Journal of the Archaeology & History Society

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Vol 1 No 2 Summer 2011 incorporating Islington History Journal

Dip into history at Ironmonger Row

Cultural and historical importance of public baths celebrated in words and pictures

Trams below ground: the Hungarian connection l Victorian social history and business ideas from Beale’s store’s records l Strength in unity and workers’ history in TUC library l Archaeology along the railway from King’s Cross to Kent l Artist Geoffrey Fletcher’s Islington pictures l Scandal of baby farming: The Ghost of Lily Painter book launch l Inspiration from tough lives for Islington novel The Street l Your local history questions answered l News and events About the society

What we do Memories, reviews, old photographs, Islington Archaeology & ideas sought… contribute to this journal History Society Committee he society arranges President lectures, walks, visits We welcome contributions, streets or buildings? Send Rt Hon Lord Smith  Tand outings in relation including articles on local them in for our tireless of to the archaeology and history, memories and more researcher Michael Reading history of Islington. academic pieces. – and maybe other readers Vice-president We liaise with the council Each page takes about 500 – to answer. Mary Cosh and others in matters of words, and most articles l See Letters, page 6 planning and development take up one or two pages, Chairman and acting to record and protect but don’t worry too much Copyright secretary Islington’s sites that are of about word count. Copyright of everything in Andrew Gardner archaeological and historical We like receiving pictures, this journal lies with the [email protected] importance. but please check that we can creator unless otherwise We also aim to document reproduce them without stated. While it can be difficult Membership and events archaeological findings in infringing anyone’s copyright. to trace copyright ownership Catherine Brighty the borough. Deadline for the autumn of archive materials, we 8 Wynyatt Street Local historical and is 15 August. make every effort to do so.  literary walks are arranged EC1V 7HU for groups. Ever wondered…? Any questions? 020 7833 1541 Do you have any queries Contact editor Christy Why archaeology? about Islington’s history, Lawrance (details right). Treasurer Archaeology is not just Philip Anderson about what is buried; it phlpandrsn6@ includes structures and Join us and benefit from membership btopenworld.com fragments that still exist, and the people who lived, Members receive this making, building Committee members worked and died in them. journal and are invited to  restoration, architecture, Kathleen Frenchman We are here to investigate, 10 talks a year with guest entertainment history, Peter Fuller learn and celebrate what is speakers, and other events. health, crime and politics. Michael Harper left to us. We run a wide range of Members also receive the Derek Seeley talks, with topics going from journal four times a year. Our website Roman gardens to the Non-members are always Academic adviser Go to www.iahs.org.uk to Routemaster bus, the King’s welcome at talks – we invite Lester Hillman, former find out more about us and Cross/St Pancras station a £1 donation towards the visiting professor London find out about our events. redevelopment, map- speaker’s expenses. Metropolitan Business School, London (photocopies acceptable) $ Metropolitan University Membership form Newsletter editor Membership per year is: £10 single; £12 joint at same address; concessions £6; joint Christy Lawrance concessions £8; corporate £15 [email protected] c/o 6 Northview Name(s) ...... Road London N7 0QB Address ......

...... The Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Tel no/email (if we need to contact you) ...... is published four times  a year I/We would like single/joint/concession/joint concession/corporate membership, and enclose a cheque payable to “Islington Archeology & History Society” for ...... ISSN 2046-8245

Please return this form (photocopies acceptable) to: Islington Archaeology & History Printed by CLP Society, 8 Wynyatt Street, London EC1V 7HU 16 Baldwins Gardens

Cover picture: Ruth Corney Cover London EC1N 7RJ

2 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society

Incorporating Islington History Journal Vol 1 No 2 Summer 2011

The architectural revolution began here

he pictures in this issue of street demolition in T(page 23) bring to mind the work Contents of one of our founding members, Harley Sherlock. With others of his generation of News 4 architects who qualified in the MP’s Victorian records returned to Islington late 1950s, he saw that low-rise Deco cinema plans thrown out high-density housing could use exactly the same economy of land as high-rise Pooling the memories 7 tower blocks – and went on to Ironmonger Row Baths and a radical move in public sanitation demonstrate it. A human aspect was returned to new Letters and your questions 8 building, carrying the spirit of Lubetkin Why school names changed, a blue plaque mystery and Plymouth Rock – “nothing is too good for ordinary people” – and recognising the Trams below ground – the Hungarian connection 10 importance of community. Children The determined Islington MP, a controversial visit and London’s trams playing outside should be within earshot of a mother calling from the Victorian values 12 top floor. Beale’s store of Holloway: banquet diaries, cakes by post and patented bread My mother was a school teacher in south London at that time. Newly Beneath the rails 14 housed children would come to school Archaeology by train from King’s Cross to Kent, with a new study reviewed starry-eyed and exclaim: “It’s like a palace in the sky!” Most of them had Shows of strength in workers’ unity 16 never known indoor plumbing before. The huge range of material in the Trades Union Congress Library Collections It is easy to rue the day that large estates were built, some – let’s be fair Coffin plates 17 – very good but many very bad. In Recognise an ancestor’s name? context, large numbers of people needed to be housed, as quickly as A different view of a familiar city 18 possible, at minimal cost. It worked for Geoffrey Fletcher – an artist, writer and Islington enthusiast who was a short time. fascinated by off-beat London Renovated street properties as social housing have worked better here in Baby farming: a Victorian scandal 20 Islington than the alternative of postwar Caitlin Davies describes the story that influenced her book, The Ghost of Lily housing developments in other parts of Painter; plus review of the book and its launch London, many of which have reached or passed their estimated lifespans. Inspiration from tough lives 22 Through chance, luck and sometimes Kay Brellend on her novel, inspired by life in the worst street in north London incompetence, we have been left some of the finest streets and squares in the Publications and bookshop 24 capital, and some of the most attractive streetscapes in the country. Events 26

Andrew Gardner Directory of societies and museums 29 Chairman Islington Archaeology & History Society Islington Archaeology & History Society events 31

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 3 news In brief MP’s papers returned to Islington Archivists to tweet across the globe A talk on a former “I would like to find a The papers are still being Islington’s MP visit to suitable home for all these catalogued so are not yet Archivists around the world Hungary organised by the papers where they could  available to view. will be able ask each other IAHS has resulted in a be kept together and could Andrew Gardner, IAHS questions and discuss their collection of his papers be available for research  chairman, said: “It was collections at the Twitter  being returned to Islington. by anyone interested in wonderful to hear from a Ask Archivists event on  Archive papers of Sir knowing how a moderately direct descendent. 9 June. The event, which  George Radford, Liberal MP wealthy Victorian family lived. “As the local history centre will have the #AskArchivists for Islington East 1906-1917, “I am hoping to come to has a number of Radford hashtag, will allow archivists are now in the Islington this talk and would be very documents, it will be and others on Twitter to get Local History Centre. interested to find out more marvellous to see this grow in contact with each other. about my great grandfather’s into a very valuable The find and a talk activities and his visit to collection on a man who An old-fashioned stink While clearing out a Budapest.” should be very much better pervades the library relative’s house, Sir George’s The papers include known. It is hugely exciting. great granddaughter Helen Radford’s diaries spanning “Many thanks to Helen If you think there’s a funny Morton came across a large over 40 years, travel journals, Morton for her very smell near the leaflet rack in collection of his papers. correspondence with some generous donation, to Tom your library, it could be the Ms Morton, who is well-known people, a lot of Lorman for putting Radford scratch ‘n’ sniff cards treasurer at Oxford’s family correspondence, his back on the map, and to advertising the Dirt: the Somerville College, saw that will and estate accounts, Mark Aston at the local filthy reality of everyday life, the IAHS was hosting a talk household receipts and history centre.” at the Wellcome Collection. about his visit to Hungary, accounts, books written by l See Trams under ground – The cards have panels that which she attended. family members and lots of the Hungarian connection, smell of an 18th century She wrote to the society:  photographs. page 10 tannery, pong de Paris, Marie Antoinette’s perfume and sewage sludge. Lovely. Community mural records nearly Presidential l See events, page 28 1,000 years of EC1 history address Historical architecture research bursary A mural telling the story of Vikki Ball of the Toffee EC1 from the 12th century Park Youth Project said: “For A postgraduate research to today has been unveiled the young people at Toffee bursary worth £10,000 a year at Toffee Park Youth Club. Park Youth Project, being over three years is being The 22m mural, designed involved in Making History offered by the Society of and guided by artist Belle has not only taught them Architectural Historians of Benfield, was painted by about the history of EC1 but Great Britain. Applications more than 30 young people has also encouraged to the Jonathan Vickers from the youth club, assisted involvement in creating a bursary have to be made  by a few older EC1 piece of their own history by 31 July. residents. – this fantastic new mural.” l www.sahgb.org.uk. The mural was the climax of a six-month project which Win somewhere to stay saw participants at three The Rt Hon Lord Smith of with Georgian Group community venues, Finsbury, IAHS president, including Toffee Park Youth reflected on Islington’s Prizes in the Georgian Club, exploring the history progressive spirit in his Group’s raffle this  of EC1 under the expert inaugural address to the year include a week’s guidance of Alex Smith from society. holiday accommodation  . Drawing on stories of in Venice, California, Lazio, Making History was politics, housing, health and the Swiss Alps, Chelsea or jointly organised by the  access to library books, he the Scottish Highlands. EC1 Wellbeing Project and said: “What the history of Tickets are £25 or £200  Toffee Park Youth Club and Islington tells us is that it for 10. The closing date is funded by NHS Islington has always has been the 31 August. and EC1 New Deal for Finsbury Health Centre features place of radical thought and l www.georgiangroup.org.uk Communities. on the mural at Toffee Park progressive ideas.”

4 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Spring 2011 Vol 1 No 2 Medieval walls Government planners reject ‘poor quality’ scheme uncovered to redevelop Egyptian-style former cinema

Archaeologists from the Plans to redevelop a grade II listed Egyptian-style art Archaeology and elsewhere deco cinema have been are unearthing medieval and thrown out by the planning later findings in Islington. inspectorate. The building at 49-50 St The government planning John’s Square EC1, in the inspector described the inner precinct of St John’s scheme proposed for the Priory, has medieval stone former Carlton cinema, walls surviving to ceiling which included a cinema, height in the basement. conference rooms and flats Recent work has included on top of the building, as lowering the basement  being of “poor quality” floor. This revealed another Islington council had 30cm of the bottom of the rejected the plans because medieval wall, which has of their effects on the been recorded. No building itself and on the archaeological deposits  conservation were found below the area. The proposals did not basement floor. include any affordable ‘An exotic reminder of dreams gone by’ At 3 and 19 Finsbury housing. Square, EC2, monitoring of The planning inspectorate l The Carlton cinema, knew the value of publicity. In trial pits in the basement said the developer would designed by renowned 1936, when the Carlton ran and a trench in the car park have to pay the council’s cinema architect George The Milky Way, he got a local has shown that the site had costs. Coles, opened on dairy to labels 6,000 bottles of been truncated to the The building closed as a 1 September 1930, with a milk with the message, “Take natural brickearth. A late cinema in 1972 and became screening of Welcome milk each day for health and medieval/early post- a Mecca bingo hall. It is on Danger. The ceremony was see The Milky Way at the medieval ditch and drain English Heritage’s buildings atttended by royalty and Carlton for Happiness”. found in the adjacent site of at risk register. Islington’s mayor. Tickets Chris Draper describes the 1-12 Finsbury Square The developer, the cost between 6d and 2s. building as “an exotic continued in the trench. Resurrection Manifestations The auditorium, with 2,248 reminder of dreams gone by”. In addition, a 19th century church, which bought the seats, was topped by a dome. l Source: Chris Draper, warehouse and stables are cinema three years ago, is There was a lounge with Islington’s Cinemas & Film being recorded in Wharfdale expected to submit a new palm trees on the first floor. Studios. See Publications, Road, N1. application. The manager, Mr Logan, page 25 Blue plaque for office copying pioneer

