Apr/May 2020 N 3 Free

EC1 ECHO APR/MAY 2020 N 3 FREE

NEWS FEATURE HISTORY EC1Echo.co.uk Heating London Cabin fever: Pictures of @EC1Echo from the EC1’s hotel- Clerkenwell at war 75 underground up building boom years after VE-day EC1Echo@ /EC1Echo P 3 P 8–9 P 12 peelinstitute.org.uk Credit Rob Baker Ashton Clerkenwell suffers under Covid-19 or such a busy area, the EC1 district is currently and alarm- ingly empty. This is of course Fdue to the extraordinary strictures that have been imposed following the coronavirus and Covid-19 pandemic. The ‘lockdown’ announced on 23 March urged us all to stay at home with the public only allowed to go out once a day to do one of a handful of activities: to exercise, buy food; get medical necessi- ties, provide care or to help a vulnerable person, and to undertake essential work such as the NHS workers and the police. Most importantly, many people in the area will be suffering. As well as keeping an eye on television and listening to the radio, those with internet access can look out for mutual support groups on Social Media. Islington’s Facebook group is called Islington COVID 19 Mutual Aid, the City’s is City of Lon- don Covid 19 Mutual Aid and there is Camden COVID-19 Mutual Aid. The three councils in the area – Isling- ton, Camden and the City of London – have extensive advice on their websites, aimed at containing the virus. At present, the advice includes: • to shop for basic essentials • to do one form of exercise a day • visit a pharmacy or deliver essential supplies to a vulnerable person • to travel to and from work – but only where this is absolutely necessary Stay at home if you have either: • a temperature • a new, continuous cough To protect others, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Stay at home. Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do. These measures will not last forever, Meet Harriette Ashcroft, whose musical ensemble Mrs H and The Sing-along Band has entranced but all advice should be taken seriously. children and parents at the church of Our Most Holy Redeemer in Exmouth Market for many years Meanwhile, we hope that the EC1 Echo Credit Rob Baker Ashton Turn to page 7 will give you some reading pleasure during this time of enforced isolation. EC1 ECHO NO.3 N 3 NEWS 2 APR / MAY Way to go Major new 2020 cycleways 1st Apr 31st May planned in EC1 ork on Cycleway 38 First Waxing Quarter Gibbous – due eventually to 51% / 0.52 65% / 0.55 W connect Farringdon to Palmers Green in Enfield – is to gain a significant link this year with a new cycleway between EC1 Echo is the area's Finsbury Park and Highbury free community Fields. When complete, Cycle- newspaper. We publish way 38 will offer protected cycle bi-monthly and tracks the length of the borough distribute 5,000 free and is being planned in line with copies door-to-door Vision Zero: the goal of which is in Clerkenwell as well to eliminate all deaths and serious as 500 copies to cafés, injuries on London roads by 2041. pubs, community “Ensuring that people in the centres, libraries and borough are able to enjoy an other venues active, healthy lifestyle is one of our main priorities,” said Cllr Publisher Rowena Champion, Islington David Floyd Council’s executive member for Editor environment and transport. “By Oliver Bennett encouraging more active ways of transport, we can enable Isling- Designer ton residents and visitors to Jonathan Duncan enjoy the beauty of our borough Head of Operations Clerkenwell in a way that reduces unneces- Paige Ballmi sary car journeys and therefore cuts down on air pollution and

Contributors congestion.” She added that David Wilcox, Carla Manso, says no to single- Bruno Healy, Ed Sheridan, Islington hopes to become a net Yvonne Courtney, Nicola zero carbon borough by 2030. Baird, Mark Aston, Rashida use plastic The news follows Camden Taylor, Grace Roach, Chris Council’s consultation last win- Walker, Lisa Burrell, Alan ter to provide protected cycle- Wylie, Mark Aston, Tom he first “Low Plas- use plastic, with some buyers plastics in particular, is essen- ways on Gray’s Inn Road. When Currie, Leo Hamburger, tic Zone” or LPZ refusing to use businesses that tial for helping tackle the implemented, these cycleways Rob la Frenais, Matthew recently launched don’t take action. climate emergency. will provide safe cycling on the Baust, Holly Maltby in Clerkenwell. The LPZ launched at the “We know that businesses north-south route from King’s TAfter finding that 95 per Lazybones restaurant in want to reduce their envi- Cross and East Bloomsbury to CONTACT cent of consumers want local Cowcross Street. As Cllr ronmental impact, not only Holborn – although like the Far- Email businesses to reduce plastics, Clyde Loakes of the North because it’s the right thing to ringdon Road cycle lanes they EC1Echo@ North London Waste Author- London Waste Authority said: do, but because it’s good for have not been without contro- peelinstitute.org.uk ity (NLWA) in partnership “Our research shows that the business. People are telling versy, with critics arguing that Post with Islington Council and majority of people are try- us that they are more likely to the lanes will slow buses and 7–11 Coppermill Lane, six other north London bor- use companies who are taking other traffic, adding to pollution. Walthamstow E17 7HA oughs, debuted the initiative action in this area so we are An unexpected boost to cycling in Cowcross Street, with a "[It] will be a confident that this flagship has come from the Covid-19 out- ADVERTISING view to reducing the single- win-win-win; initiative will be a win-win- break, as people try to avoid tubes use plastic given to customers win; for businesses, for con- and buses, and to exercise in isola- Contact Klaudia Kiss: and to take forward a Charter for businesses, sumers and of course, for the tion after spending time at home. Call 020 8521 7956 of Commitment. for consumers planet.” Increasing numbers Although Italy and Spain have Email The LPZ aims to encourage of cafes and takeaways allow imposed restrictions on leisure [email protected] and support local businesses to customers to bring their own cycling – in part to prevent the reduce the amount of single- and of course, containers and refuse the plas- potential of people needing hos- use plastic used – a particular for the planet” tic knife and fork. Shopping pitalisation – some countries have challenge in EC1 where street areas at Haringey, Camden, encouraged cycling including markets like Leather Lane and ing hard to reduce their use Barnet, Enfield, Hackney Germany, to the point of advocat- Exmouth Market cater for the of single-use plastic but are and Waltham Forest are also ing an emergency expansion of EC1 Echo is a member of IMPRESS: lunchtime takeaway diners. A frustrated at how difficult it attaining, or have attained, the cycle network. If you are get- The Independent Monitor of The Press. For more information on the recent survey showed public is to avoid when shopping or Low Plastic Zone status. ting back on your bike following EC1 Echo’s complaints policy and demand, with 95 percent of eating and drinking on-the-go. the Covid-19 epidemic check the how to make a complaint visit: More information: EC1Echo.co.uk/complaints respondents wanting local Reducing the amount of waste Visit wiseuptowaste.org.uk/ advice from the London Cycling businesseS to cut out single- we all create, and single-use businesses/low-plastic-zones Campaign at lcc.org.uk April/May 2020 NEWS 3 Public gives housing managers a pasting

