford Street District for everyone.” quick to point out that the mod - rathboneboxingclub.com Greenery slashed under park refurbishment plans

Camden Council has signed off plans that will see year. greenery cut back at Whitfield Gardens public open space The FNA says the maintenance budget should be “at in what the local authority says is an effort to save money least ten times that” for such a busy public open space that on maintenance and stamp out public nuisance. is used by thousands of people each day. It is only eight years since Whitfield Gardens on Tot - “This is a heavily used public open space and it needs tenham Court Road was last refurbished but everything cleaning in proportion to its use and abuse,” says the FNA. apart from the nine mature London plane trees is to be The design for Whitfield Gardens is part of a package ripped out in yet another spree of capital expenditure. Yet of “public realm improvements” approved this summer there will be little in the way of money available to look and includes a design for a new public park at Alfred after the heavily used and abused public park. Place, and also Princes Circus on Shaftesbury Avenue. In March 2011 Fitzrovia News reported concerns about In the West End Project Green Spaces Detailed Design maintaining the planted areas in the newly refurbished Report, published in August, Camden says that over 150 public park. Those concerns continue. comments were received in response to the public engage - Camden says the new design — which will see green - ment on the initial plans. ery cut in favour of more hard surfaces — is an essential “In general terms the designs were well received; 38% part of its West End Project masterplan to transform the A plan produced by LDA Design for Camden Council of comments were positive, only 10% were negative and Tottenham Court Road area and make the public space the rest were neutral or mixed,” states the report. “clean, attractive and safe”. The scheme has been shaped for failing to perform to a satisfactory standard and have New London Architecture recognised the conceptual by “safer by design” principles — also known as “hostile complained about the amount of rubbish that builds up drawings created by LDA Design in its 2019 New London architecture”. over months. Awards. Whitfield Gardens is cleaned by Camden contractors However, after the Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Associa - The work at Whitfield Gardens is due to take place this Veolia, who empty the bins and sweep the paving, and id - tion pressed the parks team on the specification of the December and be completed by the end of April. A verde who are responsible for plant maintenance and re - cleaning of the green areas, Camden admitted that the an - timetable for Alfred Place and Princes Circus will be an - moving the rubbish that piles up in the green areas. nual maintenance fee paid to ideverde is less than £1,200 a nounced next year. Residents and business groups have criticised idverde 6 — Fitzrovia News issue 154 Autumn 2019 Radio DJ at home in Ship

Disc jockey Steve Lamacq has revealed he wrote much of his new book “Going Deaf For a Living” while drinking in The Ship in New Cavendish Street. The BBC Radio 6 broad - caster features in the Autumn edition of “Beer”, the magazine Word from the Streets of the Campaign for Real Ale. “I started drinking at the Ship just after we moved offices. By CHARLOTTE STREET and her siblings I walked in, and there were about five fellas in suits, proba - “Even in the era of mobile Winning tip bly in their 50s, standing at the phones, I used to quite like hid - bar, and as I sat down, the place ing in there, because no one Jennings the bookies in Goodge went quiet, which did give me could get hold of me, but once Street tipped us that a horse called pause. But I persisted with it, people realised I like to drink in “Fitzrovia” was racing. So my and after a few visits I got the the Ship, they’d phone the pub, brother Percy had a small wager general nod, and I’ve been and Frank would transfer them and it won at 9-4. What a pity drinking in their ever since. The to the payphone on the corner. John the bookie had not told him landlord, Frank, inherited it Frank would answer the phone, about its previous outing when it from his father, so it’s an inde - put his hand over the receiver won at 20-1! pendent, family-run pub. and ask: ‘Steve - you in?’” Brothers shine singing and swimming

Two brothers, who live in the his two lengths go on to the Carpenters Bricklayers Arms in Gresse Fitzrovia News website. Street, have hit the headlines re - His 15-year-old brother are TV quiz cently. Daniel (pictured left) starred on Alex Rowson , aged 17, came stage as lead role, Link Larkin, in from behind to achieve an incred - the Regent High School produc - champions ible victory in the British Swim - tion of the musical Hairspray. ming Summer Nationals in Usually a drummer, Daniel, ex - Al Murray’s “Great British Pub Glasgow. He was in third place celled at singing and high speed Quiz” on Quest television was and several yards behind the dancing which had the audience won by the Carpenters Arms of won by 31 points to 22 to get leaders in the last leg of the tapping their feet and singing Fitzrovia at the end of July. Com - £1,000 and a tankard. freestyle relay, and over two along. “I was literally moved to ing into the final round the The pub has also been lengths overtook both swimmers tears,” said my sister Margaret Whitfield Street pub, captained painted by artist Liam O’Farrell, ahead of him to achieve a spec - who was in the audience. “The by comedian Andy Parsons, led who was commissioned to do it tacular win. You can view it on: singing was outstanding as was by just 21 points to 18. But then after attending a 50th birthday youtu.be/2mrxMIoJyB0?t=11880 the enthusiasm. I am really look - they really shone and finally party there. He appears after 3 hours, 18 min - ing forward to their production of utes and 15 seconds. To see just ‘Annie’ next year.” Fake news “Free Beer, Topless Bartenders, and Kipper abroad False Advertising,” was on a sign John retires after 49 years in same pub It seems that Fitzrovia News can be outside the Greener Man in Riding read as far away as Cyprus. Cele - House Street. Before it was renamed brated cartoonist Kipper Williams , the “Greener” Man it might have John An - who has a studio in Windmill Street, been tempted to refer to barmaids drews (cen - went into George’s Shoe Repairs at 35 rather than bartenders. tre) drinks a Tottenham Street recently. toast with “The assistant said I saw one of Myopic marxist customers your cartoons in Cyprus,” said Kip - Brian Jar - per. “It turned out it was in an issue My older (and oldest) brother man (right) of Fitzrovia News ten or more years Mortimer is becoming very much and Jayne ago with an article about George in a “myopic marxist.” He recently Davis (who it.” nearly got into an altercation in painted the the Kings Arms in Great Titch - portrait of field Street before it closed for re - John). Memory lane furbishment. The short sighted Our piano columnist Clifford fellow misread a “Glass Collec - Slapper hopes to conduct oral tion Area” sign as “Class Collabo - John Andrews’ reign at the Kings their children get married. The history interviews with older whom he has received a life ration Area.” Arms in Great Titchfield Street regulars have been very loyal local residents. “I was trained in time’s achievement award, help - has ended after nearly half a cen - and I have been very happy how to conduct them with special Sweet kiosk shut ing to finance homes for retired tury. In fact it was exactly 49 here.” memory jogging techniques,” he pub managers and a school for Bobby Long , who ran a small sweet kiosk years when he pulled his last He left school in the east end told us. “The problem is I cannot their children. outside Goodge Street station for decades, pint before the pub closed for at the age of 15 and has never remember them.” His manager Gavin Norman has finally retired. He was threatened renovation. He will continue to been out of work since. “Charity with eviction a couple of years ago but who has been at the pub for 27 live nearby however. works will occupy my mind successfully resisted it. Health problems years on and off will now be eet “It has been like a family now.” Str have persuaded him to retire to spend running the Rifle in Twicken - lotte here,” he said. “I have seen cou - This will include the Li - Char more time gardening and going on holi - ham. days with his wife. ples get married and then seen censed Trade Charities, from Fitzrovia News issue 154 Autumn 2019 — 7

Fitzrovia business owner says high rents and rates, and Crossrail delay, is putting her business at risk

A Fitzrovia shop owner appeared on BBC’s of extra customers because the opening has Inside Out London programme on 16 been delayed. September to explain how the delay in the “I’m in a catch-22 because the rent and opening of Crossrail is affecting her busi - rates have gone up based upon the fact ness. that Crossrail should have opened but I’m Rowena Howie told BBC reporter Tom not getting any of the extra benefit so I’m Edwards that she opened her shop Revival finding it hard to afford. Retro in Windmill Street in the hope that “If it doesn’t open by late 2020 or early her business would benefit from the open - 2021 my business is absolutely at risk,” she ing of the Elizabeth Line at Tottenham said. Court Road station. Tottenham Court Road station was She says that the rent and rates on her supposed to open in December 2018 but shop were put up in anticipation of Cross - now Crossrail say it will open sometime Rowena Howie tells BBC reporter Tom Edwards that she is paying a Crossrail premium without rail opening but she hasn’t had the benefit between October 2020 and March 2021. the benefits in return.

Opening and Calling all Current and Future Landlords!

