Improved layout news.fitzrovia.org.uk Fitzrovia News Fitzrovia News is produced by residents and volunteers and distributed free to business and residential addresses in Fitzrovia Issue 147 Winter 2017 Oxford Street pedestrianisation plans divert traffic into neighbouring areas

By Linus Rees nesses along Oxford Street saying the “option remains open to allow Mayor Sadiq Khan has revealed some access overnight if re - more details on his proposal to quired”. pedestrianise London’s Oxford Residents in the neighbour - Street and confirmed exactly what hoods of Marylebone, Mayfair, residents in surrounding districts Fitzrovia and Soho are alarmed Fighting fascism feared — all vehicles will be sim - about the plans and are angry that ply diverted into neighbouring the mayor has done exactly what page 12 streets but with a reduction in he promised not to do: pedestri - buses serving the area. anise Oxford Street at a cost to The plans put out for consul - surrounding streets. tation this November by West - People in these districts want minster Council and Transport for traffic calming and pollution re - London are to completely close duction in their residential areas, Oxford Street to all but emergency directing the bulk of motor traffic vehicles between the Selfridges to major roads which has been and John Lewis department done in the “Mini-Holland” stores. schemes to be found in outer Lon - The number of bus routes don serving the area will be reduced “What sort of reality does the from nine to two with the 139 and Mayor live in where he thinks 390 running every six to eight that all this traffic should be taken minutes in each direction east and out of an almost 100 per cent com - Englishwoman west along Wigmore Street and mercial area and pushed through Henrietta Place during the day its surrounding residential in New York and every 30 minutes at night. TfL streets?” says Michael Bolt of Bet - will also make all buses in central ter Oxford Street, the campaign page 8 London less polluting by 2019 set up by local community with up to 250 zero-emission groups. Is it an art installation or is it rubbish? We think it’s rubbish. Westminster buses by 2020. “Shifting congestion, pollu - Council have been asking residents what they should do with it. (Letters, p2) Taxi ranks will be relocated to tion and road safety issues rather nearby streets with the total num - than tackling them is unaccept - area, who know the consequences A further consultation giving ber of rank spaces to increase by able,” he says. of these hasty and ill thought out details of the Oxford Street east 20 per cent by 2020. All new taxis In a press statement Better proposals, don’t want it,” says the plans will be conducted in the and private hire vehicles licensed Oxford Street warned that the ban campaign group. early summer of 2018. These from 2018 must have reduced on motor vehicles using Oxford A previous consultation could propose diverting traffic emissions. Street after 7pm will mean that all found that most local residents along Mortimer Street, Goodge Some of the surrounding the evening and night-time traffic and businesses did not support or Street and other streets in streets will be converted from — taxis, private hire vehicles, pri - have concerns about the plans to Fitzrovia if Oxford Street east is one-way to two-way and in some vate cars and pedicabs — will be pedestrianise Oxford Street. closed. one-way streets the direction pushed into the side streets. The current consultation will Goddess of would be reversed to help the “The majority of those that run until December 2017. If given Public consultation: Have your say road network “function more effi - live and have businesses in the the go ahead work will start in the on the transformation of Oxford ciently” says TfL. West End are against this scheme. summer of 2018. This consultation Street. Closes Sunday 17 December Wisdom Despite the transfer of traffic Instead it is being pushed through is also seeking views on the “prin - 2017. Visit: bit.do/oxst into Wigmore Street, TfL says that to the detriment of the wider West ciple” of transforming Oxford (More on Oxford Street on p5.) “fewer vehicles would use the End. The people who know the Street east. page 14 street in future”; a claim that is met with scepticism by local resi - dents who believe that a reduc - tion in buses will lead to more trips by people using private motor vehicles. Cycling will not be allowed along Oxford Street but there will est1958 be improvements for cyclists along nearby streets. “In Summer 2018 we will consult on new high- Awarded The home of traditional quality cycle routes along quieter tripadvisor roads to the north and south of certificate of fish and chips. Oxford Street,” says TfL. excellence four GIGS TfL has not ruled out night years running Fully licensed Greek restaurant 2014 - 2017 time deliveries to service busi - 12 Tottenham Street 020 7636 1424 2 — Fitzrovia News issue 147 Winter 2017 Fitzrovia News Formerly The Tower Letters, email and comment established 1973 news.fitzrovia.org.uk Write to [email protected] or post to Fitzrovia News, Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Association, 39 Tottenham Street, London W1T 4RX twitter.com/fitzrovianews facebook.com/fitzrovianews instagram.com/fitzrovianews We need those bins back Every little kindness [email protected]