BY ED SHERIDAN, “Clearly the rate of upheld complaints tive” information in public, many resi- mission and watching residents, neither LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER at the housing ombudsman is much dents continued to heckle and berate Irvine or Ackcral would be persuaded higher than the proportion of the homes. the housing boss over issues including to reveal the value of the contract held he company responsible for The ombudsman is upholding many antisocial behaviour, lack of engage- with the borough in public. managing Islington’s coun- more complaints than they are against ment, increased scaffolding charges and Irvine said: “I think it’s probably right to cil homes has once again us as a borough. delayed or botched repairs with frequent acknowledge that there are a large number faced the wrath of residents “That is an objective assessment of what of people in this room who are in principle Tat a meeting in which housing bosses we’re seeing in the room. We’re very much opposed to private finance initiatives. were directly confronted and heckled aware that Islington council tenants have “There are probably many who would by their tenants. lots of complaints about the council, but point out that the housing PFI contracts Partners for Improvement looks after over generally we get them resolved inhouse here in Islington were entered into by a pre- 6,000 properties through a PFI scheme set before they hit the ombudsman.” We want to vious administration. This is a matter of fact. up by the former Lib Dem administration. When Irvine responded that the figures “What is also a matter of fact is that these Many of these are in the EC1 area. behind those statistics would be quite make sure that contracts exist, and Islington Council and As the organisation prepares to hand low, he was heckled from the crowd, who Partners are in them. We want to make over 4,100 properties held under one invited him to imagine how many cases we deliver the sure that we deliver the requirements of of Islington Council's controversial PFI would not reach the ombudsman stage. those contracts and provide good service. contracts set to expire in the next couple Lukes went on to address the involvement requirements of “We will work with Islington and with of years, Tom Irvine, Partners’ CEO, and of Rydon, which carries out day to day Islington C ouncil to achieve those aims. Neal Ackcral, chief property officer at services for Partners, pointing out that it those contracts It’s absolutely fine to say that you hate Hyde Housing Association, which pro- has been specifically asked not to bid for PFI in principle, that’s absolutely fine, vides Partners’ housing management any government contracts until its role in and provide no problem at all. Let’s keep working service, were challenged by councillors the Grenfell fire had been fully investigated. good servce together for the good of the residents once again on the level of complaints. The Highbury councillor added that and communities we serve.” Cllr Sue Lukes (Lab, Highbury East), this was an “uneasy and difficult” calls of ‘Bring it in-house’. Islington Council has two contracts said: “In terms of objective external relationship for the council, and when Irvine said that one of the challenges with Partners for Improvement in Isling- meaurements, the figures I’ve got show she asked about the possibility of re- PFI has is the need to prepare to hand ton to manage and maintain some of our that in terms of complaints upheld by examining it, the crowd applauded. over properties to the council, to which street properties homes. PFI 1 covers the housing ombudsman in relation Despite Partners’ attempts to only the crowd responded ‘Oh, great’ and approximately 2,000 homes. This con- Islington homes, 28 per cent of those hear the details of individual cases ‘Can’t wait, hurry up’. tract ends in 2033. The second contract, related to PFI homes, and you only in a separate room, saying that it was Despite repeated pressing from both PFI 2, covers 4,042 properties. This con- manage 19 per cent of our homes. unwilling to share “personal and sensi- members of the housing scrutiny com- tract ends in April 2022. Underground, overground… The first scheme in the world using waste heat from London has set the target of being carbon an underground rail network has opened in EC1 neutral by 2030

n a startling rust-coloured breaking centre will set the building where Moreland agenda for decarbonising heat Street meets Central in future schemes in London Street and City Road, is and elsewhere, reducing car- Ian innovative energy scheme. bon emissions while improving Using waste heat from the air quality. The Mayor of Tube, the scheme brings London, Sadiq Khan, said: “It’s heat to over 1,350 homes, great to see this highly innova- the Ironmonger Row Baths, tive project up and running.” Finsbury Leisure Centre and I’ve set London the target of Moreland Primary School being carbon-neutral by 2030… – and is a world-first. an ambition that will require The Bunhill 2 Energy Centre innovative projects like Bunhill sits on top of the old City to help deliver it.” Cllr Rowena Road underground station. Champion, Islington Coun- Beneath it is a huge two-metre cil’s executive member for underground fan, installed in Environment and Transport, an existing six-storey London said: “This pioneering project Underground ventilation shaft, recycles heat that was simply which extracts warm air from being lost to the environment.” the Northern line tunnels She added that it also reduces below. This air is used to heat people’s energy bills. water that is then pumped to The centre also boasts a pub- nearby buildings. lic artwork one of its sides by It is hoped that the ground- Scottish artist Toby Paterson. EC1 ECHO NO.3 FEATURE 4 FEATURE

Oval as part of a musical family. “My uncle trained as an opera singer with Pavarotti,” Paddli ng into a half-century he says. After taking up the piano at eight years old, Anto- nio then embarked on a career Nicola Baird looks forward to Islington in music working in every style from classical to dance music. The songs he has chosen go Boat Club’s anniversary celebrations back as far as the early 20th he City Road basin century: “hidden gems” has been a magnet which only Italians are likely for canoeists for half to know. For Antonio it’s a century thanks to meaningful that 60 per cent TIslington Boat Club. This April, of his repertoire hails from members and the club’s current the Neapolitan area, as it’s his fans, both young and old, will be ancestral home and as he puts meeting at Graham Street for its it, “The undisputed birthplace golden celebration. of European music”. As well “It has to be hundreds of thou- as the acclaimed orchestra sands of Islingtonians who have he’s pleased to have signed used Islington Boat Club over the up four top singers including past 50 years,” says administrator Madelena Alberto, who has Jan Dorling from the club’s offices played the lead role in the overlooking Regent’s Canal. musical Evita in the West End. It might have been different. There’s another aspect of “Islington Boat Club was founded the show, which is that it by Crystal Hale who lived in aims to celebrate the Italian Islington overlooking the City presence in Clerkenwell – Road Basin,” says Filippo Gaddo, and to smooth out tensions chair of the club’s trustees. “In the attributed to Brexit with a 1960s Crystal was so alarmed at touch of bel canto. “Italians plans for the basin to be filled and have had a strong presence in built over, that she organised and London since the 1850s and led a campaign to save it. will continue to do so,” says “Against all the odds she suc- Antonio, who says it’s also a ceeded and, as a result of her tribute to the Italian history of victory, she founded Islington Clerkenwell. “I love this area Boat Club in 1970.” She also so it’s good that it’s starting set up the annual Angel Canal here. Although some of the Festival in 1975 as a fundraising older people now live far away, event for the narrow boat Angel, it’s still the headquarters of which was used to give inner the Italian community.” city children boat rides and trips Antonio would like to play into the countryside. other venues such as the At first Islington Boat Club was Cadogan Hall, and perhaps funded by Islington Council, as tour the show to other places Going for a song in the UK noted for their Ital- ian populations – Glasgow, Manchester, Bedford – in Rashida Taylor of Stillpoint Spaces explains time possibly taking it to Listen out for Antonio’s Italian cities such as Milan. the concept behind “psychological co-working” “It’s very powerful for the musical masterwork this May Italian community, particularly those first-generation he organist of Italians who have left their St Peter’s Italian homeland, and are full of Church in Clerken- from across the 20th century nostalgia and emotion.” But well is staging a for 21st century audiences, he also wants it to be uni- Tmajor concert of Italian 20th took hold. He devised new versal: to bring the music of century popular music at the orchestral arrangements with Italy to the world via a corner end of May – and he hopes it someone who wanted to fund a 21st century sensibility and of London where he has per- will be the first of many. my idea of creating a repertoire this year he bit the bullet and sonally presided over many Antonio Pappano Riccio of Italian pop songs to celebrate May’s concert is the result. It weddings and baptisms. (above), 51, who has acted as the 150th anniversary of the will not take place at St Peter’s, both choirmaster and organist church that year,” says Antonio. but at St Andrew in Holborn, Covid-19 permitting, 'The Italian Songbook – A Cultural Soundscape' at the church, says the show is “It’s something I’ve been work- where it will feature the might will be performed at St Andrew a labour of love that is finally ing on for a long time.” of the St Mary-le-Bow orches- Church, 5 St Andrew Street, Holborn, ith concerns for men- EC4A 3AF at 8pm on 30 May. Further making its debut. Antonio developed his vision tra from Cheapside. info and tasters of the songs can be tal health on the rise The seed of this project started to make a “celebration of Ital- From a London-Italian back- found at: – and the effects of theitaliansongbook.com W in 2013. “I was approached by ian song”, with a repertoire ground, Antonio grew up in Visit Coronavirus causing us to rethink April/May 2020 5 COLUMN Facing up Paddli ng into a half-century to grief