Contrary to what many expected and predicted, demand for Central London property has not closing been dented and we have experienced an increased demand for property to rent and buy this year. Closed There are however fewer properties coming to the market so those that are currently on the Pantani Italian cuisine 104 Great Portland Street market are attracting a great deal of attention and receiving a number of offers in comparison Sainsburys supermarket 145 Tottenham Court Road with this time last year. With this in mind, if you are considering renting or selling a property in Tapas 44 Ibirean cuisine 3 Windmill Street London you could be taking advantage of some very favourable market conditions. Sixteen O six eatery 23 Warren Street Osso Buccho Italian restaurant 33 Charlotte Street (Rathbone Street entrance) See below a selection of the Fitzrovia Homes let by our Residential Team over the summer: YMCA charity shop 22 Goodge Street Papaya Oriental cuisine 27 Goodge Street Kua ‘Aina Hawaiian cuisine 40 Goodge Street Yoi Sho Japanese restaurant 33 Goodge Street Carluccio’s Italian eatery 6 Market Place Avante Garde E liquid vape shop 72 Wells Street

Opened Santoku chefs knives 100 Great Portland Street Coco nails club manicure 126 Great Portland Street Hyotan Japanese food hall 50 Margaret Street Gosfield St ree t, W1W Rathbone Place, W1 U Great Titchfield St ree t W1W Phone again laptop and mobile repair 33 Grafton Way Two bedr oom ap ar tm ent Two bedr oom ap ar tm ent Two bedr oom pr oper ty Roots and leaves salads 27 Goodge Street Norma Sicillian cuisine 8 Charlotte Street Hugs and bites eatery and bar 23 Warren Street Labstore fashion 9-10 Rathbone Square (Newman Street) Stressless furniture 82 Tottenham Court Road Circola Popolaire Italian restaurant 40 - 41 Rathbone Place Blockhead energy functional sweets 16 Wells Street Broski lounge shisha/coffee bar 122 Whitfield Street Arlettie luxury sample sales 13-14 Margaret Street Foley Stree t W1 W SweetChick fried chicken and waffles 8 Market Place Bern ers Stree t W1 T Eastcastle Stree t, W1 W Two bedr oom ap ar tm ent Two bedr oom ap ar tm ent Crudo grab and go cevicheria 35 Riding House Street Two bedr oom ap ar tm ent Kiss the hippo coffee 51 Margaret Street Denj tea room 67 Mortimer Street 1947 Indian fusion restaurant 33 Charlotte Street Contac t us t o discuss Se lling or Le tting your Fi tzrovia Hom e (Rathbone Street entrance)

Opening soon Henry Austrian cuisine Unit 4 103 Tottenham Court Road Ippudo Ramen noodles 40 Goodge Street www.ri b.c o.u k Aqua restaurant 170 Great Portland Street Akoko West African restaurant 4 Berners Streeet 020 763 7 0821 York Ji Chiken Oriental eatery 28 Goodge Street Lidl discount supermarket 145 Tottenham Court Road Stretchlab gym Wells Street 8 — Fitzrovia News issue 154 Autumn 2019 Historic streets will be set - Jill Hutchings ting for psychological Jill Hutchings, who trained as a thriller nurse in Middlesex Hospital, Filming on several streets in Fitzrovia took place in early Mortimer Street, and ran an art August for a new British movie directed by Edgar gallery in Windmill Street for 40 Wright, who gained success with Shaun of The Dead, years, has died aged 82. Hot Fuzz, and Baby Driver. A service of thanksgiving Goodge Place, Maple Street and the southern part of was given to her at St Giles-in- Charlotte Street. were closed for filming with some build - the-Fields where she was a ings dressed to recreate a 1960s street scene. church warden for 11 years, liv - The alleyways linking Newman Street to Charlotte ing nearby in Endell Street. Street were used to shoot a “journey” scene where lead Her daughters Annie and character Eloise will follow another character Sandie Jane told how in 1955 she trained across various Fitzrovia streets. and qualified as a state regis - The cast of the psychological thriller includes Anya tered nurse at Middlesex Hospi - Taylor-Joy, Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie, Matt Smith, tal. “It was an area she grew to Diana Rigg, and Terence Stamp. love, Fitzrovia.” The Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Association expressed She met her husband to be, concern about noise nuisance and pollution from power John, on a train in France, and generation overnight, especially since residents are al - Clara West they settled in a farmhouse in St ready having to endure a considerable amount of day - Albans. They invested all the time disruptions from property developers and road “A free spirit” Clara West has died at the age of takings from this in the Curwen Rev Alan Carr, Rector at the works. 26. art gallery at 34 Windmill Street church, remembered when she “re - Big Smoke Pictures say they will make a “conscious She was born at University College Hospi - in 1978. lied on people to wheel her chariot effort to cause minimal disturbance” and have been tal when it was in Gower Street, lived in Wind - “She was a natural salesman on Sunday morning” and was in - meeting residents to address their concerns. They have mill Street, and attended All Souls school in and the driving force behind the terested to know which pushers also posted leaflets making residents aware of the crew’s Foley Street. progress of the business, al - did not do it so well. use of lighting, special effects and rolling road closures. Her father, John Westwell, speaking at her though her generosity often cut “Her presence made everyone Camden Council were due to close Goodge Place funeral, said she was “a free spirit, impossible into the profits from gifts to feel worthwhile and necessary,” he from July to October to lift and relay the existing cobble - to contain; she did not recognise any bound - artists. She also organised art said, “a rare gift.” stones on the carriageway and replace the paving on the aries or limits to life. Sadly it was a different sales for the benefit of the The previous Rector, Dr footway. This work started in September. spirit, vodka, which took her past that final Macmillan cancer charity. William Jacob, said he was wary of boundary she didn’t spot in time. “She said she loved the galleries but was persuaded by Jill “As a child she showed an interest and ap - artists more than their work; the to visit hers in Windmill Street. “It titude for art - drawing and painting. There more fond of them the more their was more like a drop-in centre,” he was one fascinatingly abstract piece, painted work spoke to her. said and he immediately felt at when she was five or six, that was stuck on the “She loved animals and had home. “She was very good at offer - inside of our front door. I remember one of my a special affinity with pigeons - ing irresistible terms: having a pic - business partners was so struck by this picture including the one legged Stumpy ture on approval, paying by he asked me if he could buy it for £1,000. I in Windmill Street.” instalments, or swopping. This asked if he was joking. He said: ‘No.’ But I still In latter years she was taken made art accessible. declined his offer and the picture remains in to church by wheelchair, remark - “She had enormous determina - our flat.” ing some pushers were better tion and energy, in nursing, art, Unfortunately she did not take to sec - than others, and was stoical cancer research, St Giles, and ondary education and fell into drug taking and about her cancer treatment. Windmill Street parties.” Goodge Place will be made to look like a 1960s Soho Street. heavy drinking. She survived heroin addiction, success - fully quitting it, but her taste for vodka proved a more serious addiction, which finally led to Vicar retires Fitzrovia Neighbourhood her liver giving out. Father Alan Moses the Vicar “Her acting skills enabled Clara to be any - of All Saints Margaret Street one she wanted to be. She was just at ease with is to retire on 3 November Association playing the part as a gangster’s moll, review - after nearly 25 years of ser - (registered charity) ing some of London’s finest restaurants, advis - vice. ing me (or my co-directors) as to how a An Interim Priest-In- company be run, or playing a street mendicant, Charge Father Neil Bunker is seeking sitting outside Tesco or Sainsbury’s in Totten - will be appointed to work ham Court Road - drinking her beloved vodka with the parish to consider whilst reading a novel and courteously accept - their future in preparation for ing ‘gifts’ from well meaning passers-by. the appointment of a new trustees “She could be delightful, charming and vi - Vicar which is expected to vacious, but - with her violent mood swings - take a year to 18 months just as easily fall into the toughest street life Father Alan Moses Fr Bunker is very well to support its proposed new advice vernacular or one of her manic depressions.” known and respected across service based in Cromer Street, Clara had two half-siblings, Lily and the diocese for his work as mental health liaison priest. King’s Cross. Arthur, a decade younger than her, to whom The Parish administrator Dee Prior will be leaving to she had been a mother figure and provider take up a new post at St George’s church Hanover Square until they were taken into foster care. at the end of November We need local people from Camden to Arthur was at the funeral in Rochdale, as join us to secure a housing and welfare were her best friends from All Souls - Sarah Please mention Fitzrovia advice service that meets the needs of and Samantha and their mother Julie - and Clara’s most recent boyfriend, Steven Spalding, News when replying to residents in south Camden. a fellow resident in the St Mungo’s hostel in For more information and to apply, visit our Covent Garden. advertisers website fitzrovia.org.uk/trustees Fitzrovia News issue 154 Autumn 2019 — 9 The return of an old friend