David Gestetner, the pioner Gestetner was born in He later of office copying technology, Csorna, Hungary, in 1854, applied this has been commemorated moving to London in 1879. system to with an English Heritage In 1881 he invented the typewriters. blue plaque at 124 Cyclostyle (see advert), a pen By 1900, New Park, his home from with a tiny sharp-toothed Gestetner 1898 until his death in 1939. rotating wheel that was used employed 100 Gestetner’s innovations in to make a perforated stencil, people at a factory in Cross office copying equipment through which ink was Street. The business expanded changed the landscape of forced to make copies. A and moved to Tottenham in the business and finance good-quality copy could be 1907, and remained open industries. They effectively produced in 10 seconds. until the 1980s. founded the modern office In the same year, His Highbury New Park and ended the role of City Gestetner started dates from around 1860. He David Gestetner outside 124 clerks, who were employed production under the name also lived for several years in

Highbury New Park circa 1905 to copy documents by hand. the Cyclostyle Company. nearby Ferntower Road. family archive de Schutenau/Gestetner Marcel

Journal of the Islington History & Archaeology Society Spring 2011 Vol 1 No 1 5 news In brief Planners fear money could override Funding to catalogue merit in ‘totally unacceptable’ move Sadler’s Wells collection The Islington Local History Councils will have to take There are concerns that change to the planning Centre has been awarded financial matters into cash-strapped councils system without any nearly £33,000 to catalogue account when deciding would grant consent to consultation at such a late its Sadler’s Wells collection. whether to give planning unsuitable projects if they stage in the passage of the Dating from the 1730s, this permission, if the localism came with large payments. localism bill.” represents all six theatres bill becomes law. The RTPI said the The Campaign to Protect that have occupied the site MPs voted in favour of government had Rural England said the since 1683. The papers making “any local finance backtracked on a move would have “hugely document how the threatre considerations” material in commitment made in damaging consequences for has survived as an aquatic planning application. February that planning local communities”. theatre, a music hall, a The Royal Town Planning decisions would continue to Director of policy Neil threatre for drama, opera Institute slammed the move be taken on the merits Sinden said: “Decisions and ballet, and in its current as “totally unacceptable”, rather than money. based on financial benefit, incarnation as a dance and Civic Voice said it rather than on whether venue. When completed, the would result in a “profound Finance appeal concerns proposed development is catalogue will be available change with far-reaching It is feared that, if a appropriate, could be hugely online and include images. consequences for the development was rejected damaging to the integrity of the planning because it was unsuitable,  environment and public More Islington heritage system and public a developer could appeal  confidence in planning. pages go online confidence in its decisions”. on the grounds that  “It also undermines the The RTPI said that a the council had not  fundamental principle that There are new heritage pages financial incentive – such as taken financial issues into planning decisions should on Islington’s website, with money from the new homes account. be in the long-term public event and exhibition listings, bonus or community RTPI President Richard interest.” guides to the Local History infrastructure payments Summers said: “We are The government has said Centre and information on from developers – could appalled the government  the clause does not change walks and past exhibitions. outweigh other factors, such is trying to introduce such  the law. The bill is now l www.islington.gov.uk/ as the views of local people a fundamental and being considered by the heritage or environmental concerns. potentially damaging House of Lords.

Rescued from a tip and more for the archives Local authorities turned a blind eye to Pathfinder’s The Local History Centre damaging potential to secure cash, says planner has acquired a seal from the of St Luke’s, which was rescued from a rubbish A scathing report on the renewal programme as tip, papers on the Save discontinued Pathfinder “secretive, top-down and Finsbury Town Hall scheme – which demonised target driven”. campaign of the late 1990s terrace houses as “obsolete” He said that the funds and the papers of Eric and left areas “half- made available to local Willats, Islington’s former demolished and derelict” – authorities to be involved in principal reference librarian. has been published by SAVE Pathfinder “distorted local Britain’s Heritage. democracy – councils chased Heritage degrees to The report, Housing the grant despite the cost over £8,000 Scandal! Pathfinder: a damaging terms”. Post-Mortem, is introduced “You can’t entirely blame Derelict shops and housing in Most universities in England by planner, Liverpool local authorities on, say Liverpool renewal area offering museum- and resident and member of Merseyside, for turning a heritage-related Liverpool Civic Society blind eye when up to silence… the main parties undergraduate degrees plan Jonathan Brown. £2.85bn of investment over acted as a ‘demolition to charge the maximum Jonathan Brown, a 15 years was promised by coalition’, afraid to bite  £9,000 a year from 2012. The planner, Liverpool resident the city-region’s New the hand that fed such riches, Museums Association survey and member of Liverpool Heartlands quango. and professional found that none planned to Civic Society, described the ”That kind of money buys independence was

Nigel Cox/Wikimedia Commons Nigel Cox/Wikimedia charge less than £8,000. Pathfinder housing market a lot of support, or at least compromised.”

6 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 Pooling the memories

A history and photography project about Ironmonger Row Baths is being recorded in time for the pool’s reopening in 2012. Polly Rodgers takes a dip into history

ronmonger Row Baths, just off Old Street, is London’s best pool for Swimming in History, according to Time Out magazine. IA major oral history and photography project – Plunging the sanitation of the working access to the slipper baths for into History – Stories from classes in . The pensioners and unemployed Ironmonger Row Baths and Beyond, washhouses were so successful people at 10am-1pm on Tuesday is being produced by Rowan that, two years later in 1846, and Wednesday. Arts, an Islington arts charity. parliamentary legislation “to Ironmonger Row Baths has This is documenting the baths’ encourage the establishment of undergone additions and cultural and historical public baths and washhouses” improvements over the years.  importance, and telling the was introduced. It closed in May last year for stories of dozens of people who In 1928, the borough carried refurbishment and is due to be have used the baths and know out a survey of local households reopened – restored to its former the surrounding area. and discovered that only 4% had glory – in time for the London baths of their own. Ironmonger Olympics in 2012. Early days Row Baths was built in response A book, website and exhibition In 1844, the Association for to this. It was not until after will be launched by Rowan Arts, Promoting Cleanliness among World War II that houses were alongside the reopening of the the Poor built a public routinely built with their own baths. The exhibition will tour washhouse and laundry for  bathrooms and laundry sinks. and 3,000 copies of the book will The first plans for a new public be given away at the opening. Top: the pool in baths and washhouse on The website is already up and use; left: Ironmonger Row were drawn up running, so the project can be washing troughs by Messrs Cross in 1902. They followed by visiting www. – wash houses were rejected on grounds of cost plungingintohistory.com. n were extremely and lay dormant until May 1928, l Although interviews are nearly successful; below: the pool when they were finally agreed. finished, Rowan Arts is keen to being drained so hear from people who have works can start Turkish baths and a laundry worked at the baths and those In 1931, in a major leap forward with exceptionally compelling in public sanitation, the council stories. It is also interested in opened public washhouses and historical photographs of the slipper baths, initially 41 slipper baths. If you can help, contact baths for women and 41 for men. [email protected]. In 1938, the extension was opened, which included the Polly Rodgers is assistant project swimming pool and Turkish leader on Plunging into History baths. The self-service laundry was opened later in 1960. l Sweltering Since 1938: Ironmonger Flyers from 1932 show Row and the Victorian Turkish Bath, Ironmonger Row offered free see Events, page 27, 17 June

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History & Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 7 Historical pictures: Islington Local History Centre; pool being drained: Ruth Corney Historical pictures: Islington Local History Centre; pool being drained: Letters and your questions

We welcome letters. Our researcher Michael Reading can answer your queries, so get in touch if you have a question – or can answer or add to anything mentioned here

Beale’s store remembered the new school was built. Education circular asked all renaming, only six of the 21 Thanks so much for the article Did the new build come London local education schools in Islington changed (Beale’s store of Holloway with the name of Islington authorities to review the their names, the rest opting Road, spring 2011, page 8). Green School then? names of their schools, to remove “street” or “road” The finished result is very If there are any readers particularly those using the from their names. high quality indeed. I do who were at the school name of a thoroughfare, The Friends Reunited hope that the comments during this period, I would since this was thought to website has many entries that you receive from your like to hear from them, via carry a “council school from old pupils who refer to members are favourable. the journal. stigma”. This definition was both Tudor School and Tudor We have many guests every As a canal boat owner, not elaborated on. Rose School. week at West Lodge Park due to come through Renaming was carried out Hotel reminiscing about their London via the Regent’s on a large scale. Managers Office name puzzle wedding or other special canal this summer, I was of groups of schools were I was surprised to see a occasion that they celebrated very interested in the asked to suggest new names modern office block in at Beale’s in Holloway. Regency transport article. for consideration by Road bearing the Thank you once again. Many thanks for your time. education committees. In nameplate Whittles House. Andrew Beale WG Goodwin most cases, they sought the Since this is my surname Managing director, Beales [email protected] advice of the head teachers and I am unaware of any Hotels and local interests before other person bearing that www.bealeshotels.co.uk Michael Reading writes: submitting proposals. name, I am curious to know l See page 12 I will answer the second With the above in mind, I if the name has any local part of your enquiry first. suggest a possibility for the historical significance. Queen’s Head Street School: Queen’s Head Street name change. The Queen’s Robert Whittles why the name change? School originally consisted Head public house at 44 [email protected] I am hoping that, through of two school buildings. Essex Road was rebuilt after the channels of the journal, These were a graded school the previous building was Michael Reading writes: somebody can help me in for boys and girls age 7-13, demolished in 1829. This Whittles House is at my research. built in 1886 and bordered had been there from early  14 Pentonville Road, about The journal for spring  by Queen’s Head Street and in the 18th century. 50 yards in from its eastern of 2011 seems to have Rheidol Terrace/Prebend end, near to the Angel and surpassed itself in content Street, and an infants’ school on the north side of the – it’s brilliant. It ticks all the built in 1887, bordered by Schools named after street left of Angel Mews. boxes for me! Queen’s Head Street and a road were thought I have looked through  On to my enquiry. The Raleigh Street. Between the all the various records I have item on Dame Alice Owen’s two buildings were the to carry a “council on Islington and have School reminded me of my playgrounds. school stigma” searched the internet but, school days at Queen’s After the war, the graded unfortunately, cannot find Head Street Secondary school became the Tudor any reference to the naming Modern in Islington. Secondary School. It was Like the Old Pied Bull in of Whittles House. I am hoping that some demolished in 1962 to make on the corner I have, however, emailed readers might be able to way for a new, much larger of Theberton Street, it was the building’s owner, a shed some light on my building which opened in linked with Sir Walter company called Derwent enquiries. 1965 as Raleigh, hence nearby London, asking if they  I attended the school from School. The school was Raleigh Street. He may have have any record of the  around 1947 to 1952 when I renamed the used the old inn, or granted origin of this name, as the left to start work. Can anyone Academy in September 2008. it a licence – a building building was erected in the tell me when it changed to I have not been able to seems to have been standing late 1980s. Tudor Rose Secondary establish why the name was there at the time of Queen If I receive a reply, I will Modern and why the name? changed to Tudor Secondary Elizabeth l. The queen was contact you again. It is I would also like to know School in 1951, but the the last Tudor monarch. I unfortunate that your the year that the boys’ following may offer a clue. stress that this is conjecture. enquiry cannot be answered school was demolished and In 1949, a Ministry of At the time of the to your satisfaction.