Nicola Baird looks forward to Islington Cr ed it

O l iv Boat Club’s anniversary celebrations e r

B e n

lerkenwell woman Grace Roach is aiming to set up a new service for anyone interested in bereavement counselling. C Already qualified as a counsellor and working on person-centred art therapy skills with visually impaired people in a groups, Grace is now setting up a bereavement support group. After a bereavement, we often don’t take enough care of ourselves, she says. “People express anger, frustration and rage without SAVED The City Road Basin, home to the boat club, was once to have been filled in knowing why they are being this, but it is some- part of its overall youth provi- holidays for nine to 19-year-olds. stand-up paddleboards on the times traceable to a loss.” And that loss doesn’t sion, but it is now a registered The school sessions – which water at the same time.” necessarily have to be recent, either. “It can be charity reliant upon fundraising, began in 1972 – are hugely pop- The Mayor of Islington plus a historic loss of say ten years ago as much as a grants and donations. Its aim is ular, but if you are over 50 you Crystal Hale’s son and daugh- present loss,” says Grace. “The feelings don’t still to inspire learning, improve can try learning water skills at ter, all big supporters of the Boat necessarily go away – and if you haven’t dealt health, promote socialisation the weekly UpperDeckers club. Club, will be joining the celebra- with them properly then they may return.” and strengthen the Islington “Come ready to have a pad- tion on Sunday 26 April. Come Sometimes friends, colleagues and even community by providing a wide dle or just drop in on Sunday and join them. family members can be sympathetic for two range of fun, safe and affordable 26 April from 11am–5pm at the months then expect you to be over it – but water-based activities for every- boat club’s base, 16-35 Graham Ever been on a canoe at the boat it doesn’t always work like that, and the loss club? To see a collection of photos one – with a focus on young Street, N1,” says Jan. “We’ll have from 1970 onwards: of their attention can leave you in a kind of people, the over-50s and people free tasters in the morning on Facebook /vintageibc limbo. “Say something,” says Grace, “even if with additional needs. the water, kayak skills demon- you’re worried that you might say the wrong For more up-to-date infomation: The youth club runs three times strations and we are planning Visit islingtonboatclub.com thing. It’s better than nothing.” Also, she adds, a week and throughout the school the biggest flotilla of boats and Twitter @IslingtonBoatCl we should also consider counselling against “future loss”: that is, the expected death of an aged parent or a person with a terminal illness. Rashida Taylor of Stillpoint Spaces explains Bereavement counselling Say something gives you a safe and confi- the concept behind “psychological co-working” even if you're dential space to discuss your feelings and it can take dif- have long been on the way out, within the four walls of therapy worried that ferent forms. Some choose replaced by more social, open- and its psychological co-working you might say the one-to-one counselling, plan spaces, which have been space – flooded with natural light for example, while others found to increase productivity and with bright yellow walls – wrong thing prefer a group where the and wellbeing. There has also was carefully designed by ther- support of others can be been a huge shift in working apists to create a calming and of great value. “It depends styles, with more people work- creative environment. on each individual,” says Grace, who during ing remotely from coworking During the current coronavirus almost two decades as a humanistic and spaces instead of traditional pandemic where a lot of peo- integrative counsellor has seen a shift in atti- office environments. ple are self-isolating, Stillpoint tudes. “There’s certainly a greater interest in Stillpoint Spaces London, a Spaces has a series of online bereavement counselling and people under- coworking, events and therapy events dedicated to maintaining stand it better,” she says. “But there’s still a space in Clerkenwell, has taken their sense of community and care lot of room for improvement. I expect it to this several steps further, becom- for mental health in this uncertain explode in the coming years as it can be really how we approach life – people ing London’s first “psychological time. Head to their website to see beneficial for people who are suffering.” are starting to think of alternative co-working” space. Its main aim what’s on, and book your free If you’re interested in discussing ways to work. Boxed in, poorly lit, is to encourage the exploration visit when their doors open again. bereavement support with Grace Roach: isolated cubicle-style workplaces of psychology in depth, not just stillpointspaces.com Email [email protected] EC1 ECHO NO.3 FEATURE 6 What is to She’s teaching the world to sing Come and watch Mrs H in action at Exmouth Market be done? arriette Ashcroft’s musical ensemble – called Mrs H and The Celebrated by some and Sing-along Band – has Hlong been a fixture in the church reviled by others, Lenin hall attached to Our Most Holy Redeemer in Exmouth Market. has been one of EC1’s most Indeed, so long has it been tread- ing the hall’s boards that Harriette divisive denizens. On his herself can’t quite remember. “I think it’s about 15 years,” she 150th birthday, the Echo says. “Maybe more.” At present about 350 children and their follows his revolutionary parents come through her sing- alongs, which take place two or traces in Clerkenwell three times a week. That adds up to a lot of singers – hence the Evening Standard calling her WORDS CHRIS WALKER “The Gareth Malone for under- fives.” And it’s such fun that on e’s a contentious figure occasion, the child has moved but Vladimir Ilich Ulyanov on while the parent has stayed. – better known as Lenin – is one of Clerkenwell’s The bust of Hmost famous past residents. And as his Lenin can be found 150th birthday approaches on 22 April, at Islington it’s well worth a look at the