EFES Turkish Restaurant, 56 Beer. Sweets like Baklava, Rice Maple Street. pudding and Cheese cake, round Oh Efes in Great Titchfield Street, about £3.50. how I missed you when you I was somehow slightly dis - closed! In that area (not called appointed with my meal that Fitzrovia then) from 1976, so evening, lamb a bit over-cooked, many of us at least got a weekly salads already made up in por - take-away from Efes, fed hoards tions and dressed, the boss was of unexpected guests from Efes - there, there was somehow a always relying on their fresh, slightly harassed feeling in the quickly-cooked-while-you-waited air. Still settling perhaps. lamb and chicken shish kebabs; But I went back a week later for a takeaway: a lamb shish the donnar always slowly turning By the DINING DETECTIVE

kebab. It was in the middle of one . s t e e r t S r e m i t r o M d n in the window, fresh salads, a

of our mini-heatwaves; every out - d n a l e v e l C n e e w t e b e r a u q S n o s r a e newly grilled pitta bread, and P

side seat was taken but inside n i n e k a t s a w e g a p s i h t f o m o t t o b e h their own hot chilli sauce. And on t

was almost empty and the staff, t a e r u t c i p e h T . E L Z Z U P E R U T C I special occasions we ate inside P with the cheery, always black- poor things, drank lots of Turkish 60th anniversary dance at tea and iced water as they suited, staff and the Turkish wine. around that particular corner. I worked. Half the pleasure is see - And then they closed. went after it had been open for ing your meat taken fresh from All Souls Clubhouse And I remember writing a re - some weeks. the glass-topped fridge at the view that bemoaned the fact that A bigger menu. I was going counter and watching it being The annual tea dance at All Souls The late actress Anna Wing a good glass of wine in the new to say a kebab house is not really cooked in front of you on the hot Clubhouse, 141 Cleveland Street, was a regular attender at the restaurant that opened there, cost a place for a vegetarian but that’s grill. The takeaway ‘Wraps’ are in July marked the 60th anniver - lunch club and there is a letter of the same as a take away lamb not true: there are plenty of vege - £5.90 and there are some vegetar - sary of the clubhouse. appreciation from her sent from kebab used to cost when it was tarian starters like humus and ian ones; the take-away “Kebab in It was organised by Sally Ja - her home at 92 Great Titchfield Efes… falafels and saksuka (aubergines Box” which keeps food a bit cobs, who runs Club 60 and the Street. And now Efes Turkish sauted with fried potatoes in a warmer while you run home has club’s “Befriending Scheme.” “The Befriending Scheme,” Restaurant has opened again on tomato and onion sauce) all now double the amount of meat and Club 60 offers a three-course continued Sally, “involves volun - the corner of Cleveland Street and between £5 and £6, so you could cost £8.95. meal every Wednesday at 12.30 teers going into the homes of the Maple Street. The boss is still have a meal of them, and there is I made sure I had fresh salad pm for those over 60 (the first one housebound, isolated or sick, to there a lot of the time, one of the a vegetarian kebab. There are also and no rice that they were offer - is free after which it costs £4.50). provide them with a bit of extra same managers is there, it is deco - Turkish Pizzas and at least three ing, warm pitta bread, small “We provide a nutritious support, and someone to interact rated pleasantly and was full on a of them are vegetarian. As well amounts of their own chili sauce meal and a welcome space for with.” Tuesday night the first time I went as the big meats for which they and garlic sauce: I wanted it the community and friendship,” said Other services include back, though not much business it are known there are also salmon way I used to have it. I ran home Sally. ASLAN (All Souls Local Action seems when I pass, at lunchtimes. or sea bass as mains, all for – and it was absolutely and fabu - “After lunch we have enter - Network) for the homeless, pro - There are some outside tables, around £15. Turkish wine for lously as good as it always was. I tainment to match their interests viding soup and sandwiches from with small trees in big pots all £4.50 a glass and their own Efes actually heard myself sighing and stimulate the brain. For ex - a van on Friday nights, and a with contentment! ample we have workshops on cooked dinner and entertainment I noted that at different times aromatherapy showing how to on Saturday nights, and a yearly Picture puzzle some of the chefs are the old make your own perfume, iPad Sunday night shelter in the win - chefs, some are younger and per - starter sessions, dance lessons in - ter. haps not so experienced. But I cluding ballroom and waltz, and There is also a free recovery think I can safely say to old cus - exercise classes. course three times a year on tomers, and to new customers: “Sometimes we go on a trip, Thursday evenings for those with yes it is still good, and it will be to the Wallace Collection for in - addictions such as drugs and my go-to take-away again, as it stance.” gambling. always used to be.

Our diverse and inclusive parish is grounded in the rich catholic tradition of Anglicanism. We offer a place of peace and Abeaultyl in bSusya ceintnral tLosnd oCn. (ohpenu Morndcayh to FrMiday 7aamr tog 7pam raned Stat urSdayt frome 1e1amt ). Main services on Sunday - 11am High Mass. 6pm Choral Evensong and Benediction How well do you know Fitzrovia? We maintain fine liturgical traditions and excellence in music. The parish would be delighted to welcome you to all or any of our liturgies if you are able to join us in Can you identify where the above photograph was ‘one of the ten buildings that have changed the face of Britain’ (English Heritage). taken? ALL SAINTS FESTIVAL 2019 For the answer see under the detective picture on ALL SAINTS’ DAY – HIGH MASS Friday 1 November 6.30pm this page. Preacher: The Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Dame Sarah Mulally, DBE Mass Setting: Mozart Kronungsmesse K. 317 ALL SOULS’ DAY – HIGH MASS of REQUIEM Saturday 2 November 12 noon Preacher: Fr Nicholas Frayling, former Dean of Chichester Mass Setting:Fauré Re - If you enjoy Fitzrovia News, quiem ALL SAINTS SUNDAY – PROCESSION & HIGH MASS Sunday 3 November please consider making a 11am Preacher: The Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses Mass Setting: Caplin Missa Omnium Sanctorum FESTAL EVENSONG, TE DEUM & BENEDICTION Sunday 3 November 6pm donation: Preacher: The Rt Revd Allen Shin, Bishop Suffragan of New York Canticles: Stan - ford in A fitzrovia.org.uk/donate Times of Daily Prayer, Masses & opportunities for confession & counselling are advertised at: www.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk Parish office: 020 7636 1788 10 — Fitzrovia News issue 154 Autumn 2019 Slave campaigner’s burial place found in Tottenham Court Road

By MIKE PENTELOW and earnestness, and sweating as A recent breakthrough in re - much as I ever did while in slav - search has revealed that an his - ery at Montserrat beach.” toric campaigner for the The down side to his view of abolition of slavery is buried in Whitefield was that the preacher Tottenham Court Road. advocated slavery, as Jonathan Olaudah Equiano (1745- Miller (the current American In - 1797), who had himself been a ternational Church community slave, was buried in the grounds minister) said at the opening of of what was then the Whitfield the exhibition. Tabernacle and is now the Ameri - A short play, by Mervyn Weir can International Church at 79a (who also designed the exhibi - Young Equiano is kidnapped... Tottenham Court Road. Whitefield Tabernacle as it was in the tion), imagining how Equiano This was confirmed at an ex - 18th century. dealt with the church’s collusion hibition in the church during Au - Mount Cemetery, where some with slavery was performed. He gust entitled “Equiano: An bodies were reburied [in 1898] thought that the biblical text of Extraordinary Life”. and they gave me the names of “Do unto all men as you would It had previously been those that were taken there [from they unto you” destroyed all ar - known that Equiano wrote his Tottenham Court Road]. guments supporting slavery. best selling autobiographical ex - “His was not one of them and Especially the use of iron Equiano writes his memoirs. posure of the horrors of slavery only about five or six were not muzzles, thumb screws and forc - All illustrations courtesy of the while living at 73 Riding House named. As 30,000 were buried at ing slaves to flog their own wives, Equiano Society Street (10 Union Street at the as described by Burt Caesar. Whitefield Tabernacle grounds, it dying, rendered the whole a scene time) in 1789, and before that he There were also poems about is more than likely that Equiano of horror almost inconceivable.” lived at 37 Tottenham Street the harrowing accounts of the then marched to the coast.. stayed on this site.” On landing in Barbados they (number 13 at the time). brutality of slavery recited by More details are on David’s were scrutinised like cattle by “We have been searching for poet Nairobi Thompson, and website (historycalroots.com). planters buying slaves on board. his burial place for 50 years,” said music by violinist Keiron Another factor supporting “They put us in separate parcels, Arthur Torrington, director of Stephen. this was the fact that Equiano (a and examined us attentively…” The Equiano Society. The exhibition consisted of dedicated Christian) attended the Later, in Virginia, he was “Professor Vincent Carretta quotations from Equiano’s mem - Tabernacle during his final years, bought by a sea captain from his [author of a biography “Equiano, oirs with illustrations (repro - as pointed out by actor Burt Cae - master for £30 or £40. “He meant the African”] wrote to me a year duced here courtesy of The sar on the opening night of the ex - me for a present to some of his ago and asked me to check if Equiano Society). hibition. friends in England.” Gustavus Vassa [Equiano’s slave It shows how he was kid - The Tabernacle had been built Of a sea battle he fought dur - name] was shown in the Whit - napped and enslaved, aged 11, in 1756 for the evangelical ing the Seven Years War he wrote: field Tabernacle burial records.” from his Igbo village in Africa preacher George Whitefield (1714- “The engagement now com - Arthur asked a colleague, [now part of Nigeria], taken by then shipped abroad.. 1770) who later went to America menced with great fury on both David Gleave of Historical Roots, canoe to the coast, then bound be - where Equiano saw him preach. sides: the Ocean immediately re - to check the records. “So I went to neath a ship’s deck and taken to “I had often heard of this gen - turned our fire, and we continued London Metropolitan Archives a Barbados, Virginia, then to Eng - tleman, and had wished to see engaged with each other for some few months ago and found the land. As an enslaved teenager he and hear him; but I had never be - time, during which I was fre - name Gustus Vasa, 52,” said had fought for Britain in the fore had an opportunity,” he quently stunned with the thunder - David. Royal Navy during the Seven wrote in his autobiography ‘The ing of the great guns, whose “It was not spelled quite cor - Year War (1756-63). Interesting Narrative’ [still avail - dreadful contents hurried many of rectly but is very close and the He described his kidnapping: able as a Penguin Classic]. my companions into awful eter - burial date of April 6, 1797 “One day, when all our people “When I got into the church I nity. matched the date of Equiano’s were gone out to their work as saw this pious man exhorting the “At last the French line was death and his age at the time. usual, and only I and my dear sis - people with the greatest fervour entirely broken, and we obtained “I then went to Chingford ter were left to mind the house, and sold as a slave. the victory, which was immedi - two men and a woman got over ately proclaimed with loud huz - our walls, and in a moment zas and acclamations.” seized us both, and, without giv - He was finally relieved of his THE DUKE OF YORK ing us time to cry out, or make re - slavery (“manumission day”) in sistance, they stopped our Georgia and made a freeman, mouths, and ran off with us into Opening hours Mon-Fri 12-11pm which he celebrated at a dance. the nearest wood.” The government planned to send Sat 1-11pm Sunday closed It took six or seven months to Africans to Sierre Leone, but his reach the coast and on to a ship 47 Rathbone Street W1T 1NW heart was fixed on getting to Lon - that was so hot and overcrowded don, which he finally achieved. 0207 636 7065 [email protected] it almost suffocated the slaves. As an abolitionist campaigner “This produced copious perspira - A traditional pub with a good selection of he declared: “Tortures, murder, tions, so that the air soon became and every imaginable barbarity real ales and varied wine list. unfit for respiration, from a vari - and inequity, are practised upon ety of loathsome smells, and Upstairs Bar / Function room available for the poor slaves with impunity. I brought on a sickness among the hope the slave trade will be abol - private parties and buffets. slaves, of which many died, thus ished. I pray it may be an event at falling victims to the improvident hand.” Check us out on facebook! avarice, as I may call it, of their More information is on the purchasers… The shrieks of the web (equiano.uk). women, and the groans of the Fitzrovia News issue 154 Autumn 2019 — 11 Bohemian rhapsody