020 7580 4576 I am a resident of Hanson Street the bottom of Hanson Street does Issue 147 Winter 2017 and when some of the big black serve to illustrate why the big Some weeks ago I popped into so very kind as to see my purse bins for both rubbish and recy - black bins were useful. I have my local Tesco on New Cavendish and give it to the cashier, and to Published 5 December 2017 cling in the area first disappeared signed a local petition asking for Street to pick up some supplies the very nice staff at the store who Editorial Team some months ago, I rang West - their reinstatement, and if I have after work. Much later in the kept it safe for me. It is very heart - Mike Pentelow: minster Council to enquire as to rubbish to put out which does not evening, I looked in my bag for ening indeed to know that hon - editor and features editor their whereabouts. I was told they coincide with collection times I something only to realise that my esty and kindness still prevail! Linus Rees: had been taken away for cleaning. am currently walking it round to purse was not there. I immedi - website and assistant editor Only subsequently did I discover the big black bins that, for the mo - ately panicked and thinking back Grateful resident Pete Whyatt: that they had been permanently ment, still stand outside West One quickly remembered that Tesco news and production editor removed. House on Riding House Street. was the last place I had been. I Car crime? Clive Jennings: Later still, FitzWest circulated I took this picture today (see rushed downstairs and across to information regarding an addi - front page) at the bottom of Han - the shop feeling incredibly anx - Having lived on Greenwell Street arts editor tional recycling collection which son Street, though I have seen ious as my bank card was in the for over seven years, I am aston - Brian Jarman: means that recycling is now col - piles of rubbish much worse than purse along with some cash I had ished as to why Greenwell Street writer and sub-editor lected twice a week, however I do this here. just withdrawn on my way home. has been listed as a car crime Janet Gauld: not feel this compensates for the The Council would do well to Breathless with alarm I ad - hotspot (FN 146, page 3). Green - associate editor absence of the bins. remember that most of the flats on dressed myself first to the security well consists of two resident park - Barb Jacobson: I appreciate that the Council Hanson Street and the surround - guard and then to the cashier, de - ing bays, which enables four cars associate editor is attempting to deal with an ing streets are small, and residents scribing my purse. To my absolute to park. The remaining spaces are Jennifer Kavanagh: enormous amount of waste de - need to be able to dispose of rub - delight the cashier reached down, designated for ambulance and associate editor posited on our streets and that bish at will and when required, picked it up and gave it to me, emergency vehicles, which are they are concerned that the pres - particularly in this age of over - and everything was inside just as never left overnight. I have never ence of the big black bins offers whelming amounts of packaging. it had been! Apparently I had left seen any evidence of car crime. Contributors: some sort of carte blanche for it on the self-service machine and Sounds suspicious to me. Ann Basu dumping, but the spread of rub - Disgruntled resident someone had handed it in. So, I Sue Blundell bish around the small street bin at am writing to thank whoever was Suspicious resident Jayne Davis Angela Lovely Helene Parry Wendy Shutler Is that pollution I hear? Clifford Slapper Magic trees and By Tim Waterman Sunita Soliar Beth Lynette Thyr It’s 8.30am on a Monday morning, and the generator, pump, or com - Chris Tyler pressor that’s been clattering away incessantly on Bourlet Close for the mystic lamp posts Kipper Williams last few weeks has just fired up for yet another day. “Westminster is Printed by: Sharman & Co Ltd, noisy!” begins the introduction to Westminster City Council’s Noise By Rev Alan Carr Newark Road, Peterborough Strategy, and one might infer from this statement that “So suck it up!” is PE1 5TD. sharmanandco.co.uk the logical answer, though of course this is not the message the Noise There is an unwritten rule in Store Street (I live at one end) that any Strategy is trying to get across. Fitzrovia, and not just its Westminster rubbish left at the foot of one of the plane trees or lamp posts that line Fitzrovia News is produced parts, is actually often quite the opposite of a noisy place, and the nu - the street (of which there are many) will be spirited away in the night by the unseen hands of goblins and elves. by the Fitzrovia Community ances of the distribution of noise and quiet here need better under - I’ve done it myself sometimes and it’s pure magic. An unmarked Newspaper Group. standing by everyone, from businesses to developers to residents. I’ve had a long-running exchange, usually but not always cordial, and invisible zone around each tree or post is considered an acceptable ISSN: 0967-1404 with the neighbouring hair salon. It has a noisy fan next to my bedroom distance for placing the unwanted objects and gadgets of our lives, Published by Fitzrovia window, and while I could wallow in my own misery, it’s more useful from banana skins (a perennial favourite) to three piece suites (admit - Neighbourhood Association to point out the kinds of issues this highlights. First is that more tradi - tedly less common) and every thing in between. (registered charity 1111649) tional buildings in Fitzrovia, such as the mansion block I live in, tend to From the time the black sack or cardboard packaging leaves our 39 Tottenham Street, have living spaces on the street and bedrooms on the insides of