footprint Museum in St he left in the area. John Street Walk of ages Having fled Tsarist Russia in 1900, Lenin spent the next 17 years in Europe, coming to London five times. Help join Clerkenwell and Smithfield’s historical During his first visit from 1902 to 1903 red, naturally, and it has been visited It was designed by the Russian he was based in Clerkenwell where by Soviet luminaries such as Mikhail émigré architect Berthold Lubetkin dots with local writer David Wilcox wrote many revolutionary articles and Gorbachev and Nikita Khruschev. and presented by the Soviet Embassy. edited his newspaper Iskra (The Spark) Lenin used to enjoy a pint in the The monument stood in bomb- group of local residents from 37a Clerkenwell Green. The paper nearby Crown and Anchor (now damaged Holford Square, looking has started a deeper was also printed here, then smuggled known as the Crown Tavern) on towards number 30, where Lenin had “timeline” exploration into Russia to explain Marxist ideas, Clerkenwell Green. During his lived during his first visit in 1902-3. into the past, present expose the brutal Tsarist autocracy and second visit, he stayed at a safe Lubetkin was also commissioned for andA future of the Smithfield and ultimately help spark the revolution. house at 16 Percy Circus, which a housing project named after Lenin, south Clerkenwell areas, following That building is now The Marx now has a blue plaque outside. which would stand on the old Holford our story by Peter Bill. Memorial Library, a museum that has A bust of Lenin was the centrepiece Square site and was to be called Lenin Market buildings will be turned Lenin’s original desk as well as original of a monument unveiled on the Court. But by the time the project was into a venue for exhibitions and copies of the paper itself. Its door is revolutionary’s birthday in 1942. completed, in the early 1950s, it was events, the Museum of London the peak of the Cold War. As a result, will move to the long-empty west- the name of the building was changed ern end of the market, and a new to Bevin Court, honouring Britain's Centre for Music (impression of Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin. Bevin the proposed centre, pictured) is was firmly anti-communist. planned on the former Museum site. Meanwhile Lubetkin’s memorial was Stretching back 1,000 years to the repeatedly attacked and eventually was beginnings of the livestock mar- removed and put in storage. It is now ket, the timeline will take in the on show at the Islington Museum on 12th-century foundation of Lon- St John Street – the perfect place to don’s oldest surviving church, St drop in and wish him a happy birthday. Bartholomew the Great, and Barts Hospital. It then stretches through On 23rd and 30th April the Marx Memorial the 16th-century executions and Library is holding lectures marking Lenin’s burning of martyrs in west Smith- 150th birthday. For more information: Visit marx-memorial-library.org.uk field – right through to recent developments in Smithfield such Chris Walker is the author of '101 Moderately Interesting Facts about Clerkenwell'. Available as the Culture Mile programme. from Space in Exmouth Market, MagCulture on St John Street, I Just (formerly Sublime) The exploration, led by former A plaque marks the place in Percy Circus where Lenin lived on St John Street, and Charterhouse Museum Evening Standard planning corre- EC1 ECHO NO.3 7 Apr/May 2019 She’s teaching the world to sing Come and watch Mrs H in action at Exmouth Market Harriette, who trained as an actor With new impetus from top banjo with us there’s no ‘sit still and listen’ During a recent fundraiser, dona- and is a guitarist, started the group player and band member Ted Barnes, stuff,” she says. “Children can move tions were sent from Singapore and in the early 2000s as part of the Sure now Harriette’s partner in the busi- around to the music in a safe envi- Australia. Musicians of the calibre of Start programme. ness, the Sing-along group expanded ronment and they’re not made to feel Johnny Flynn, with whom Harriette “The idea was that it would be a free to also include Ali Friend on double silly.” And most importantly, “It takes has sung a duet, have endorsed the drop-in session to encourage children bass, Gill Sandell on accordion and them away from all these screens.” band, which on 3 May plays Isling- to sing,” she says. “This gave it a free- Sebastian Hankins on drums. You may ton’s Union Chapel, the fourth gig dom to develop – it didn’t have to be also have seen the group perform at the band has done in that big venue. designed to bring in money.” From the the Exmouth Market Street Festival. But the real Sing-along business start Harriette ensured that the group As an outfit, Mrs H and The Sing- remains on Exmouth Market church only sings original, self-composed along Band has now enjoyed many hall, where at 10–11am and 11am–12 songs, rather than a typical children’s credits. It has released four albums Singing builds noon on Wednesday, and Thurs- repertoire of Wheels on the Bus et al. – including the latest, Starlight Dance – day at 10-11am, you’ll find a lot of Harriette – by then a single parent and played several festivals, including up skills and youthful exuberance. And true to – developed the Sing-along class as it Latitude and Camp Bestival, as well as the accent on informality there’s no went along. It became a charity, and is venues including the National Theatre confidence and need to book, adds Harriette. “If now a Community Interest Company and Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, you’re interested, just drop in.” or CIC. At one point it became inter- and has outlasted many bands. with us there's generational. “I started to work with Harriette thinks its durability with Covid-19 permitting, on 3rd May Mrs H older people and the young together,” her young audiences is to do with sev- and The Sing-along Band is playing at no 'sit still and Islington’s Union Chapel, 19b Compton she says. “But the core audience is eral developmental factors. “Singing Terrace, London N1. Check first on: the under-five age group.” builds up skills and confidence and Visit singalongsongs.co.uk

