Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Vol 4 No 2 Summer 2014 incorporating Islington History Journal

Low-rise legacy on a human scale

Harley Sherlock was influenced by Georgian squares to design community homes

Tollington’s long and diabolical history l Boundary stones, lost and saved l Starting school in 1940s Islington l Plague victim skeletons show what Clerkenwell life was like l The man who planned a Channel tunnel and a tower bigger than the Eiffel l Books, reviews and some bargains l Your local history questions answered l News and events About the society

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

President: Rt Hon Lord he Islington journal: stories and Smith of Finsbury Archaeology & pictures sought Vice president: Mary Cosh THistory Society is here Chairman: Andrew Gardner, to investigate, learn and We welcome articles on local [email protected] celebrate the heritage that is history, as well as your Secretary: Peter Fuller, left to us. research, memories and old [email protected] We organise lectures, photographs. Membership, publications tours and visits, and A one-page article needs and events: Catherine publish this quarterly about 500 words, and the Brighty, 8 Wynyatt Street, journal. maximum article length is EC1V 7HU, catherine. The society was set up 1,000 words. We like [email protected], in 1975 and is run entirely receiving pictures to go 020 7833 1541 by volunteers. with articles, but please Treasurer: Philip Anderson, check that we can reproduce phlpandrsn6@btopenworld. Keep in touch online them without infringing com We have a website at anyone’s copyright. Committee members: www.islingtonhistory.org.uk www.facebook.com/groups/ The journal is published in Kathleen Frenchman, and a Facebook group at islingtonhistory.org.uk print and online in pdf form. Michael Harper,  Deadline for the autumn Derek Seeley issue is 31 July. Academic adviser: Lester Journal back issues and extra copies Hillman, former visiting Ever wondered…? professor, London Journal distribution is Do you have any queries Metropolitan Business overseen by Catherine about Islington’s history, School, Brighty (details left). streets or buildings? Send London Metropolitan Contact her for more them in for our tireless University copies, back issues, if researcher Michael Reading Journal editor: Christy you move house and and maybe other readers to Lawrance, christy@ about membership. Back answer. Please note we do islingtonhistory.org.uk,  issues can be not carry out family research. c/o 6 Northview, Tufnell Park downloaded from www. l See Letters, page 6 Road, N7 0QB clcomms.com/iahs. Copyright (photocopies acceptable) $ Copyright of everything in Join the Islington Archaeology & History Society this journal lies with the creator unless otherwise Membership per year is: £10 single; £12 joint at same address; concessions single £6/ stated. While it can be joint £8; corporate £15; overseas £20. These rates apply until September 2014. difficult to trace copyright Membership renewal forms are sent out when due. ownership of archive I/we would like single/joint/concession/joint concession/corporate membership and materials, we make every enclose a cheque payable to “Islington Archaeology & History Society” for ...... effort to do so.

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2 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society

Incorporating Islington History Journal Vol 4 No 2 Summer 2014

Will new towers be admired in future?

once asked Harley Sherlock, over a real ale at the cricket, if it was the Idamage of World War II that had Contents convinced him to become an architect. No, he replied, he’d known it was his vocation from the age of 11. News 4 Architecture should be on a human Green plaque for tenants’ champion, court backs council over tall towers, World scale, rather than as forbidding and War I project approved, Mail Rail trips on track and fire station is an “asset” isolating as brutalism dictated. If we replicated the scale of Georgian squares Letters and your questions 6 and terraces, he said, we could foster The fire at Smithfield market, Plum Pudding Steps, Waterlow Road and the sense of local community along- condemned cottages at Highbury Corner side the need for modern amenities. Where now? Once again, the spectre Obituary: Harley Sherlock 9 of tower blocks and, worse, gated A reflection on his life and his vision enclaves is upon us. These structures and – dare I suggest – get-rich-quick Tunnels to towers  10 schemes and vanity projects are no The visionary who thought up the Channel tunnel and a tower to rival way to encourage any sense of the Eiffel community. The homes proposed or under construction are for people who Boundary stones, lost and saved 12 will move on. There is much provision Boundary markers can easily be lost, so we need to keep an eye on them for professional young couples but almost none for families who might – Starting school in the 1940s 13 much as we’d love them to – put down Afternoon naps, cod liver oil and rewards for perfect attendance roots here. Nothing is being built either for the current generation of A long and diabolical history 14 young people whose folks have been The Tollington area goes back to the Domesday book here for five, six, seven generations. Perhaps someone might write in with Bones tell of tough lives in Clerkenwell past 16 definitions of “affordable” Skeletons give an idea of life in hundreds of years ago and “sustainable”? It is beyond time for Coffin plates: do you recognise a name? 17 politicians and developers to Publications  18 consider: will these History from above, motoring heritage, water past and present, the English projects left behind seaside, congregationalism in the 20th century and a couple of bargains for the future be admired – or even Reviews  22 exist – a century The first Georgians, prefab housing, wedding dresses and Italian glamour from now? Events and exhibitions  24 Andy Gardner Chairman, Islington Directory of societies, museums and resources 28 Archaeology & History Society Islington Archaeology & History Society events 31

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 3 news In brief Islington victims of World War I commemorated

Waitrose leases King’s Islington’s local history and Cross goods shed heritage service has won substantial funding for a The Midland Goods Shed World War I remembrance and East Handyside Canopy project. at King’s Cross are to be The Streets They Left converted into a Waitrose Behind: Finsbury and store and cookery school. Islington 1914-18 project The goods shed was built  will see plaques installed on in 1850 and the canopy Islington streets to in 1888. remember all those who died from each street. Sale of Mildmay Club The first plaques are due to go up early om August. rejected by members See www.islington.gov.uk/ The Mildmay Club in ww1centenary for updates. Newington Green, which The project has been Women working at a gas mask factory in Holloway, 1918 was set up in 1888, has made possible by £85,000 survived after its members from the Heritage Lottery Online Book of children of Islington who voted overwhelmingly not Fund. Remembrance this summer. died as a result of war. See to sell its historic building. In addition, the council is This will commemorate over www.islington.gov.uk/ planning to launch an 13,000 men, women and bookofremembrance Farmiloe building to be turned into offices Judges uphold council policy on tall towers A Victorian warehouse, used for locations for films The Court of Appeal has originally refused consent The judges said the including Inception and upheld council restrictions for the tower in September council was right to refuse Eastern Promises as well as on new tower blocks, after a 2011. Arsenal appealed to the block all along. Batman films, is to be turned long battle over plans for a the government’s planning They said that council into offices and other 25-storey block of student inspectorate, which decided policy that towers over 30m commercial space. The housing in Holloway. the tower could go ahead. were inappropriate for the grade II listed Farmiloe The three judges rejected The council applied to area was clear, especially building, built in 1868, was  Arsenal FC’s plans to build the High Court again the because its policy specified a glass and lead works. the 450-room block near inspectorate’s decision, and that tall buildings were its stadium. won. Arsenal then went to allowed the Bunhill and Decision on Smithfield Islington Council the Court of Appeal. Clerkenwell areas. due in this summer The decision on whether Mail Rail rides on track Store closes after Smithfield general market nearly 100 years should be redeveloped into offices is due on or before  Train rides along the old Post include a new museum and Ironmonger Thomas 12 August. Office underground railway better research facilities.  Brothers, at the top of are closer after the British The museum will chart Holloway Road in Archway, Postal Museum & Archive almost 400 years of Britain’s is closing down after almost was awarded £4.5m by the social, communications and a century of trading. Heritage Lottery Fund. design history through the The business started out The Mail Rail, which postal service. as a stall set up by Samuel carried post across London The BPMA said the grant Thomas in Elthorne Road in for more than three quarters was “a major vote of 1920. It was taken over by of a century, is due to be confidence” in its plans. It his son Bruce, then by opened to the public for the now has 95% of the funds it grandson Richard, who ran Post stories and pictures, and first time. The car depot, needs, and is working on the store for 43 years. comment about Islington and where trains were raising the rest. Several shops and a heritage on our Facebook page maintained, will be home to Harry Huskisson of the photographer’s studio were at www.facebook.com/groups/ an exhibition. BPMA described the plans converted to create the

Clerkenwell Fire Station: Jonathan Thacker/geograph.org.uk; women in gas mask factory: Imperial War Museum; War in gas mask factory: Imperial women Thacker/geograph.org.uk; Station: Jonathan Clerkenwell Fire Commons Citrano/www.zigzaglens.com/Wikimedia Anthony Camilla Belle: islingtonhistory The BPMA’s plans also in the spring 2014 journal. premises in the 1980s.

4 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 We’re looking for volunteers! Green plaques for tenants’ champion and acclaimed fashion designer Membership of the Islington Archaeology & History Society has grown a lot in An Islington People’s plaque Givenchy from 1996 to 2001 the past year, so we’re to popular tenants’ and set up his own label.  looking for volunteers to campaigner Betty Knight has He won the British Designer help run it. You could assist been unveiled at Tunbridge of the Year award four  at events, develop skills by House, Spa Green estate, times and was made a CBE sitting on our committee, in Finsbury. in 2003. work on publicity – if you As a tenants’ leader, Mr McQueen took his have ideas of your own, we’d Ms Knight, who died in 2010 own life following the death be delighted to hear them. aged 74, fought to improve of his mother. l Contact our chairman conditions on the estate in The plaque reads: Betty Knight An exhibition of Andy Gardner on andy@ Rosebery Avenue and was 1936-2010. Champion for the Alexander McQueen’s work islingtonhistory.org.uk instrumental in setting up rights of Islington residents. will run at the Victoria and the Spa Green Tenants’ Lived here from 1975-2010 Albert Museum in spring Victorian Society seeks Management Organ­isation. next year. In 1996, she received a challenged the prime He designs were worn by buildings at risk civic award for her work and minister at the House of celebrities including Sandra The Victorian Society is dedication to the Commons on the matter of Bullock, Katie Homes, Kate searching for the top 10 community. moonlight robbery, where Moss, Ashlee Simpson, Cate most endangered Victorian Never one to council tenants’ rent is used Blanchett, Sarah Jessica and Edwardian buildings in sit back to pay for activities not Parker, Rihanna and Lady England and Wales. when action related to their homes. Gaga. Shown on the left is Buildings can be at risk from was In April 2010, she received actress Camilla Belle demolition, neglect or needed, a special mayoral award for wearing a print dress by inappropriate development. she her lifetime achievements. McQueen, which was Nominations close on Friday Also this spring, a green described by InStyle 4 July and the top 10 will be plaque to fashion designer magazine as one of the 100 announced in October. Send Alexander McQueen best dresses of the decade. your nomination to sophie@ (1969-2010) was unveiled at The plaque was funded by Actress victoriansociety.org.uk. 11 Aberdeen Road, where Highbury East councillors Camilla Belle he lived in 2001-05. from their share of council Lots of museums on wearing a His creations were local initiatives funding. dress by remarkable for their drama l Voting for the 2014 round IAHS member’s site Alexander and extravagance. of Islington People’s Plaques IAHS member Beverley McQueen He was chief designer at will start in June. Rowe has created an online list of 295 museums, galleries and scientific venues in Greater London. Asset designation puts fire station sale on hold l www.bevrowe.info/ Museums.html Plans to sell Clerkenwell The London Fire station on a commercial Authority can appeal against MPs launch inquiry basis have been put on hold the designation. In the for six months, after it was meantime, it cannot sell the into planning law designated an asset of fire station to anyone unless An inquiry into the National community value by the their bid meets community Planning Policy Framework, council. asset criteria. which came in to force two The grade II listed The freehold was listed for years ago, has been started building was nominated by sale by property consultants by the Communities and the Amwell Society. Dron & Wright, along with Local Government select The designation gives eight other fire stations. committee. The inquiry will community groups six The council is keen for the look into the effect of the months to put a bid together building to be used for NPPF on housing, town for the fire station building. public services or other centres and energy Clerkenwell Fire Station: no It does not give such groups community use, possibly for infrastructure. commercial sale for six months the right to buy it. affordable homes.