from 1925, was involved in a great Gerald Kersh (1912-1968), a W art hoax in 1929. He and friends bodyguard, debt collector, French IN teacher, wrestler, cinema man - TH invented a painter who they IS named Bruno Hat, and claimed ager, and novelist who wrote Answe BO r this OK “Night and the City” about Soho Fre questio ! they had found his paintings in a nch po n: Wh ets Pa ere in shop owned by his mother in a re - in the 1930s. He described a ben - live? E ul Verl Fitzrov mail y aine an ia did der with Dylan Thomas, who got our an d Arth mote French village. Tom Mitford CON swer t ur Rim GRAT o news baud his penis stuck in a two ounce book ULAT @fitzr posed as the artist at the exhibi - prize: IONS ovia.or honey pot, and pushed a shirt to the w g.uk tion, wearing dark glasses, sitting Mar inner ia Mar of our button up his nose, and could not corre chese, last in a wheelchair and speaking in a ct answ of New Q er to t man S foreign accent. extricate either. uentin he que treet, w Crisp stion w ith th Ruthven Todd (1914-1978), a S in the hich a e The paintings had been cre - he win film of ctor p s No his lif layed ated by Banting and his friend Scottish poet, novelist, surrealist, Longer e? Joh With n Hur and a conscientious objector. He Us by t. Brian Howard (both friends of Naim A ttallah Nancy Cunard). wrote about a night during the They owned up to the sub - blitz of 1942 as flares were terfuge… after the newspapers dropped by German planes, and Fitzrovian characters feature After Oscar Wilde’s death in had his flat in Fitzroy Square had hailed a new genius of mod - he spotted “a most peculiarly prominently in Nick Rennison’s 1900 Epstein was commissioned raided in the early hours of Jan - ern art. flaccid tripod” approaching. It book “Bohemian London, From to sculpt a monument for his uary 16, 1927 by the police. They The London Surrealist Group, was Augustus John, Nina Ham - Pre-Raphaelites to Punk.” grave in Paris. Epstein created a described him as being clad in “a including Banting, met in the nett, and Norman Douglas, hold - The Pre-Raphaelite era is rep - phallic sphinx which was too thin black transparent skirt, with Horseshoe pub at 267 Tottenham ing each other up “as drunk as resented by the poet Lionel John - erotic for even the French author - gilt trimmings round the edge, Court Road. They organised an sponges” on their way for an un - son and his friend the artist and ities who covered the stone testi - and a red sash.” Also he was exhibition in which Salvador Dali needed drink. poet Simeon Solomon (see Out - cles with a bronze butterfly. This wearing ladies shoes and was got trapped in a diving suit. Derek Jarman (1942-1994) law Artists, page 12). so enraged Epstein that he boy - “naked from the loin upwards.” The poet Dylan Thomas car - eventually achieved fame as a Johnson, who lived at 20 cotted the unveiling ceremony. It He told them that he was ried a cup full of boiled string and film director, but he first studied Fitzroy Street, died after falling was only a few weeks later how - about to perform a “Salome” asked guests if they wanted it at the Slade School of Art in off a bar stool in a Fleet Street ever before the butterfly was dance for his friends. But the po - weak or strong. Sheila Legge at - Gower Stree t. He then helped or - pub in 1902 aged just 35. It may prized away by satanist Aleister lice were intent on prosecuting tended with an artificial leg in one ganise gay “Alternative Miss well have been Ye Olde Cheshire Crowley who wore it round his him for running a disorderly hand and a mouldering pork chop World” competitions, winning Cheese where he and other mem - neck, much to Epstein’s delight. house. in the other. the title himself in 1975. The main bers of the Rhymers’ Club met One of his models, Kathleen Police Sergeant Arthur Two pubs particularly hosted Miss World organisers sued over once a month. Gorman , became his mistress, Spencer had been keeping the the Bohemians during the second the name but lost the case, which Johnson wrote that Solomon much to the annoyance of his house under surveillance for world war: The Wheatsheaf in was defended by a young barris - when visiting him in Fitzroy wife, Margaret. In 1923 Margaret weeks. He had followed two men Rathbone Place , and the Fitzroy ter called Tony Blair. Street “has done me four glorious shot Kathleen with a pearl han - “of the Nancy type” as “they Tavern in Charlotte Street . September 1976 saw the chalk drawings. The finest, a dled pistol in the shoulder. She walked cuddling one another to The Wheatsheaf was used by: great Punk Festival at the 100 thing to take you breath away, he recovered in hospital and then Tottenham Court Road, where Quentin Crisp (1908-1999), Club in Oxford Street , featuring did in a state of bestial drunken - had three children through Ep - they stood waiting for a bus,” he the gay icon who frequented the the Sex Pistols , the Clash , and ness, in my presence: working at stein. She married him after Mar - told the court. “I stood close to area from the late 1920s to the late Siouxsie and the Banshees it in a sort of frenzy.” garet’s death in 1955. them and saw their faces were 1940s. among others. Many in the audi - French poets Paul Verlaine Another of his models was powdered and painted and their Philip O’Connor (1916-1998), ence went on to form their own and Arthur Rimbaud lived at 35 Norine Schofield , known as Do - appearance and manner strongly a poet who played mad pranks on bands including Shane Mc - Howland Street in 1872-3 when lores, whom Epstein described as suggested them to be impor - famous authors, demanding £5 Gowan and Chrissie Hyde . Rimbaud thought the gin was a High Priestess of Beauty. tuners of men.” with menaces from Aldous Hux - John Peel’s producer, John like “concentrated sewage In 1929 she had a relation - Bobby was sentenced to 15 ley and jumping out and yelling Walters, wondered whether to water”, while Verlaine described ship with a 20-year-old artist, months’ hard labour, but happily “boo!” at T S Eliot, for example. book the Sex Pistols for the radio English oxtail soup as a horror Frederick Atkinson, who gassed then had a long career as a Jim Phelan (1895-1966), an show, but decided against be - like “a man’s sock with a rotten himself. She was blamed in the dancer, with Fred Astaire among Irish republican who had been cause Johnny Rotten reminded clitoris floating in it.” press so, claiming to be a spiritu - others, in the West End and on sentenced to death for robbery him of teenage thugs he had A few years later a Russian alist, she said she would contact Broadway. He died in 2000, aged and murder but instead served 13 taught as an art teacher. Sid Vi - revolutionary, who had assassi - his spirit to clear her name. Im - 100. years in prison. He later wrote cious had already attacked a nated the chief of the Tsar’s secret mediately she then had an affair “Gender benders” were less books about his life in prison and music journalist at the club, and police, moved into Fitzrovia with an alcoholic American actor, hounded in the Cave of Har - as a tramp. at the festival blinded a girl in where he established the Society Philip Yale Drew, whom police mony club in Gower Street , also John Gawsworth (1912-1970), one eye by throwing a beer glass. of Friends of Russian Freedom. suspected of murdering a Read - in the 1920s. It was run by film a poet who inherited the title of The Neo-Naturists were a This was Sergey Stepniak , ing tobacconist. So she was actress Elsa Lanchester and was King of Redonda (an islet in the group of mainly art students who known as the “Man of the slagged off in the press again. gay friendly. One of the regulars Caribbean). He took over the title squatted in Carburton Street and Steppes.” The assassination took Sadly, she was reduced to was the painter Robert Medley, on the death of his friend the the surrounding streets in the place in St Petersburg and he striking “artistic poses” in a who remembered dancing the writer M P Shiel (1865-1947). 1980s. They included the sisters moved to London about 1883. cheap funfair in Tottenham tango with Elsa. She said: “The Gawsworth kept Shiel’s ashes in Christine and Jennifer Binnie Unusually he was killed when Court Road , probably Luna Park trouble with you Robert is you his flat and sometimes seasoned who liked to strip off their knocked down by a train on a at number 269. Another attraction don’t know what sex you are.” So his stews with them. clothes, daub themselves with level crossing in Chiswick, in was the Rector of Stiffkey, known he stripped off to settle the mat - Others who drank in the pubs body paint, and become “living 1895. as the “Prostitutes’ Padre”. He ter, prompting a round of ap - included: works of art” in public. The sculptor Jacob Epstein was defrocked in 1932 for too fer - plause from the other dancers, Paul Potts (1911-1990), a poet Grayson Perry (the cross and his various female friends, vent attempts to “save” young and he was not allowed to get and friend of George Orwell, who dressing potter) performed for who were regulars in the Fitzroy women from sin in London. Do - dressed again. touted his self printed verse them in a nude version of Mac - Tavern, 16 Charlotte Street , fea - lores died aged only 40 in 1934. John Banting , an eccentric around pubs, and stole young beth immersed in porridge oats ture prominently in the book. A dancer called Bobby Britt artist who lived in Fitzroy Street Irish Murdoch’s typewriter. which took him hours to remove. 12 — Fitzrovia News issue 154 Autumn 2019 OUTLAW ARTISTS Fitzrovia artists and writers have Then on February 11, 1873, he often fallen foul of the law. Mur- was found having sex in a public der, sedition and various sexual toilet off Oxford Street with an - offences are among the crimes other man. He was found guilty these creative folk have been of an attempt “feloniously to com - found guilty of. mit the abominable crime of bug - But it was spying for which gery” and spent six weeks in the painter George Morland (1763- Clerkenwell House of Detention. 1804) was jailed for three years. A year later he was sentenced to At the age of 17 he was ap- three months for a similar offence prenticed to his artist father in Paris. Henry at 36 Windmill Street. Up until then he had studied But he was soon living it up art with his brother Abraham at in the company of “ostlers, pot 18 Gower Street , and Leigh’s Art boys, jockeys, money lenders, School at 79 Newman Street , and pawnbrokers, punks [then mean- exhibited at the Royal Academy at ing messengers between brothels the age of 18. He achieved fame as and/or tarts] and pugilists.” a very popular and well respected He moved to Great Portland artist, mixing with the Pre- Street where he produced porno- Raphaelite Brotherhood, and graphic drawings to pay off his being comfortably off. gambling and other debts. On his release from prison he To pay for his beer he painted was placed in a mental institution pub signs, and one of his master- by his relatives until considered pieces now at Kenwood is called well enough to have his own stu - “Landscape with Figures at the serted, died three days after him Cavendish Street in 1792. world war. dio which they rented. But when Door of an Inn.” and was buried in the same This was where Paine was in He moved to Great Titch - he used it merely to sleep off He was also suspected of grave. hiding because he was wanted for field Street in 1908 but soon drunken orgies they withdrew it. forging bank notes and when his Also arrested for being a sedition, which carried the death moved round the corner to 48 He declined into deepest premises were raided he went on French spy was painter and poet penalty, for writing “Rights of Langham Street, when his first poverty, living rough or in work - the run. But he was soon caught William Blake (1757-1827). This Man” which advocated republi - volume of poetry “A Lume houses, and selling matches or and found guilty of being a happened when he was sketch - canism. It was Blake who per - Spento” was published. shoe laces in the street or chalking French spy and spent three years ing on the River Medway. He suaded Paine to leave the country He was a driving force be - pictures on the pavement for pen - in prison. was also charged with assaulting to avoid the death penalty. So he hind the Poets’ Club which met in nies. After his release he was soon a soldier and using seditious fled to France and was prosecuted the Tour Eiffel restaurant at 1 But he never felt embarrassed back behind bars for a shorter words. by the government in his absence. Percy Street in 1909, and later when recognised for his former stretch for forging Dutch land- He despised capitalism and Even though Paine was a re - coined the word “Vorticism” with celebrity, and he was always scapes. Then he lost the use of his all forms of enslavement so often publican he opposed the behead - his friend Percy Wyndham Lewis, ready to share his last penny with left hand so could no longer hold clashed with authority. ing of the king during the French and launched its magazine other down-and-outs. a palette. His first poems “Poetical Revolution, which angered the “Blast” in the same restaurant. It While in St Giles workhouse For a while he lived at 3 Sketches” were published in 1783 revolutionaries who sentenced aimed to “blast away” the old his fellow paupers challenged him Stephen Street, off Tottenham by Rev Anthony Mathew who him to death. Paine escaped the order and provoke “violent struc - to prove he had been a famous Court Road, but died incarcerated lived at 27 Rathbone Place, guillotine because the execution tures of adolescent clearness be - artist. So he roughed out a sketch again in a “spunging” or “spong- which Blake regularly visited for mark was chalked on his cell door tween two extremes.” in half an hour and sold it to a ing” house (a temporary debtors’ literary gatherings hosted by Rev when it was open, so when it was Pound was a dandy and ec - nearby art dealer for a couple of prison). Mathew’s wife, Harriet. As an later closed it was on the wrong centric, who dressed in a velvet sovereigns. So it was drinks all He had suggested that his artist Blake had been a pupil of side for the executioner to see. jacket, spats, a single turquoise round at the workhouse that epitaph should read: “Here lies a Henry Fuseli at 37 Foley Street . Earlier in 1774 he had gone to earring, and carried an ebony night, but he died shortly after - drunken dog.” His burial place After Blake’s death his America and supported its war of black cane. wards. was St James Gardens, between widow, Catherine, lived at 17 independence against Britain, At a dinner party given by One who supported him after Hampstead Road and Euston Sta- Hanson Street. making him an enemy of the another poet Pound got bored his downfall was the gay poet Li - tion, which has recently been de- Blake befriended many revo - British state again. He coined the with a long diatribe about poetry onel Johnson (1867-1902) who stroyed to make way for the HS2 lutionaries, including Thomas name United States of America by W B Yeats, so he started eating lived at 20 Fitzroy Street, where high speed railway to Birming- Paine (1737-1809), whom he vis - and helped to write its constitu - a bowl of flowers on the table, Solomon visited him. It was John - ham. His wife, whom he had de- ited several times at 148 New tion. one tulip at a time. son who introduced Oscar Wilde Despite this he antagonised Pound moved to Italy in to Lord Arthur Douglas. the American authorities and was 1925, supported Mussolini, and The appropriately named refused the right to vote, and made pro-fascist radio broadcasts painter Richard Dadd (1817-1886) banned by stage coach companies. from there during the war, for murdered his own father, and so Bloomsbury ward They thought he was an atheist which he was charged with trea - was incarcerated for the rest of his councillors surgeries and so would evoke the wrath of son by the Americans. After his life in Broadmoor. God to target their coaches with release in 1958 he returned to He was living at 71 Newman First Friday of the month 6:00-7:00pm Fitzrovia Centre 2 Foley Street lightning if he was aboard. In fact Italy. Street when he killed his father in Second and fourth Fridays of the month 6:00-7:00pm Paine was a “theist”, believing in An artist and poet who faced 1843 with a knife and razor, be - Marchmont Community Centre, 62 Marchmont Street, WC1N 1AB God but not the Bible or organised a huge fall from grace with great Third Friday of the month is a “roving surgery” Get in touch if you would lieving that he was the devil. religion. fortitude was Simeon Solomon like us to conduct the surgery in your street or building He had just spent nine Treason was also the crime (1840-1905) who lived at 12 months travelling in Egypt, where Adam Harrison, Sabrina Francis and Rishi Madlani American poet Ezra Pound (1885- Fitzroy Street from 1869 to 1873. contact 020 7974 3111 he felt the heat and camel riding 1972) was found guilty of, but Before that he had lived at 29 [email protected] [email protected] were affecting his mind. found insane and confined to a Mortimer Street from 1862 to [email protected] mental institution after the second 1864. continued on next page Fitzrovia News issue 154 Autumn 2019 — 13