listen' stuff Walk of ages F Help join Clerkenwell and Smithfield’s historical dots with local writer David Wilcox E spondent David Wilcox, also covers to explore whether local residents aspects of Clerkenwell and Smith- will benefit from these changes. field’s history such as the area’s "Therefore our first task will be to crafts activities from watchmaking pull together existing information right through to the new creative about the area, and then start explora- A industries in the neighbourhood. tions led by people’s particular enthu- Said David: “Last year I really siasms – such as the green spaces enjoyed developing an online we need to cherish and the music map of the 1977 heritage trail for available in the many local venues.” Clerkenwell, originally created “We’ve already had offers of T by local resident Mike Franks. help from London Metropolitan Researching the trail revealed to Archive, and the Layers of Lon- me the many linkages between don project which displays maps City and Clerkenwell. I think from 1270 to the present day, there’s scope to re-establish con- enabling people to add their own U nections, and help both residents photos and stories. The Culture and visitors explore the area. Mile team are very encouraging.” “The new Barts Square develop- David hopes to aggregate peo- ment has brought several hundred ple's ideas and build up a huge, new residents to Smithfield, and the living picture of the area. “Today R Elizabeth Line station at Farringdon anyone with a smartphone can be a (Crossrail) – coupled with Thames- reporter – so we want to use a mix link – will make this one of the most of print, thanks to the Echo, a web- accessible areas in London.” site and social media to help peo- David hopes that these improve- ple start their own explorations, E ments will benefit all the area’s com- and bring the results together." munities. “In many ways the planned You will be able to see links to existing developments are good news,” he information and maps plus the evolving says. “But I do think it’s important A cutaway image of the proposed Centre for Music Credit Uniform, Visualisation Studio exploration at: commons.london S - Ruby Stella Ruby open in Eyre set to is Stella called Ruby hotel A The to next park on the car Hill in 2021, Street Ruby company German From pub. Gunmakers part occupy is set to hotel the eight-storey Hotels, Ragged the 19th-century once was ofthat site the on an entrance will also have and School building, social be nine homes for said to There’s Vine Hill. housing as part of the deal and it has been designed pro “complex as a Company & Piercy architect by workspace of uses ofgramme complementary hotel, will be a Marshall There homes.” and affordable – part ofwhat the hotel room amp in every guitar ethos. luxury” “lean dubs a group “living wall”, one of the largest one of the largest wall”, “living will which capture in the world, planting. wild feature and carbon 382- will be a high-end it all Atop and bar restaurant, with bed hotel – open to terrace rooftop 11th floor the onto views with the public and and Sepulchre ofchurch the Holy Cathedral. St Paul’s to over - - The EC1 area is having an The an is having area EC1 will they bring benefits to locals? bring benefits will they Cabin fever unprecedented hotel building spree – but – building spree hotel unprecedented Citicape House House Citicape be built at Citi to yet hotel A Viaduct, Holborn by cape House will Viaduct, Holborn in 61–65 To Smithfield. West be close to Sheppard architects designs by to building is aiming the Robson, building in Lon “greenest be the feature arresting most its – don” green 3,700sqm is the proposed aura of quiet secrecy at at secrecy quiet of aura have you If weekends. about this feelings strong in touch then get on – read Echo. the EC1 with us at The flipside is that it will The flipside it will that is transient the area’s raise which could population, who those aggravate Clerkenwell’s preferred the area – a boon to many many a boon to – the area – and cafes restaurants a Clerkenwell and make akin destination tourism bringing Garden, Covent to in its wake. employment one of the best-connected the best-connected one of in London. areas boom will of The hotel in footfall increase course, planned in and around planned in and around in large pegged the area, the expected part to as a result growth tourist is set which Crossrail, of this will be that ensure to Clerkenwell is experiencing is experiencing Clerkenwell building boom. a hotel are major hotels Several

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U A EC1 ECHO Apr/May 2020 Apr/May 9 EC1 ECHO NO.3

Apr/May 2020

Ruby Stella A hotel called Ruby Stella is set to open in Eyre Street Hill in 2021, on the car park next to The Snow Hill Gunmakers pub. From German company Ruby With the new Museum of Farringdon Road Premier Inn Nhow, City Road Hotels, the eight-storey hotel is set to occupy part London set to land nearby, The NCP car park on Farringdon An eight-storey hotel in a of the site that was once the 19th-century Ragged the West Smithfield site Road, on the corner of Pine Street dramatic Fosters & Part- School building, and will also have an entrance on is becoming a high-value and Bowling Green Lane, is to ners building, the Nhow Vine Hill. There’s said to be nine homes for social zone – and the Snow Hill become a Premier Inn hotel. The 180- hotel has already opened. housing as part of the deal and it has been designed Police Station just to its room hotel site has been beset by Once past the slick exterior by architect Piercy & Company as a “complex pro- south is set to become problems such as objections from the you’ll find playful interi- gramme of complementary uses of hotel, workspace another Premier Inn hotel. Clerkenwell Community Tenants and ors designed by architect and affordable homes.” There will be a Marshall The handsome five-storey Residents’ Association, which led to James Soane including a guitar amp in every room – part of what the hotel Grade II-listed building, Islington Council refusing planning sculpture of Big Ben as group dubs a “lean luxury” ethos. of 1926 vintage, occupies permission. But the government’s a rocket in the lobby and a picturesque spot on this Planning Inspectorate passed the a pub called the Bell and gently sloping street. plans on appeal and the £35million Whistle offering “mod- project is set to start shortly. ern British comfort food”. There is also a robot con- YOTEL cierge called Henry. A new 212-room hotel in the YOTEL chain – from the same source as restaurant Hotel Indigo chain Yo! Sushi – is being The lonesome Hat and developed on the site of Feathers pub on the corner the old Texaco garage on of Clerkenwell and Goswell Clerkenwell Road. The roads is to have company. YOTEL group is best known The fifth Hotel Indigo prop- for its compact “cabins” and erty in London is expected tech including its “signature to land by 2021 – and the SmartBed” and will have boutique hotel will incor- a Club Lounge offering porate the listed pub as well “flexible meeting and co- as make use of the old car working spaces…in keeping park behind. The hotel’s with the surrounding area”. interior designer 3Stories It is said to be introducing has said that the hotel’s a link to St John’s Square, interior takes its “lead from currently a dead end on its the area’s architectural and western margins. design heritage”. EC1 ECHO NO.3 April/May 2020 DESIGN WEEK 10

Advertisement day! It plays host to the ‘Light’ exhibition at CDW. Bringing together the most beautiful lighting installations and products from across the globe. This subterranean space is rich in Clerkenwell history too; as it was built to hang the meat that was being sold at Smithfield Market. And for the art lovers out there, there’s also an original Banksy on display which has its own story to tell. When the nightclub was undergoing its initial renovations, it’s reported that Banksy ‘accessed’ the venue and installed the artwork – only to have it painted over by an unaware contractor a few days later! The piece on display now is the second Banksy – and has been protected by a piece of glass to stop the trigger-happy painters in their tracks! CDW thrives on the unconventional space, occupying prisons, churches and nightclubs and offering access to them all free of charge. There’s so much to see and do at CDW 2020; we are encouraging local residents to benefit from our food and drink programme – where we have established exclusive discounts with local restaurants and bars. All you need to do is show your CDW badge (which you can register for online). London's creative heart For the first time, CDW is set to partner CALM (Campaign against living e all love Clerkenwell. ground, abandoned, prison! The utterly miserably) – a mental health charity Very few places allow secretive and unexpected House of that encourage everyone to take a you to walk through Detention is thrilling to explore. moment for themselves. As part of a physical history like Having been used to hold prisoners wider Clerkenwell’ campaign there’s it,W with the stories and fables leaving awaiting trial at Sessions House; the a whole host of activity that’s open to their mark on the architecture. prison is pretty much untouched and everyone. From meditation, breathing Clerkenwell represents London’s oozes history and charm. Each cell masterclasses and even free yoga! Creative Heart; boasting more archi- offers a backdrop to the ‘Platform’ Check the website to find out more. tects and designers per square mile exhibition – a collection of emerging than anywhere else on the planet, this designers that have formed a busi- Linking Farringdon Station to Spa Fields congregation of so many creatives has ness in the last five years. Some of the Park; CDW returns on the 14th – 16th July; been organic and naturally forming product on display is utterly thought and is free to attend. – a story which takes centre stage for provoking and fresh. Residents can benefit from a quick the hosting of Clerkenwell Design If you have ever enjoyed Fabricnight- registration process: Week (CDW). club after dark, you must see Fabricby Visit clerkenwelldesignweek.com. There is so much to see and do at the three day festival, from a series of street sculptures and art installations, local restaurants offering large discounts and even revealing what’s behind the otherwise locked doors of some of Clerkenwell’s most secret spaces. It’s these spaces that allow world- wide product manufacturers and emerging design talent to showcase "We are their wares in Clerkenwell, by offering them a form of pop-up shopfront. encouraging Clerkenwell has some of London’s most historic and interesting spaces; generally, these spaces are ‘off-limits’ local residents to all residents; but CDW has the key. For instance, a stand-alone door on to attend" Sans Walk (by Kingsway House) is the access point to one of Clerkenwell’s best kept secrets: a hidden, under- April/May 2020 EC1 ECHO NO.3 COMMUNITY 11