8 Journal of the Islington History & Archaeology Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 Street ancestors Congratulations on the  “new look” journal and its fascinating content, as ever. In your last issue, Pete Fanning enquired after a plaque at 26A Barnsbury Street (Seeking an engraved tablet, spring 2011, page 7). Whilst I know nothing of the plaque, I can tell you my mother’s great-uncle Mark Heslop and his wife Anne (née Holt) lived and worked at the address when he was a Poor Law relieving officer between 1921 and 1929. Bob Rogers London

Parish at Poole’s Park You were previously asked Edwardian postcard showing the interior of St Anne’s in Poole’s Park. See Parish at Poole’s Park, left about St Anne’s Church in Poole’s Park (summer 2009, page 21). Islington typographer William (transcript below). and that of the Union Chapel, The Edwardian postcard Caslon (Caslon’s blue plaque We invite any of your we are Very Respectfully Yours (pictured) was sent by my missing, spring 2011, page 7). members, should they be in Thomas Russell grandfather, William Henry English Heritage has responded: London, to visit the Union President of the Pilgrim Society Smith, who was vicar’s The blue plaques team have Chapel and see this fragment. Hon J Danforth S--- warden at the church, to his checked and it seems the I can also talk about the of the Pilgrim Society daughter Millicent, my plaque has been encased architecture of the building. mother. behind a new fascia. We’re I am copying my greetings Thank you for your kind The church was badly looking into whether they to you to the Rev Karen invitation to visit Union damaged by fire bombs or needed to get planning Stallard, minister, and Dr Chapel and a far-flung piece blast in 1940s. My mother permission to do this but in Thomas Lorman, a historian of Plymouth Rock. You have and I were ourselves thrice the mean time it seems that at University College London, a wide-ranging events at the bombed out during that the simplest explanation is who has kindly offered to chapel. What an exciting use autumn, first from Isledon the owner has decided to join me in welcoming visitors. of your space! Wish I could be Road and later from Andover cover it up. Andrew Gardner there for Fairport Convention. Road, Finsbury Park. Do let your reader know Assistant to the minister and I will file your message; as My son took some that they can contact me deacons, Union Chapel we approach the 400th photographs,of the parish directly for an update. anniversary of the Pilgrims’ when it was being Ellen Harrison In accordance with a vote of arrival, we are working on demolished in the late 1960s English Heritage the Pilgrim Society we take projects and events leading to make way for the Six l Ellen Harrison’s details have pleasure in forwarding to you up to 2020 and will want to Acres Estate (see page 23). been passed to Margaret Busgith for the Union Chapel at spread the word to the UK. Marcellus Road was near the Islington, a piece of “Plymouth Please get in touch if old Hornsey Road School Plymouth Rock and a Rock” and in certifying that it anyone from Union Chapel (now Montem School), the Massachusetts invitation is a fragment of the rock upon will be in Plymouth. I would towers of which can be seen IAHS chairman Andrew which our Pilgrim Forefathers be happy to share Plymouth in one of the photographs. Gardner has been forging links first landed in December 1620. Rock and the Pilgrim Hall My mother’s family moved with the Pilgrim Society in We are glad that there are Museum exhibits. to the parish of St Anne’s Massachusetts. Here is an edited those in Old England who prize Ann Berry church from Lady Margaret extract of the correspondence: such a memento of the faith Executive director, The Pilgrim Road in Tufnell Park in 1894. The Union Chapel in and character of the fathers of Society & Pilgrim Hall Museum, Doris Evelyn Lea Islington, London, has New England, and with all Plymouth, MA Lindfield, West Sussex a cherished fragment of good wishes for your welfare www.pilgrimhall.org Plymouth Rock which  Caslon’s blue plaque hidden was sent as a gift from  Write to us at [email protected] or c/o 6 Northview, IAHS member Margaret the Pilgrim Society, Mass,  Tufnell Park Road, London N7 0QB. If you do not want Busgith contacted us about the in 1883. The letter that your address printed, let us know blue plaque commemorating accompanied it is framed

Journal of the Islington History & Archaeology Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 9 Trams might never have run under the Thames without the tenacity of Islington MP George Radford and his inspiration from a controversial Trams below visit to Hungary, writes Thomas Lorman ground…

n 1906, the Eighty Club, a nonconformists. He established radical pressure group the highly successful legal founded by some of the practice of Radford and Liberal Party’s younger MPs, Frankland in Chancery Lane, sent a delegation of 12 MPs which specialised in commercial Iand 25 others to Hungary. This law, attracting international clients. included the MP for Islington Radford decided to seek election East, Sir George Haynes Radford. on a platform of municipal Although the delegation was reform. Aware that his radical welcomed with lavish receptions, politics and nonconformist elsewhere in Europe there was theology were unlikely to endear concern about its political effect. him to the voters of Surrey Hungary was an autonomous where he lived, he stood in …the part of the Habsburg monarchy Islington. Here, nonconformism and the visit by members of had a firm foothold and voters Britain’s governing Liberal party more likely to support him. was seen by some as a quasi- He was elected in 1885, 1888, Hungarian official British endorsement of 1901 and 1904 to represent West Hungarian demands for full Islington on the London County independence from Vienna. Council. He was a persuasive and Prime minister Henry witty speaker who took his connection Campbell-Bannerman privately responsibilities seriously. denounced the club as an However, he became frustrated “unauthorised and irresponsible by the political infighting that body intruding itself into a bedevilled the LCC and by difficult sphere” and asked his parliament’s determination to Above: the tram believer in votes for all and a strong foreign secretary to consider regard itself as the supreme body subway at critic of the right of the House of “whether any action should be governing local affairs in London. Kingsway; after Lords to veto legislation. These taken” to reprimand the club for In an address to voters, Radford it opened in policies were the opposite of those 1908, travelling its visit (National Archives). said parliament had “taken a espoused by his Hungarian hosts. by tram from In addition, the visit gained a wanton pleasure in thwarting Angel to Moreover, on the issue of the whiff of scandal when some of the wishes of the people of Kennington took day that bore best comparison the delegation were accused of London” and that London MPs 50 minutes with Hungarian demands for drunken behaviour, smoking at were “obscure persons who are greater autonomy – the Irish dinner and visiting a brothel for the most part indifferent to Question – Radford, unlike many (Bridge, 1972; National Archives). the affairs of London” (1904). of his liberal colleagues, firmly As well as showing political In 1906, he was elected MP for opposed Home Rule, insisting naivety and the perils of lavish Islington East. Within four the government must “preserve diplomatic receptions, the visit months, he had joined the Eighty intact the supremacy of the can be seen as the last hurrah of Club delegation to Hungary. Imperial parliament” (Radford). liberal British sentiment that had Yet it was not his political There is no evidence that viewed Hungary favourably since convictions that encouraged him Radford was, before his visit, a the 1848 revolutions when the to sign up for the visit. Radford Hungarophile. Neither his public “plucky” Hungarians seized the was a defender of free trade, a firm speeches nor his private mantle of reform against the scrapbooks reveal any interest in “reactionary” Habsburgs. The foreign affairs. However, he had subsequent economic boom had visited America, north Africa and turned Budapest into one of Radford ran for parliament in the much of Europe. It was more Europe’s most dynamic cities. hopes of breaking the likely he decided to join the visit because of his love of travel. To parliament and beyond Conservatives’ legislative logjam As someone who had often Radford was born in 1851 to a stopping tram modernisation visited the western part of the well-connected family of Habsburg monarchy, and could

10 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 probably speak German, it was Sir George parliament ensured that there likely he would have welcomed Radford MP: would be no further veto of the the opportunity to see the would have funds for its construction. eastern Hungarian areas. disagreed with On 24 February 1906, the first with many of As far as we can tell, he electrified tram route in north Hungary’s thoroughly enjoyed the visit. On policies, but London, between Angel and occasion, he was quite overblown was inspired by Holborn and powered by the in his praise, declaring, for its public conduit system, was inaugurated; example, that “the Thames is… transport system on 10 April 1908, the Kingsway compared to the Danube a mere subway was officially opened. rivulet” (The Eighty Club, 1907). Islingtonians were now able to go south of the river easily and Mass transit model for London rapidly on trams that remained Radford had a more practical in use until 1952. It took less reason for wishing to visit than 50 minutes to go from Hungary. Hungary, like several Islington to Kennington. other European countries and and practicality; their colleagues Radford remained an MP until the US, had mass transport in parliament had, between 1902 his death in 1917. He was systems that would serve as a and 1906, voted down six bills awarded a knighthood for his model for the modernisation of that would have provided services to London. London’s own tram network. authorisation and funding. Sir George’s contention that In particular, Radford and his Radford’s anger about this Londoners could draw inspiration liberal LCC colleagues argued obstructionism had led him to from Budapest would not be that London needed to replace run for parliament in 1906 in the repeated by later politicians. its horse-drawn trams with hopes of breaking the legislative From 1907, both Liberal and electric ones and build a line logjam (Dunbar, 1975). Conservative elements of the across the Thames, connecting He knew that the LCC had British press became more critical Islington and north London to sent several experts to Budapest of Hungary’s political elite. The the tramlines of south London. to report on the tram network’s tragedies of the 20th century – war The Hungarian capital, “conduit system of electrical and dictatorship of both the right Budapest, served as a template traction”. The Eighty Club visit and the left – ensured that British for these ambitious plans. It was provided, in Radford’s words,  parliamentary delegations would the first city in Europe to electrify an opportunity to apply “the no longer visit Hungary in search its tram network fully in 1887. comparative method to our of comparisons and inspiration. It had avoided unsightly municipal problems” by seeing first None the less, the stone walls overhead cables by adopting a hand how a modern tram network and iron railings of the Kingsway conduit system where electricity functioned (Eighty Club, 1907). subway still serve as a visible was supplied via a tram rail. This reminder of a more fruitful period system had allowed Budapest – as ‘Bold, wise and progressive’ in Anglo-Hungarian relations. it did Boston and New York – to During the visit, Radford made They are also a monument to build a tramline directly under its one speech – to Budapest’s the vital role that the cross-river grandest avenue, Andrássy Út, in municipal council. The focus  tram played in improving 1896 (Radford). This subway is of this was, unsurprisingly, the transport for Londoners and to the now part of the Budapest metro Budapest tram system. Liberal councillors and MPs who and is called Metro 1. He said that public transport  made it a reality, first among them London’s cross-river tram in Budapest could and should Sir George Heynes Radford. n would require a subway, based on serve as a model for London’s Budapest’s, under the grand new development, praised the rapid Dr Thomas Lorman is lecturer in avenues of Kingsway and the electrification of the Budapest history, School of Slavonic and East Strand. (The Kingsway tunnel tram network, urged his European Studies, University was also inspired by Boston’s audience to continue to expand College London Tremont Street subway.) and modernise their transport References Horse-drawn trams or infrastructure and expressed his Bridge FRR (1972) Great Britain and Austria-Hungary. overhead cables would not have general admiration that they A Diplomatic History. London: 26 been suitable, so a slightly administered their civic affairs  Dunbar CS (1975) London’s Tramway Subway. London: LTRL: 3-6 modified version of the Budapest “in a bold, wise and progressive The Eighty Club (1907) Hungary, its People, Places and Cities. The Visit of The Eighty Club in 1906. London: The Eighty Club. conduit system was required. spirit” (Eighty Club, 1907). The Election Address of Messrs Goodman and Radford and the The Conservative Party’s We do not know the extent of Story of the Fifth (1904) Islington Local members on the LCC had Radford’s involvement in History Centre, YX079/RAD persistently objected to the ensuring the cross-river tram Foreign Office Records, 371/8-140. London: National Archives Foreign Office Records, 800/40. London: National Archives modernisation of the tram was built after he returned to Radford. Scrapbook. London Metropolitan Archives, F/RFD, 3

network on the grounds of cost London. However, his efforts in (unnumbered) Note: three scrapbooks available. Islington Local History Centre

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History & Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 11 Victorian values