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 5 Letters and your questions We welcome letters. Our researcher Michael Reading can answer your questions, so get in touch if you have a query about Islington, or can answer or add to anything here

When Smithfield market unfurled. The fire lasted for that year the Arnold Bennett at online maps of 1868 and survived a four-day fire four days. published his novel also the Ordnance Survey I had just turned 20 in 1958 I worked in the area of Riceyman Steps, which won 5 inches to the mile maps of when the Smithfield fire Smithfield for about 16 the James Tait Black 1893-1896 but have been happened. I had started years and remember it well. Memorial Prize for Fiction, unable to find it. work at Smithfield in the If you visit the market and and was set at this location. I wonder if you or any of mid 1950s as a bike boy at a look at the structure of it, The book was very your members might know small family butcher’s at 59 you soon realise that it will successful and the steps where Albert Square was Long Lane. It was situated be a travesty to pull it down became known by this name and if there is anywhere I near the top end of the or change its use to office thereafter. The steps were might find information market near Lindsey Street. space. The idea to open it up listed grade II in 1994. about it, ie what kind of I started my career in the to the public is a good one. I have searched through district it was and when it trade delivering meat and George Goodwin all the records I have and, was demolished? provisions to local cafes, Ex butcher wherever Plum Pudding Glyn Evans pubs and the up-and- l Note: a decision on Steps appears, there is a [email protected] coming coffee bars in and whether the Smithfield note stating “known around the City of London general market should be locally”. This appears in the Michael Reading writes: from a bicycle with a basket redeveloped into offices is listing record. Albert Square no longer on the front and small expected by mid August. I have examined maps of exists, but it was situated bicycle wheel beneath (very the area, and found nothing just off Station Road, precarious at times). When Riceyman Steps were that could be associated Highbury Corner, to the On the day in question,  named after plum pudding with this description. I have south of Highbury & as I recall, there was a lot  I am researching the looked up the origins of Islington railway station.  of activity with police and Pentonville area and I would plum pudding – the It was not considered a fire engines. We noticed like to know why Riceyman forerunner to our Christmas square in the usual sense, smoke rising from the vents Steps were known as Plum pudding – there is nothing but was described as a in the walkways outside  Pudding Steps. I cannot find that could be associated square-like area. the market. any answers online or in with the steps. In 1867, the North Long Lane was closed off books. Can you help? The website www. London Railway acquired and the meat-carrying Clive Crayfourd kingscross.co.uk has a the site on the edge of lorries were cleared from [email protected] verbatim conversation railway land and closed the their positions, backed on to between local people Bob adjoining Albert Street. In the entrances of the market, Michael Reading writes: McMahon and his mother 1869, Albert Square to a place of safety. Riceyman Steps are a flight Mary; they mention the steps consisted of 20 cottages, As we watched the of 20 granite steps at the but neither of them knows which were condemned as situation change, more and end of Gwynne Place how they got their name. unfit for human habitation more fire engines arrived (Granville Place until 1936) I can only speculate that and eventually demolished, and the smoke got thicker that lead to Granville the name may have come obviously after the birth of and blacker and hung like a Square. about by some innocuous your grandmother in 1875. cloud over the market. They were known as Plum reference, which was taken On the site a large I cannot recall when it was Pudding Steps until 1923; in up locally and made into furniture depository, trading that the two fire officers lost general use without anyone as Highbury Pantechnicon, their lives, but rumours recording why. was built. Next to this, a started to surface that there In 1869, Albert school was built for the were a number of fatalities. Square consisted of Albert Square near London School Board, called We, as workers, were kept Highbury Corner Station Road School. Both far away from the activities 20 cottages, which I am tracing my family buildings still exist. The that were taking place. were condemned as history. My maternal depository is now called Crowds of market men in unfit for human grandmother’s birth Circle House and the school their long blue or white certificate shows she was the Laycock Centre. bloodied smocks stood habitation born at 4 Albert Square, The old Ordnance Survey watching as the tragedy Islington, but I have looked map Highbury & Islington

6 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 1871 shows Albert Square. Riceyman a continuation of the rapid You can buy a copy of this Steps viewed development of housing that map from the society. from Granville had begun 20 years early in Place (now Lower and Upper Holloway. Gwynne Glyn Evans writes: Place) in July My family were obviously in 1924. The Medcalf/Metcalf place dire straits to have to move photograph Does the Society have in to a condemned house was taken by anything on Metcalf when they came to Islington George Free, (Medcalf) place? It was at from Dover some time the landlord the top end of Pentonville between July 1873 and of the Road, the last turning on the November 1875. The thought Bagnigge right before the Angel. of my grandmother being Wells Tavern, My grandfather, his at 39 King’s born in such circumstances children and others who Cross Road, makes me very sad. probably from became part of the family I think they moved from one of the through marriage lived there Dover (after my great- tavern’s upper in the early 1930s. grandfather had been in the rooms I have two photos from army for 14 years) to Islington records taken in Islington, because he had 1956 before it was been born there in 1838. demolished and a lump of His parents Francis (a marble replaced it. bootmaker) and Ann Chase Terry Jones lived at 9 Rutland Place [email protected] (1851 census) and 32 Hollingsworth Street, now Medcalf Place was named Rhodes Street (1861 census). after Thomas Medcalf of Both Francis (1864) and Seward Street, who owned a Anne (1863) died at  also secretary from its Bismarck Road in 1887; the small field. His brother 32 Hollingsworth Street  foundation until his death. name was changed in 1919. Robert obtained the lease and they are buried at the The society still exists and It was named after David and by 1820 had built the “Burial Ground for Finchley I would think they would Sydney Waterlow (1857- houses. The name was for the Parish of St Mary”. have some visual record, 1924) the fourth son of Sir changed to Metcalf Place in such as a portrait or early Sydney Waterlow, 1st 1881 and remained so, until Orientalist picture wanted photograph of such an baronet, after whom the street was demolished. It I am endeavouring to obtain important member. Waterlow Park is named. He was an L-shaped cul de sac. a digital image of William The Islington Local was Liberal MP for Islington Looking at old maps, I Ricketts Cooper, the History Centre may also be North 1906-10 and London would venture to suggest orientalist 1843-78 who able to help you. County Council member for that the modern office lived at 5 Richmond Grove North St Pancras 1898-1910. complex that now faces onto in Barnsbury until 1876. Any Information on Waterlow Despard Road (1887) was Pentonville Road on its help would be appreciated. Road area sought named after John Despard south side ends just where Peter Pye I am researching Waterlow (1745-1829), brother of the entrance to Metcalf [email protected] (formerly Bismarck) Road. I Edward Marcus Despard. He Place was situated and was wondering if you had fought in the Seven Years’ extends backwards onto the Michael Reading writes: any information about this War and in the American site of the whole street. William Ricketts Cooper’s road and the surrounding War of Independence. He The bomb damage map life was comparatively short; area. I am aware of George was a commandant of troops shows that nearly all the two years after leaving Smith and the brides in the at Cape Breton 1799-1807 houses suffered general Islington in 1876 for Ventnor bath case. Any information and a general in 1814. blast damage, not structural, on the Isle of Wight, he died would be much appreciated. Lidyard Road was built in but the properties at the end aged just 34 years. Sue Cohen 1886. Unfortunately, I have suffered damaged beyond I have looked through [email protected] no more information. repair and total destruction. some records of famous At a much later date, people who lived in Michael Reading writes: probably around the 1970s St Stephen’s church Islington but his name is not I have some information on Thornbury Square and picture sought among them. the three streets built in Netherleigh Close were built One of my ancestors was He was one of the 1886-87 within the Hornsey on land behind the houses married at St Stephen’s principal originators in 1870 Lane/Highgate Hill/ in Hornsey Lane. Church in Hornsey Rise of the Society of Biblical Archway Road triangle. The building of the houses during World War I. It was

Archaeology, where he was Waterlow Road began as in 1886-87 would have been demolished some years ago. Commons Robert Mitchell/Wikimedia

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 7 I have been unable to find The Stress Project, any photographs of the 2 Shelburne Road, N7 6DL, church and wondered if you 020 7700 3938, stressproject held any in your archives. @hng.org.uk M Connolly historygirl2001-ladyofshallott King’s Head theatre @yahoo.co.uk Thank you for the news of the King’s Head Theatre’s Michael Reading writes: continued survival (spring The society does not 2014), not least because my maintain an archive or library, first play was performed but the London Metropolitan there in 2004, and I had a Archives has an extensive year’s residency with John collection of photographs, Dunne on lunchtime many taken in 1950-70. productions afterwards. St Stephen’s Church stood King’s Head: radical shows responded to the neighbourhood I remember Dan Crawford in Elthorne Road, N19, on with tremendous fondness. the corner of the junction Hornsey Street completing would depend on when they He’d come over from with Nicholay Road. Both the crossing, where traffic were updated. Again, TfL Hackensack in New Jersey were quite long streets but lights are situated. may be able to tell you. and, to his distress, found have been shortened by If you travel southwards The Islington Local History that the England of the redevelopment, so the site along Holloway Road, the Centre or the London Ealing comedies wasn’t real. of the church has been lost. next three streets on the Metropolitan Archives may He went on to create one, The church was built in west side – Eden Grove, have some photographs of with the theme of disparate 1880; the architect was Georges Road and the the junctions. groups coming together to Ewan Christian. It had a fine joining of Liverpool Road triumph over adversity. organ built by W Hedgeland and Chillingworth Road – Stress Project celebrates 20 At his funeral across the of Gower Street. It was all access Holloway Road years: do you have a story? road at St Mary’s in 2005, closed in 1980 and with no traffic lights. This year marks the 20th Maureen Lipman described demolished in 1983. At he next junction – anniversary of the Stress the King’s Head he’d bought Elthorne Road seems to Drayton Park and Palmer Project, a mental health in 1970 – to the great relief of have survived wartime Place – are traffic lights. charity in Holloway that Ind Coope – as having been bombing unscathed, except Going back to Holloway provides complementary “so derelict, even the local for one house next to the Road Station, the next two therapy and counselling winos had abandoned it”. church, which suffered streets northwards on the services for local people. Dan went on to produce a superficial blast damage. east side, Jackson Road and Its history has involved Terence Rattigan revival Maybe this building was the Loraine Road, do not have many struggles and there season at a time when church vicarage. traffic lights. have been many inspiring Rattigan was deeply out of It would seem that where stories. If you have stories of fashion, and built on that Traffic lights in 1960s streets joining Holloway the project to share, please with musical theatre, Irish Holloway Road Road form a crossroad, traffic contact us. We hope to theatre and gay theatre, all Was there a traffic light at the lights have been installed feature some in a future responding to his newfound intersection of Hornsey Road – Holloway Road is part of issue of this journal. neighbourhood. Soon a and the Holloway Road in the A1 and a main road and There will be an couple of restaurants 1960? I expect there was I would think the traffic anniversary event at the opened up close by, and because of the tube station. lights would have been Stress Project on 23 July. See Upper Street’s own revival Also, if there was, would there in 1960. I appreciate the Holloway was in place with fringe and there have been any that this is not a particularly Neighbourhood Group pub theatre throughout directions for pedestrians scientific approach. website at www.hng.org.uk Islington and beyond. on it? I understand there are for details. Andy Gardner Gail Orchard over 5,000 traffic lights in Andrew Ogleby Chairman, IAHS [email protected] London and that Transport for London is responsible Michael Reading writes: for them. One would Send letters to [email protected] or I cannot answer your assume each has an c/o 6 Northview, Tufnell Park Road, N7 0QB. Letters enquiry categorically, but identification number. TfL may be edited. would offer the following may be able to confirm thoughts. whether they were installed Note: the society won’t trace your family tree, but can The junction of Holloway at Hornsey Road in 1960. help with, say, a business a family member ran or a Road and Hornsey Road is Finally, whether lights had place where they lived.

Oxfordian Kissuth/Wikimedia Commons Oxfordian Kissuth/Wikimedia one half of a crossroad, “directions for pedestrians”

8 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 Obituary: Harley Sherlock

Islington is built on a human scale, despite its dense population. That its late 20th century housing is low rise is down to the vision of architect Harley Sherlock, who died in May. Andrew Gardner reflects on his life

was terribly saddened to earshot of a child playing hear of the death of Harley. outside, whether to say “Come As well as being an encour- in for your tea” or “Stop doing aging friend and tremen- that!” Homes should be within a dous company, he was one five-minute walk of services such Iof my greatest architectural as the post office and shops. heroes. An architectural revolution I was considered young to take began with his generation – by on the chairmanship of Islington the time they had their own Archaeology and History Society partnerships, they were in a in my 30s in 2008, and Harley position to reject brutalism, high was one of the first to extend a rise and shoddy materials in hand of warmth, a supportive favour of buildings that were not voice and unlimited time. The just respectful but positively tutorials and recollections he encouraging of community. He gave me were beyond value. Above: Harley Sherlock with Lord Smith of Finsbury; felt that community housing A generation of newly qualified right: Cities are Good for Us (1991) suggested how to should be for the long term. architects including Harley make cities attractive as places to live I shall miss his tutorials very moved into Islington in the much, often given during the 1950s. It was the one of the few been much abused. It was course of the test match, when parts of London they could afford neither a government policy nor we as well as the players took to move into, such was the level a local one – matters simply lunch. n of dereliction and abandonment; turned out like that. l Harley many writers and artists moved Harley helped to demonstrate Sherlock died here about the same time. beyond doubt that high-density, aged 88 on 14 Initially part of a commune in low-rise housing could use the May 2014. He Canonbury Park North as same economy of land as high- is survived by architectural partnerships rise blocks yet more effectively. his three developed, they saw the Many of his lessons in social children opportunity, piece by piece and architecture were in a direct line Patrick, Tom level by level, of turning houses from Lubetkin. A mother on the and Sarah previously in multiple occupation top floor should be within Jane. back into family homes. Harley was the first to concede that, as babies began to arrive, Harley Sherlock MBE, AA Dipl, MA, RIBA, FRSA marriage seemed also to become 1972-80 Chairman, London Amenity and 1987 Elected fellow, attractive. His beloved wife Folly Transport Association Royal Society of Arts called his bluff by declaring that she’d only marry him if he built 1980-85 Chairman, Transport 2000 (now the 2003 Awarded an Campaign for Better Transport) honorary MA by the them a new house, so he called 1982-88 Council member, RIBA London Metropolitan her own bluff in turn. He bought University for 1984-86 Chairman, RIBA London region land in Alwyne Place where he services to built a house from scratch, with  1986-88 Chairman, RIBA planning advisory architecture and a massive garden. Folly knew group planning in Islington An Architect in nothing about it, so he said,  1996-99 Chairman, Islington Society and in London Islington (2006) until he showed her the  1996-2006 President, Campaign to Protect 2009 Awarded MBE finished project. Rural England London branch for services to architecture, conservation He always insisted that 1999-2006 President, Islington Society and to the community in Islington “gentrification” as a term had