the domain until we reach the tree or post it remains our own, but the mo - London, W1T 4RX block. There is often a marked difference in noise between the two. If ment we reach the magic and mystic zone and deposit the now un - fitzrovia.org.uk the hair salon’s fan is off, the silence at the back of our building is truly wanted article, then another magical and mystical process takes place deep, while noise from the street at the front comes in waves all night. and it immediately ceases to be ours at all, so much so that with one Fitzrovia News is published Second is that discontinuous noise can be disruptive of sleep, such swift turn around and a look over our shoulder to check that no one in particular is looking, we would swear even before a judge in court that four times a year. as when the hair salon’s fan kicks on and off. This is increasingly an we have never ever laid eyes upon that sack of junk before. Our deadline for news, issue in Fitzrovia, where more and more buildings use mechanical heat - ing and cooling, and where the plant is located at the rear of the build - We acquire at leisure and dispose in haste. What did the trees and features, letters and adverts ing rather than along the street. Recently residents at Middleton Place, posts ever do to us that they have become the site of memorials to is normally two weeks be - for example, have suffered the unsightly and noisy intrusion of flues avarice and consumption? Nothing, of course. The one uncomplain - fore publication. The next and ductwork from new construction by Great Portland Estates. ingly converts carbon (though it has its work cut out) and the other issue will be out on Tues - Continuous noise, such as that of the engine at the building site showers us with light. But this is not enough. We must garland them day 6 March 2018. Deadline: next door, is a different kind of stressor, and no less a hazard to health with the unwanted detritus of our everyday lives, as if marking the 16 February. and well being. Also the nature of noise can change over time, such as place where the excesses of modernity meet finality and uselessness. Someone, we say, will take them away, though we scarcely care Public editorial meetings when ageing equipment develops squeaks and rattles. who. ‘They’ will. ‘They’ have their work cut out as well. And so it goes, are held at 7 pm, first One further issue my struggle with the hair salon has unearthed is even more difficult to resolve, and points worryingly to a deepening that come the witching hour nocturnal, mechanical and devouring Tuesday of every month at crisis in human relations. In my last communication with them, they beasts arrive, largely unseen (though not by us local night owls) and the Fitzrovia Neighbourhood questioned why they should have to concern themselves with my re - unseen hands of dustbin elves pick them up with the odd shout across Association, quests as I was not a customer of their salon. If small businesses and the street and banging of the lifting gear. So that, come the morning, the 39 Tottenham Street large developers both see themselves as exempt from being neigh - magic trees and mystic posts have come up trumps, and what was once London W1T 4RX bourly, then legal action will increasingly be required to solve noise pol - unwanted is now long forgotten and we have moved on and are al - Subscribe to Fitzrovia News lution, rather than simple human decency. ready busily acquiring new pre-unwanted stuff. All hail the magic of the tree and the mysticism of the lamp posts. for regular updates: Have a look at DEFRA’s noise map here to see the distribution of Rev Alan Carr is Rector of St Giles-in-the-Fields. bit.ly/fitzrovianews noise in London: extrium.co.uk/noiseviewer.html Fitzrovia News issue 147 Winter 2017 — 3

Great Portland News in brief Estates runs out Middleton Place post-produc - of street names tion company Sequence Post has closed after falling into fi - nancial difficulties. Sequence was best known for its work on music productions, including Rolling Stones: Sticky Fingers Live at the Fonda Theatre. Work is due to start this winter on the redevelopment of the former Strand Union Workhouse on Cleveland Street . UCLH Charity has put up for sale a row of eight Grade II listed townhouses at 46-60 One of the incorrect street signs. Huntley Street . The charity arm of University College Lon - As the massive commercial and don Hospitals says it is selling residential development on the the houses to fund health facili - former Royal Mail delivery centre ties. in Fitzrovia nears completion, de - Dramatic footage of an at - veloper Great Portland Estates tempted daylight robbery of a appears to have run out of ideas motor scooter in Fitzroy Street for street names, writes Angela was captured on camera from Lovely. within the Arup headquarters. The Rathbone Square devel - Paul Gardner manager of Hobgoblin Music 24 Rathbone Place playing the cittern. “The shop has been here for over 16 The film showed a group of opment will have office space for years We’re happy to be supporting local people wishing to learn and to play music and British instrument makers. We thieves on motor scooters Facebook, 142 private residential hope to be part of this neighbourhood for a long time to come.” thwarted by a lorry driver and apartments, cafes, shops and members of the public. restaurants surrounding a central The London Fire Brigade square within 50 metres of Totten - has ordered improvements to a ham Court Road station. Planning Venues seek late Camden Council residential Pedestrian walkways run - block of 135 