Victorian records of Beale’s store show a wealth of social history – and some fraternal fighting. Its founder continued to come up with ideas, including a bread patent and cakes by post

rom the year 1866, aged men in whiskers and a when Grandfather spurious kind of uniform of the purchased his jumbo- Edwardian Age. Saxophones and sized Testimonial Book, drums give way, alas, to the the Beales have been “recorded music” of today. Flavish in their expenditure on Daimler motorcars take the large leather-bound books to place of horse-drawn wedding record their doings. carriages. Dramatic monologues. These massive volumes have patriotic songs, magic lanterns, been so obviously expensive that, and Punch and Judy give way to over the years, no humble more sophisticated entertainment. William Beale, between the sections. For member of the staff has ever had World wars and depressions Beale’s founder, example, in transferring meat from the courage to throw them away. reduce bookings to a trickle. with his wife the butcher’s shop to the kitchens, They are now guarded by the Peace, coronations and jubilees Christina: he William’s son Archibald would signed all author of this history as jealously bring back the flood. A wealth of exact as high a price as possible. company as are the Elgin Marbles by the social history lies in the banquet cheques, “being Thomas would regard the Trustees of the British Museum, diaries of Beale’s of Holloway. unable to trust charge as scandalous, and and take up almost as much space. The minute books too are not his sons and the maintained that the kitchens were without entertainment. Much company being supplied with all the rubbish Banquet diaries treasured is the original book, secretary not that his brother was unable to The banquet diaries stretch back with the richly comical hand- to run off with sell to the general public. to 1887. They were regarded as written entries of the company the cash the These disputes were recorded sacred both during the period of secretary, a broad-speaking minute his back by Beesley Ridehalgh for the was turned” actual use and for ever after. The Lancastrian named Beesley benefit of posterity. Whatever the older copies are only referred to Ridehalgh – “Beastly Ride-a- auditors might have to say, each when a customer nostalgically horse” as we children called him. of the directors believed that his tells us he believes that his From the minute book we learn departments, and his alone, kept great-grandmother’s wedding that the board met on the the company from bankruptcy. was held at Holloway or at the thirteenth day of each month to old Athenaeum. authorise payments. Cheques were We can then tell him exactly signed by two of the directors, one he nineteenth century was what was paid for the Scotch of whom had to be William the drawing to a close. The salmon and the game pie, what First – he being unable to trust his Tlong reign of William the type and what quantity of sons and the company secretary First, like that of Queen Victoria. champagne was consumed, and not to run off with the cash the did not long survive it. William perhaps what musical items the minute his back was turned. had been something of a three-piece orchestra played The auditors provided an perfectionist. The premises he during the reception. Sometimes annual profit and loss account built, the equipment he put into he brings us a fossilised piece of for each of the departments – them, the goods he sold, and the her actual wedding cake, which right down to the last halfpenny. staff he employed, all were of the we dutifully sample and pretend The results invariably led to best quality he could buy. to enjoy. quarrels over the charges made He possessed imagination, The diaries reflect the changing enthusiasm and energy, and was fashions of the years. Flutes, prepared to spend his money piccolos, and harps, in the Orders for cakes poured in from all freely on new projects and orchestras supplied, give way to experiments, not all of which, the cornets and trombones of parts of the country and also from naturally, were successful. Beale’s famous Military Band, abroad, tropical countries included A fine new canopied entrance – consisting of fifteen middle- to the Assembly Rooms, a

12 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 reception room, cloakroom and  a new despatch were built. More News in brief houses down Tollington Road were added one by one, their gardens quickly swallowed up  Hornsey hits 40 tunnel staged by the expanding bakeries. In 1897 William patented a Information on all nationally method of making germ bread, designated heritage assets has of a kind similar to that of Hovis. been made available at one place Beale’s “Triagon” bread was still for the first time. being produced in small English Heritage’s National quantities when I joined the firm Heritage List for England brings in 1925. It may have provided together information on listed valuable vitamins for the few buildings, scheduled loyal food-faddists still surviving, monuments, registered parks, but in my opinion it was gardens and battlefields and practically uneatable. It protected wreck sites, as well as disappeared soon after my arrival. World Heritage Site records. l http://list.english-heritage.org.uk One leaflet, one hundred cakes In 1902 William conceived the Two saved for now idea of a nation-wide mail order business in Beale’s cakes. A Athlone House (pictured), a four-page leaflet was printed at Victorian mansion on considerable expense, with a Hampstead Heath, has been hundred varieties of the company’s reprieved from demolition. cakes illustrated in colour. The planning inspectorate At still further expense one of rejected proposals to replace the these leaflets was inserted into 1892 house with a new building every copy of the Strand Magazine, that would encroach on a popular national monthly. Metropolitan Open Land. The Orders poured in from all parts of owners now plan to produce a the country and from abroad as similar design with a smaller well, tropical countries included! footprint. The whole idea was ridiculous. A five-storey building in Chalk For sending out perishable Farm, believed to be the 19th foodstuffs by His Majesty’s parcel century Chappell piano factory, post, the despatch department has been saved from demolition had available only greaseproof and will now be refurbished. paper, wood shavings, cardboard IAHS member Roy Hidson has boxes and string. I shudder to passed us a copy of an 1824 think of the condition of our programme of the Theatre Royal cakes arriving in summertime at in Newcastle for 2 August 1824, Calcutta or Hong Kong. advertising: “the operatic Not surprisingly trade dropped burlesque Tragedy of Highgate off as quickly as it started, and Tunnel; or The Secret Arch.” happily no deaths were reported Characters included: John at home or abroad. But the Larkins, landlord of the Horns in occasional order for a “Shamrock Highgate; Jerry Grout an Gateau” continued to arrive for honourable bricklayer, lover and years after the advertisement, tunnelleer; and Mum Chance, a from lonely Irishmen exiled in perfidious plaisterer [sic], his various parts of our far-flung Half century HADAS enraged rival. empire. The scheme was William’s Pubs in the play have names last “folie de grandeur”. n Hendon and District such as the Mouse and Mopstick, Archaeological Society is Cat and Bagpipes, Wig and Water Many thanks to Andrew Beale, celebrating its 50th anniversary Spaniel and Hog in Armour. William’s great-great grandson, for with an afternoon party on 7 There is finally “a desperate allowing us to reproduce this August at Avenue House, 17 Battle Between the Tunnelleers second extract from Minding Our East End Road, N3 8QE. If you’d and Landlords, mounted. A Own Business, the history of Beale’s like to go, contact Jo Nelhams on hideous crash! Tunnel falls, and of Holloway, by John Beale 020 8449 7076 by mid July. destroys all the combatants.”

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History & Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 13 Beneath the rails

Islington has a great view of much of the archaeology around King’s Cross and St Pancras. Lester Hillman takes the train across Kent to see its archaeology and review a new study

slington has had a grand- – or just a few minutes if you take stand view of much of the the high-speed DVD route. At archaeological work going intervals along the way, it pauses on around King’s Cross and to assess the wider geographical St Pancras stations. The significance of the finds. It charts a Irelocation of buildings associated fascinating archaeological journey. with rail and gas infrastructure There are surface structures in continues to shape vistas. Islington nearby, such as the vent As the archaeology train pulls shaft in Corsica Street, although out of St Pancras, Tracks & Traces this publication does not refer devotes six pages to the works in directly to Islington. the churchyard around St Rachel Starling, environment Pancras Old Church. manager at HS1’s HQ in Collier High Speed 1 (HS1) – the Street, heads the list of people Islington firm that runs the who helped to bring HS1 to high-speed rail line from St fruition. Pancras – commissioned Tracks & Like HS1, Eurostar has its Traces: Archaeology of High Speed headquarters in Islington, at the Excavations at Rail Link – Intro; 14: 12, 448- No 1. This book and DVD chart the Regent Quarter complex north of Somers Town 465). Kent’s archaeology was fascinating archaeology uncovered Pentonville Road. Goods Yard; the also celebrated in a booklet two pictures with the construction of the published when section 1 of the above right high-speed rail link between Out across Kent show museum rail link was completed in 2003. London and the continent. It is now more than a decade of London Two years ago, archaeological The book hurtles down the since early reports about the archaeologists highlights featured in Team Work, 109km route to the Channel archaeological work in Kent excavating the two volumes that chart the Tunnel, accomplishing the journey appeared in Current Archaeology 19th century completion of HS1 (published by in 100 lavishly illustrated pages (Glass (2000) Channel Tunnel railway tracks Merrell Publishers in 2008 for London & Continental Railways). In 2009, an exhibition of archaeology was held in Human history This coffin plate was in the Ebbsfleet International Station uncovered 2009 exhibition in Ebbsfleet, (see box, left). Items from King’s which is now 17 minutes along Cross dating from the 18th and the track from King’s Cross. 19th centuries were displayed, It reads: “Mrs Jane Dancer alongside casts of 400,000-year- Died 14 March 1798 Aged 31.” old elephant remains found in She was buried at St Pancras  north Kent. a few months after Mary The brochure that Wollstonecraft, who died  accompanied that exhibition in 1797. began an archaeological journey Made of fragile metal, the “leaving St Pancras and passing plate is one of about 150 through a tunnel beneath the recovered. These plates  streets of inner London...”. link names and dates to The latest volume traces that relatively modest burials and journey in more detail. It will, no remains which can lead to  doubt, be revisited, with new rare insights. excursions being incorporated. l See Out across Kent. above Further specialist academic

Coffin plate: Lester Hillman; Somers Town dig: © Museum of London Archaeology dig: © Museum of London Town Coffin plate: Lester Hillman; Somers papers are due to be published.

14 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 More digging Construction pressures at associated sites, capitalising on the HS1 connectivity, are also yielding archaeological dividends. In the vicinity of Islington is the long-term development of King’s Cross Central, on the former railway lands straddling York Way. The King’s Cross Construction Skills Centre further along York Way in Islington opened in March 2009. It offers young people an excellent place to gain heritage construction skills. The Royal Town Planning Construction staff outnumbered Institute Award for Heritage, Eurostar trains have been sponsored by English Heritage, running in and out of St Pancras went to the new rail link in 2008. since November 2007. Along Specialist contractors were with the domestic 2012 Javelin appointed, and a heritage trains, they cross Islington in induction programme was run tunnels more than 20m down. for 500 staff at St Pancras. The bigger picture offered by this archaeology study is unique. It Digging before research is a 109km slice through the south The United Kingdom Centre  east and the volume explores the for Medical Research and – to see works in progress, view interface with thousands of years Innovation is to occupy a site an exhibition and learn more of human activity. alongside St Pancras about how young people and Helen Glass, in the International. It has proved local communities were being introduction, describes the scale: controversial, mainly because the encouraged to become involved. “At the peak of the site had been earmarked for The objective on this site has archaeological fieldwork, there affordable housing. been to find out more about the were over a hundred The site, which extends over steam engines and pressurised archaeologists working along the several acres, is the subject of water equipment used to power route… when construction archaeology interest. the heavy machinery. For more officially started in 1998, there Just before Easter there were information, call 0800 028 6731 were more archaeologists on site opportunities – which I took up or email [email protected]. than construction workers.” In the foreword, Julian Richards, familiar on TV as a broadcaster on archaeology, highlights the recognition given for setting exemplary standards of archaeological practice. The acknowledgements list eight archaeology teams, specialist advisers and contractors, and some of the 100 or so individual archaeologists. The IAHS is looking at hosting an evening presentation about the work by an Islington-based company located at the end of a priceless archaeological seam. n l Tracks & Traces. £15 for book and DVD. IC Art and Design Limited, 58 Lamb’s Conduit Street, WC1N 3LW. Print run of 1,000 copies. Available from Amazon, Blackwell’s, Waterstone’s and other retailers.

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History & Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 15 Shows of strength in workers’ unity

From trade union campaign materials, pressure group pamphlets and political publications to records of individual workers, the Trades Union Congress Library holds a wealth of information going back to 1860. Christine Coates delves into the archives

rom its foundation in former colonies, plus a number Women’s Trade Union League. 1868, the Trades Union of deposited archives, including The joint library remained in Congress has been those of the Workers’ Educational existence until 1956, when the involved in the creation Association and the Labour TUC moved out of Transport of the welfare state and Research Department. House in Westminster for its Fpublic health, education and The library was established in current home, Congress House in social services. It has helped to 1922 as part of a joint TUC- Bloomsbury, taking what it ensure legal rights in employment Labour Party research and considered as its half of the library. and an end to discrimination. information department, managed In the 1990s, it was decided to The Labour Party was set up by by a committee of representatives deposit the TUC Library in a the TUC so that working people from both organisations and university where its holdings could have their own chaired by Sidney Webb. would be accessible to academics representatives in parliament. It brought together books, and the general public and, in The TUC has played an pamphlets, periodicals and other 1997, the library was reopened at important role in international material collected from the 1860s London Metropolitan University affairs, and union representatives onwards by the TUC Parliamentary as the TUC Library Collections. have sat on public bodies and Committee, the Labour Party The TUC retained its ownership government advisory boards at Information Bureau and the of the library and continues to national and international level. add material on a regular basis. The TUC Library documents this rich history and is a major Academics to family historians research resource for the study of The library receives a wide range all aspects of trade unions, lifelong of enquiries. These are from not learning and people at work. only researchers – academics The library collects not only from the UK and overseas – but trade union and political also from the media, national and publications from the UK and local government, trade unions overseas, but also official and and local and family historians. pressure group publications as Local history resources, well as material from campaigns including primary sources for and policy areas in which the Islington’s history, can be found TUC has been involved. in the publications of local The emphasis is on British labour movement bodies such as material, but most countries are the Islington Trades Council, or represented, especially those in in special collections with major Europe, North America and the Top: Mary Macarthur addresses a demonstration in local content, such as the 1926 Commonwealth. There are special Trafalgar Square over the Corruganza box makers’ strike General Strike Collection, which collections on women workers in 1908. Above: demonstration on Copenhagen Fields in has reports from local councils  and the labour movement in the 1834 supporting the Tolpuddle Martyrs of action.