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 9 Tunnels to towers

Sir Edward Watkin’s extraordinary ideas included a railway below the Channel, an iron tower to rival the Eiffel – and a path to Snowdon’s summit. Richard Wallington tells his story

ir Edward Watkin came to the attention of (1819-1901) was a influential businessmen as railway entrepreneur, somebody who was a capable MP and visionary, organiser. As a result he was whose ideas included a aged 24 offered the job of railwayS tunnel under the secretary of the newly authorised Channel and a huge iron tower Trent Valley Railway in 1845. in Wembley. He won praise for his ability Watkin contributed a great and industry in getting the line deal to the second phase of built. It was completed in 1847 railway development, as the and absorbed into the London network matured after the first and North Western Railway. He lines had been constructed. worked for the LNWR until 1854, when he became general Early life manager of the Manchester Above: Watkin Metropolitan Railway 1872-94, Watkin’s father was a cotton Sheffield and Lincolnshire was taken to see and had some involvement in merchant in Manchester. It is not Railway (MSLR) until 1861. the opening of the East London and Great the Liverpool known what, if any, formal Eastern railways. and Manchester education Edward Watkin had, Company doctor and MP Railway in He was a Liberal MP 1864-68 and he started working for his Watkin acquired a reputation as 1830; below: and 1874-94. He spoke up for father in the cotton warehouse in someone good at sorting out the former the railway interest in his teens. Something prophetic railway companies that had run Great Central Parliament, and not very often of Edward’s future is that, aged into problems. His first job of railway in May on matters of general public 11, he was taken by his father to this kind was with the Grand 1958 interest. He was in favour of the watch the opening of the Trunk Railway of Canada from extension of the right to vote. Liverpool and Manchester 1861 to 1868. He was a high-profile chairman Railway in 1830. In England, he was chairman of the MSLR, South Eastern In the 1840s, Edward Watkin of the MSLR 1864-94, chairman Railway and Metropolitan was involved in various political of the South Eastern Railway Railway for a long period – campaigns in Manchester and 1866-94, chairman of the energetic, abrasive, blunt and liable to put people’s backs up. While he was reasonably successful at leading companies out of financial difficulties, he is most remembered for his projects described below.

The Channel tunnel This bright idea had been around since the early 19th century, promoted primarily by various Frenchmen. It was apparent that there is a stratum of chalk under the English Channel that would be relatively easy to tunnel

, 23 July 1864; tower and Liverpool and Manchester Railway: Wikimedia Commons; Channel tunnel bore: Graham Commons; Channel tunnel bore: Graham Wikimedia Railway: and Manchester and Liverpool 1864; tower , 23 July News Illustrated London Watkin: Turner/geograph.org.uk S path: John Watkin main line: Ben Brooksbank/geograph.org.uk; Great Central Burnett/geograph.org.uk; through.

10 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 A serious campaign developed Wolseley made public his in the 1870s, with companies opposition to a tunnel on the being established in Britain and grounds that enemy armies France, and a joint commission might invade through it. set up – Watkin was not involved Bills were introduced in at this stage. The French, always Parliament by the two rival keener on the idea than the schemes, but the parliamentary British, raised money and dug a committee by a majority rejected the idea of a tunnel, without expressing any opinion as to which was the better scheme. Eventually, the two companies merged and, for the rest of the 1880s, Watkin annually introduced a bill into Parliament View from Snowdon’s summit: the Watkin Path, the first to authorise a Channel tunnel, designated footpath in Britain, is to the right of this ridge which was annually rejected. Watkin’s preference for the to the Channel ports via the William Low scheme may have Metropolitan Railway and the 1880s Channel tunnel bore been because the English end South Eastern Railway. was located in South Eastern A new line of about 100 miles trial tunnel of 2,000 yards from Railway territory. However, running Sheffield-Nottingham- Sangatte. The British company history has vindicated that Leicester-Rugby-Aylesbury, then planned to dig one large  choice of location, as well as the via the Metropolitan Railway to a double-track tunnel starting twin-bore idea – modern new terminus at Marylebone, was from St Margaret’s Bay, but  tunnel-boring machines are authorised in 1893 and opened in could not raise enough money descended from the 1899, when the MSLR changed for even a trial excavation. Beaumont machine. its name to the Great Central Watkin, meanwhile, adopted Railway. It never generated the rival proposal of William The Wembley Tower enough traffic to justify the Low, who favoured twin tunnels Watkin was impressed by the expense of construction, and was connected by cross galleries, Eiffel Tower on a trip to Paris closed as part of the Beeching digging from a site by the cliffs 1889, and formed a public cuts in the 1960s. between Folkestone and Dover, company to build an even taller and the use of the newly one in London. The Watkin Path invented Beaumont tunnelling The Wembley Park Estate had This is Watkin’s most enduring machine. been acquired by the legacy. He bought an estate that Watkin got the South Eastern Metropolitan Railway for the included part of Snowdon, and Railway to purchase a piece of railway line to Aylesbury, and instigated the Watkin Path as a land between the cliffs and the part of it was leased to the tower route to the summit which is still sea, and had a test tunnel dug company. The land was laid out there and still named after him. out to sea for about 2,000 yards as an amusement park, which Prime minister William in 1880-82. He formed the opened to the public in 1894, Gladstone came to open the Submarine Continental Railway and construction of the Wembley path in 1892. Gladstone stood on Company to carry on the work. Tower – later nicknamed a rock on the side of the This competition caused the Watkin’s Folly – started in  mountain and addressed a large Channel Tunnel Company to 1895. The public did not buy crowd mostly about the Welsh become active again. enough shares, however, and  land question, apparently failing The government then stopped the tower never got beyond the to mention the path he was Watkin’s company digging any first stage, which was opening. Then local choirs sang further, and General Sir Garnet demolished in 1907. Welsh hymns. n

The London Extension Richard Wallington gave a talk to Watkin annually From the 1880s, Watkin was the IAHS on Sir Edward Watkin determined that the earlier this year introduced a bill into MSLR should have its Parliament for a own main line to Proposed design London, for for the Wembley Channel tunnel, which trains to  tower, which was annually rejected run from was never Manchester completed

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 11 Boundary stones, lost and saved Plates and stones marking borough boundaries can easily be lost through redevelopment and theft, so we need to keep an eye on them, say Caroline and Peter Fuller

had been saved and where they You can imagine how happy had been placed. we were that these historic We went into the hotel’s boundary stones had been saved reception and, after introducing and were on display in such istoric boundary Site manager ourselves and explaining the marvellous surroundings. This plates and other Chris Ashton purpose of our visit, a member of made us realise how all of us markers can often holding the staff said that she knew about must safeguard these stones  boundary plates be at risk when these stones and would show and keep an eye out in case the from a building the buildings they in Wakley Street them to us. buildings to which they are fixed areH fixed to are redeveloped,  We were taken up in the lift to are to be redeveloped. so it is important to keep an  a roof terrace, open to the sky, eye on them. We have visited where, among exotic trees and Replaced near original position sites of boundary plates in smaller plants, we found the two One of our first successes was Islington, both for research and stones, grandly set in marble the two boundary plates on a to protect them. walls (see pictures below). building in Wakley Street, near They are “directional” stones, the Angel. The two plates were A terrace feature and read: “Twenty three feet, fixed to a row of shops, which Two years ago, we were informed eight inches south is the boundary were due to be demolished. of the imminent risk to a group of the Parish of Saint Luke, We spoke to Chris Ashton, the of St Luke’s parish boundary Middlesex 1840, Benjamin Jones site manager for Galliford Try stones in an area just off and Joseph Jay, church wardens” (pictured), who assured us that Moorgate, which were affixed to – also carved is a number “52” – he intended to protect them and a building due for demolition. the other stone reads: “Nineteen had discussed them with the Peter went to the site, on the feet three inches East”, with the architect who had agreed to corner of South Place and Wilson same wording after. place them on the new building. Street, and spoke to the site manager, who knew about these stones. He had rescued them on the instructions of the architect who was going to incorporate them in the new building. We decided to visit the finished building, called the South Place Hotel, and find out whether these historic boundary markers

Saved stones: that on the left reads: Among exotic trees “Twenty three feet, eight inches and smaller plants South is the boundary of the Parish of Saint Luke, Middlesex 1840. we found the two Benjamin Jones and Joseph Jay, church wardens” – a number “52” stones, grandly set carved is also carved; that above in marble walls reads: “Nineteen feet three inches

Inset: Wikimedia Commons; all other images: Peter Fuller Commons; all other images: Peter Wikimedia Inset: east” with the same wording after

12 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 Starting school in the 1940s

Patricia Payne was born in 1938 in Outram Street. Her schooldays involved afternoon naps, cod liver oil and rewards for perfect attendance

The boundary plate (inset) and its former site at Newington Green started school at Boadicea little sleep on little camp beds Again, we kept an eye on the Street. I remember my first covered in baby blankets, pink redevelopment and, true to Mr day and my first teacher for girls and blue for boys. Ashton’s word, the plates were Miss Paisley. My granny Later at school, I had not only placed on the exterior of the new came to collect me at school dinners but tea as well. I building, proving that developers Ilunchtime and, as I ran from the have never met anyone who has can be sympathetic and place classroom, I fell and hit my chin heard of having tea at school. It boundary markers in or near their on metal inlaid in the wooden cost 2d and we had a mug of tea, original positions. You can see floor in the hall. I knocked a lump bread with jam, marmalade or the two plates on Wakley Street, from my chin and had to go to dripping – you could choose. on the building on the corner of hospital for stitches, so didn’t go After tea you could stay for play Wakley Street and Goswell Road. back in the afternoon. centre until 6pm, which was fun. I enjoyed school. As well as Miss Lawrence was the Lost stones learning, we did nice activities headmistress. When you reached Boundary markers have often – painting and making things. seven, you went to her office and been lost through workmen not Once, we made necklaces from she gave you a brand new shiny realising their importance or painted clay beads. We wore penny. Also, if you had taken no because of straight theft for their them when performing the story time off in a whole term (perfect metal content – once they have of Hiawatha and Minnehaha. attendance), you went to her gone, they are never replaced. As sweets were on ration and office and could choose a Several years ago, Caroline and there was no milk chocolate, we postcard – they were of famous I wrote in the IAHS Newsletter took to school jars filled with paintings. I had about 10 – about about our researches into the chocolate powder (I think it was 7-8 years ago I gave them to the boundary plates and markers for Cadbury’s), which we could dip headmistress at Boadicea Street. the parish of St Mary’s Islington. our fingers in and lick – it would When we were juniors, we When we realised that a probably be considered played on the roof, which was boundary plate at Newington unhygienic now. We were also our playground. We overlooked Green had been lost when the give a spoonful of cod liver oil, the canal and a warehouse called building it was on was plus a third of a pint of milk in Thorley’s. There was always a refurbished, leaving just its the mornings. smell (not unpleasant) – I think shadow (above), we decided to In the afternoons, we had a it was some sort of animal feed. n retrace our steps to check whether the markers we found were, hopefully, still there. We will be reporting on our findings. We ask members of the IAHS to keep a look out for such historic parish markers as these and warn of any future redevelopment that would mean loss to the historic fabric of London. n Girls drinking Peter Fuller is secretary of the milk during a Islington Archaeology & History break in the Society, and edited the IAHS school day in

Newsletter for 10 years 1944 Museum War Imperial

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 13 A long and diabolical history

Tollington used to be the only settlement on the main road between Islington and Enfield, with a manor house mysteriously named the Devil’s House. Keith Mason investigates

ollington has a long history. Once, it was a manor in its own right, covering the northern part of the Tmodern borough, and was mentioned in the Domesday Book. I had come across early Cary’s map of 1786, showing Devil’s Lane and Devil’s House references, and thought it might be worth doing a little digging. the servant of the count. He farming nine acres) and a There is an early mention of it must have given good service to cotarius (a cottager, who made in an Anglo-Saxon charter, King William, because he was do with even less). Together, they around 1000AD. In the given a large number of estates. shared two teams of oxen; Domesday Book (1086), Many of these were strung along Ranulf had his own team. Tolentone is the only fief (manor) the Great North Road all the way Also listed is one servus. This is on the Great North Road to Peterborough, so a small normally translated as slave, between Isendone (Islington) manor house just outside which in feudal society means and (South) Mimms. The ancient London may have been a useful someone without land. He may road ran up present-day Hornsey stopping-off place. have been Ranulf’s ploughman. Road over Crouch Hill, then over William I’s survey indicates the The Domesday Book lists only Muswell Hill towards Barnet. community was small. In addition the nine heads of households; Tollington’s lord was Ranulf, to the manor lands farmed by with their families, this meant brother of Ilger; this the lord were five villani perhaps 40 or 50 residents. In distinguished him from the other (villagers, who each farmed contrast, Islington had 27 Ranulfs with property, such as about 15 acres of their own households and Stoke Ranulf the Latinist and Ranulf land); two bordarii (smallholders, Newington had 41.