flats in Grafton ning through the site and linking Way after it was discovered fire Newman Street to Rathbone Place policy safety laws were being broken. have now been labelled with At nearby homes a faulty those instantly recognisable and night licences fire alarm that rang constantly iconic vitreous enamel street sent residents into despair. signs. update Late night licence applications for sultation: 16 December 2017. Clarion Housing Group, for - There’s Rathbone Square, three premises in Fitzrovia are Spearmint Rhino is seeking to merly Circle 33, said it was Rathbone Passage, and… New - currently being consulted upon renew its sexual entertainment li - “sorry for the disruption” at the man Passage. Camden Council is seeking the by Camden Council. cence. Proposed opening times of block in Whitfield Street . But hang on a moment. Isn’t public’s views on its updated Owners of the Reverend JW the premises are Monday to Satur - Westminster council has there already a Georgian alley - planning guidance documents, Simpson in Goodge Street are day, 09.00 to 04.00 the following given permission for developer way further up the road called which provide detailed informa - seeking to vary their existing li - morning; Sunday: 10.00 to 02.00 Derwent London to part de - Newman Passage? Yes, there is. tion on how the council applies cence to serve alcohol until 2am the following morning. molish and redevelop a cluster And it’s quite well known. its planning policies. on four nights a week. Last date for representation: of commercial buildings on the Westminster City Council’s Comments on the draft doc - The application states: "The 14 December 2017. northwest corner of Rathbone guidelines — and commonsense uments can be made until 12 Jan - proposed variation is to extend Application reference: Place and Oxford Street. The — on street and building naming uary 2018. To view these the sale of alcohol on Wednesday APP\SE-RENW\086432: 161 Tot - plans were heavily criticised by states that new street names documents and respond to the and Thursday from the current tenham Court Road, London W1T the Fitzrovia West Neighbour - should not duplicate any similar consultation visit: hours of 10:00 to 23:30 to the pro - 7NN. hood Forum which asked for name already in use. camden.gov.uk/cpg posed hours of 10:00 to 02:00 the Comments on these applica - the application to be refused A rather emabarrassed repre - Westminster council has an - following morning; and on Fri - tions can be made to Camden because of harm it would have sentativive of the dopey develop - nounced that it is to delay a con - day and Saturday from the cur - Council via its website on the conservation area. ers got in touch to thank us for sultation on the revision of its rent hours of 10:00 to midnight to camden.gov.uk/licensing and pointing out the mistake and said major planning policies until the the proposed hours of 10:00 to searching the register using the the signs would be replaced. spring of 2018. 02:00 the following morning. application reference number. “The signs are incorrect and westminster.gov.uk/planning- "The opening hours of the Camden Council states mem - Christmas not approved and have been put policy premises will be Monday and bers of the public can support or up in error. They will be replaced The mayor of London has Tuesday 10:00 to midnight, oppose an application, but com - with signs titled Rathbone Square published the draft London plan. Wednesday to Saturday 10:00 to ments must not be frivolous, which is the name approved by It is open for consultation until 02:30 the following morning, and repetitive or vexatious. They must dinner at Westminster City Council,” said Friday 2 March 2018. Sunday 10:00 to 23:00," states the address the effect the application Piers Blewitt of Great Portland london.gov.uk/new-london-plan application. could have on one or more of the Estates. The last date for making a four licensing objectives: Indian representation on the application Prevention of crime and dis - is 13 December 2017. Ref: order; Protection of children from T E M L E Y APP\PREMISES-VARY\086412 harm; Public safety; and Preven - YMCA PR OPER TY C ONSUL TAN CY Reverend JW Simpson, 32-34 tion of nuisance. Goodge Street, W1T 2QJ. The council is obliged to Warren Street based Charity Ar e you looki ng for prope rty invest ment A new premises licence ap - grant a premises licence if no ob - Fitzrovia Youth in Action will be plicaton for a restaurant and bar jections are received within the holding their Christmas Commu - opp or tuniti es? at 80 Cleveland Street, W1T 6NE three week consultation period. nity Dinner from 1pm to 4pm on Tem ley is a spe cialis t prope rty de velopme nt and inv estm ent has been made. The application is All comments must be submitted Thursday 21 December at the In - consulta nc y fir m. We can he lp you with projec t ori ginat ion, for sale of alcohol, and other li - before midnight on the expiry dian YMCA, Fitzroy Square. They censed activities Monday to Sun - date. evalu ation, projec t ma na geme nt and ongoing adv is ory. promise lovely food and lively en - day from 11.00 to 02.00 the Fitzrovia News provides news tertainment. Dinner is free, but info@temle y.c o.uk +4 4 (0) 7887 722 0 16 following morning. about planning and licensing ap - must be booked in advance. Ref: APP\PREMISES- plications in its email newsletter: Please call FYA on 020 7388 7399 www.temle y.c o.uk NEW\08646. Last date for con - bit.ly/fitzrovianews or email [email protected] 4 — Fitzrovia News issue 147 Winter 2017 Youth club Camden Council Artist’s home and studio in quashes planning planned at consent after claim Whitfield Charlotte Street listed to high court