continued from previous page His artist friends, Augustus Egg and William Powell Frith The Curse of (with whom he had previously shared digs at 70 and 74 Char - lotte Street ) noticed he was showing signs of insanity, and his landlady had grown afraid of him. Amen-Ra One day he was found A short story by SUNITA SOLIAR streaming with blood, and said it was because he had cut out a sa - Her curse was already hanging with her, Betty May,’ he said. tanic birthmark on his own body. over us before I saw her. Even the ‘I like the colours,’ I told He was living on a diet of ring Raoul gave me was some him. ‘I’d wear those. They’d look nothing but eggs and ale at the kind of homage to her: it coiled better on me.’ time. around my finger in the shape of ‘No joking,’ he said. He had He asked to meet his father a snake with rubies for eyes in such innocent blue eyes that you to “disburden his mind”. They claw settings that caught against wondered whether he really be - met in Kent and dined on boiled my clothes. He said it came from lieved or whether he was an utter ham and a glass of porter before an Egyptian dig. fool. I thought maybe it was a Dadd killed his father. When ar - Do you believe in curses? I joke at my expense, though it rested he said he was an envoy of used to scoff at the Theosophists wouldn’t be like him seeing as God, sent to exterminate men too, I didn’t see how you could nothing made him more reverent possessed by demons. take mummies seriously. It’s not than papyri, inscriptions and His rooms in Newman Street like looking at an old photograph, mummies. Still, I didn’t want to Illustration by CLIFFORD HARPER were searched and some disturb - is it? You can catch a bit of life in a look stupid so I let out a howler. ing drawings were found of his captured smile from the near past. ‘Go on!’ I said. But he was as He told me: ‘I prayed to her was like, didn’t he? How did he friends, including Egg and Frith, But an oversized doll from be - set as the faces of those Egyptian to forgive you and place her evil expect me to behave? Maybe it all with their throats cut. yond time? sculptures that stretched high up spell on me.’ was Crowley’s idea for him to When in Broadmoor he con - Raoul was very solemn as he the walls. You could start to get I wanted to laugh, but I take me there so that we would tinued to paint, including his led me through the British Mu - quite claustrophobic in there and didn’t dare. Not just because I be cursed…you end up circling masterpiece “The Fairy-Feller’s seum. Then we were standing in I was uneasy about how serious might upset Raoul but because I round on yourself. Would I have Master Stroke”, which depicts his front of her. She was painted in he was. I wasn’t about to be worried that I might incur her behaved differently if I’d known? father, who was a chemist, with a reds and greens, hands emerging stared down by her blinkless, anger. She’d seen me now. She But you could say I did know; he pestle and mortar. It is now in the like wings from her wooden chest, mocking face. I stuck my tongue knew where to direct her hatred. told me; I just didn’t believe. Tate Britain Gallery. while she stared at me with bored out as far as I could, straining the Of course, she had Crowley You don’t believe me, do Novelist George Gissing eyes and a wonky mouth. How roots. Raoul clapped his hand at Thelema to help her - and don’t you? And yet if I tell you that on (1857-1903), was imprisoned for could you think anything serious over my mouth and with the you think it is fitting that it was my wedding, I was so nervous theft as a young man which ru - could come of it? other led me quickly out of the from drinking a cat’s blood? that I dropped my ring and Raoul ined his academic career as a Raoul believed and he is the museum and all the way back to Don’t cats guard the Egyptian un - had to pick it up. Then someone classical scholar. He was also sus - one who is dead, so. Really, it is I my flat. He told me to stay there derworld? What is that if not took a photograph of us and pended from University College who should be dead and not him. and lock the door. I asked him proof of the fulfilment of the when it was printed you could London in Gower Street for Or perhaps this was fated from where he was going but he didn’t curse? No, that wouldn’t have see in the background the slim stealing money from other stu - long before, maybe centuries, who reply. So I sat there and waited. been my fate. It would have been figure of a young man lying over dents. He claimed he needed the knows. And waited. I turned the ring something much more mundane. his head. He didn’t die then but, cash to help a prostitute, Marion Raoul had told me stories of round and round, looking at the Hit by a bus. Choking in my as he told me, that is her power. Harrison, to become an honest almost nothing but her since we bright snake eyes. I wondered a sleep. You can’t tell. But Raoul She will come whenever you seamstress. met. little about whether I’d brought took the curse for me. Is that aren’t expecting her. I see now In 1878 he was living in a ‘Is this your touchy lady?’ I her in here with me. It was cold love? You might say I would that he was always promised to “rather tatty” garret on the top said. He’d piled on the legends of in the flat and I started to feel never have been subject to a curse another. It was the evil in her. She floor at 22 Colville Place (now how she’d brought death and de - sleepy, but I stayed upright until if he hadn’t wanted me to see his mocked me so that I could slip. demolished and part of Crabtree struction on those who offended Raoul returned. great lady before we were mar - She knew he would take my Fields). He soon moved to the her. ‘Where have you been?’ I ried. Was he trying to get a curse place. You do believe what I’m cellar to save sixpence a week in ‘You must be very careful asked him. placed on us? He knew what I saying? rent “which in those days was a great consideration, why it means a couple of meals,” he Poetry corner wrote. In his autobiographical novel, “New Grub Street”, he de - Beaker People TILLY'S SMILE from the flow of photon-streams, scribed struggling to live in the she's also me, in 1950. The genes Tottenham Court Road area, I drink my coffee My cousin emailed me the photograph. that made me smile in 1950 are the same where he rented rooms with no behind that ragged rough sleeper It was taken last Saturday, at Rachel's wedding. as those that made Tilly smile last week. washing facilities. This meant he with the blanket and wrinkled skin - On my smartphone, there I am, about 9. had to use cloakrooms in the just a window pane It's definitely me, my face,my smile. Our lives fly by like petals in the wind, British Museum, which separates us, look! At that camera-frozen moment, that quantum leap by quantum leap, scattering prompted officials to put up a Don't you see how people pass by, little girl is me. Except she isn't. like glancing light on water, a shaken-up jigsaw notice: “These basins are in - noticing neither him nor me, She's my cousin's granddaughter, Tilly, and my of DNA, whose pieces continue, flying tended for casual ablutions only.” beggar nor poet? cousin Rachel, away, to reassemble in new lives. A regular in the Horse Shoe Yet each has his cup - the raven-haired, beautiful bride, is her mother. And Tilly's smile will multiply, inn at 264 Tottenham Court and, if mine's for inspiration, I wasn't at the wedding. in every time and every place, Road , he also lived at 31 Gower his is for money. till the sun swells up and devours us all, Place and 70 Huntley Street . I'll stay till my cup is empty, Life is made of fleeting moments, gone at the end of days. he, perhaps, till his cup is full. before you know. The miracle of photography This article is based on a guided is that it captures that fleeting moment. walk by Mike Pentelow as part of the Terry Egan The camera captured Tilly's smile last Saturday. Wendy Shutler 2019 recent FitzFest. But in that moment, stilled and stolen 14 — Fitzrovia News issue 154 Autumn 2019 The story behind the naming of Evelyn Yard