Tolentone manor in the Domesday Book

The translation reads: “Ranulf, brother of Ilger, holds Tolentone of the king for two hides. The land is two carucates. One hide is in demesne, on which is one plough. The villagers have two ploughs. There are five villagers who hold half a virgate [~15 acres] each, two smallholders who hold nine acres, one cottager and one slave, pasture for the cattle of the town, pannage [woodland for foraging] for 60 hogs, and 5s rents. This manor was valued in King Edward’s time at 40s, when it was granted to Ranulf at 60s but is worth now only 40s. It was the property of Edwin, a servant of King Edward, who had the power of aliening it at pleasure.”

14 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 Land resources are also lost) was using the name Devil’s described. There were two Lane, according to John Nelson carucates – arable land, about in his 1829 history of Islington. 120 acres each – and 60 acres of This name is also recorded in woodland. There would also have John Cary’s map Fifteen Miles been meadow and pasture land Around London (1786), which and unusable marshy ground. calls the old manor site the So we can imagine this little Devil’s House. However, a parish community of thatched huts map dated 1735, drawn for strung along the muddy, rutted St Mary’s church vestry, keeps road, with the moated timber the name Tollington Lane, and manor house on its east side calls the house De Vols House. (where the former Hornsey Road According to Old and New Baths building stands today), London by Walter Thornbury beechwood hangers rising up to (1876), the “old wooden moated Crouch Hill where hogs grazed house” was still standing around and arable fields and meadows on 1802: “The moat was crossed by a more level ground further south. bridge, and the house in 1767 was a public-house, where Londoners Devil’s House went to fish, and enjoy hot loaves, Before 1300, the old road was and milk fresh from the cow.” becoming muddy and The area had gradually turned impassable. The Tollington estate from arable to dairy farming and was bought in 1271 by the priory was now famous for it, becoming of St John at Clerkenwell. This something of a rural health resort was consolidated with land to for city folk. The Old Dairy pub at the south to form Highbury Stroud Green is an echo of this. The moated suspected. Perhaps the parish Manor. A new Great North route By the early 1800s, several manor house lay fathers preferred a highwayman was soon developed along maps, including the Ordnance on the east side to a devil. Holloway Road and Highgate Survey, were referring to Duvals of Hornsey Or perhaps it was just that the Road, where the Hill, towards Barnet. Lane. It appears that the older surviving quagmire was a devil Hornsey Road The new owners left the diabolical name got mixed up Baths and of a road to traverse – even today “sloughy lane” and built a new with the legend of Claude Duval, Laundry Hornsey Road traffic can be a manor house at Newington the “gentleman highwayman”, building is now diabolical experience. n Barrow (now Highbury Barn) as who robbed the rich around a country retreat for the prior. Holloway. An impoverished Keith Mason is a semi-retired architect The old manor house fell into French aristocrat, he developed and long-term Tollington resident disuse beside now the largely an almost Robin Hood-like cult following, and separating fact from fiction about his life is References and further Nelson, John (1829) Thatched huts were impossible, although we know reading History and Antiquities of strung along the he was born in the 1640s. One Baker TFT et al (1985) the Parish of Islington legend says he used the house as Victoria County History. A A Survey of the Roads and muddy, rutted road his base, which is possible, but History of the County of Footpaths in the Parish of with the moated timber the Devil’s name is older. Middlesex: Volume 8 – Islington, 1735. Islington manor house and An 1848 parish map by John Islington and Stoke Local History Library Dower shows the road named Newington Parishes. Thornbury, William (1878) beechwood hangers Hornsey Road and there is no British Library online Old and New London. where hogs grazed trace of the house. maps. www.bl.uk/ No one seems to know why onlinegallery/index.html Domesday Book Tollington’s house and lane Cary, John (1786) Fifteen Domesday Explorer. abandoned road. Smallholdings, acquired their infernal nickname. Miles Around London www.domesdaybook.net inns and craftsmen’s workshops My hunch is that there was a folk Cosh, Mary (2005) A Domesday Explorer slowly developed along the memory about an ancient great History of Islington. Online Help Manual. Holloway, as it was now called. road and house, but people had The Hornsey Road (blog) Useful for definitions. At the dissolution of the forgotten the real history. As (2011) Devil’s Lane and www.domesdaybook.net/ monasteries in 1541, manor with other ancient manmade Dick Turpin. 29 October. helpfiles/hs10.htm records show tenants listed at and natural features – the Devil’s http://thehornseyroad. Open Domesday. Tollington, and the old road was Punchbowl, the Devil’s Dyke and blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/ Searchable translation and called Tollington Lane. By 1611, a Devil’s Bridge for example – devils-lane-and-dick- images of entries. www.

survey of Highbury Manor (now demonic involvement was turpin.html domesdaymap.co.uk baths: Christy Lawrance and George Slater/domesdaymap.co.uk.net; Book: Professor JJN Palmer Domesday

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 15 thought to have been buried  in the area. They have generated much healthcare interest.

Charterhouse cloister Charterhouse hosted their visit. Its Norfolk Cloister, where the three took up position, is said to be close to where football’s offside rule originated and the brick vaulted cloister once led to a Real Tennis court. About 70 local workers and other interested parties, many drawn from nearby medical establishments, came to be introduced to the three individuals. Several volunteers from St John’s Gate added a keen medieval healthcare interest. Museum of London Bones tell of tough lives archaeology service expertise was on hand. Tooth analysis indicated that in Clerkenwell past two of the males, who were less than 35 years old when they died, were victims of the first devastating wave of the black Skeletons of plague victims unearthed during Crossrail works death. give an idea of life in Clerkenwell hundreds of years ago, In all, some 25 skeletons, mostly males, were recovered says Lester Hillman from an excavation just over 12 feet wide. Teeth analysis of 10 individuals indicated that six had weekday lunchtime brought them back to come from London. Locals or near St John’s Gate Clerkenwell for the event. not, all had been accorded in March saw a visit Just over a year ago, in  dignified burials despite the by three local March 2013, the discovery of overwhelming numbers of dead celebrities. The three skeletons eight feet below and social disruption. menA had not been seen on local ground in Charterhouse made streets for the best part of seven the news. The suspicion then centuries – they would almost that they may have been victims certainly have known the priory of the Black Death in 1347‑51 as a functioning hospitaller has been confirmed by complex. examination and tests. Their skeletons were among Some 50,000 victims are more than a score that resurfaced Below: Jay Carver, Crossrail archaeology specialist at the during the Crossrail works Charterhouse cloister; all pictures were taken at the event around Farringdon and Smithfield. The Museum of London archaeology service

Fused vertebrae were apparent and a healed arm fracture could be a defence wound incurred during a

Excavation site: Lester Hillman; other images: Crossrail Excavation violent attack

16 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 The men were of average Violent times height (around 5ft 7ins), and Interments had been uncovered some of the spines of those on at three levels, with the final display suggested lives engaged phase having taken place later – in heavy labouring work. perhaps in the first half of the Indications of vitamin deficiency 15th century. were found and evidence of diet One of the three individuals fluctuations in childhood was on display in the Norfolk consistent with known famines Cloister came from that later of 1315–17. period. He had lived for longer than his fellow travellers, having died aged over 45 years. He showed signs of health trauma; fused vertebrae were apparent and there was conjecture that a healed arm fracture could be a defence wound incurred during Above: tooth identities are unknown, these a violent attack. He came from a analysis showed celebrities have helped bring to period when Wat Tyler, Prior that skeletons life the neighbourhood around Hales and the Peasant’s Revolt included Black St John’s Priory and a London of Death victims; were likely to have been a living more than half a millennia ago. n left: Crossrail memory. Eastern Ticket Hall, Lester Hillman is a guide at St John’s Knowledge from the past overlooking the Gate, a member of the St John’s Together, the three individuals Charterhouse Historical Society and academic are no longer any old Tom, Dick excavations adviser to the Islington Archaeology and Harry. Although their & History Society

Islington burials: do you recognise any names?

Hundreds of coffin plates have been recovered from the Islington Green burial ground. Their details have been provided by Derek Seeley of the Museum of London Archaeology, an IAHS committee member. If you recognise any of the names and would like to see the plates, contact Derek at [email protected]

Ryle Anne female 1832 iron 25-Nov 1 Skinner Place, Holloway Ryns William male 1851 iron  S(haw) James male 1843 iron 15-Oct Edward St, White Conduit Fields,Islington S(mart) Luisa (Louisa) female 1839? iron 7-Apr 56 Brittannia Row, Islington S(ymon)s Sarah?? female 1848 iron 24-Dec 9 Merlins Place, Spa Fields S...... y? Thomas male n/k iron  Saberton Henry male 1853 iron 11-Dec York Cottages, Islington Salter Eliza female 1851 iron 30-Dec 18 Norfolk Street, Lower Road,Islington Saltmarch Samuel male 1827 iron  Saltmarch William male 1827 iron  Saltmarch John male 182?? iron  Sampson Mary female 1841 iron 24-Jan Half Moon Crescent, White Conduit Fields Sanbach Jane female 1829 iron  Sande..? Hannah Elizabeth female 1827 iron  Sarjeant Hannah Frances female 1846 iron 29-Jun 42 Alfred Street, River Terrace, Islington Saunders Edward male 1831 iron 18-Nov Cloudesley Square, Islington Saw(yer) (George) male 184(4) iron 24-Jul Queen Street Sayer Mary female 1850 iron 27-Oct Frances Street, Islington Sc..... Samuel male 1828 iron  Scarlett Thomas male 1830 brass  Schweitzer Emanuel male 1844 iron 30-Sep North London Hospital Scott Joseph male 1845 iron 8-Jun 9 Old Paradise Row,I slington Green Scott William?? male 1851 iron 4-Jan 6 Brewer Street North, Clerkenwell Scott William male 1823 iron  Scott Maria female 1848 iron 20-Mar 11 Thornhill Bridge Place, Islington

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 17 Publications and bookshop

This issue looks at recent history through aerial photography, London’s drinking water, Elephant and Castle, nonconformism and the English seaside

Aerofilms. A History of was founded in 1919 by Buckingham Palace are Britain from Above Claude Grahame-White and down to this determination James Crawford, Katy Whitaker Francis Lewis Wills, who to get close in pursuit of a and Allan Williams had flown during World striking image. RRP £25, hardback, English War I. After the war, they London Bridge is Heritage decided to put aerial congested with horse-drawn This book tells the story of photography – used during and motorised traffic and St much of 20th century Britain the war to capture enemy Paul’s Cathedral stands out captured by Wills. Pilot and in stunning aerial activity – to commercial use. from its surroundings, photographer escaped photographs. The scale and The firm’s pilots were showing the scale and unhurt. detail of rapid social, wartime veterans and ambition of its architecture. Grand scale is married architectural and industrial experts at carrying Piccadilly Circus is pictured with great detail. Thousands changes are shown through photographers over targets in 1921 without traffic lights. of tiny figures watch royal pictures of cities, towns, at low altitudes. With their It was a new and parades and sporting events, coastal areas, industrial rule-breaking attitude, they dangerous venture. When and crowd lidos and scenes and breathtaking ignored regulations that an engine failed over beaches. You can see landscapes. stipulated that they should London, an emergency individual fans within a This book is also an fly high above cities and landing was made in a packed Arsenal stadium. affectionate tribute to towns. The remarkable Southwark Park boating lake Aerofilms produced aerial Aerofilms and the men and close-ups of landmarks from – and the book shows the photography as an women of the company. It Blackpool Tower to plane nose first in the water, promotional tool to industry, so there are images of soot-blackened Victorian Parched City architecture, advertising and Many pages are devoted gothic piles, clean lines of Emma Jones more. It would seem that all to the science of water art deco and factories as big Paperback £17.99, ebook human life and activity can purification, which adds as towns. Cooling towers £6.99, Zero Books be found in the seemly weight to the argument under construction are A campaign narrow subject of drinking against the need for water  shown close up, and plumes lies at the water in one city. to be transported in plastic of smoke billow out of one heart of Parched City traces the bottles from distant of Battersea Power Station’s Parched progress of drinking water mountain streams. then two chimneys, not long City, the from the aquifers of the By the end of the book I after it had been switched gist of Roman city, to the wells and was left feeling very grateful on in 1933. which is conduits of mediaeval for the efforts of all the Technical expertise is that much London, to the piped water scientists, politicians, apparent from the detail in effort has of the New River and the philanthropists and the darkest and lightest gone into making London’s creation of the water entrepreneurs who gave areas. One image, in an water supply one of the companies, and finally the sufficient priority to the unidentified location, is safest in the world, so we Metropolitan Water Board safety of London’s water convincing yet is suspected should not be wasting and Thames Water. supply to ensure that we to be a composite. money and resources on Much attention is paid to never have to worry about its A fascinating book that bottled water. the evolution and decline of purity – but also annoyed at would be a great present. In making her case, Emma the public drinking water our consumer-driven society l The Britain from Above Jones has written a very well fountain which Ms Jones that has persuaded us all to project is working to digitise researched and interesting sees as part of the solution spend a lot of money on 95,000 Aerofilms images book that touches on to the problem of the bottles something that we could so taken between 1919 and history, politics, economics, of water to be found on  easily have for free. 1953. See www. science, public health, sale in every food store in Darian Mitchell britainfromabove.org.uk/ ecology, industry, the city. Amwell Society Christy Lawrance