he St Luke’s Community Centre in Central Street EC1 Mosaic movements has launched a 'Mosaic Trail': a self-guided walk around its TEdible Yard marked with handmade It’s time to get your gardening gloves on at St Luke’s mosaic tiles. A map will help guide visitors around the yard, which has large raised beds with edible plants, greenhouses, sheds, a wormery, a wildlife patch and a pizza oven, as well as five loud hens. “Spring is the perfect time to come to our Edible Yard with the kids and see how the garden is coming to life,” says St Luke’s community gardening manager Poppy Fishman. “Our Mosaic Trail guides you past the pizza oven and pergola, through the herbs and salads, to our vegetables and soft fruits and round to our hen house, composting and greenhouse. This area has been brought to life by our volunteers and we’d love the EC1 community to enjoy it and the health benefits of gardening.” “This has been such an exciting project to work on,” says Tessa Hunkin from Hackney Mosaic Project. “We started off putting mosaic tiles on the pizza oven, and the idea then came for mosaic insects. They add another dimension to the growing areas and are easy to follow so we hope it encourages more locals to use this hidden urban oasis.”

Lifetime membership costs £5 and registration is free for anyone under 18 years of age whose parent/ carer is also registering. For more information: MUCKING IN Lending hands to the community garden Visit slpt.org.uk/gardening-activities Triple word score contemporary fiction, non- BY ALAN WYLIE, LIBRARIAN AT FINSBURY LIBRARY fiction, books for children and young people. We have he Finsbury Library audio books, books in large in St John Street print and newspapers, and opened in 1967. Since digital resources including e- then it’s become magazines, e-books and e- Thome to the Local History audio. We provide free PC use, Centre and Islington Museum wifi and free beginners IT train- and Learning Centre, and over ing. Our Learning Centre offers the years a host of famous faces a wide range of courses too. have been spotted browsing its It’s not just about media. We shelves. Broadcaster and local run Baby Bounce and Under Janet Street-Porter dropped Fives sessions, school class in as did cult author Douglas visits, Summer and Winter Adams, who used to regularly reading challenges, a Toy borrow BBC sound effect LPs Library, Homework Club, as – and whose play The Hitch- well as a Lego Club, crafts/ hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy arts events and lots of other has just reached 42 years old monthly activities. BOOKISH Islington’s library isn’t just for reading (42 being the galaxy’s signifi- It holds the area’s heritage too. cant number). The Islington Local History has a changing programme of up a brochure which lists all the For more details: What they found, and more, is Centre and Islington Museum events and exhibitions. activities for the forthcoming Visit islington.gov.uk/libraries- still here – a wide selection of has the archives for the borough If you want to know more about month. And don’t forget to join arts-and-heritage/libraries/your- the latest bestsellers, classics, from Elizabethan times and what’s going on, pop in and pick the library – it’s free! local-libraries/finsbury-library EC1 ECHO NO.3 HISTORY 12

June 1944, it was Finsbury’s turn. A V1 rocket landed in Spencer Street and The blitz spirit returns Wynyatt Street resulting in 13 people losing their lives, with a further 83 injured. Six more V1 and V2 strikes Mark Aston looks forward to the 75th anniversary of were to follow, culminating in the devastating V2 attack on Charterhouse VE Day in May – and looks back at EC1 under attack Street and Smithfield Market in the morning of 8 March 1945. A huge explosion caused massive damage to the railway tunnel structure below, into which many victims fell. In all, 110 people died and 340 were injured.

Of the borough’s 9,899 houses and flats, no less than 9,015 were damaged during the war: 983 were totally demolished, another 23 virtually so, and 642 hit badly enough to force the residents to evacuate. This left more than 11 per cent

Of the borough's 9,899 houses and flats, no less than 9,015 were damaged Finsbury Square, 15 October 1941. riday 8 May witnesses the 75th In 1943, the parcels depot at Mount Firefighters bravely tackling a fire during the Luftwaffe’s ‘Tip and Run’ anniversary of a joyous occa- Pleasant Post Office was destroyed. raids (1941–43) that followed the Blitz sion – the end of the Second It relocated to the Royal Agricultural All photographs courtesy of World War in Europe, known as Hall in Upper Street, where it remained Islington Local History Centre FVictory in Europe or VE Day. There will until the 1970s. Sadler’s Wells Theatre Hugh Myddelton School, Clerkenwell, 4 September 1940. The school’s pupils reading be street parties and other celebrations in Rosebery Avenue was requisitioned comics and playing cards in their basement – but what was the extent of the physical in 1940 to serve as a rest centre for shelter during an air-raid drill damage inflicted on the EC1 area of bombed-out local families, while the Finsbury, and how did the area recover? cast and company went on tour.

Like many parts of inner London, One of the cruellest losses of life occurred Finsbury suffered badly from bombings on 15 October 1940 when the deep- during the Blitz (1940-41) and, again basement shelter at Dame Alice Owen’s later, as part of the V1 and V2 rocket School in Goswell Road received a attacks on the capital from the summer direct hit. Many families were taking of 1944 onwards. Citizens lived with refuge when damage caused to a large the threat of bombing, invasion and New River water pipe resulted in many untimely death. However, in spite of drowning. A total of 109 people out of the fatalities, an uncertain future and much 143 people in the shelter perished – rescu- hardship, Finsburyites kept calm and ers took weeks to recover the casualties. carried on. The constant bombings were designed to break morale but conversely The number of bombs dropped on Fins- brought people together. bury during the London Blitz amounted to 175 high explosive bombs and four The London Blitz inflicted major dam- parachute mines. In addition, further age on EC1’s historic buildings, includ- bombs landed during the ‘Baby Blitz’ ing the Charterhouse, the Priory Church of early 1944, as did the fearsome V1 of St John and the Church of the Holy and V2 Vergeltungwaffe, or ‘vengeance