The link between Evelyn Yard who achieved fame for his diaries (between Rathbone Place and during his lifetime. Gresse Street) and the diarist But Evelyn’s diaries were not John Evelyn was raised by Jim published until long after his Foley who lives nearby. death when found in 1817. Nearly Fitzrovia News investigated 200 years later they were bought and discovered the connection. for £8 million by the British Li - Evelyn Yard was built in the brary. 18th century by the children of Jim Foley also told us that William Evelyn, a descendant of Evelyn House, round the corner John Evelyn (1620-1706). William at 62 Oxford Street, was built in had married Frances Glanville, the early 20th century and housed who was the only child and suffragettes. heiress of William Glanville. This is confirmed by street di - He had owned the land either rectories of the period. side of Rathbone Place by 1740. The National Union of Rathbone Place was the first Women’s Suffrage Societies was street built in the fields north of there from 1919 to 1922, the Na - Photo by Peter Arkell Oxford Street in 1720 (not 1718 as tional Union for Societies of Equal it claims on the street sign) and paid damages of over £162 when he had fought in 1642 during the Citizenship from 1920 to 1923, Council for the Unmarried named after Captain Thomas he sobered up. civil war. Thankfully Sayes Court and before that the Women’s Mu - Mother and her Child from 1920 Rathbone who had a house there. This would have tested Eve - is now the site of public gardens. nicipal Party from 1915 to 1921. to 1921, and the Professional John Evelyn, the diarist, lived lyn’s loyalty to royalty, for whom Samuel Pepys was his friend There was also the National Union of Trained Nurses. in what is now Evelyn Street in Deptford, south east London, where there is a pub named after him. He stayed here during the Band plays benefit for the 100 Club plague. Nearby is Sayes Court where A rock band was so shocked by Sharne first started writing have played at the club many bers of the group). he moved to and stocked the gar - the possibility of spiralling rents songs when her counsellor ad - times and are determined that, be - “I have been drumming for 43 den over 40 years - only for it to threatening the future of the 100 vised her to write down what she cause it gave so many bands a years for various different bands,” be ruined by Peter the Great, the Club in Oxford Street that they felt. Now aged 29 she has been chance to get their music heard, it said Antonia. “One was the Death Russian tsar. Evelyn had rented donated the entire takings from singing since the age of five, in - should continue to survive. Rock band which played in Ger - the house to him. When the tsar their sold out concert there. cluding in church choirs and cov - The band has a diverse line- many a lot for goths, but we had a got drunk he insisted a servant This was a concert in July ers bands, with many different up. Pictured below playing at the falling out. Then I met Ian and we push him in a wheelbarrow over starring the Rock n Roll Suicidez, styles including reggae and punk. 100 Club are (clockwise from top gelled. all the cherished flowers. This Penetration, and The Vibrators. Skat has now become part of her left): “My transition to female in happened in 1698 when the tsar The Rock n Roll Suicidez performance as well. Everyone Antonia Rebecca Kelly, drum - 2008 was a necessity, as that was agrees she has a unique voice and mer, who transitioned from male how I always felt. I had played in a really good vocal range. to female 11 years ago; other bands before the transition, Kyle is the newest member of Sharne McCarthy, singer, who reggae, grunge etc. the band. has Aspergers and wrote the title “With this band we merge to - The perfect venue Ian, who is also a poet, 6 FITZROY SQUARE track Spectrum on their latest EP gether well to give an individual founded the band in the 1970s. about autism; sound. Sometimes I reshape some The “Refugee” song was written The perfect venue for meetings, launches, seminars, Kyle T Hurley, lead guitar, an of the rhythms for a song for a dif - by him after he was deeply dinners, wedding receptions and other corporate events. American with rockabilly roots; ferent feel, and suggest the words moved by a television documen - Ian Seth, known as OPG, bass to be slightly different. tary from Syria. “I saw it as angry The Georgian Group’s elegant eigh - guitar, protopunk and only mem - “I feel very humble when punk, but Antonia said reggae or ber of the original garage band; praised by an audience, although teenth-century headquarters ska, so we tried it over a different Paul Atkins, rhythm guitar, sometimes I cannot hear myself overlooking Fitzroy Square provides session.” and songwriter (as are all mem - on stage, so go by memory.” a unique location for all types of pri - Paul joined the band earlier vate and corporate events in the heart this year as a temporary replace - of central London. ment who immediately clicked with the other band members and We cordially invite local businesses has been with it ever since. “He and individuals to visit our building has a raw talent but much more and get a taste of the authentic than that,” said Ian. “And he is a Georgian experience... great song writer: I give him lyrics and he puts them to music just like that.” For booking enquiries, availability Everyone contributes one and rates please contact way or another to the songs Rob Kouyoumdjian on 0207 529 which are about subjects as di - 8921 or verse as autism, being transgen - [email protected] der, refugees, and being drunk on the Northern Line. Their appearance at The 100 Club can be seen on youtu.be/3USDbrGJ7uk and their EP can be ordered from their website (rocknrollsuicidez.com). Fitzrovia News issue 154 Autumn 2019 — 15