18 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 England’s Motoring follows, again with barely a Heritage From the Air sign of the looming motor John Minnis age in view. £30, English Heritage By 1939, though, a There is a series of novelty photograph shows the scale books called Boring of the Ford car factory newly Postcards, one of which, if built at Dagenham, the memory serves, shows an largest in Europe. entirely empty stretch of the All those cars needed newly built M1. what a radical change the somewhere to be driven Fear not – there is nothing arrival of main roads and and, by the postwar years, like that here. Minnis makes cars must have been. roads are ever busier. use of aerial photography The book starts with a Plenty of bus and train from its inception for civilian 1921 image of Kensal Green, stations, railways and road New books use in 1919 to show what whose terraced houses grids awaiting new towns New City. Contemporary much of England looked like would not look a great deal punctuate the story. Architecture in the City just before motorised traffic different today but, as It ends, slightly non- of London engulfed it and takes the Minnis notes, there is not a chronologically, with the Alec Forshaw, with story up the early 1970s, by car in sight – the only forms Spaghetti Junction – more photography by Alan Ainsworth which time most of the trunk of transport visible are a properly the Gravelly Hill £19.95 + £1.60 p&p, Merrell, road and motorway network horse and cart and a distant Interchange – a sight that 224pp; available from the IAHS we know was in place. steam train. surely would have belonged The City of London saw Seen in mainly whole- The then-popular resort of to science fiction 50 years massive redevelopment over page sized photographs Morecambe at the height of earlier. the past 25 years. This looks from the air, one can trace the summer tourist season Mark Smulian at its architecture from office blocks to shops, cultural institutions and public Causeway was after receiving For the book launch, my spaces and includes over the latest newsletter of the wife Caroline and I made 200 photographs. Southwark & Lambeth our way south of the river, to Archaeological Society, which meet Stephen and enjoy his had on its cover a photo of reminiscences of “the Hampstead Heritage Trail. the clock tower at Newington Piccadilly Circus of south East Finchley to Alexandra Butts – I then realised there London”. He had dressed Palace was another Newington. the part for his talk – and £4.50 + 75p p&p, Hornsey Within the newsletter was had invited others to  Historical Society an article on the history of dress for the heyday period This self-guided three and a the Elephant and Castle of the Elephant and Castle half mile walk from East area by Stephen Humphrey, between 1840 and 1940. It Finchley to Alexandra Palace a local historian who has was a great evening and a shows aspects of the area’s made this area his specialist great book. architectural, historical and subject, explaining what and Reading Stephen’s book social history. Elephant and Castle where the causeway was. tells of the Elephant and Domestic architecture and – a History Newington Causeway was Castle’s history, its features include Victorian Stephen Humphrey originally part of the village extraordinary range of villas, colonnades, turrets, £14.99, Amberley Publishing, of Newington and the area, landmark buildings and decorative capitals and www.amberleybooks.com, being at the junction of six attractions. With many pargetted gables. One house 01453 847800 main roads, became a lively, photos old and new, it is played a role in the It all started when I thriving place in which to a highly recommended development of democracy purchased an early print of live and, more importantly, addition to one’s bookcase. when only property owners Newington Causeway in an to trade. Peter Fuller had the right to vote. antique shop in Hastings The guide shows where to Old Town. spot details on tube stations, The name “Newington” – Journal back issues cinemas and churches as apart from Stoke Newington We have some previous issues of this journal available. well as street name plaques, – was only known to me Some have sold out, so please contact Catherine statues, letter boxes and only as the area at the Brighty on 020 7833 1541 to find out if we have the lamp posts. bottom of Green Lanes issue you would like in stock Alexandra Palace is a clear called Newington Green. highlight, as is its terrace However, I was enlightened More books and order form overleaf from which you can see up to on what Newington up to 30 miles on a clear day.

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 19 The Transformation of World War I greatly scarred The English Seaside Congregationalism 1900- the faith of those traditionally Peter Williams 2000 pacifist, and these scars £14.99, English Heritage Alan Argent persisted in nonconformism Oh, we did like to be beside £35, Congregational Federation, through the rest of the the seaside. The English www.congregational.org.uk, century and beyond. coast was the destination of 0115 911 1460 Argent explores and choice for most people At the close of the 19th explains the difficulty of before the era of package century, nonconformists faith coming to terms with holidays and budget airlines. seemed conflict, drawing on Nowadays, some seaside very secure documentary evidence cities, such as Brighton and – secure in including contemporary Bournemouth, still thrive. their minutes and publications. Whitstable has reinvented position as Nonconformism had had itself as a fashionable protestants a strong influence in the food-orientated destination outside the Liberal Party, which had a and Southend is a busy towns, whether sedate or Church of sweeping Commons commuter town still popular raucous, their views, England, majority from 1906, and for day trips. amenities and curious quirks. secure in industry and Argent does much to explain Yet some other resorts Thematic chapters cover secure in their influence in its changing mission over near to London have taken typical seaside subjects public life. the following century. an alarming economic including lighthouses, Joseph Chamberlain had It is a mistake to see nosedive – with Margate, lifeboats, Punch and Judy long since established “gas changes to the Liberal Party Clacton and Hastings shows, beach huts, joke and water socialism” in and nonconformism as routinely cited among shops and even public Birmingham, where he related just because the official indices of deprivation conveniences. named the family seat – chronologies are so close. and Bognor Regis in such Indeed, there is a section Highbury Hall – after his For the years after 1918, it is decrepitude that a railway on cliff lifts. My student era childhood home in Highbury. more helpful to look at both ticket inspector once asked summer job as a deckchair Rather than wholesale or either as adapting to why I wanted to go there. attendant in Southend nationalisation, liberals changing social and economic This delightful book is involved occasional lunchtime envisaged public services as circumstances, rather than in therefore somewhat a duty operating one of these. being a form of joint stock terms of decline. There are celebration of what was Once the novelty had or co-operative in which many reasons for declining rather than of what is – even worn off it was a tedious every citizen was a numbers at meetings or though all the pictures task, relieved only by being stakeholder. This was in line services, but thought has appear to be recent. joined by another deckchair with the non-hierarchical remained consistent.  It tells its story almost attendant, waiting until the form of the congregational Argent gives a cogent and entirely in photographs after lift was full and moving, then way of self-governance in reasoned account. a foreword, and captures well starting a conversation along faith and church. Andy Gardner the atmosphere of seaside the lines of “the ropes are fraying again aren’t they… $ terrible what happened last Publications order form (photocopies acceptable) year, wasn’t it”. In the days of mass Name ...... tourism, there was indeed some tension between locals Address ...... and tourists, but nowadays ...... these places are not only  still worth visiting but their Tel no/email (in case we need to contact you about your order) ...... economies will welcome the business too. Title(s)of publication Cost The book’s pictures will ......   ...... surely encourage readers to visit or revisit some of the ......   ...... places shown, and discover what a diverse coastline ......   ...... England has. Total cost ...... After all, who could resist a book that kicks off with a Please make cheques payable to “Islington Archaeology & History Society”; send this form full-page picture of stacked (photocopies acceptable) to IAHS, 8 Wynyatt Street, London EC1V 7HU deckchairs? Mark Smulian

20 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 Buy from the society store Society publications

The society stocks books, postcards, maps of Islington and The Jewish Communities of beyond and more – some are listed here. Islington, 1730s-1880s Call Catherine Brighty on 020 7833 1541 to see if we have a map Petra Laidlaw of your area, if no price is given, to order several items or if you £9.99 + £2.80 would like to arrange to collect items in person. p&p, Islington Archaeology Book title Author Price p&p Total and History (£) (£) (£) Society, 2013 This is the An Architect in Islington Harley Sherlock 14.99 2.80 17.79 latest book Angus McBean in Islington Mary Cosh, ed 4.00 1.20 5.20 from the The Building That Lived Twice Alec Forshaw 20.00 2.80 22.80 Islington Church Design for Congregations James Cubitt 11.00 1.50 12.50 Archaeology and History Society, launched Cinemas of Haringey Jeremy Buck 9.99 1.50 11.49 earlier this year. The Contexting of a Chapel Architect: James Clyde Binfield 18.00 1.90 19.90 Islington has been home to Cubitt 1836-1912 a sizeable Jewish population Criminal Islington Keith Sugden, ed 5.00 1.40 6.40 for over 250 years, although 53 Cross Street. Biography of a House  Mary Cosh and 9.95 1.90 11.85 their long history is largely ON SALE Martin King forgotten. Several were well to do and prominent figures Dead Born Joan Lock 7.99 2.80 10.79 in public life. Many more Dead Image Joan Lock 7.99 2.80 10.79 lived obscurer lives in much Discover De Beauvoir Town and Environs Mike Gray and 1.50 0.75 2.25 humbler circumstances. This Isobel Watson volume traces a cross section of characters, their religious Discover Stoke Newington. A Walk Through David Mander and 4.95 1.20 6.15 life, their occupations and History Isobel Watson their contact with the rest of Dissent & the Gothic Revival Bridget Cherry, ed 15.00 1.65 16.65 the community. An Historical Walk Along the New River Mary Cosh 4.00 1.65 5.65 An Historical Walk Through Barnsbury Mary Cosh 4.00 1.65 5.65 Islington’s Cinemas & Film Studios Chris Draper 5.00 1.65 6.65 Bargain books Islington: Britain in Old Photographs Gavin Smith 12.99 1.65 14.64 Two IAHS books are on sale. Islington: the Second Selection Gavin Smith 12.99 1.65 14.64 53 Cross Street. Biography Islington Byways James Dowsing 4.00 0.75 4.75 of a House The Jewish Communities of Islington, Petra Laidlaw 9.99 2.80 11.79 Mary Cosh and Martin King, 1730s-1880s with photographs by Pauline London Cat 1 James Dowsing 4.00 0.75 4.75 Lord. Hardback. London Cat 2 James Dowsing 4.00 0.75 4.75 £9.95 (was £20) + £2.10 p&p This book is a must for London Dog James Dowsing 4.00 0.75 4.75 anyone interested in the London’s Mummies James Dowsing 4.00 0.75 4.75 history of home decor. It Only Bricks and Mortar ON SALE Harry Walters 5.00 1.50 6.50 tells the story of how one house changed from 1785  New City: Contemporary Architecture in the Alec Forshaw 19.95 2.80 22.75 to today, illustrated with City of London glorious colour photographs. 20th Century Buildings in Islington Alec Forshaw 14.99 2.80 17.79 London’s New River in Maps. Vol I Part I Michael Kensey £20 Only Bricks and Mortar London’s New River in Maps. Vol I Part 2 Michael Kensey £25 Harry Walters £5 (was £7.99) + £1.50 p&p The Squares of Islington Part II. Islington Mary Cosh 7.50 1.50 9.00 A tale of growing up and Parish working class life from the Other items 1930s through World War II Old Ordnance Survey maps 2.50 0.75 3.25 to the 1970s in notorious Union Chapel mug 6.00 2.80 8.80 council tenements in Popham Road, where Cathy New River Tea Towel 6.00 1.50 7.50 Come Home was filmed.