16 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 Over the past 10 years, the collections have undertaken a See the collections major digitisation programme, and images from their holdings For information on the TUC Library Collections, can be seen on The Union Makes see www.londonmet.ac.uk/tuc . Us Strong, The Workers’ War: Home Front Recalled and, most The library is open to visitors, 9.15am-4.45pm, recently, the Winning Equal Pay: Monday-Friday. To make an appointment, the Value of Women’s Work telephone 020 7133 3726, fax 020 7133 2529 or websites (see box, right). email [email protected]

Two centuries of social history Archives online The Union Makes Us Strong l The Union Makes Us Strong: presents a history of the British www.unionhistory.info trade union movement since the l The Workers’ War: Home Front Recalled: development of organised labour www.unionhistory.info/workerswar in the early 19th century. l Winning Equal Pay: the Value of Women’s Work: Introduced by a timeline of www.unionhistory.info/equalpay nearly 200 years of social history Over 6,200 copies of this 1934 illustrated with digitised poster were distributed All images are from the TUC Library Collections newspapers, photographs, posters and documents, the site also includes several themed learning packages: l The fully searchable digital Ernest Bevin and Will Thorne, to l The General Strike collection copies of the TUC annual name but a few. The reports tell l All 1,700 pages of the original congress reports from 1868- the story of how the trade manuscript of the novel The 1968 provide a major source  union movement responded to Ragged Trousered Philanthropists for academic researchers. The war, the Russian Revolution, by Robert Tressell, voted one of 18,000 pages are filled with the the depression of the 1930s, the nation’s 100 best-loved voices of giants of the British the social revolution of the books in the BBC’s 2003 Big labour movement – Keir Hardie, 1960s – and how a motion at Read event and an influential the 1899 Congress by the classic of working-class literature. Railway Servants led to the Islington Bulletin, 12 May 1926. l The Register of the 1888 Bryant formation of the Labour Party. n Under the The Islington Front & May Matchworkers’ Strike headline: “Holloway Busmen: with personal details of all 700 Everything favourable. Position Christine Coates is librarian, TUC individual strikers, plus related unchanged. Men’s motto: Library Collections, London images and documents. SOLIDARITY SPELLS SUCCESS.” Metropolitan University

Islington burials: do you recognise any names?

Hundreds of coffin plates were recovered from the Islington Green burial ground. Do you recognise any of the names or addresses? They were provided by Derek Seeley of the Museum of London, an IAHS committee member. If you recognise any, contact him at at [email protected]

Patterson Sarah female 1823 iron  Payne Joseph male 1845 iron 1 Jul 54 Bath Street, St Lukes Payton (Paton) Margarett female 1852 iron 25 Apr 11 Lower Queen Street, Lower Road, Islington Pe(nny) Thomas male 1851 iron 6 Aug Lower Smith Street, (Thos Wm.) Peace Henry male 1830 iron  Peak Emma female 1827 iron  Pearce (Pearne) Mally? female 1833 iron 7 Mar City Arms, City Road Pearl (Joseph) male 1848 iron 25 Oct James’s Buildings, Liverpool Rd, Islington Pearson Mary Ann female 1828 iron  Peartree William George male 1852 iron 15 Jun 14 James’s Buildings, Clerkenwell Pennett (Pennat) Margaret female 1852 iron 17 Oct Georges Terrace, White Conduit Fields Perkins James male 1838 iron 4 Mar Belvidere Road, Lambeth Perry Henry William male 1837 brass 5 Jul Spencer Street, Clerkenwell Peter Edmund male 1845 brass 5 Aug 4 Cloudesley Street, Islington Peterkin? James male 1821? iron 

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History & Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 17 A different view of a familiar city

Artist and writer Geoffrey Fletcher was fascinated by the off-beat side of London, and only too aware that the city’s landscape was changing rapidly. Nina Hymans looks back at the Islington enthusiast’s life and works

drawings to its London Day by a personal reflection or an Day column, written under the anecdote as accompaniment to pseudonym Peterborough. his drawings. Fletcher also wrote many His work was enjoyed and books. The London Nobody encouraged by those eager to see , 1973 Knows, his most well-known a different way of looking at a book, was published in 1962  familiar city and also by those and made into a documentary opposed to the changing eoffrey Fletcher film featuring the British actor landscapes of London. (1923-2004) was a James Mason in 1967 (see Developments in construction renowned artist, review, opposite). works were happening so author, connois- This is no ordinary guidebook quickly during the building seur of off-beat – Fletcher leads the reader on boom that there was often a GLondon and Islington enthusiast. tours around London to the melancholy in Fletcher’s writing Born in Bolton on 3 April 1923, overlooked corners he found  as he acknowledged that, even he arrived in London in the so intriguing. He often would between the writing and summer of 1945 to study at the impart a snippet of history,  publication of his works,  Slade School of Art. During this period, he lived in the attic of a boarding house in Bloomsbury and it was from Geoffrey Fletcher’s there that Fletcher discovered a London overlooked. He Islington: embarked day and night on Impressions in Time sketching expeditions, drawn  to the unusual and eccentric sights off the tourist track –  Islington Local History Centre, more interested in drawing  Until 28 June, free on the hoof than attending formal classes. “Islington, like St Paul’s, is something In 1950, Fletcher’s drawings that has to be seen for oneself: in fact it  began to appear beside articles is a total experience, requiring all the in the Manchester Guardian (now senses and all the faculties”  The Guardian), depicting Geoffrey Fletcher’s London (1968) buildings and sights that were being proposed for change, a A unique opportunity to experience result of the postwar Islington history through the eyes of reconstructions put into action Geoffrey Fletcher. by the London County Council. Islington Local History Centre, 245 John He was taken on by The Daily Street, London EC1V 4NB Telegraph in 1958 and, for the 020 7527 2837 [email protected]

All images: Islington Local History Centre next 30 years, contributed

18 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 Above: St Luke’s Hospital, 1960; right: 53 and 54 , 1984; below left, Geoffrey Fletcher in 1970

the places he described could be chapters of his written work gone or changed forever. featuring the borough. From the early days of his He loved the architecture of London wanderings, Fletcher the borough and recording developed favourite places to Islington people going about visit. These locations became the their day-to-day lives, shopping seemed to possess an air of studied and researched subjects down , playing comfort to Fletcher as he often of his artwork and books. One  in the arcade on Upper Street wrote that it was when he felt of the most important to him and eating at Manze’s Eel and “low in spirits” he most was Islington. Pie Shop. His recording of required the familiarity that His love for Islington is Islington buildings, some now Islington offered. n recorded in the many artworks in gone, greatly enriches our visual the Geoffrey Fletcher collection history of the area now and for Nina Hymans is collections held at Islington Local History the future. assistant at Islington Local Centre and the numerous More than anything, Islington History Centre

Review: The London Nobody Knows

This short film of London in 1967, grand music hall in Camden High is now the height of fashionable available to borrow on DVD from Street, then in a state of sad living for artists. Islington libraries, is about as far as dereliction and awaiting demolition. The film ends with a wrecking ball it’s possible to get from the swinging The film offers some gripping swinging and Mason reminding us London of contemporary films like insights into the London of the time, that “most of Victorian London was Blow Up and Smashing Time. but cannot decide whether it is fairly hideous” and that “modern The London Nobody Knows, based on documentary or funny. monstrosities” would one day suffer a book by Geoffrey Fletcher and There are jarring leaps from the same fate. narrated by actor James Mason in an surrealistic attempts to imitate what Coupled on the DVD is Les accent that now sounds quaintly would once have gone on in an “egg Bicyclettes des Belsize, another short, is posh, concerns the bombed-out or breaking factory” to interviews with an uninteresting, almost dialogue- soon-to-go remnants – both physical Salvation Army hostel inmates and free fantasy about a man who cycles and human – of the London of the footage of brawling meths drinkers. round Hampstead in pursuit of a hungry 1930s and before. It also shows how London can model he fancies, and which offers Islington features in a sequence on change, taking in a Spitalfields which little in the way of local colour. caught on busy day in Mason remarks was once prosperous The two films were shot in the which a box of writhing live eels plays but is by 1967 a desperate slum where same city in the same year, but you’d a strangely prominent role. he visits a house where Jack the never guess that. n Nearby Camden appears in the Ripper hid a corpse within what was shape of the Bedford Theatre, a once then within living memory. The area Mark Smulian is a freelance journalist

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History & Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 19 Baby farming: a Victorian scandal

Desperate single mothers often placed their babies with baby farmers, in the hope that their children would be cared for. But many of these children were killed. Caitlin Davies describes the story that influenced her book, The Ghost of Lily Painter

melia Sach and was probably addicted to  Review: The Ghost of Annie Walters were herself. Sach was charged as  Lily Painter the first women to an accessory. be hanged at An all-male jury convicted Holloway Prison,  them both, despite their must begin this review with a Ain 1903. They were convicted  protestations of innocence; the declared interest, as I am of murdering a four-day-old press denounced their Imentioned in the acknowl- baby, and suspected of killing “unwomanly callousness”. edgments for lending support to many more. Their execution was the last the book during its evolution. Sach and Walters were baby double female hanging in One of the most frequently farmers, women who looked Britain. One of the hangmen, received enquiries to the after children in Victorian and Henry Pierrepoint, wrote in his Islington Archaeology and Edwardian times. The children diary: “These two women were History Society website is one often belonged to unmarried baby farmers of the worst kind where someone has tracked a servants, forced to farm out their and they were both repulsive  previous family generation to a child to keep their jobs. They in type.” specific address, and hopes to paid a few shillings a week,  Five years later, the Children’s find out more. or a one-off sum for an  Act was passed; foster parents In essence, they are on a quest informal adoption. had to be registered and those for the biography of a home.  Some baby farmers looked who neglected or ill-treated This is the essence, too, of the after the babies well, but others children could be prosecuted.  journey that begins Caitlin took the money then starved or By the 1920s, baby farming had  Davies’ sixth novel. poisoned the babies, abandoned almost disappeared. n I’ve always been slightly them on the streets, or even anthropomorphic about murdered them. buildings. I’ve sometimes had Sach, a trained midwife, ran  the sensation of a building a lying-in home for pregnant The Ghost of Lily whispering “over here. You’ve women in East Finchley. She found me – I’ve been waiting  advertised her services in the Painter will be for you.” local press: “Accouchement, launched on  The protagonist, Annie Sweet, before and during. Skilled 9 June at 6pm at moves to the Holloway of the nursing. Home comforts.  Islington Museum present, to a house that she feels Baby can remain.” Walters’ job has chosen her rather than vice appears to have been to dispose versa. With time on her hands she of the babies. IAHS is delighted to is instantly drawn to investigate support the launch of who has been there before her. Suspicion raised The Ghost of Lily The story jumps between her In the winter of 1902 Walters Painter. Its author day-to-day thoughts, to the took lodgings with Alice Seal, Caitlin Davies spoke to diaries of an Edwardian police who was married to a police the society about her historical research last inspector, and the life and times constable. After receiving year in the second of two lectures on Victorian of Lily Painter, a rising music  telegrams from Sach – “To-night, and Edwardian baby farmers, the first of which hall star. five o’clock” – Walters brought was given by Joan Lock. A macabre story develops with two babies back to her lodgings, Ms Davies is a journalist and author of six the appearance of Amelia Sach which then disappeared. books, including Place of Reeds and Friends Like and Annie Walters, names that The police placed a watch  Us. She lives in Holloway. will be familiar to IAHS and Walters was arrested with  members. The present-day a dead infant in her arms. She IAHS members wishing to attend should contact chapters are realistic enough to admitted having given the  Marissa Cox, tel: 020 7840 8494, email MCox@ sound as if they could be baby chlorodyne, a lethal but  randomhouse.co.uk semi-autobiographical – some not illegal mixture, which she  aspects clearly are – and the

20 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 historical chapters are convincing. St Pancras hotel reopens Ms Davies is no stranger to the subject matter. Last year, she delivered the second of two The St Pancras linked lectures on Islington’s Renaissance baby farmers, at which she Hotel opened discussed her wide research. on 5 May, Some real characters have exactly 138 been fictionalised and some, years after it such as the inspector, are first opened  fictional. Sach and Walters have in 1873. been effectively fleshed out. These There is surprisingly little pictures were reported speech on record – taken circa neither took the stand at the 1988. inquest or trial. Islington  Those of a historical bent  has had a will see Sach and Walters  grandstand coming some time before they view of works appear, through references to at King’s Cross Danbury Street and East and St Pancras. See page 14 The present-day chapters are realistic enough to sound semi-autobiographical and the historical chapters are convincing

Finchley. Local knowledge does not detract from the storytelling, however – it increased my enjoyment of it. The fact I could foresee the ending from about halfway through left plenty of room for intrigue as to how we would arrive there, unexpectedly, via the Second World War. I was so drawn in that having started reading late in the evening, I had to pick it up and finish it first thing the next morning, and not put it down until I had. With much but far from all of jigsaw in place, it was the final 100 pages I found most absorbing, as the stories had  to resolve and reconcile with each other. n

Andrew Gardner is chairman of the Islington Archaeology & History Society l The Ghost of Lily Painter, £12.99 (hardback) 352pp. Hutchinson.