+A building containing the former family home of Camden Council has agreed to Place artist and designer couple Adrian and Corinne quash the planning permission it A Warren Street charity has ap - Heath and the studio of modernist artist Birgit gave for the redevelopment of a plied to Camden Council to cre - Skiöld has been listed as a heritage asset because of site in Fitzrovia after the decision ate a youth club underneath a its architectural and cultural value. was challenged in the high court. block of flats at Whitfield Place in In September Historic England gave Grade II Camden’s planning commit - Fitzrovia. listed status to the building at 28 Charlotte Street be - tee gave permission in the sum - The plans have been submit - cause it holds architectural interest as “an externally mer for a roof extension and other ted by Fitzrovia Youth in Action little-altered example of an eighteenth century ter - alterations to Cyclone House, 27- who want to build an activity raced town house with an inserted nineteenth cen - 29 Whitfield Street which stands space for young people aged be - tury shopfront” and for the “legibility of its floor on the corner of Colville Place. tween 14 and 19 years old in the plan, and surviving range of interior joinery and fea - However, local resident Max basement of Suffolk House and tures”. Neufeld successfully challenged below the 13 affordable homes The designation also recognised its historical in - by judicial review the legality of managed by Origin Housing. terest because of its “association with the artists the decision in the high court after Finance for the project will Adrian Heath and Birgit Skiöld” both of whom he claimed that officers in Cam - come from a grant by LandAid worked out of the building in the second half of the den’s planning department had who awarded the charity twentieth century. failed to take into consideration £100,000 in 2015. Historic England also regarded the building as the impact the development Fitzrovia Youth in Action say complementing the neighbouring property at 26 would have on his neighbouring the club will be called The Warren Charlotte Street which is listed at Grade II. grade II listed building at 1 Centre and will be open between Adrian Heath (1920-1992) was a major figure in Colville Place. the hours of 9am and 9pm and the development of abstract art in England during Neufeld argued that Cam - will be occupied by 20 youths per the forties and a key proponent of Constructivism. den’s officers had given incorrect day who will be supervised by Corinne Heath (died 2009) was a theatre designer. advice to members of the plan - one or two members of staff. The The protected asset status means any redevelop - ning committee with regard to na - designs include a new front door ment plans have to receive listed building consent. A tional policy on the protection of and entrance canopy. planning application for its redevelopment which heritage assets. Camden Council’s planning was approved by Camden Council in April has now Camden Council offered no department will now review the been withdrawn. defence to the legal challenge and application before deciding The application to list the building which was came to a settlement out of court whether or not to approve the built in 1766 was made by the Bloomsbury Conser - and agreed to pay claimant's costs 28 Charlotte Street, built in 1766, has been listed at plans. vation Area Advisory Committee and prompted by of £5,000. Grade II because of its architectural and cultural inter - Planning application: Camden’s decision to allow the building to be con - Councillor Danny Beales, cab - est. 2017/3907/P — Basement, Suf - verted into flats. inet member for Investing in folk House 1-8 Whitfield Place Local campaign group the Charlotte Street Asso - Communities said: “Whilst the teenth century. London W1T 5JU. ciation successfully presented a case for the prop - Council considers that it made a From the late 1950s to the early 1980s, Birgit erty’s architectural merits and cultural value. They lawful decision, we recognise Skiöld ran the first open-access professional print argued that the building has one of the finest remain - there could have been more detail studio workshop in England from the basement of Travel group reveal ing Georgian facades in Charlotte Street and that it is in the report. the building. Her facilities were used by artists in - possibly the only house to remain un-subdivided “Therefore we ‘submitted to cluding David Hockney and Eduardo Paolozzi. plans for hotel on (excepting that the ground floor and basement are in judgement’ — this is a simple Having assessed the arguments for and against commercial use). legal process which allows the Newman Street listing, the advice report by Historic England con - Their response also noted interest for the 1960s courts to quash the decision so the cluded that the building was worthy of protection. studio to the rear of the house. Evidence showed that case can be reconsidered by our Plans for a new hotel in Fitzrovia “28 Charlotte Street is an important survival of from the mid-1950s and 1960s the house became a planning committee. The Council were unveiled at a public exhibi - an C18 town house modified for commercial use in meeting place and a centre for an important and had no wish to waste public tion in November. the C19 and then for the occupation of artists of unique group of British abstract and constructivist money battling a long standing