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 21 Exhibitions Review: art, science and political caution at Georgians exhibition

his fascinating and Right: view of wide-ranging exhibi- London, tion celebrates the Westminster arrival of the and St James’s Hanoverian dynasty in Park c1727; below: gold ring Britain. When Stuart Queen Anne T with cameos of died in 1714, parliament invited George II and her distant cousin, the staunchly Queen Caroline, protestant George, elector of with gold Hanover, to become king. mounts Britain in the 18th century was surrounded by a prosperous nation, proud of its two large and liberalism and freedom of 20 small as Handel, collected satirical intelligent Queen Caroline, wife speech. Isaac Newton was diamonds in prints by Hogarth (demonstrating of George II, her cultured eldest silver settings making scientific discoveries and their approval of freedom of son, Frederick, Prince of Wales, a John Locke championed liberal speech), supported the setting keen and discerning art collector, philosophic ideas. Parliament did up of Chelsea porcelain instead and another son, William not want James, Anne’s Catholic of buying Meissen or Sèvres, and Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, half brother brought up in ancien encouraged scientific enquiry – a distinguished military régime France, as king. They some beautiful botanical prints commander. His plan and other wanted a constitutional are on display. memorabilia for the battle of protestant monarch. Their art collection, in the Culloden are on display. This exhibition shows how splendid crimson and gold l The First Georgians: Art & George I and George II gallery, shows that they wanted Monarchy 1714-1760, Queen’s presented themselves to their to be seen as art connoisseurs; Gallery, Buckingham Palace, until new subjects. I particularly loved the Claudes. 12 October, £9.75/concs They were anxious not to The exhibition brings various rock the political boat. Instead, Hanoverian royals into focus. Elizabeth Hawksley

Royal Collection Trust/Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Trust/Her Collection Royal they sponsored composers such These include the highly www.elizabethhawksley.com

Final chance to see London’s last prefab estate

vacated, and one of them toilets, contains a temporary museum bathrooms and about the estate and its residents private gardens. – the Prefab Museum. Over the years, The museum is filled with the occupiers photographs and mementos have altered donated by residents. A video and decorated plays interviews with residents, their homes The Excalibur Estate in Catford is including one who has lived on – there is a Britain’s largest prefab estate and the estate since it was built. mock-Tudor the only one of its kind left in When they were built, the house – to London. The 187 bungalows homes offered a better standard make them were hurriedly built by World of living than its occupiers were individual. War II prisoners of war. accustomed to, with indoor l The Prefab Completed in 1946, the estate Museum is at Clockwise from was meant to survive for 10 years. 17 Meliot Road, Excalibur  above: inside Although six homes have been Estate, SE6 1RY. It due to stay the museum; a listed grade II, the rest of the open on Saturdays 11am-5pm mock-Tudor estate faces demolition as the until the “end of summer” - check prefab; paths council says the prefabs will be https://twitter.com/Prefabs_UK or run between the difficult to maintain and bring up visit www.facebook.com/ houses to modern standards. PalacesForThePeople before

Christy Lawrance Many of the homes have been visiting to check it’s open.

22 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 Review: wedding styles give a sense of occasion

his exhibition has a rare Hartnell in 1933; Charles Worth Left: lace tiara knack of drawing you in 1880); others were home by Philip Treacy, further into its world the made or run up by dressmakers. 2008; below: T embroidered more you look. Archive films and Silk, muslin, brocade, richly silk and satin photographs of royal and society embroidered, pearl encrusted, wedding dress weddings add to the sense of sprigged cotton and lace give way by Norman occasion; when you leave, you feel to the World War II’s parachute Hartnell, 1933 encapsulating the 1960s and all you have been somewhere special. silk and (unrationed) upholstery Dr Zhivago, I would wear today. It is worth seeing in material. Styles go from wide to The merchandising on display chronological order to see how narrow and back again. everywhere may annoy but if you bridal fashion developed. The area covering from the are interested in brides or the Wedding dresses originated in 1960s to the present day feels history of costume, this the 19th century. Before then, more like a fashion shoot than exhibition is for you. n most people would wear a new the more intimate atmosphere of l Wedding Dresses 1775-2014, frock, but one they could wear the earlier area and you see what Victoria and Albert Museum, until afterwards. The rich preferred gold is meant by the wedding industry. 15 March 2015, £12/concessions or silver, the poor pretty patterns. Many great designers are White as the predominant shown – Galliano, Vera Wang, Wendy Kyrle-Pope colour does not feature until the Lanvin, Jean Muir and more. Victorian period. There are Christian Lacroix’s 1990s black, exceptions; one bride considered gold and pink creation takes herself too old for white in 1899 so your breath away (but isn’t very made a purple dress; another, an weddingy). Vivienne Westwood’s engineer and obviously modern violet 2005 dress for Dita von woman in Yorkshire in 1935, wore Teese contrasts with Jasper scarlet – a very brave choice. Conran’s sweet, white, square- Some of the most glorious necked creation for Sarah creations were made by the great Armstrong-Jones in 1994. Bellville

designers of their day (Norman et Cie’s 1968 wedding coat, /Mary Evans News V&A; Norman Hartnell: Illustrated London tiara: Treacy

Review: exuberance and luxury in Italian style

This sumptuous exhibition Right: Elizabeth gave Elizabeth Taylor. shows the changing face of Taylor wears There are plenty of film clips Italian fashion over 70 years. Bulgari and photographs, too, to show The first two garments date jewellery, 1967; how the clothes looked when from the war and we can see that below: worn. There’s even a Vespa 125 rationing with regard to material Gianfranco Ferré on display, and a number of advert, 1991 certainly didn’t mean dowdiness. men’s impeccably tailored suits For example, a Tortonese to add to the 1950s dolce vita women’s suit in a pink ambience. striped material from 1939 All the great names of fashion the future as well as the past. cleverly uses the stripes are here from Ferragamo, who I really enjoyed this exhibition. themselves to create a designed clothes for Audrey Much thought has obviously stylish effect. Hepburn, to Missoni’s elegant gone into the lighting, signage I particularly enjoyed knitwear, the bold designs of and display of the garments to the rooms dedicated to the Versace, and luxurious garments ensure that visitors get the best 1950s and 1960s. The clothes from the 1990s by Gianfranco possible experience. n show off the exuberance of the Ferré. And, of course, there are l The Glamour of Italian Fashion period when American film stars some eye-catching shoes by 1945-2014, Victoria & Albert flocked to Italy for their clothes. Prada and ankle boots by Dolce Museum, until 27 July, £13.50/ The highlight, however, is & Gabbana. concs undoubtedly the spectacular The last room looks at young Bulgari emerald, diamond and modern designers and it’s clear Elizabeth Hawksley

platinum set that Richard Burton that Italian fashion is set to wow www.elizabethhawksley.com V&A Taylor: Barbieri/V&A; Elizabeth Gian Paolo Ferré: Gianfranco

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 23 What’s on Events, exhibitions, courses, walks and more. Contact details of organisers are in the directory on page 28 – events may change or need advance booking. Islington Archaeology & History Society events are listed on the inside back page

Tuesday 17 June, 2-3pm Virgin, Primrose Hill. Sunday 22 June, 11am Wednesday 2 July, 11am-12pm London’s burning: the great Camden History Society A Piccadilly prowl Use LMA: getting started fire of 1666 Walk led by London City Free regular event, booking Talk by Pete Smith. Friday 20 June, 1.15pm-2pm guide Ann Archbold. essential, London Free, booking essential. The arc of the Mark: the £3, Historical Association, Metropolitan Archives Guildhall Library history of modern book on 020 7323 1192, Germany’s money [email protected] Wednesday 2 July, 1pm-2pm Wednesday 18 June, 1pm Gallery talk by Sabrina Ben Handling documents at LMA Dr Johnson’s House Aouicha. Sunday 22 June Free regular event, drop-in, Talk by Morwenna Rae. Free, British Museum Markfield beam engine and London Metropolitan Free, Barnard’s Inn Hall, museum Archives Gresham College Saturday 21 June, 1pm-5pm Steaming day. Free How to read Egyptian Wednesday 2 July, 6pm Wednesday 18 June, 6.30pm hieroglyphs Wednesday 25 June, 1.15pm The history of the bowler hat Archaeology and the Bible Workshop for adults led by Dutch trade and the Talk by Timothy Long. Talk by Mark Hassall. Bill Manley. decorative arts in the 17th Free, Barnard’s Inn Hall, Free, St Andrew’s Church, £15/concs, booking century Gresham College Thornhill Square, N1 essential, British Museum Talk by Hilary Williams Free, British Museum Friday 4 July, 1.30pm-2.30pm Wednesday 18 June, 6.30pm Monday 23 June, 1pm Curator’s introduction to Peckham Rye Park to One Signatures and handwriting Wednesday 25 June, 6.30pm Ancient Lives, New Tree Hill walk Talk by Professor Jane St Andrew’s and the History Discoveries Walk led by Peter Frost. Caplan. of Barnsbury Talk by Marie Vandenbeusch. Meet at the Clockhouse pub, Free, Museum of London, Talk by Kathleen Frenchman. Free, booking essential, Barry Road/Peckham Rye, Gresham College event Free, St Andrew’s Church, British Museum SE22. Organised by the Thornhill Square, N1 Peckham Society Tuesday 24 June, 6pm Friday 4 July, 8pm Faith in women? The Wednesday 25 June, 7.45pm Terror from the skies: the air Thursday 19 June, 6.30pm changing role of women The Foundling Hospital of war on Enfield 1914-1918 Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens and girls in the music and Barnet Talk by Ian Jones. and others in London ministry of the church Talk by Yvonne Tomlinson. £1, Jubilee Hall, 2 Parsonage Talk by Professor Penelope Talk by Rev Lucy Winkett. Friern Barnet & District Lane. Enfield Archaeological Corfield. Free, Barnard’s Inn Hall, Local History Society Society £1, Church of St Mary the Gresham College Saturday 28 June,10.30am- Sunday 6 July, 2pm-4.30pm 1pm and 2pm-4.30pm The GDR remembered: Extra tours of UK Supreme Court Black History Studies Tour Goodbye Lenin! The UK Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. of the British Museum Part of a film season Guided tours of the building last about an hour and £10, Black History Studies, exploring life in post-war include courtrooms, the lawyers’ suite, the justices’ 020 8881 0660, 07951 Germany. library – not normally open to the public – and the 234233, info@ £5/£3, British Museum exhibition area. blackhistorystudies.com Tours take place at 11am, 2pm and 3pm on Fridays. Tuesday 8 July, 6pm This summer, extra tours will be held at 11am and 2pm Monday 30 June, 1pm The Queen’s Commonwealth: on the following dates: 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, Distinguishing marks: the monarchy and the end of 21, 27 and 29 August and 1, 2, 3 and 4 September. tattoo empire, 1945-2011 Talk by Professor Jane Talk by Professor Philip Cost: £5/£3.50 concs, booking essential Caplan. Murphy. l [email protected], 020 7960 1900/1500 Free, Museum of London, Free, Barnard’s Inn Hall, Gresham College event Gresham College

24 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 Wednesday 9 July, 2pm-3pm Focus on family history Free regular event, booking Festival of Archaeology 12-27 July essential, London Metropolitan Archives. Co-ordinated by the Council for British Archaeology, the festival offers over 1,000 events nationwide. A few of the events in or near Islington are listed here – check the Thursday 10 July, 1.15pm-2pm website for any changes and to see all events The Admonitions Scroll: a masterpiece of Chinese Thursday 10 and Saturday discoveries. Free, booking painting 12 July, 12.15pm, 1.15pm essential, Guildhall Art Gallery talk. and 2.15pm Gallery Free, British Museum Roman amphitheatre talk Free, drop in. Guildhall Art Friday 18 July, 10.30am- Thursday 10 July, 2pm-3pm Gallery 3.30pm Kensal Green Cemetery Londinium: the Roman city Talk by Robert Stephenson. Friday 11 July, 2pm-4pm and A talk, model of Roman Free, booking essential, Sunday 13 July, 12pm-4pm London and a walk Guildhall Library Roman object handling including the city wall. £8, session All Hallows by the Tower Saturday 12-Sunday 13 July Free, drop in. Guildhall Art Church Routemaster 60 Gallery Bus rally to mark the 60th Visitors can go down ice wells Saturday 19-Sunday 20 July anniversary of the unveiling Sunday 13 July, 11am-4pm at the London Canal Museum Tower archaeology of the first Routemaster, Billingsgate Roman House weekend RM1, in September 1954. and Baths tour of the Union Chapel, Events and looking for Free, Finsbury Park. www. Roman remains that are also listed grade I. finds at the Tower of routemaster.org.uk/pages/ rarely open to the public. Free, Union Chapel London’s foreshore. Free diamondjubilee Free, 101 Lower Thames Compton Avenue, N1 2XD Street, EC2R 6DL Sunday 20 July, 10am-4pm Tuesday 15 July, 1.15pm-2pm Thursday 17 July, 6.30pm Ice Sunday at the London Violence and death in Sunday 13 and 20 July, Archaeology by Twilight Canal Museum predynastic Egypt 2pm-4pm Event for adults at the Activities relating to the Gallery talk. George Orwell, Highbury Museum of London industrial archaeology of Free, British Museum and the legacy of the Archaeology on medieval the 19th century ice trade, V1 bomb London. £8, book on 020 including a chance to climb Tuesday 15 July, 2pm-3pm Islington Archaeology and 7001 9844 or via www. down into ice wells and Over the bridge History Society walk – museumoflondon.org.uk ice-cream making Talk by Pete Smith on the details on inside back page demonstrations. £4/concs history of the South Bank. Thursday 17 and Friday Free, booking essential, Wednesday 16 July. 11am-1pm 18 July, 1pm-3pm Various dates and times Guildhall Library Organ recital and tour of A walk through Roman Huguenots in the city the Union Chapel London Various talks and walks Tuesday 15 July 2014, 7.30pm A recital on the restored, Walk led by Andrew Lane around Spitalfields, plus a The bishop’s park at grade I listed Henry Willis examining little-known film screening. See www. Highgate pipe organ, followed by a remains and recent huguenotsofspitalfields.org Talk by Malcolm Stokes. £1, Burgh House, NW3. www.archaeologyfestival.org.uk l 01904 671 417 Camden History Society

Wednesday 16 July, 2pm-3pm Tuesday 22 July, 2pm-3pm Steaming day. Free. Learn main tasks associated Blackfriars Shipping, shipwrecks and with an excavation. Illustrated talk. masters of the Merchant Monday 28-Tuesday 29 July £100, Bexley Archaeological Free, book ahead, London Navy: the Lloyd’s marine Ancient Egyptian coffins: Group, principalfieldofficer@ Metropolitan Archives collection craft traditions and bag.org.uk Jeanie Smith on a collection functionality Wednesday 16 July, 6pm-8pm that covers 1741 to today. Egyptological colloquium Wednesday 30 July, 2pm-3pm The Huguenot story Free, booking essential, Several events, various Tired of London, tired of Talk by Charlie de Wet, plus Guildhall Library charges, British Museum life: Samuel Johnson wine reception. Talk by Celine McDaid. £5, book ahead, Guildhall Sunday 27 July Monday 28 July-Friday 1 August Free, booking essential.