Finsbury Town Hall, Garnault Place, After Redeemer. However, not all was ruined. weapons’, rockets during 1944 and 1945. 15 August 1940. A ‘downed’ German The 17th-century Oak Room at New Messerschmitt BF110 on display outside Finsbury Town Hall, as part of a ‘victory River Head was removed to safety Five days after the first V1 rocket or tour’ during the Battle of Britain “for the duration”. ‘Doodlebug’ hit London at Bow on 13 April/May 2020 HISTORY 13 of the population needing re-accommo- doners would queue for win- dation. Although the population more kles and shellfish as a special than halved, from approximately 60,000 Sunday snack. On other days in 1939 to 27,000 by 1945, it was esti- the barrow would ply its tra- mated at the end of the war that some ditional trade in various local 5,000 new housing units were needed. street markets. In the meantime, prefabricated houses In its other bay window rehoused the displaced in various parts downstairs the property was of EC1, including Farringdon Road, once an art materials outlet Gee Street, Hermes Street, Ironmonger and some locals still know it Street and King’s Square. as “The Art Shop”. In the 1970s it housed Farringdon The severe housing shortage was Tools: one of the very few recognised by the new Labour gov- retail shops that still have ernment, and Finsbury Council could survived for so long. now realise several housing plans that Leo hasn’t found much had been decided in its mid-1930s’ interest from heritage bod- ‘Finsbury Plan’. The borough’s rebuild ies in the winkle boiler and ensured that housing catered for its hasn’t yet located a com- working-class – the majority of its pop- mitted taker. “Some were ulation. This began with the Berthold Lubetkin-designed Spa Green Estate on St John Street/Rosebery Avenue "Some were (1946-50) which embodied the promise of post-war housing: a pleasant life, interested but well-equipped flats and careful design. the trouble is Of the borough's It was to be a while before the council’s that it's quite a fuller realisation of a better residential 9,899 houses post-war future was accomplished by big artefact " building among others: the King Square Estate (1961), the Brunswick Estate (1949- interested but the trouble and flats, no less 62) and the Finsbury Estate (1967). These is that it’s quite a big arte- schemes were truly born out of the rubble fact,” he says. “It may just than 9,015 were and wreckage created by the ‘terror from have to be left behind to the skies’ some quarter of a century or so its fate.” Some other items earlier – a rebuilding of Finsbury in the found when sorting through damaged the house have already been hope that the post-war era would serve to Leo with his unusual item of culinary history – a shellfish boiler symbolise a brighter and safer future. taken up by historic archives, including the contents of an

'We’ll Meet Again: Islington on the Home early 20th-century steamer Front in photographs (1939–45)' an exhibition trunk containing the life commemorating the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. For effects and documents of more information: Winkle pickers Mr Rossi, an Italian man Visit islington.gov.uk/heritage who emigrated to London Clerkenwell man Leo is seeking a home in 1919 after WW1 at a time when Clerkenwell was nick- for a piece of London’s culinary history named “Little Italy”. The unusual property has lerkenwell man a nurse working locally, shellfish were washed and now been sold privately with Leo Hamburger who recalls him from prepared, as well as an old an understanding that it is is seeking a taker childhood. “It’s a part of gas cooker. Sunday was to be sensitively renovated for an unusual London’s culinary history, apparently an important and retained as a large family Cappliance – a winkle boiler. when shellfish like winkles, sales day, when local Lon- home and studio. Leo, who has to move from jellied eels and whelks were his old family home in Far- East End street food.” ringdon Road, following the This legacy no longer death of his mother last year, exists. With the demise of is keen that the boiler finds Clarke’s Pie and Mash shop a good home, as from the in Exmouth Market a few 1950s until 1981 the house years ago, and the shellfish contained what was once a stall by the old Penny Black thriving and well-loved win- Pub closed pre the millen- kle and shellfish shop run by nium, old favourites like Eel the Parris family. Pie and Liqour with mash “Mr Parris kept his bar- and parsley sauce are no lon- row here and served win- ger available in Clerkenwell. kles and shellfish through a Also in the substantial hatch in the window or off Victorian property are the Leo with Mr Rossi's papers the Barrow” says Leo, now original sinks in which the EC1 ECHO NO.3 HISTORY 14 LETT ERS Help The bloody code independent Tour guide Tom Currie takes us beyond shops Smithfield to a lovely church with a grisly history Matthew Baust he bells of Old Bailey are those of St Sepulchre-without-Newgate on Holborn ’m writing after hearing the Viaduct, so named because the church sad news that the coffee and stands just outside (“without”) the old bagel shop Brill on Exmouth City walls next to the Newgate, on the corner of I T Market has closed. This is the road called Old Bailey. A bailey was a defensive the most recent in a string of wall cast your minds back to your school history closures on the street where lessons, you may recall hearing about a motte and bailey castle. stores now sit empty and large St Sepulchre's is the City’s largest surviving parish chain businesses have grown in church, and there’s been a church on the site since their predominance. at least Saxon times. Buried within the graveyard is I read that Brill closed primarily John Smith, the governor of Virginia and friend of due to increases in rent – a prob- Pocahontas in the eponymous Disney film – he also got lem that many independent busi- a mention in Peggy Lee’s classic song Fever: “Captain nesses have suffered from over Smith and Pocahontas/Had a very mad affair…” the last decade as chains with St Sepulchre’s stands on the opposite corner to the large profit margins have driven Central Criminal Court – better known as the Old up cost competition for space and Bailey. This was opened in 1907, but for centuries prior property prices as a whole have this was the site of Newgate Prison. Newgate was a name that filled generations of grown at exponential rates. Londoners with dread: it was a by-word for squalor, Brill was a community hub overcrowding, and death. By the end of the 18th for the area, providing not just century there were a total of 220 offences for which coffee and bagels but a place for you could be executed in England, which has since locals to feel welcome and part been dubbed “the Bloody Code”. of society. Brill was also a leading The bells of St Sepulchre's would toll whenever business in the area for generat- a prisoner was being taken by cart from his Newgate ing LGBT social awareness and prison cell to his death at the end of a rope at creating a friendly and welcom- Tyburn, near what is now Marble Arch. ing environment for all members In 1605 a handbell was purchased, which was to of Clerkenwell’s society. be rung outside the condemned man’s cell in Newgate Prison the night before his execution, while These are “intangibles” that the church’s clerk read aloud the Newgate Prayer: large chains do not care about. Oranges and However, they are in my opinion All you that in the condemned hole do lie, crucially important to positive lemons Prepare you for to-morrow you shall die; societal function and can only Watch all and pray: the hour is drawing near be brought by local people run- That you before the Almighty must appear; ning local businesses that have a Say the broader motivation beyond profit Examine well yourselves in time repent, goals. There is a place for both to That you may not to eternal flames be sent. co-exist but we are moving toward bells of St. And when St. Sepulchre’s Bell to-morrow tolls a scenario where independent The Lord above have mercy on your souls. businesses are infeasible. Clements The handbell is now on display within a For the future, the opportunity glass case within the church, for any who to start and build a business is I owe you five wish to view it… clearly being crushed by the exor- bitant cost of property, leaving Newgate was also the site of the country’s last a generation with no alternative farthings public execution. In 1868, an Irish Republican called Michael Barrett had attempted to free one but to get a job and try to cover of his comrades from the Clerkenwell House of their monthly rent. Should peo- Say the bells Detention by blowing up the prison walls using ple not have the same chance to gunpowder. But he seriously misjudged how much build something for themselves explosive should be used, and he ended up taking and contribute something posi- of St. Martins down several neighbouring houses and killing 12 tive to the local area that previ- innocent people in the blast. Just five years earlier ous generations have had? Are When will you in 1863, the first Underground Line had opened at we really striving for coffee that Farringdon, a ten-minute walk away – and many costs £1 less, or should we be of those spectators would have caught the Tube in focussed on what impact this is order to watch Barrett being executed. A case of pay me? having on the economic diversity the old world massively colliding with the new. of the area, social integration and Say the bells To join Tom Currie on a tour: general life experience? Visit historiclondontours.com There obviously isn’t an easy For further information about tours that include St Sepulchre’s: solution to this, particularly in a at Old Bailey Visit islingtonguidedwalks.com free-market capital driven city. April/May 2020