Travel and leisure group Leeu some repute in the C20. We acknowledge that there painters in the post-war period. resident in court when a less Collection will shortly be submit - have been some alterations — this is to be expected These figures included Victor Pasmore, Terry costly and time consuming course ting a planning application to in a house of this date — but the degree of original Frost, Peter Lanyon, and Patrick Heron. Adrian of action was available.” Westminster City Council to rede - fabric and later alterations which add to its character Heath’s presence was a continuation of the tradition Neufeld was not impressed velop 50-57 Newman Street. and interest is such that we have no hesitation in rec - of artists, their studios and their teaching, based in by the response from Camden’s Leeu Collection which has ommending its Grade II listing.” several hotels in South Africa Charlotte Street and Fitzrovia since the late eigh - cabinet member and felt the bought the site earlier this year. Council had not taken the matter The forthcoming planning ap - seriously. plication seeks permission for “a “It is shameful that the Coun - high-quality hotel offering at least THE DUKE OF YORK cil should now seek to trivialise 60 bedrooms with ancillary retail, the serious failures identified by my legal challenge conceded by food and beverage services”. Opening hours Mon-Fri 12-11pm However, the plans are to the Council. completely demolish the existing Sat 1-11pm Sunday closed “The claim clearly demon - building before redeveloping the strated that officers had failed to site with an increased floorspace. 47 Rathbone Street W1T 1NW correctly apply national policy in The Fitzrovia Neighbourhood 0207 636 7065 [email protected] assessing the damage of the pro - Association has written to the posed development to the setting owners expressing concern about of the listed buildings and as a yet another major demolition, an A traditional pub with a good selection of real consequence fundamentally mis - intensification of entertainment directed members as to the appli - use on the site, and noise nuisance ales and varied wine list. cation of law and policy,” he said. The application will now from the operation of the hotel Upstairs Bar / Function room available for and restaurant. They have re - have to be redetermined and quested the owners produce a private parties and buffets. planning committee members will be made aware of the outcome of green travel plan and a ban on Check us out on facebook! diesel motors during demolition the judicial review in deciding on and construction. any future application. Fitzrovia News issue 147 Winter 2017 — 5

Residents and business asked to say ‘no’ to Most local residents oppose or have Oxford Street plans

Better Oxford Street, the cam - concerns about Oxford Street plans paign formed by the amenity soci - eties in Fitzrovia, Marylebone, Mayfair and Soho (and backed by By Linus Rees Fitzrovia News ) is asking residents and local business to say “no” in the current consultation (see ad - People living in the neighbour - vert below). hoods near Oxford Street have The mayor of London and come out strongly against plans to Westminster Council want to pedestrianise the shopping street push ahead with pedestrianising because of concerns about dis - Oxford Street in one form or an - placing motor vehicles into sur - other but a final decision has yet rounding areas, according to the to be made and will depend on results of a consultation carried the public consultation. out by Transport for London and To respond, go to the web ad - Westminster Council and pub - dress: bit.do/oxst lished in October. This will take you to the ofi - More than 65 percent of local cial TfL consultation page. residents are either opposed to or Answer “no” to question 1. In have concerns about the proposals the comment box say why you put forward by Mayor Sadiq said no. Khan and pushed for by cam - At question 2 it asks about paign group Living Streets. Resi - “developing proposals for the dents say they are strongly eastern section of Oxford Street”. against buses being diverted Here you can raise your concerns along parallel roads and taxi about transport, congestion and ranks being placed in side streets. air quality in Fitzrovia. Businesses are even more op - The consultation runs until posed to the scheme: 60 percent formation of Oxford Street and percent of respondents are in Residents groups remain un - 17 December 2017. are unequivocally against, a fur - are comfortable with the changes favour of the “transformation” convinced of TfL’s ability to de - The London Taxi Drivers As - ther 16 percent with concerns, and that would be necessary to make plans. liver full pedestrianisation of sociation has formed its own cam - only 19 percent are fully in favour it possible, according to the con - TfL did acknowledge con - Oxford Street without displacing paign — Open Oxford Street — of the scheme. sultation report. cerns saying it “was clear that any a great deal of congestion, pollu - to oppose pedestrianisation and Nearly 50 percent of all re - However, Transport for Lon - scheme must address a range of tion and night time disturbance has taken out adverts in local pa - spondents either oppose or have don and the Mayor’s office are transport, accessibility and con - into neighbouring areas. pers including Fitzrovia News (see concerns about the proposals and claiming there is “strong support” gestion concerns raised by locals advert on page 7). only 43 percent support the trans - for the proposals and claiming 62 and others.”