Library Markfield beam engine Training dig Guildhall Library Christy Lawrance

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 25 Copped Hall Trust Saturday 9 August, 1.15pm-2pm Archaeological Project: Get digging at a Tudor mansion site Hieroglyphs for the field schools and taster afterlife: the ancient weekends Egyptian funerary cult Gallery talk. Field schools: Saturday 9- Free, British Museum Wednesday 13 and Monday 18-Friday 22 August, Thursday 14 August, 2pm-3pm £90 per week The history and treasures of Two field schools near Guildhall Library Epping Forest for people Free, booking essential, with basic excavation and Guildhall Library recording skills. Taster weekends: 12-13, 19-20 handling techniques. coppedhalldigs @weag.org. Monday 25 August and 26-27 July, £50 each l Contact: Andrew Madeley, uk, www.coppedhalltrust. Markfield beam engine Learn excavation and 020 8491 6514, org.uk Steaming day. Free.

Tuesday 26 August, 2pm-3pm Thursday 31 July, 6pm-8pm Metropolitan Archives. programmes in research. London’s most curious Clerkenwell pubs and Free, booking essential, stones and bones breweries Wednesday 6 August, 6pm London Metropolitan Archives Talk by Robert Stephenson Walk led by City Highlights. LGBT history club Free, booking essential, £8, booking essential, London Free, drop in. London Tuesday 12 August, 2pm-3pm Guildhall Library Metropolitan Archives. Metropolitan Archives Abandoned tube and train stations in the City of Thursday 28 August, 2pm-3pm Monday 4 August, 2pm-3pm Thursday 7 August, 3pm-4pm London and beyond Electronic resources at London in the First World Educating Inner London Talk by Ben Pedroche. Guildhall Library War using film Free, booking essential, Free, booking essential, £8, booking essential, London Using ILEA school Guildhall Library Guildhall Library

Ongoing Mail, Mount Pleasant – the Clerkenwell and Islington Behind the scenes at the Largest Sorting Office in the Guides Association: walks museum depot World and Moving the Mail: Guided walks around Last Friday and Saturday of Guided Tours of Union Horses to Horsepower. Islington and Clerkenwell every month (not December) Chapel http://postalheritage.org.uk/ led by one of the mayor of Tours of London Transport 12.15pm, first Sunday of the page/onlineexhibitions Islington’s official guides. Museum’s depot in Acton. month www.ciga.org.uk The museum depot holds People rarely have the Mail Rail: a photographic more than 370,000 objects, chance to appreciate fully exhibition Tunnel boat trips including road and rail the beauty, complex Photos taken in recent years 22 June, 13 and 27, 10 and 24 vehicles, bus and rail sheds, architecture and extent of covering the whole of the August, 14 and 28 September, signs, ceramic tiles, ephemera our buildings. From a secret network, from the tunnels to Fifty-minute guided tour and ticket machines. passage to a hidden garden, the underground stations through London’s longest £12/concs, book on 020 7565 there is much the public used by the postal service. canal tunnel. 7298 or at www.ltmuseum. doesn’t usually see. Tours Free, British Postal Museum £8.30/concessions, booking co.uk last around an hour. and Archive, www. required, London Canal £5 donation, book in postalheritage.org.uk/page/ Museum Behind the scenes at the advance on 020 7359 4019 mail-rail-exhibition archaeological archive Historic almshouse tour 11am and 2pm, first and third The British Postal Museum Tour of the British Postal Visit the Geffrye Museum’s Friday and Saturday of the & Archive: online Museum & Archive store restored 18th-century month exhibitions Curator-led tour, plus time almshouse, which has been Tour the world’s largest Online exhibitions, to look around by yourself. restored to its original archaeological archive and including the Great Train Includes a fleet of postal condition and offers a rare handle some of the finds Robbery, Diamond Jubilee, vehicles and over 200 post glimpse into the lives of from more than 8,500 the People’s Post, the Post boxes, from one of the first London’s poor and elderly excavations. Office in Pictures, the boxes tried out in the UK to in the 1700s and 1800s. £5, Museum of London, World’s First Scheduled modern designs. £2.50/concs, various times, book ahead,  Aerial Post, Victorian www.postalheritage.org.uk/ [email protected]. www.museumoflondon.

1sitme99/Wikimedia Commons 1sitme99/Wikimedia Innovation, Brunel and the page/museum-tours uk, 020 7739 9893 org.uk/tours

26 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 Exhibitions Beastly Islington Until Sunday 22 June Animals in the borough since the 17th century Vikings: life and legend Exhibition showing many archaeological discoveries Islington Museum and objects for the first time Free in the UK. New finds have changed our understanding Friday 20 June-Tuesday 30 of the nature of Viking September identity, trade, magic, belief and the role of the warrior. Beastly Islington combines £16.50/concs, British artefacts, firsthand Museum accounts and images to bring to life the smells and Until Sunday 29 June sounds of an area where The Years of La Dolce Vita circuses came to town and Photographs of actors and animal baiting was rife. directors, mostly by Marcello The fate of animals at Smithfield Market, early 19th century engraving Geppetti and Arturo Smithfield and Zavattini, capturing Rome’s Metropolitan Cattle A recurring theme is the will also feature. decadence and glamour markets is explored, and exploitation of animals due Unusual items on from the 1950s and 1960s. papers of the Islington to religious principles, display include Cruft’s dog £5/concs, Estorick Literary and Scientific financial gain and show prizes and posters Collection, www. Society show the use of ignorance; campaigns and for exotic animal shows at estorickcollection.com animals in research. legislation for animal rights the Royal Agricultural Hall.

Until Sunday 29 June John Pantlin: photographing and colourful characters of 24 July-28 September Until Sunday 28 September the mid-century home 1950s and early 1960s Soho, Primrose: Russian colour Britain: one million years of A small display of including portraits of photography the human story photographs of homes in painters Lucian Freud, Frank An exploration of colour A major exhibition on life in the 1950s and 1960s. Auerbach and Francis developments in Russian prehistoric Britain. On show Free, Geffrye Museum Bacon, writers Dylan photography, including is the skull of the earliest Thomas and Jeffrey Bernard, postcard landscapes and known Neanderthal in Until Sunday 6 July and Muriel Belcher, portraits as well as Soviet Britain, the oldest wooden Carscapes: how the motor proprietor of drinking den propaganda, avant-garde spear in the world, skull car reshaped England The Colony Room. and reportage photography. cups and models of early Aerial photographs show Free, The Photographers’ Free, The Photographers’ Britons. Some objects are on the grandeur of motorway Gallery, 16-18 Ramillies Gallery, 16-18 Ramillies display for the first time. design in an exhibition Street, W1, 020 7087 9300, Street, W1, 020 7087 9300, £9/concs, Natural History exploring motoring heritage. [email protected] [email protected] Museum £4/concs, Quadriga Gallery, Wellington Arch, 020 7930 Until Sunday 13 July Until 27 July Until Sunday 28 September 2726, www.english-heritage. William Kent: designing The glamour of Italian Shakespeare: greatest living org.uk/quadriga Georgian Britain fashion 1945-2014 playwright Exhibition of over 200 items See review, page 23. Display to mark the 450th Until Sunday including designs for £12/concs, Victoria and anniversary of Shakespeare’s 13 July 2014 the Treasury and Albert Museum. birth, including the first Under the Horse Guards edition of plays, photographs, influence: buildings, designs Until 19 August films, props, costumes, set John Deakin for landscape Comics unmasked: art and models and interviews with and the lure of gardens, anarchy in the UK actors and directors. Soho sculpture, furniture, The UK’s biggest exhibition Free, Victoria & Albert Exhibition of the silver, paintings of British comics features Museum hidden corners and illustrated original artwork and bizarre Until 15 March 2015 Antlers, bones and hand books. objects covering their history axe on display £9/concs, from Victorian times, Wedding dresses 1775-2014 in Britain: one Victoria and exploring the political and See review, page 23. million years of Albert social issues they raised. £12/concs, Victoria and

the human story Museum £9.50/concs, British Library Albert Museum History Museum Islington Museum; Natural

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 27 Place, WC1X 0DL, and store clockmakers.org/museum- Directory at Debden, Essex, 020 7239 and-library 2570, info@postalheritage. org.uk Cockney Heritage Trust History, civic, amenity and archaeology www.cockneyheritagetrust. societies, museums and online resources British Vintage Wireless com Society [email protected] Courtauld Gallery Somerset House, WC2R Check opening times before Bank of England Museum Brixton Windmill 0RN, 020 7848 2526 visiting. If you would like Threadneedle St, EC2R 8AH, 020 7926 6056, www. [email protected] your organisation listed here 020 7601 5545, www.bankof brixtonwindmill.org/ or to update details, email england.co.uk/museum Cross Bones Graveyard editor Christy Lawrance on Bruce Castle Museum www.crossbones.org.uk [email protected]. Barnet Museum and Local Lordship Lane, N17 8NU, uk or c/o 6 Northview, History Society 020 8808 8772, museum. Crossness Pumping Station Tufnell Park Road, N7 0QB www.barnetmuseum.co.uk [email protected] 020 8311 3711, www. crossness.org.uk Alexandra Palace TV Group BBC archive Burgh House and Runs museum. Tony Wilding, www.bbc.co.uk/archive Hampstead Museum Docklands History Group 71 Dale View Avenue, E4 New End Sq, NW3, 020 7431 020 7537 0368, info@dock 6PJ, 020 8524 0827 Benjamin Franklin House 0144, www.burghhouse.org.uk landshistorygroup.org.uk Craven Street, WC2N 5NF, Alexandra Palace TV Society 020 7925 1405, info@ Camden History Society Dictionary of Victorian Archives: 35 Breedon Hill BenjaminFranklinHouse.org 020 7586 4436, www. London/Cat’s Meat Shop Road, Derby, DE23 6TH, camdenhistorysociety.org Encyclopaedia and blog, 01332 729 358, apts@apts. Bethlem Royal Hospital www.victorianlondon.org org.uk, www.youtube.com/ Archives and Museum Camden New Town History aptsarchive Monks Orchard Road, Group East London History Society Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3BX, www.camdennewtown.info 42 Campbell Road, E3 4DT, All Hallows by the Tower 020 3228 4227, www. [email protected]. Crypt Museum bethlemheritage.org.uk Camden Railway Heritage uk 020 7481 2928, www.ahbtt.org. Trust uk/visiting/crypt-museum/ Bexley Archaeological Group 21 Oppidans Road, NW3, Enfield Archaeological www.bag.org.uk, Martin [email protected] Society Amateur Geological Society Baker: 020 8300 1752 www.enfarchsoc.org 25 Village Road, N3 1TL Canonbury Society Bishopsgate Institute Library www.canonburysociety.org. Estorick Collection of Amwell Society and Archive uk, 1 Alwyne Place, N1 Modern Italian Art 8 Cumberland Gardens, 230 Bishopsgate, EC2M, 020 39a Canonbury Square, N1 WC1X 9AG, 020 7837 0988, 7392 9270, www. Cartoon Museum 2AN, 020 7704 9522, info@ [email protected] bishopsgate.org.uk/ 35 Little Russell Street, www.estorickcollection.com WC1, 020 7580 8155, www. Ancestor Search Bomb Sight cartoonmuseum.org Alexander Fleming Museum Guidance on where to look. Online map of WW2 bombs St Mary’s Hospital, Praed www.ancestor-search.info in London 1940-41, Chartered Institution of Street, W2 1NY, 020 3312 www.bombsight.org Building Services Engineers 6528, www.imperial.nhs.uk/ The Angel Association Heritage Group about us/museums www.angelassociation.org.uk British Airways Heritage www.hevac-heritage.org/ andarchives/ www.britishairways.com/ Archives Hub travel/museum-collection/ City of London Friends of Hackney http://archiveshub.ac.uk/ public/en_gb Archaeological Society Archives [email protected] Hackney Archives, Dalston Arsenal FC Museum British Museum Sq, E8 3BQ, 020 8356 8925, 020 7619 5000, www.arsenal. Great Russell Street, WC1, Clerkenwell and Islington [email protected] com 020 7323 8299, information Guides Association @britishmuseum.org 07971 296731, info@ciga. Friern Barnet & District Association for the Study org.uk Local History Society and Preservation of Roman British Postal Museum and www.friernbarnethistory. Mosaics Archive Clockmakers’ Museum org.uk. Photo archive: www. www.asprom.org Freeling House, Phoenix Guildhall Library, www. friern-barnet.com