Published 2 June 2011 Christy Lawrance

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History & Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 21 Inspiration from tough lives Kay Brellend describes how her grandmother, who lived in Campbell Road, a notorious slum, was the inspiration for her novel, The Street

he Street is a novel set away from the road, yet it is  remained in Edwardian times a bittersweet achievement as among that follows the along the way she loses people her personal poverty-stricken lives she loves. possessions and were discovered of the Keiver family only when she died. Tand their kith and kin. Campbell Early chapter discovered As a family, we had become Road, where the family live in My grandmother lived with her interested in our genealogy and two dirty rooms, is a notorious family in Campbell Road, a slum my father wondered if the novel slum that houses criminals  known as the Bunk, until she could be completed as a tribute and prostitutes amid destitute was a young woman, leaving in to my mother and grandmother. folk lacking the means to  1922. After her death at the age Ideas on how to continue my move elsewhere. of 92, my mother drafted a mum’s work had been filling my The heroine, Alice Keiver, couple of chapters of a novel mind for some time before I yearns from an early age to inspired by my grandmother’s began putting them in writing. escape her squalid surroundings. wretched early life in the road Once properly started, the book She battles closer to a better  stigmatised as the worst street in became a test – I felt I must not life and a family of her own  north London. These papers fail. I owed it to people, some of

From The Street: a carefree day with a shadow of distant news

ust as well neither of them’s Lovat – who were on friendly terms It’s regular pay ’n’ grub, he says. And old enough to join up and be again now Sophy was back to normal he wants to do his bit for his country.” “Ja sailor in the navy. They’d – had been amongst a quartet of Alice frowned. “He’s a bit old,  sink a ship before the war’s properly young hounds. Herbert Banks, also ain’t he?” started.” Alice’s rueful comment made from Campbell Road, was with them; “Thirty-seven, I think. I hope they her two companions burst out so was a boy Alice recognised as don’t let him in. I don’t want him to laughing as they observed the boys’ being out of Queensland Road. be hurt or nuthin’.” unsuccessful efforts to row their boat A session of good-natured “Me dad brought in the newspaper in a straight line. catcalling back and forth had taken and we read all about it. It’s all going It was a hot Saturday at the place between the groups of boys and to be over by Christmas anyhow,” beginning of August and Alice, Sophy girls for some while. Bored with that, Alice told her friend reassuringly. “So and Sarah Whitton were lounging on Geoff and Herbert Banks had stood even if your dad does go to war he’ll scratchy parched grass that sloped up up and wandered off towards the be back home before you know it.” and away from the Finsbury Park lake. A little while later Alice had “I heard Herbert Banks’s been boating lake. They had walked from watched the two of them – in boasting he’s going to go to the Campbell Road the short distance in possession of an oar each – rotating  recruitin’ office and pretend he’s the blistering heat and found a shady a boat in clumsy circles towards the nineteen so’s he can join up.” spot beneath trees. Gratefully they’d centre of the lake. It was that amusing Alice snorted derisively. “He don’t collapsed down on the ground to sight that had prompted her to make even look fifteen even though he is. have a rest. They had begun to pool her remark about the war that’d He won’t get away with that, not even pennies to see if between them they recently been declared on Germany. if he draws on whiskers.” had enough cash to take a boat out The news that they were at war had Suddenly the two younger girls on the lake and still have some left to been shocking, and oddly exciting, realised that Sophy had been stop off at a café for a bite to eat on but it all seemed very distant and unusually quiet during this lively the way home. unreal, especially on a glorious discussion. Presently it was the main A long, low whistle had curtailed carefree summer day such as this. topic of conversation for most people. their calculations. A moment later a “I saw me dad in the week,” Sarah In the factory where Alice worked all group of youths had bowled up and said. “He reckons now he’s lost his job the talk at dinnertime was about how sat down close by. Danny and Geoff he’s going to volunteer for the army. the Hun were due a good thrashing.

22 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 whom I had never met yet sensed I knew intimately, to Goodbye, old streets make their story a success. Writing to first draft took about six months and I was glad of the advice and encouragement from my agent and editors. Jerry White’s study – Campbell Bunk: the Worst Street in London Between the Wars – comprised of eye-witness testimony and was of immeasurable help when I was researching the book.

Mixed feelings after escaping It was fascinating to read about the ambivalence that some former residents felt for the Bunk. One might expect such  IAHS member a slum to be shunned by those Doris Evelyn fortunate enough to get away. Lea has kindly But many interviewees, having sent us these endured years of hardship and photographs having vowed to flee at the first of demolition opportunity, were drawn back  in Finsbury to see what had changed and Park to make what had remained the same. way for the Ultimately, physically escaping Andover estate. was perhaps the easy part, and These streets freeing one’s heart and soul from were near its influence less possible. Campell Road Writing about Campbell Road – a stump of was engrossing and emotional. which remains, now named Whadcoat It’s difficult to Street. comprehend that my l see Letters, page 3 uncomplaining, generous grandmother had endured a squalid childhood

It’s difficult to comprehend that my uncomplaining, generous grandmother had endured a squalid childhood. Yet, if battling against such odds shaped the robust, wise woman who would continue to grow her own fruit and vegetables to distribute among us all when a nonagenarian, then the Bunk was not entirely without merit. Without my mum’s few pages of typescript giving hope and inspiration, the novel probably would not have come about. I like to think it was her final gift to us. n l The Street, £7.99, HarperCollins

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History & Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 23 Publications and bookshop

Many of these publications can be Angus McBean in Islington Edited by Mary Cosh, foreword ordered from the Islington Archaeology & by Angus McBean History Society. Call us on 020 7833 1541 These pictures serve as a reminder of Islington as it was, with gas lamps and The Squares of Islington trolley buses, and well Part II. Islington Parish known and unusual places. Mary Cosh Houses, interiors, cinemas, This book shows that no music hall, churches, two squares in the Islington squares and terraces are all Parish are the same. They recorded. One picture shows range in style from dignified an imposing yet ornate 1870 row to railway Gothick, to entrance, topped by a lion pastiche to architectural joke. and unicorn, that leads to  Squares can be in the shape a vinegar factory. Islington Museum in 2000 of a rectangle or triangle, and Angus McBean was  led to the suggestion that terraces that face ornamental a leading theatrical some of them should be gardens are included. photographer who lived in reprinted in a book. This area covered is the Islington for 15 years, first in Published by the Islington old village of Islington with Gibson Square then in Archaeology & History Society, adjoining areas of Highbury, Colebrooke Row. 2001, £4.50 + 60p p&p Canonbury, Barnsbury and He photographed stars the Clothworkers’ estate. including Ivor Novello, An Historical Walk Through This follows a study begun Laurence Olivier and Vivien Barnsbury with the squares of Finsbury This is just a small Leigh, and was official Mary Cosh and Clerkenwell. It is selection of books offered photographer for the Old Vic There are lots of twists and illustrated with historical by the IAHS. We sell more and Sadler’s Wells. turns in this walk that starts pictures and maps. at our meetings (see McBean took photographs at Angel. It includes Chapel Published by the Islington inside back page) and at for the Islington Society’s Market, a street of Archaeology & History Society, local festivals. initial exhibition in 1960.  professionals that became 1993. £7.50 + £1.20 p&p A repeat exhibition at the the most crowded market in London, boasting 30 drapery $ stalls in 1893. Publications order form (photocopies acceptable) Then it’s the start of Barnsbury proper, the site  Name ...... of pleasure gardens, and trades unions and market Address ...... history. See the classic houses and squares – and ...... unusual features such as sphinxes guarding a Tel no/email (if we need to contact you about your order) ...... doorway. Published by the Islington Title(s)of publication Cost Archaeology & History Society £4.50 + 60p p&p ......

...... All books shown with p&p ...... can be ordered from the society by mail. Fill in the Total cost ...... form – if you want more than one item, call us on Please make cheques payable to “Islington Archaeology & History Society”; send this 020 7833 1541 for a form or a photocopy to IAHS, 8 Wynyatt Street, London EC1V 7HU discount on p&p

24 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 Discover Be Beauvoir Town Picture palaces of the past and the present and Environs This A5 booklet describes a With the former Carlton The Astoria, now a walk that takes in two cinema in the news church, is a star of the delightful town squares, a (page 5), it’s a good time to book, with black and white canal towpath, plenty of revisit cinema history. and colour pictures of its interesting architecture and Andalucian Village. a cosmopolitan street scene. Islington’s Cinemas & Film Another star is the Studios Gaumont – now the Chris Draper Holloway Odeon – with Britain’s first cinema, the images of its mighty first modern film studios Wurlitzer, projection room, and the first cinema in a and the auditorium before train carriage were all in and after war damage. Islington. For the Gaumont’s The borough was also opening night, which was the birthplace of Robert relayed by the BBC via the William Paul – the father  “phantoscopical exhibition”. broadcasting room at the of British cinema – who Every film made in the top of the cinema’s tower, designed a camera that world-famous 2s6d tickets were changing could take moving Gainsborough Studios in hands for 15s and £1. pictures, and a projector  Poole Street is listed, On a happy note, the so they could be shown  including Hitchcock’s 1938 Coronet on Holloway on screen. The Lady Vanishes. Road, opened as the Savoy It is a walk of contrasts, This book tells the story Advertisements for in 1940 (yes, during the from the bustle of Kingsland of the development of the cinema equipment and staff war) was vacant at the Road to the leafy tranquillity film industry in Islington. uniforms are reproduced. . time of writing. It has since of Albion Square, and from Every cinema is pictured, The guide runs from been restored as a towering efidices to bijou alongside details of cinemas in shops – such as Wetherspoon’s pub and villas. The booklet contains opening dates, what was the one in the terraced retains a cinema feel. modern and historical being shown and ticket house next to the Finsbury Published by the London pictures. prices at the time. Cinema Park Astoria – to grand Borough of Islington, £5 + Published by the Friends of events described include a picture palaces. £1.20 p&p Hackney Archives. £1.50 + 60p p&p