     
-

 
    *    7 •    •    •    • 

.V:7Q`]C:J QHCQV 6`Q`R ` VV  Q  ` : H Q`:R:7* V]C:J Q :` 1  1J *

  :1R Q .VC:  HQJ%C :QJ G%  .V:7Q`R1RJ; .V:`%* .1JV1HQJ%C :QJCCQcV`JQQC%QJ Q 1.V`V:CC .VR1]C:HVR ` : H$QV8 :7>?:$:1JT1 ;Q%`C:  H.:JHV Q Q] .19 6 — Fitzrovia News issue 147 Winter 2017

Word from the Streets Illustration by Jayne Davis By CHARLOTTE STREET and her siblings Celebrity name dropping Comedian Tim Vine was absolutely awe struck by American actress Greta Moreno when they both appeared on Radio 4's "Loose Ends" some years ago. True respect So much so that afterwards in The George pub in Great Portland Street ("after plenty of drink and dubious Scotch eggs") he asked if she really knew A touching tribute by the call girls Elvis Presley . of Tottenham Court Road to "Yes, I dated him, but only to make Marlon Brando jealous," she replied. Princess Diana , just after her This struck the programme host, the late Ned Sherrin , as the ultimate in name death 20 years ago, has been re - dropping, as he gleefully recounted in a recently repeated Radio 4 Extra pro - vealed. Journalist Alex Webb told gramme. the Evening Standard that he was phoning a story from a public box. Pirate rivals "I noticed there were no pros - The first "pirate" commercial titutes' cards in the phone box; radio station to broadcast in oppo - The real decaying head of Jeremy just a single hand written card sition to the BBC in the 1930s Bentham (above) and how he ap - with a red rose pinned to it, say - cheekily opened an office at 37 peared on the pub sign (right) ing 'as a tribute to our princess, Portland Place , right next door to the working girls are not advertis - Broadcasting House. It was called ing today.'" Radio Normandy which beamed It reminded my brother Percy its programmes to Britain from Give me the head of... of local call girl cards proudly an - France. The head of Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) is now on display at Univer - nouncing "Pre-Budget prices The staff of the two rival sta - sity College London in Gower Street - just months after the local pub re - apply." tions often exchanged insults in moved its picture sign of him. local pubs such as The George in Bentham was an eccentric philosopher who was an early supporter Great Portland Street , and the of UCL from its foundation in 1826. Being against burial he donated his Shoot-out by Yorkshire Grey in Langham organs to medical research and his skeleton dressed in his own clothes Street . to be displayed in a glass case in the South Cloisters where it remains. the Tower? Good advice This was all outlined in a re - Originally his head was part of the display but was replaced with a wax cent Radio 4 documentary which effigy when it started decomposing. The original is kept in a safe where Could there be a shoot-out in Congratulations to Zakira, aged also revealed Roy Plomley , before it is removed annually to check the skin and hair. Cleveland Street between local nine, of All Souls School in becoming the "Desert Island But it is now part of an exhibition called What does it mean to be film actor Nick Moran and direc - Foley Street for this appeal to Discs" stalwart of the BBC, had human? Curating Heads, in the UCL Octagon Gallery (Wilkins Build - tor Guy Ritchie ? dog owners (above), displayed in broadcast for the pirate station, ing) until February. The film "Lock, Stock and Riding House Street. and sold "washable condoms" Scientists have taken samples of its DNA to test theories he may Two Smoking Barrels" starred called the Workman's Friend. have had Asperger's or autism. Moran and was directed by The Jeremy Bentham pub sign in University Street was removed Ritchie. Blanking out when it was taken over by Simmons cocktail bar earlier this year.. Moran revealed in Waitrose Worst deal ever? Weekend that he had been paid the first duke just a few hundred quid for the "Who would market an offer as the film with no extras from box of - The Grafton Arms in Grafton Way worst deal?" asked my half-brother fice takings. has taken down its heraldic sign with Stephen , walking past Herman Ze He now lives "literally ten the Duke of Grafton's coat of arms German in Charlotte Street . He had yards away" from the BT Tower in (pictured right). The chequered bar not read it properly, it was in fact a denotes the illegitimacy of the first "Wurst deal" for sausages, fries and a Cleveland Street - just a gun shot Duke, Henry Fitzroy . Surely in this drink. Could not have been that great, away from Ritchie's pad in Fitzroy however, as no price was specified. Square. day and age there is no shame in that. Goodge Street club an upholstered sewer News from Hair raising The Capricorn clip joint, that He recounted that while they This hair