28 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 Friends of the New River Joe Meek Society Head www.joemeeksociety.org c/o Amwell Society Dr Johnson’s House Foundling Museum 17 Gough Square, EC4, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1, www.drjohnsonshouse.org 020 7841 3600, www. foundlingmuseum.org.uk Keats House 020 7332 3868, keatshouse@ Freud Museum cityoflondon.gov.uk 20 Maresfield Gardens, NW3, 020 7435 2002,  Kew Bridge Steam Museum [email protected] Green Dragon Lane, TW8, 020 8568 4757, www.kbsm. Friends of Friendless Drawing room, 1870, in a terraced house in a London suburb, org Churches recreated in the Geffrye Museum. In this room, the lady of the www.friendsoffriendless house would receive visitors Locating London’s Past churches.org.uk www.locatinglondon.org Hendon and District IanVisits Garden History Society Archaeology Society London blog and listings, London Canal Museum 70 Cowcross St, EC1, 020 7608 020 8449 7076, secretary@ including historical events. 12-13 New Wharf Road, N1 2409, gardenhistorysociety.org hadas.org.uk www.ianvisits.co.uk 9RT, 020 7713 0836, www. canalmuseum.org.uk Geffrye Museum Heritage of London Trust Islington and Camden 136 Kingsland Road, E2 020 7730 9472, www. Cemetery London Fire Brigade Museum 8EA, 020 7739 9893, www. heritageoflondon.com High Road, East Finchley, 020 8555 1200 x 39894, geffrye-museum.org.uk N2 9AG, 020 7527 8804, www.london-fire.gov.uk/ Historic Hospital Admission www.islington.gov.uk/ OurMuseum.asp Georgian Group Records Project Environment/cemeteries 6 Fitzroy Square, W1T 5DX, www.hharp.org/ London Lives 1690-1800 [email protected] Islington Local History www.londonlives.org Highgate Literary and Centre Grant Museum of Zoology Scientific Institution Archives Finsbury Library, 245 St John London Metropolitan 020 3108 2052, www.ucl. [email protected] St, EC1V 4NB. 9.30am-8pm Archives ac.uk/museums/zoology, Mon and Thurs (shuts 6pm 40 Northampton Rd, EC1 [email protected] Historical Association, every other Monday); 0HB, 020 7332 3820,  Central London Branch 9.30am-5pm Tues, Fri and ask.lma@cityoflondon. Gresham College 020 7323 1192, www.history. Sat; closed Weds and Sun; gov.uk, www.cityoflondon. Free lectures on different org.uk, [email protected] closed 1pm-2pm; 020 7527 gov.uk/lma topics, www.gresham.ac.uk 7988; local.history@ Historic Towns Forum islington.gov.uk, www. London & Middlesex Greater London Industrial www.historictowns forum.org islington.gov.uk/heritage Archaeological Society Archaeology Society (GLIAS) 020 7814 5734, www.lamas. 14 Mount Rd, EN4 9RL, 020 History of Harringay Islington Museum org.uk 8692 8512, www.glias.org.uk www.harringayonline.com/ 245 St John Street, EC1V group/historyofharringay 4NB, 10am-5pm, closed London Museums of Health Guildhall Library Weds and Sun, 020 7527 and Medicine Aldermanbury, EC2V 7HH, Honourable Artillery 2837, islington.museum@ www.medicalmuseums.org 020 7332 1868, textphone Company Museum islington.gov.uk, www. 020 7332 3803, guildhall. City Road, EC1, 020 7382 islington.gov.uk/museum London Socialist Historians [email protected] 1541, www.hac.org.uk Group Islington’s Lost Cinemas http://londonsocialist Hackney Museum Hornsey Historical Society www.islingtonslostcinemas. historians.blogspot.com 1 Reading Lane, E8 1GQ, The Old Schoolhouse, 136 com www.hackney.gov.uk/ Tottenham Lane, N8 7EL, London Vintage Taxi cm-museum.htm hornseyhistorical.org.uk Islington Society Association 35 Britannia Row, N1 8QH, www.lvta.co.uk The Hackney Society Hunterian Museum www.islingtonsociety.org.uk Round Chapel, 1d Glenarm RCS, 35-43 Lincoln’s Inn London Transport Museum Road, E5 0LY, 07771 225183, Fields, WC2, www.rcseng. Jewish Museum 020 7379 6344, www.

[email protected] ac.uk/museums www.jewishmuseum.org.uk ltmuseum.co.uk Commons Leo Reynolds/Flickr/Creative

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 29 LT Museum Friends 020 7324 4005, www. Rowan Arts Project Tottenham Civic Society 020 7565 7296, www. museumstjohn.org.uk Islington arts charity. 020 www.tottenhamcivicsociety. ltmuseum.co.uk/friends 7700 2062, www. org.uk Musical Museum therowanartsproject.com London Underground 399 High Street, TW8 0DU, Transport Trust Railway Society www.musicalmuseum.co.uk Royal Air Force Museum Lambeth Rd, SE1, 020 7928 [email protected] 020 8205 2266, www. 6464, www.transporttrust.com National Archives rafmuseum.org.uk/london London Westminster & 020 8876 3444, www. Twentieth Century Society Middx Family History Society nationalarchives.gov.uk Royal Institute of British 70 Cowcross St, EC1, 020 7250 www.lwmfhs.org.uk Architects (RIBA) 3857, www.c20society.org.uk National Churches Trust 66 Portland Place, W1B 1AD, Markfield Beam Engine and 0)207 600 6090, www. www.architecture.com Union Chapel and Friends Museum nationalchurchestrust.org of the Union Chapel Markfield Park, N15, 01707 Science Museum Compton Avenue, N1 2XD, 873628, [email protected] National Piers Society Exhibition Road, SW7 2DD. www.unionchapel.org.uk/ www.piers.org.uk www.sciencemuseum.org.uk pages/friends.html Mausolea & Monuments Trust www.mmtrust.org.uk Newcomen Society for the Sir John Soane’s Museum Victoria & Albert Museum History of Engineering and 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Cromwell Rd, SW7, 020 Marx Memorial Library Technology WC2A 3BP, www.soane.org 7907 7073, www.vam.ac.uk 37a Clerkenwell Green, EC1 020 7371 4445, office@ 0DU, 020 7253 1485, info@ newcomen.com Smithfield Trust V&A Museum of Childhood marx-memorial-library.org 70 Cowcross St, EC1, 020 7566 Cambridge Heath Road, E2 Newington Green Action 0041, [email protected] 9PA, 020 8983 5200 Medieval Pottery Research Group Group 020 7359 6027, www. Society of Genealogists Victorian Society www.medievalpottery.org.uk newingtongreen.org.uk 020 7251 8799, www. 020 8994 1019, www. societyofgenealogists.com victoriansociety.org.uk Museum of Brands New River Action Group 2 Colville Mews, Lonsdale [email protected], Society for the Protection Wallace Collection Road, W11, 020 7908 0880, 020 8292 5987 of Ancient Buildings Hertford House, Manchester [email protected] 37 Spital Sq, E1 6DY, 020 Sq, W1M, 020 7563 9500, North London Railway 7377 1644, www.spab.org.uk www.wallacecollection.org Museum of Domestic Design Historical Society & Architecture (MoDA) www.nlrhs.org.uk Southwark and Lambeth Wallpaper History Society 020 8411 4394, www.moda. Archaeology Society wallpaperhistorysociety.org.uk mdx.ac.uk/home Northview – a Rare Survivor 79 Ashridge Cres, SE18 3EA www.northview.org.uk Walthamstow Historical Museum of London Stuart Low Trust Society 150 London Wall, EC2Y Pauper Lives in Georgian www.slt.org.uk/ www.walthamstow 5HN, 020 7814 5511,  London and Manchester historicalsociety.org.uk/ info@museumoflondon. http://research.ncl.ac.uk/ Rotherhithe & Bermondsey org.uk pauperlives Local History Society Wellcome Collection [email protected] www.wellcomecollection.org Museum of London Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology Archaeology Royal Archaeological John Wesley’s House and Mortimer Wheeler House, UCL, Malet Pl, WC1, www. Institute Museum of Methodism 46 Eagle Wharf Road, N1, ucl.ac.uk/museums/petrie [email protected] 49 City Rd, EC1, www.wesleys 020 7410 2200, www. Proceedings of the Old chapel.org.uk/museum.htm museum oflondon Bailey Thames Discovery archaeology.org.uk www.oldbaileyonline.org Programme William Morris Gallery Mortimer Wheeler Hse, 46 Forest Road, E17, 020 8496 Museum of London Ragged School Museum Eagle Wharf Rd, N1, 020 4390, www.wmgallery.org.uk Docklands 020 8980 6405, www.ragged 7410 2207, enquiries@ 020 7001 9844, www.museum schoolmuseum.org.uk thamesdiscovery.org Wilmington Square Society oflondon.org.uk/docklands www.thewilmington Rescue/British Theatres Trust squaresociety.org Museum of the Order of Archaeological Trust 22 Charing Cross Road, St John www.rescue-archaeology. WC2H 0QL, 020 7836 8591, Women’s Library Collection St John’s Gate, EC1M 4DA, org.uk www.theatrestrust.org.uk [email protected]

30 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 Islington Archaeology & History Society Events

Wednesday 18 June, 8pm, Islington Town Hall Wednesday 17 September, 8pm, Islington Town Hall Samuel Plimsoll and his campaign to The House Mill and Three Mills save lives at sea Nicolette Jones, author of The Plimsoll Sensation: the Great Campaign to Save Lives at Sea

When Nicolette Jones moved into Plimsoll Road in Finsbury Park, she became curious about Samuel Plimsoll, after whom the road and the local pub were named.

Researching his life, she discovered a story of a fight to bring in life-saving safety measures on ships. Plimsoll met with much resistance from Brian Strong, former director, chairman and secretary of shipowners, including some the River Lea Tidal Mill Trust, with Beverley Charters, a fellow MPs – among the public, director of the trust his campaign inspired novels, plays and music hall songs. The House Mill is a grade I listed 18th century tidal mill in a The Plimsoll Sensation: the Great Campaign to Save Lives at Sea beautiful riverside location in the East End. Built in 1776, it was a Radio 4 Book of the Week and has won awards in the is the largest tidal mill in the world. UK and abroad. Brian Hill will talk about the history of Three Mills and the Annual general meeting House Mill, and the London distilling industry of which it was a part. There will be a visual tour of the miller’s house The June talk will be preceded by the AGM at 7.30pm. and the House Mill.

Beverley Charters, a director of the trust, will talk about Sunday 13 and 20 July plans for the mill, including the restoration of its machinery. Walk: George Orwell, Highbury and the legacy of the V1 bomb Come and say hello at local festivals Sunday stroll led by Andy Gardner The society will hold stalls at local festivals this summer. Do come and have a chat and see our books, historical maps, On this guided walk, we will look at Islington in the 1940s postcards and more. We’ll be at the events below and others. and afterwards and the impact of war on architecture, social l Saturday 28 June, 2pm-5pm, Mount Pleasant Association history and literature. There will be time for questions and Street Party Phoenix Place, WC1 (tbc) discussion. The walks are part of the Festival of Archaeology l Sunday 29 June, 2-5pm, Amwell Street Fete, EC1 (see page 24). l Sunday 7 September, 11am-5pm, Angel Canal Festival, by City Road Lock, N1 Walks will run from 2pm-4pm. If they are oversubscribed, extra walks will take place at 4.30pm-6.30pm Check our website at www.islingtonhistory.org.uk and our Booking essential at [email protected]. Reduced Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/ rate of £5 when quoting the Festival of Archaeology. islingtonhistory for other summer events

The Islington Archaeology & History Society meets 10 times a year, usually on the third Wednesday of the month at 8pm, at Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, N1. £1 donation/free to members. Everyone welcome. www.islingtonhistory.org.uk Samuel Plimsoll: Wikimedia Commons; mills: Christy Lawrance Wikimedia Samuel Plimsoll:

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2014 Vol 4 No 2 31 The Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Back page picture A poster from the Beastly Islington: Animals in the Borough since the 17th Century exhibition, which runs at Islington Museum until September Islington Museum