Submit your letter Got an opinion on something in Clerkenwell? We accept letters of up to 200 words from people and organisations in the area. LETT ERS Email [email protected] before the next deadline 16th March. 15 COLUMN

Y One thing I was thinking about this place is that it goes back to residential accommodation vo n n recently though was the focus on the Victorian era, prior to the and EDGE 88 in the Financial e G creating more affordable hous- National Health Service. Instead Times, the writer Deanna Pether- o f f ing in London. Landowners are the less wealthy of Clerkenwell bridge wrote “Clerkenwell, the C o being asked to extract slightly less could go and listen to a sermon inner city village with its secret u r

wealth so that some affordable to improve themselves and then squares, unexpected alleys, n

housing can be provided for the afterwards the bosky church- y benefit of society. I don’t see why priest, who "To also discover yards and good this principle shouldn’t also be had also been pubs is pleasur- applied to commercial property. trained as a curious installations able enough on A step in the right direction could doctor, would a mild Autumn be to ask commercial property open the sur- and obsessive evening. To also developers and landowners to gery and offer activities along the discover curi- provide at least a proportion of treatment. ous installations rent-capped affordable space for This practice way makes for a and obsessive small and independent businesses. apparently rich experience" activities along I hope that in government there goes on to this the way makes can be found a way of addressing day. Helen Chadwick found for a rich and very metropolitan this social issue. this medical mission and to experience”. As our tour came to EC1 means our amazement managed to an end at twilight at the Garden persuade them, after attend- of the Museum St John, where entrepreneurial ing several of their services German performance artist Edge of and meetings, to host an art Ulrike Rosenbach whirled like installation. That became one a dervish in a bright red dress craftswomen an era of Helen’s most famous works, in 1988, it was still possible to called Blood Hyphen. In order feel the magic of ‘80s London’s Yvonne Goff Courtney celebrates Art curator Rob La Frenais to view her installation you had ‘hidden village’. to go into the church and climb the businesswomen of the 18th recalls when Clerkenwell The documentation for 'Edge really was London’s up a pulpit then, standing in the of An Era' can be seen at: century on the City’s borders pulpit, put your head through a edgeofanera.co.uk “hidden village” and a hole in the ceiling. You could ollowing in the fash- families, it was perfectly nor- place of artistic discovery then see a laser beam coming ion footsteps of my mal for these women to be in through a cloud of smoke from Leave grandfather – a fur charge yet until very recently, n 1988 there existed a very the church window crossing the trader who was based this history has been com- different Clerkenwell of outline of the organ – which our parks FSt Paul’s Cathedral – I was pletely overlooked. Now the Iabandoned buildings up for had been hidden by the false fascinated to learn that the notion that women didn’t enter sale and rent, used as artists ceiling – and hit a photograph Square Mile hasn’t always the labour force until the 20th studios with art events at places of cells, apparently cervical alone been a man’s world. In the 18th century has been shattered. at places like The Slaughter- cells. This work culminated in Holly Maltby century the City (and its nearby These women traders pros- house in Smithfield. discussions between the artist environs) was, in fact, a hub for pered and practiced a range There was also a very large and the priest-doctors at the ur parks and green spaces an extraordinary number of of occupations in a way that festival of performance and mission. The same installation are where we go to play, women who ran would have been installation art called Edge 88, was almost exactly recreated by Orelax and escape. But with manufacturing "Until recently inconceivable of which I was the director. One the Whitechapel Art Gallery in councils facing ever bigger cuts and commercial in the mid-20th of the most significant projects the mid 2000s and people were in funding, the fight to keep our businesses selling this history has century. Unfor- that we did was with artist Helen able to see it again. public parks open and accessible luxury goods. tunately, histo- Chadwick who died in 1996. Last year I gave a guided tour of to everyone has never been more Picture Smith- been completely rians still don’t It was my great privilege to work all the sites in Edge 88 (see pic important. The health benefits – field, Little Brit- overlooked " clearly under- with her in 1988 on a project in below), as part of the ‘Edge of an both physical and mental – to hav- ain, what is now stand exactly an extraordinary place – the Era’ project, including Alastair ing free access to green space are Paternoster Square and along how or why women dropped Clerkenwell Medical Mission – MacLennan’s work in the Victo- priceless. As is the value it brings Cheapside towards the Royal out of the management of which is still here today. rian ‘House of Correction’, now to all of our lives and communities. Exchange (originally founded for manufacturing and commerce. The interesting thing about a film location adjoining luxury I started a petition to stop the ‘start-ups’ of the day), and These ‘foremothers’ serve as Clerkenwell Design Week from you’ll see an area that was pos- a reminder that power can be taking over the public parks in itively humming with women’s lost as easily as gained – and the Clerkenwell area – specifi- businesses trading as goldsmiths perhaps, as we learn to work at cally Spa Fields – because we and silversmiths, milliners, home again, it’s time to rekin- have to stand up for our public haberdashers, fan and trunk dle this model. space. Every spring, the festival makers, stationers and printers. Yvonne Goff Courtney is the EC3-based takes over our parks for weeks. Unlike on today’s high streets, founder of repurposed hybrid clothing label @CollageLondon and a writer and But now over 330 people around goods were made on the prem- marketing consultant for publishers, the area have signed the peti- ises. The shop would be located retailers and creative agencies. · A collection of 18th-century women’s tion to put an end to it. It’s time on the ground floor while the ornate trade cards can be viewed at Clerkenwell Design Week listens upper floors housed work- the British Museum’s archives · London Craft Week is an and moves to another location – shops, storerooms and own- annual showcase of exceptional craftsmanship. Due to Covid-19 so our park is always open to the ers, together with their family, it has been moved from April to 30 September – 8 October.The public, all year long. servants and apprentices. Barbican Shop will feature a “STORE At that time, there was nothing STORE” takeover, selling pieces by Agree or disagree? Write to us with your contemporary designers, unusual about these business- craftmakers and artisans. views at EC1Echo@ peelinstitute.org.uk women. As members of trade Visit londoncraftweek.com 16 EC1 ECHO NO.3 April/May 2020

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