cal venue was a particularly apt choice, as not only did Lee Mc - You Wear It Well Queen show his autumn/winter 1996 Dante collection inside that collections over the years. Tom church, but its gothic setting also Piano Man Baker is a talented tailor and has proved the perfect setting for 2013’s feast, which was inspired No 17 by long been a distinctive force in Soho, but has recently opened a by paintings of the court of Henry Clifford shop in Fitzrovia, on Wells Street. VIII. Guests sat at grand oak ta - Slapper He dresses many high-profile bles, which were dressed with musicians, and music is a key in - huge floral displays and lit by As a London musician, I soon be - spiration in his work. I was candlelight. Sarah Burton, came aware of the close relation - brought in to play a piano accom - Alexander McQueen's creative di - ship music has with the worlds of paniment for one of his runway rector, and the label's then CEO fashion and design. In particular, shows held at the 100 Club. An - Jonathan Akeroyd hosted the the soundscape designed to ac - other new high quality tailoring evening alongside Frieze company the unveiling of new arrival into the area is Labassa founders Amanda Sharp and seasonal collections by fashion Woolfe, which has opened a Cartoon by CHRIS TYLER Matthew Slotover, and the guests designers is an integral part of the beautiful showroom on Percy included many key people from framing of their creations. Street, now combined with an - downey in 2005 at the Cockpit twist that the very next year I was the worlds of fashion, art and My own sartorial style was tiques and a French-style wine Theatre in Marylebone (where I indeed working with him. Per - music. informed by an early adolescent bar, with live jazz. had also played in Macbeth as a haps Weardowney had the magic In 2014, I played at a Marc Ja - fascination with glam rock, in These latest arrivals are step - teenager, in a production by Max to make wishes come true! cobs fragrance launch which was particular David Bowie. It took a ping into a long association be - Stafford-Clark’s Young People’s I then played for tailor Mark held in a stunning, huge old sideways step when the arrival of tween Fitzrovia and fashion. The Theatre Scheme). The show was Powell’s events, and for launches venue in Paris and co-hosted by punk rock, during my teens, Great Portland Street area was al - styled by Namalee Bolle, and she by Swarowski and by Thomas Katie Grand, and featured a cin - brought the obligatory safety pins ways home to wholesale suppli - and I created a live jazz set with a Sabo, the latter held on the top ema room with a looped inter - and torn shirts. Later I became a ers to the rag trade. Also, on twist (including “Hanky Panky” floor of the Shard a few months view with Jessica Lange, who regular customer of a Covent Gresse Street we have the Fashion which Madonna had sung in the before the building was officially sang “Life On Mars?”, dressed as Garden based Japanese designer Retail Academy, which began as Dick Tracy film), to set off the de - opened. David Bowie, in the “Freak called Dexter Wong, whose flam - an off-shoot of the controversial signs and frame them in a certain The McQueen fashion house Show” season of American Hor - boyant outfits defined my style Topshop/Arcadia Group owned way. I was interviewed at the celebrated the opening of 2013’s ror Story that same year. for the next few years and raised by Sir Philip Green, but has ex - time for a special magazine pro - Frieze Art Fair by holding a deca - Music will always have a some eyebrows amongst my panded to provide a wide range duced to accompany that 2005 dent dinner at Christ Church in huge role to play in inspiring and peers. of courses in all aspects of the in - show, and was asked: “If you London's Spitalfields, at which I complementing other fields of My own piano performances dustry. could collaborate with anyone was again asked to perform live, creativity, just as they in turn also have provided that aural accom - One of my first performances who would it be?” to which I together with the London Com - inspire music. The barriers be - paniment for many new fashion at a fashion show was for Wear - replied, David Bowie. It’s a nice munity Gospel Choir. The histori - tween these fields are porous, be - cause design, fashion and music can all intersect and frame one an - Looking back through the archives other, to create and express some - thing greater than its constituent parts. 25 by the Fitzrovia Play Associa - 10 years ago 40 years ago tion. It was duly opened by Frank From Tower, Sept/Oct 1979: Dobson, MP . From Fitzrovia News, Fish hawker on TV Kite firm flying high Autumn 2009: A local person watching televi - Kites were being designed for ev - sion on holiday in Holland was erything from aerial photography Book lauch drenched surprised to see Goodge Place to propelling boats, by a Great + Friendly medical advice “The Fraud”, the sixth published wet fish stall holder, Harry Moss, Titchfield Street company. novel by local author Barbara talking about the price of fish. He Vertical Visuals had been set + NHS and private Guinness of his show’s producer Ewing , was launched in a mar - was a customer of Harry and up two years earlier by Mike Dennis O’Keeffe (admirably illus - prescriptions quee in Fitzroy Square . Torrential could not wait to tell him on his Powlow and Jilly Pelham and trated by cartoonist Kipper rain beating on the canvas return. they were flying high. + Prescription collection Williams, above). The headline drowned out the author’s voice Despite the rising prices, peo - The kite designed to carry was “DJ got more than pork and delivery so she had to abandon reading ple still ate fish, said Harry. “Old cameras and video equipment for scratchings in his beer.” extracts from the novel, set ladies who might once have aerial photography was over six + Repeat dispensing BBC drama filmed among a London artists’ commu - bought a nice bit of coley for the feet wide. Others were being + Multivitamins, health nity of 1763. Barbara was a mem - Filming was taking place for a cat are now eating it themselves - planned to propel not only boats, ber of the local women’s writers’ BBC2 drama in Cleveland Street and why not? It is a delicacy on but cross-country skiers, and and advice group, set up a year earlier by and Warren Mews. It was called the continent.” roller skaters. + Flu vaccination Rita Goolamhossen and Fiona “The Cut”, aimed at 13 to 18-year- Harry had been getting up at They provided kites all over Green , which met twice a month olds, and was due to be shown in 5.15 am to go to Billingsgate Mar - the world, including Holland and + Herbal and nutritional at the Scandinavian Cafe in September. BBC Switch who ket for his fish and set up his stall the USA, and were preparing one support Great Titchfield Street . were producing it had their of - for 7.15 am each day since 1948 - with a heart and arrow for a Pig in a poke fices on the corner of Cleveland come rain or shine. During the Japanese woman’s wedding. Street and Euston Road. winter of 1969 he’d had to shovel SHIV Radio 2 disc jockey Ray Moore Mural commissioned snow to get his barrow in posi - had been a regular in the First ever tandoori A mural was commissioned for tion, then unfreeze the wheels Northumberland Arms at 43 The Gaylord restaurant at 79 Mor - Whitfield Gardens, Tottenham with boiling water at the end of Pharmacy Goodge Street [now the Queen timer Street was credited with Court Road, on the wall of 8 Tot - the day. Charlotte Draft House] as de - serving the first tandoori dish in tenham Street. Work on it by The 70 Great Titchfield Street scribed in his autobiography “To - Britain (in 1966) and also invent - Warren opened Art Workers’ Cooperative was W1W 7QN morrow is Too Late.” His most ing the Chicken Tikka Masala, by A grand opening of the Warren due to start in March or April the Monday-Friday 8:30 - 6:00pm bizarre memory of it was when a Stephen Fry on the QI television Playground in Whitfield Street following year “to last for over 20 Tel/Fax 0207 580 2393 pig on the bar excreted into the programme. was being planned for November years.” 16 — Fitzrovia News issue 154 Autumn 2019 WHAT’S ON AROUND FITZROVIA Email [email protected] with listings by 29 November for December issue. Put “Listings” in the subject line.