The London Cat. Its Lives & home to Historical maps and 53 Cross Street. Biography times. Includes: Confessions cats, postcards of a House of a Cat-Sitter including From Alan Godfrey Mary Cosh and Martin King, The London Cat II. Plus: By one who Want to know what your with photographs by Public Demand, Return of ate actress area looked like many years Pauline Lord. Hardback. the Cat Sitter Beryl ago? We stock a number of This beautifully presented James Dowsing Reid’s hat fascinating historical maps hardback traces the history After last issue’s mention of and of Islington and further of 53 Cross Street from 1785 the London Dog, we come to mistook afield. We’ve also got a when it was built. It follows The London Cat. These two the sand range of postcards. Call us it as it gained a floor and booklets show how London on a stage set for a giant litter for details. lost half its back garden for and cat history are tray. London Underground £2.50 each + 50p p&p St Mary’s church hall, and intertwined – paw prints can cats include Pebbles, who through various forms of be seen in roof tiles at the dozed on the ticket barrier. occupation and ownership. Museum of London. Islington cats include the Martin King, who moved There are literary cats, Dick Whittington’s cat here in 1990, uncovered wartime cats, stylish cats statue in Archway, and The many original features, (like Binks, ginger cover cat Owl and the Pussy Cat was including 1785 paintwork. on Cat II) and cathedral cats. created by Holloway He made a remarkably Political cats include resident Edward Lear. complete record of the decor Winston Churchill’s tomcat There is plenty of London from its building date. Jack, and Humphrey the feline miscellany amid the A great source book on Downing Street cat, pictured historic pictures. historic decor. with an uneasy-looking Published by Sunrise Press Published by the Islington Cherie Blair. London Cat I: £3.50 + 60p p&p Archaeology & History Society Theatres have long been London Cat II: £4.50 + 60p p&p £20 + £1.75 p&p

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 25 What’s on

Events, exhibitions, study days, walks and more. Information on organisers can be found on our directory, page 29. Details of Islington Archaeology & History Society events can be found on the inside back page

Events can change so please concessions Thursday 9 June WC2A 3PE. confirm details with event 020 7713 0836, www. Spanning the ages: a 020 7869 6560, www.rcseng. organisers canalmuseum.org.uk london bridge pub walk ac.uk Karen Chester, City of To have your event listed here, Saturday 4 June London guide lecturer Saturday 11 June email: [email protected] London seminar: the Organised by the Historical Midsummer London walk, Oxford Expedition to Egypt Association, central London Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia Wednesday 1 June Organised by the Egypt branch. Neil Lloyd Wapping in the 18th century Exploration Society, £16-£28 6.30pm. £3.50/£7. Jill Kilsby, Organised by the Historical Walk led by Derek Morris www.ees.ac.uk 07957 627 783, malcolm Association, central London Organised by the Docklands [email protected] branch. History Group. Wednesday 8 June 10.45am, booking: Jill Kilsby, 5.30pm for 6pm, Museum of Vaudeville and the music Thursday 9 June, 7pm 07957 627 783, malcolm London Docklands. hall on film Lost London 1870-1945 [email protected] www.docklands Roger Fillary and Keith Philip Davies, English historygroup.org.uk Fawkes Heritage Sunday 12 June Organised by the Hornsey Talk illustrated with historical Summer tunnel boat trips Thursday 2 June 2011 Historical Society. photographs from Philip Boat trips from London Boating in the 1950s and 8pm, Union Church Davies’s book Lost London Canal Museum through 1960s Community Centre,  1870-1945. £5. Islington Tunnel and back, Talk by Colin Scrivener Ferme Park Road/ The Hunterian Museum, with a guide to explain the 7.30pm, London Canal Weston Park. Royal College of Surgeons, tunnel’s history. Museum, £4/£3 members/ www.hornseyhistorical.org.uk 35-43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Trips at 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm, lasting 50 minutes. Book in advance through the museum. Historic almshouse open days 020 7713 0836 www.canalmuseum.org.uk Compare almshouse living in the  18th and 19th centuries at the  Tuesday 14 June Geffrye Museum. Sapphire mining in Montana Open Saturday 4 June and 2 July, Dr Ron Bonewitz Wednesday 15 June and Thursday 9 and Organised by the Amateur 23 June. Groups visit on Wednesdays,  Geological Society. so call to check it’s not booked up  7.30pm, The Parlour, before visiting. St Margaret’s United Reform Church, Victoria Avenue, N3.

Wednesday 15 June History and restoration of Kentish Town Baths Camden History Society. Tickets: adults £2.00; friends, disabled 6:30pm visitors and children free. 020 7586 4436, www. camdenhistorysociety.org Geffrye Museum, Kingsland Road, E2 8EA 020 7739 9893, www.geffrye-museum.org.uk 15 June 2011 Islington’s Regency Left: 1780s almshouse; right: 1880s Renaissance almshouse. Photos: Morley Von Sternberg Lester Hillman, visiting professor, London

26 Journal of the Islington History & Archaeology Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 Metropolitan University Business School Street cries: Organised by the Islington Archaeology & History depictions of Society. 8pm, Islington Town Hall, London’s poor Upper Street, N1. Follows annual general meeting at Museum of London, 7pm. More information on Until 31 July, free inside back page.

Thursday 16 June Street Cries shows the huge Islington’s Book of range of what street Remembrance. We will vendors sold and how they remember them and other poor people Left: shrimp seller, c1759, by Paul Sandby; right: rat-trap seller by The new online Book of were viewed in the 17th to Thomas Rowlandson Remembrance is a memorial the 19th centuries. to over 13,000 people from Some of these poorest inhabitants. Museum of London, Islington who died in war or illustrations present an The exhibtion includes 150 , EC2Y 5HN conflict from 1899. Find out idealised vision of the poor; illustrations by Gustave 10am-6pm, Monday to how to search for people, others are among the first Doré, Théodore Géricault, Sunday places or events, and works of art to attempt a Thomas Rowlandson and 020 7814 5511, www. contribute information. realistic view of London’s Paul Sandby. museumoflondon.org.uk 6pm, Islington Local History Centre. No booking required. 020 7527 7988, local. Sunday 19 June London organised by the Sunday 17 July [email protected] Summer boat trips Historical Association, Model dwellings, protest Details as for 12 June. central London branch. and a hint of gentility – the Friday 17 June Book through Jill Kilsby, village borders Sweltering since 1938: Saturday 25 June 07957 627 783, malcolmkilsby Guided walk with the Ironmonger Row and the Egypt in the age of the @blueyonder.co.uk Walthamstow Historical Victorian Turkish bath Pyramids Society 2pm, free. Malcolm Shifrin Study day, Brunei Gallery Wednesday 6 July Meet outside Vestry House Illustrated talk organised by Lecture Theatre, SOAS. What was happening in the Museum, Vestry Road,  the Rowan Arts Project. £18-£32. docks and on the Thames in E17 4.30pm, The Old Fire Station, 020 7242 1880, ees.ac.uk July 1911? 07792 750017, walthamstow 84 Mayton Street, N7. Sally Mashiter [email protected] http://therowanartsproject. Sunday 26 June Organised by the Docklands com/ir-baths Markfield Beam Engine History Group. Follows AGM. Thursday 21 July l See page 7 steam date 5.30pm for 6pm, Museum of English Heritage listing in Markfield Road, N15 4RB London Docklands. Camden Friday 17 June Call 01707 873628, email www.docklands Camden History Society, Adventures with the Lewis [email protected] or check historygroup.org.uk 7.30pm Chessmen www.mbeam.org for times. 020 7586 4436, www. Dr Irving Finkel Thursday 7 July camdenhistorysociety.org Organised by the City of Sunday 3 July The Lee Valley waterways London Archaeology Society. Royal College of Physicians and works Sunday 24 July 6.30pm for 7pm, St Olave’s tour for blind and partially Jim Lewis Evening towpath walk Hall, Mark Lane EC3 sighted people 7.30pm, London Canal 7.30pm, London Canal www.colas.org.uk Audio tour of the RCP’s Museum, £4/£3 Museum, 020 7713 0836, grade I listed building. 020 7713 0836, www. www.canalmuseum. Saturday 18 June Royal College of Physicians, canalmuseum.org.uk org.uk Georgian villas and 11am-3pm, 11 St Andrews Edwardian terraces along Place, NW1 4LE, free. Forest Road Booking: 020 7375 1043, Monday 8-Friday 12 August, Monday 15-Friday 19 August Guided walk with the [email protected] Copped Hall Trust Archaeological Project: Field Schools Walthamstow Historical Two field days are for people with basic archaeological Society. 2pm, free. Sunday 3 July excavation skills at the edge of Epping Forest. £90 per week. Meet at the William Morris Mayhem in Mayfair Contact: Pauline Dalton, 01992 813 725. Gallery, Forest Road, E17 Ann Archbold, London City Supported by West Essex Archaeological Group,  07792 750017, walthamstow Guide www.weag.org.uk, ww.coppedhalltrust.org.uk [email protected] Walk on darker side of

Journal of the Islington History & Archaeology Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 27 Festival of British Archaeology traders, farmers and fine objects, tour Roman sites 16-31 July 2011 metalworkers by Barry Ager and watch a gladiator show. Most events are free; some http://festival.britarch.ac.uk 16, 23, 24, 30 and 31 July require booking. www. Huge number and range of All at 1.15pm-2pm, free 10am-5pm museumoflondon.org.uk. events – a tiny sample here. British Museum gallery The Rose revealed See http://festival.britarch. talks Guided tours of Sun 24 July 10.00–16.30 ac.uk for all events. 16 July: 3,500 years of archaeological site of first Ice Sunday at the London British Treasure by Ian Elizabethan threatre on Canal Museum 23-24 July Richardson Bankside. Free. www. A rare chance to descend, Tower beach ‘dig’ 21 July: Treasure in Britain rosetheatre.org.uk with a guide, via ladders, Foreshore open for digging, by Janina Parol into the two huge circular with experts on hand to 26 July: British archaeology: Roman events and Victorian ice wells beneath identify finds, and stalls digging up the past by activities at the Museum the museum used from about archaeology and Katharine Hoare of London 1857 to 1904 to store ice conservation. 29 July: The Vikings: raiders, Visitors can handle Roman imported from Norway.

Sunday 24 July steam date Until 11 September Story Markfield Beam Engine Tel: 01707 873628, email Baskets and belonging This exhibition tells the story steam date [email protected] for times. Nearly 90 indigenous baskets of pirate Captain Kidd, looks Tel: 01707 873628, email dating from Australia’s first at how piracy was supported [email protected] or check Ongoing contact with Europe. by corrupt MPs and the East www.mbeam.org for times. British Museum, free India Company and explores Until 2 July pirate myths. Wednesday 3 August Afghanistan: crossroads of Until 30 October 2011 Museum of London Greenwich Peninsula the ancient world Pirates: the Captain Kidd Docklands Mary Mills Over 200 stunning items, Organised by the Docklands dating back to 2000BC. History Group. British Museum 5.30pm for 6pm, Museum of Bell époque: 30 years of London Docklands. Until 2 July www.docklands Lost museums: nature and Steve Bell, political cartoonist historygroup.org.uk medicine on show A lost world of cabinets of Cartoon Museum, Saturday 6 August curiosity from forgotten or until 24 July 2011 Bletchley Park outing dispersed collections. Camden History Society, £35. Hunterian Museum, www. Exhibition of more than 020 7435 5490, www. rcseng.ac.uk/museums 200 cartoons by Steve camden historysociety.org Bell, who is seen as the Until 31 August most astute political Sunday 14 August Dirt: the filthy reality of cartoonist today. A stroll down Walthamstow everyday life His work ranges from High Street Exhibition on dirt and our the sensitive to the Royal Wedding mug design, Guided walk with the attitude towards it taking in a savage – especially when 2011, © Steve Bell Walthamstow Historical 17th century Dutch house, a it comes to hypocritical Society. 2pm, free. Victorian London street and politicians. His work has Meet at Central Library. an 1860s Glasgow hospital. appeared in The Guardian, New Statesman and Society, walthamstowwalks@mz48. Wellcome Collection Private Eye, Punch, NME, The Spectator and The myzen.co.uk, 07792 750 017 Journalist. Until 31 August 2011 He has documented major events and political figures. 17 August Royal wedding souvenirs Who could forget John Major as not-quite superhero, Outing to East Wear Bay From Fairy Liquid to teabags, underpants over trousers? His work has covered Roman Villa, Folkestone crockery and knitted dolls. Thatcherism, the poll tax, New Labour and, more Hendon and District Museum of Brands, £6.50/£4 recently, the banking crisis and the coalition government. Archaeological Society, £25. www.hadas.org.uk Until 4 September Cartoon Museum, 35 Little Russell Street, London WC1 London street photography 10.30-5.30, Tue-Sat; 12.00–5.30pm, Sun; Monday 29 August Images from 1860 to today. 020 7580 8155, www.cartoonmuseum.org Markfield Beam Engine Free, Museum of London