LIVE MUSIC THEATRE CINEMA EXHIBITIONS ART Bloomsbury Theatre/Studio , 15 Bolivar Hall , 54 Grafton Way British Museum, Great Russell Featured exhibitions below. All Saints , 7 Margaret St:Organ Gordon St (thebloomsbury.com): (cultura.embavenez-uk.org): St (britishmuseum.org): Recitals by Jeremiah Stephenson, A full list of all galleries in Resonance gala comedy night, London Socialist Film Co-op Pushing paper: contemporary Sept 29, 3.30pm; Ghislaine Reece- the area is on our website: hosted by Daniel Kitson and star - screen films at 11am on the sec - drawing from 1970 to now, until Trapp, Nov 24, 3.30pm. news.fitzrovia.org.uk ring Arnold Brown and others, ond Sunday of each month. Jan 12. Oct 21. We The Young Strong The Coming War on China (John Entrance fee : Inspired by the King & Queen , 1 Foley St : Folk (drama on far-right radicalisation, Pilger documentary), Oct 13. east: how the Islamic world influ - once a month on Fridays 8-11pm cities and young people), Oct 24, Clara Immerwahr (drama about enced western art, Oct 10-Jan 26. (visit web mustradclub.co.uk): 7.30pm. Gary Delaney: Gagster’s the use of poison gas in the first Troy: myth and reality, Nov 21- Len Graham, Oct 25. The New Paradise (one-liner comic), Oct world war), Nov 10. March 8. Deal String Band, Nov 22. 26. Charlotte Street Hotel, 15-17 Senate House Library, Malet St Sevilla Mia Spanish Bar , 22 Han - Camden People's Theatre , 58-60 Charlotte St: Film Club with meal (senatehouselibrary.ac.uk): Writ - way St (basement): World Fusion, Hampstead Rd (cptheatre.co.uk): and a movie for £40.To book tick - ing in times of conflict, until Dec Edel Assant i, 74A Newman St: Tue, 9.30pm; Swing 'n' Blues, Handle With Care (festival of ets visit bit.ly/CharlotteStreet - 14. Farley Aguilar (above), until Oct Wed, 9.30pm; Spanish Rumba, emerging artists), Oct 22-Nov 9. FilmClub. 19. Thur-Sat, 10.30pm. UCL Petrie Museum , Malet Narrative Projects , 110 New Greener Man , 36 Riding House Place: Voyages of an ancient Cavendish St: Xiao-yang Li “Cul - Simmons , 28 Maple St: Live St: London Animation Club, first Egyption ship, until Oct 26. tivated Chaos”, until Nov 2. music every Wednesday evening. Tuesday of month. Wellcome Library , 183 Euston ULU Live (The Venue), Torring - Odeon , 30 Tottenham Court Rd: Rd (wellcomecollection.org): ton Place (ulu-live.co.uk): Weekly film details from Misbehaving Bodies, until Jan 26. Thurston Moore Group, Oct 19. odeon.co.uk or 08712 244007. Alsarah and The Nubatones, Oct 25. Aziz Maraka/Sabrine Jenhani, Regent Street Cinema , 309 Re - Oct 26. Dream State, Nov 2. Lep - Dominion Theatre , 269 Totten - gent St: For daily programme rous + The Ocean + Port Noir, TALKS ham Court Rd visit regentstreetcinema.com. . Nov 8. Impericon Never Say Die! (dominiontheatre.com): Big, The Matinee classics every Wednes - Nov 13. Yak, Nov 15. Lobuzy, Nov Sohemian Society , Wheatsheaf, Pi Artworks , 55 Eastcastle St: Musical, untill Sept 6-Nov 1. day at 12 noon and 3.30pm, for 16. Badflower, Nov 22. Battle 25 Rathbone Place: ‘To be an - Ana Cvorovic “Borders Unfold” White Christmas, from November over 55s, £1.75. Kids' Kino Club, Beast, Nov 30. nounced. (above), until Oct 26. 16. every Saturday, 11.30am. London Palladium , Argyll St The 100 Club , 100 Oxford St UCL Darwin Lecture Theatre , (london-palladium.co.uk): Cradle Royal Anthropological Institute , (the100club.co.uk): The Primi - Malet Place (ucl.ac.uk/events): of Filth: Cruelty and the Beast, 50 Fitzroy St tives, Oct 1. Miles Hunt & Erica Lunchtime lectures, Tuesdays Oct 19. Goldilocks and the Three (raifilm.org.uk/events): Regular Nockalls (The Wonder Stuff), Oct and Thursdays (1.15-1.55pm) Bears, starring Paul O’Grady, Ju - programme of screenings. 2. World Zombie Day - Last Gasp, lian Clary, Nigel Havers, and during term time. Oct 5. Acid Mothers Temple, Oct Anti Stigma Campaigns in Men - Gary Wilmot, Dec 7-Jan 12. UCL, IAS Forum , Ground Floor, 6. tal Health, Oct 10. Impact of South Wing, Gower St: The Si - tracking school pupils by ‘ability’ lence of Others, Oct 28, 5pm. Les on educational and social in - CABARET gleaners el la Glaneuse (2000), equality, Oct 15. Changing Per - The Wheatsheaf , 25 Rathbone Dec 9, 6pm. spectives on Homelessness, Oct Alison Jacques Gallery , 18 Bern - Place: Maverick Theatre’s 17. The power of islands, Oct 22. ers St: Betty Parsons “The Queen SpeakEasy Cabaret, first Saturday Untangling myself from the file: of the Circus” (pictured above), of the month, 7.30pm. If you human-centred record keeping, until Nov 9. would like to appear for up to ten PUB QUIZZES Nov 14. Earth Observation for minutes email story@maverick - The Albany , 240 Great Portland Planning Sustainable Cities, Nov theatre.co.uk. St: Sundays, 7pm 19. Why can’t I sing with Aus - tralians on the telephone? And Carpenters Arms , 68-70 Whitfield Ballroom dancing Tokyo Rose at New Diorama. other questions about engineer - St. Tuesdays, 6.30pm. ing the internet, Nov 26. Ageing New Diorama Theatre (newdio - and caring in a globalised world: rama.com), 15-16 Triton St (Eu - Prince of Wales Feathers , 8 War - stories from Mumbai and Eng - ston Rd opposite Fitzroy St): ren St: Tuesdays, 6pm. land, Dec 3. Tokyo Rose (musical about an American treason trial in 1949), Rising Sun , 46 Tottenham Court TOUR Oct 8-12. Art Heist (an existential Rd. Wednesdays, 6.30 for 7pm. comedy caper), Oct 15-26. UCL Art Museum , South Clois - The Art Deco Orchestra present ters, Wilkins Building, Gower St: the Fitzrovia Society Ball at the In - RADA , Malet St EVENTS Free tours, until Dec 13, 2- dian YMCA Fitzroy Square (rada.ac.uk/whats-on): 2.45pm. Friday 18 October 7:00pm GBS Theatre : Stoning Mary, Oct Grant Museum of Zoology , 21 Tickets £8 non dancing balcony 16-26. University St: Displays of WALKS Webber Gallery , 18 Newman St: only £16 and £20 dancing on-line Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre : Power,until March 7. Interna - Robbie Lawrence “Blackwater and at the door Mysterious Bruises, Oct 17-26. tional Gibbon Day, Oct 24, 2pm. London Literary Pub Crawl , River” (pictured above), until Oct eventbrite.co.uk Gielgud Theatre : Keffiyeh/Made It’s All the Raj, Innit, stand up every Saturday, 5pm. Start at the 21. Chris Rhodes “Hotel Mer - fitzrovia-society-ball-tickets in China, Oct 15-26. comedy, Nov 23, 7pm. Wheatsheaf, 25 Rathbone Place. maid Club”, Oct 24-Nov 25