28 Journal of the Islington History & Archaeology Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 Societies and museums

He were list local history, civic, amenity and archaeology societies and a few museums. Most societies publish newsletters and organise talks and other events

Check opening times before 020 7586 4436, jsramsay@ EC1 History The Hackney Society visiting. If you would like to see tiscali.co.uk, www. www.ec1history.co.uk The Round Chapel, your organisation listed here or camdenhistorysociety.org 1d Glenarm Road, E5 0LY, update any information, email The Foundling Museum 07771 225183, [email protected]. Camden New Town History 40 Brunswick Square, WC1, [email protected] Group 020 7841 3600, www. www.hackneysociety.org/ Abney Park Trust Memorial Chairman: John Cowley, foundlingmuseum.org.uk Park and Nature Reserve [email protected], Hendon and District 020 7275 7557, www.camdennewtown.info Freud Museum Archaeology Society www.abney-park.org.uk 020 7435 2002, [email protected] Camden Railway Heritage www.freud.org.uk Amateur Geological Society Trust Historical Association, Secretary: 25 Village Road, www.crht1837.org The Friends of Friendless Central London Branch Finchley, N3 1TL Churches Secretary: Ms Chrissie Camley Street Natural Park www.friendsof Ganjou 020 7323 1192, The Amwell Society Open 10am-5pm, seven friendlesschurches.org.uk [email protected] Elizabeth Thornton, days a week. 12 Camley 020 7837 0988, info@ Street, NW1 0PW, 020 7833 Geffrye Museum The Horniman Museum amwellsociety.org 2311, camleyst@wildlondon. 020 7739 9893, www. 100 London Road, SE23. org.uk geffrye-museum.org.uk Free. Open: 10.30am- Association of London 5.30pm daily, 020 8699 1872, Pumping Heritage Attractions The Canonbury Society The Georgian Group [email protected] http://freespace.virgin.net/ www.canonburysociety.org.uk 6 Fitzroy Square, London lec.orm/alpha/alpha.htm W1T 5DX, 0871 750 2936, Hornsey Historical Society The Cartoon Museum [email protected] The Old Schoolhouse, 136 Bexley Archaeological Group 35 Little Russell Street, Tottenham Lane, N8 7EL Membership secretary: John WC1, 020 7580 8155 Greater London Industrial hornseyhistorical.org.uk Acworth, 40 The Priory, Priory Tuesday-Saturday: 10.30am- Archaeology Society (GLIAS) Park, SE3 9UZ, jrm.acworth@ 5.30pm, Sunday: 12-5.30pm Secretary, 14 Mount Road, Hunterian Museum sky.com, www.bag.org.uk Barnet, EN4 9RL 020 8692 Royal College of Surgeons City of London 8512, [email protected] of England, 35-43 Lincoln’s British Postal Museum and Archaeological Society Inn Fields, WC2, Hunterian Archive www.colas.org.uk, Guildhall Library Museum, open Tues-Sat Freeling House, Phoenix [email protected] Aldermanbury, EC2V 7HH, 10am-5pm Place, WC1X 0DL, 9.30am-5pm Monday- www.rcseng.ac.uk/museums 020 7239 2570, Clerkenwell and Islington Saturday, closed bank www.postalheritage.org.uk Guides Association holiday weekends, 020 7332 Inland Waterways Secretary: Alice Merino, 1868/1870, textphone 020 Association museum 07971 296731, info@ciga. 7332 3803, guildhall.library@ North-east London branch Grade I listed 16th century org.uk, www.ciga.org.uk cityoflondon.gov.uk chairman Roger Wilkinson, manor house, housing local [email protected] history collections. Free. The Clockmakers’ Museum Friends of Hackney Archives 020 8808 8772, museum. www.clockmakers.org/ Hackney Archives, 43 De Islington Local History [email protected] museum-and-library Beauvoir Road, N1 5SQ Centre Finsbury Library, 245 St John Camden Civic Society The Docklands History Hackney Museum Street, EC1V 4NB. 9.30am- c/o 32 Hillway, London, N6 Group 1 Reading Lane, Hackney, 8pm Monday and Thursday 6HJ, 020 8340 5972, 020 7537 0368 info@ London E8 1GQ (closes 6pm every other [email protected] docklandshistorygroup.org.uk Open: 9.30am-5.30pm Monday); 9.30am-5pm East London History Society Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday; Tuesday, Friday and The Camden History mail@eastlondonhistory. 9.30am-8pm Thursday; Saturday; closed Wednesday Society org.uk 10am-5pm Saturday. and Sunday; closed 1pm-

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 29 2pm; 020 7527 7988; local. Mortimer Wheeler House, The Musical Museum Sutton House [email protected] 46 Eagle Wharf Road, N1 7ED, 11am-5.30pm Tuesday- 2 & 4 High www.londonsociety.org.uk Sunday, www. Street, E9, 020 8986 2264, Islington Museum musicalmuseum.co.uk www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ 245 St John Street, EC1V The London Transport main/w-suttonhouse 4NB, 10am-5pm daily, Museum The National Archives, closed Wednesday and Piazza, Kew, 020 8876 3444, www. The Streatham Society Sunday, 020 7527 2837 WC2E 7BB, 020 7379 6344, nationalarchives.gov.uk www.streathamsociety.org.uk www.ltmuseum.co.uk Islington Society The National Piers Society Thames Discovery 35 Britannia Row, N1 8QH Markfield Beam Engine www.piers.org.uk Programme www.islingtonsociety.org.uk Markfield Road, N15 4RB Mortimer Wheeler House, 01707 873628, Newington Green Action 46 Eagle Wharf Road, N1, Dr Johnson’s House [email protected] Group 020 7566 9310, enquiries@ 17 Gough Square, EC4, 020 7359 6027, www. thamesdiscovery.org Monday to Saturday, Mausolea and Monuments newingtongreen.org.uk 11am-5.30pm May-Sept, Trust The Transport Trust 11am-5pm October-April, 70 Cowcross Street, EC1M New River Action Group Lambeth Road, SE1 7JW, 020 7353 3745 Secretary: John St Brioc 24 Lavender Road, EN2 0ST, 020 7928 6464 202, www. Hooper, 020 7608 1441, contact: Frances Mussett transporttrust.com Kew Bridge Steam Museum [email protected] 020 8363 7187 Green Dragon Lane, Union Chapel: Friends of Brentford, TW8, 11am-4pm, Marx Memorial Library Petrie Museum of Egyptian the Union Chapel Tuesday-Sunday, 020 8568 37a Clerkenwell Green, EC1 Archaeology Union Chapel, Compton 4757, www.kbsm.org 0DU, 020 7253 1485, info@ University College London, Avenue, N1 2XD, marx-memorial-library.org Malet Place, WC1, www.ucl. www.unionchapel.org.uk/ The Labour and Wait Brush ac.uk/museums/petrie pages/friends.html Museum Medieval Pottery Research Small museum in hardware Group The Peckham Society The Victorian Society store. www.labourandwait. www.medievalpottery.org.uk 67 Gordon Road, SE15 2AF, 1 Priory Gardens, W4, co.uk www.peckhamsociety.org.uk 020 8994 1019, admin@ The Museum of Brands victoriansociety.org.uk, The Charles Lamb Society 2 Colville Mews, Lonsdale Ragged School Museum www.victoriansociety.org.uk 28 Grove Lane, SE6 8ST Road, Notting Hill, W11 46-50 Copperfield Road, E3 2AR, 020 7908 0880, info@ 4RR, 020 8980 6405, www. The Wallace Collection London Canal Museum museumofbrands.com raggedschoolmuseum.org.uk Hertford House, Manchester 12-13 New Wharf Road, N1 Square, W1M 6BN, free, 9RT, 020 7713 0836 V&A Museum of Childhood The Smithfield Trust weekdays 10am-5pm, www.canalmuseum.org.uk 10am-5.45pm, free, closed Secretary: Vince Marshall, Sundays 2-5pm, 020 7563 Fridays. Cambridge Heath 70 Cowcross Street, EC1M 9500, www. The London Film Archive Road, E2 9PA, 020 8983 5200 6EJ, 020 7566 0041, wallacecollection.org 22 Islington Green, N1, [email protected] www.londonfilmarchive.org Museum of London Walthamstow Historical 150 London Wall, EC2Y Sir John Soane’s Museum Society London Metropolitan 5HN, 020 7814 5511, www. 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, WC2, 37 Chewton Road, E17 Archives museumoflondon.org.uk Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm, 7DW, contact@walthamstow 40 Northampton Road, EC1 first Tuesday of each month historical society.org, 0HB, 020 7332 3820, ask.lma Museum of London 6-9pm, www.soane.org www.walthamstow @cityoflondon.gov.uk, www. Docklands historicalsociety.org cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma West India Quay, E14 4AL, Spencer House open 10am-6pm, Monday- 27 St James’s Place SW1, Wellcome Collection London & Sunday, 020 7001 9844, 020 7499 8620 183 Euston Road, NW1 2BE, Archaeological Society www.museumindocklands. o20 7611 2222 020 7814 5734, email org.uk, info.docklands@ The Society for the Protection secretary Jackie Keily: museumoflondon.org.uk of Ancient Buildings John Wesley’s House and jkeily@museumoflondon. 37 Spital Square, E1 6DY, 020 Museum of Methodism org.uk, www.lamas.org.uk Museum of the Order of 7377 1644, www.spab.org.uk 49 City Road, EC1, free, St John 10am-4pm Monday- London Museums of Health St John’s Gate, EC1M 4DA, Southwark and Lambeth Saturday, 12.30-1.45pm & Medicine 10am-5pm Monday- Archaeology Society (SLAS) Sundays, www. www.medicalmuseums.org Saturday, 020 7253 6644, Richard Buchanan, 79 wesleyschapel.org.uk/ The London Society www.museumstjohn.org.uk Ashridge Crescent, SE18 3EA museum.htm

30 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 Events

15 June Islington’s Regency Renaissance Speaker: Lester Hillman 8pm, Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, N1

Lester Hillman will talk on the Regent’s Canal and pivotal events for Islington 200 years ago and explore evidence of  any Regency Renaissance in the borough today. In the early 1970s, Lester worked on running power cables under the Regent’s Canal towpath and the associated award-winning heritage and amenity works; he has worked elsewhere  on canal and rail infrastructure. He volunteers at the London Canal Museum, guiding towpath walks and boat tours. He has lectured on canal history, and written and reviewed publications. He is academic adviser to the Islington Archaeology & History Society.

Islington’s Archaeology & History Society annual general meeting

The talk will be preceded by the annual general meeting.  A notice of the meeting is included with the journal.

7pm, Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, N1

9 June Autumn events Book launch: The Ghost of 21 September 2011 Lily Painter By Caitlin Davies Talk 6pm, Islington Museum, 245 St John Street, London EC1 Emily Thornberry MP If you would like to attend, contact Marissa Cox, 8pm, Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, London N1 tel: 020 7840 8494, email [email protected] 19 October 2011 The first time Annie Sweet sees 43 Stanley Road, Islington’s green plaque scheme the Holloway house is so perfect she almost feels as though it has Allie Dillon, Islington Local History Centre chosen her. Soon, she becomes 8pm, Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, London N1 consumed by the house and everyone who has lived there 16 November 2011 before her, especially rising Wells and Brimtoy – toymakers music hall star Lily Painter. As Annie delves in Lily’s past, of Islington she unravels a dark tale of two Chris Rule notorious baby farmers. Two Islington firms were major makers of tin toys l Caitlin has written about the in the 20th century in the UK. Chris Rule is a background to her book piece long-term Islington resident and sits on the Greater for the journal. See this and the London Industrial Archaeology Society committee. review on page 20. 8pm, Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, London N1

The Islington Archaeology & History Society meets 10 times a year, usually on the third Wednesday of each month at 8pm, at Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, N1

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Summer 2011 Vol 1 No 2 31 The Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society

Back page picture

Many of the streets around Finsbury Park were demolished to make way for the Andover Estate in the late 1960s. This evocative picture and others were kindly sent in by IAHS member Doris Evelyn Lea. See inside for her letter and more pictures