clipper sign (above) in used to be at 32 Goodge Street were engrossed in discussing Canada the window of 44-46 Riding until a police raid closed it a few darts, a striptease performance Does anybody remember Sally House Street bamboozled my sis - years ago, was described as "an went on around them. Their lack Baker, who lived on the corner of ter Margaret into thinking it was upholstered sewer" by television of interest "by the sad pair at the Riding House Street and Can - a hair stylist. darts commentator Dave Lan - front" in the act was misinter - dover Street from 1978 to 1993? "I was about to ask for my ning who died just over a year preted in various ways by others She recently bumped into my hair to be tinted in the same tone ago, aged 78. in the bar. brother Warren in Toronto, where as the bright orange broom that a The source for this is his fel - My oldest brother Mortimer she now lives. witch on the wall was riding, low darts commentator Sid Wad - recalls going to the club in the She passed on her best re - when I realised it was an exhibi - dell (1940-2012), in his book 1970s for a drink after the pubs gards to John Andrews of the tion," she quipped. It is in fact the "Bellies and Bullseyes, The Out - closed at 3pm. "I was chatting to Kings Arms , and was sad to hear Josh Lilley art gallery although rageous True Story of Darts". a Scottish lady at the bar about of the death of actor Ian Collier there is no sign to confirm this. Dave took Sid to the club in socialism," he recalls. "Then she who lived next to the Crown & "I am glad the mistake drew 1973 after they had been to TV said she had to do her act, went Sceptre in Great Titchfield Street . me in as the multi-media work by Times in Tottenham Court Road. to the miniscule stage, disrobed, artist Alex Da Corte, including the Sid wrote that the club was writhed around a bit, rerobed and general low-lifes went et neon sign in the window, was "a place where committed topers and came back to the bar to con - Stre when the pubs closed at three in otte most enthralling," she added. [regular drinkers of large quani - tinue the conversation. That's harl the afternoon." C It runs until December 23. ties of alcohol], tired journalists what I call chutzpah." Fitzrovia News issue 147 Winter 2017 — 7

Looking for Alice is an exhibi - tion telling the story of pho - tographer Sian Davey and the Opening and closing relationship with her daugh - ter who was born with Bitmibap Korean cuisine Down's Syndrome. Exhibi - Closed 47 Margaret Street tion open daily: Friday 8 De - Hema homewares cember to Tuesday 12 Julia’s Meadow café 1 Bedford Avenue December, 11.00 - 18.00, Free 44 Newman Street Almost Saturday Italian café admission, The Fitzrovia Rathbone News newsagents 24 - 25 Foley Street Chapel, 2 Pearson Square. 55 Rathbone Place Abocado wraps 36 Berners Street Saucy pasta Patara Thai restaurant 52 Tottenham Court Road 5 Berners Street Aston and Woods opticians Art boom never gained traction NatWest bank 170 Tottenham Court Road 125 Great Portland Street Russell and Bromley shoes By Clive Jennings galleries, that often struggle. West End Cameras Oxford Street/Rathbone Place The business model of the art 160a Tottenham Court Road Scribbler cards 55 Rathbone Place Towards the end of 2011, I wrote world has also changed dramati - Zena Italian cuisine La Tagliata Italian restaurant enthusiastically about the increase cally in the last ten years: many Loretto strikes again! The Queen on 144 Great Portland Street 45 Grafton Way in the number of commercial gal - dealers are eschewing the tradi - Rathbone Street Acupoint m edicine massage Maui Hawaiian Poké leries, from 16 in 2008 to 37. By tional gallery set up, in favour of a 42 Goodge Street 20a Gosfield Street 2012 the number peaked at modest office/showroom, and West End group Byron hamburgers around 54, but we are now down spending the money saved on a 6 Rathbone Place to around 32 spaces. Also, these much bigger presence at the in - seeks an Simplypleasure.com adult shop figures don’t take into account the creasing number of Art Fairs all Opening 23 G oodge Street moved to base- 60 gallery closures over the last over the world. These “Art expanded BID ment and renamed L ondon six years. Malls” guarantee that, with luck, The business group which repre - Pleasure Store soon There are many reasons for not only their clients, but all the sents the largest retail and leisure this falling off, the massive in - other galleries’ clients will see Samsonite luggage companies in the Oxford Street creases in West End rents and what they have to offer. 1 Bedford Avenue and Regent Street area is holding a business rates, that has affected The art boom in Fitzrovia Opened Ottolenghi deli restaurant ballot on an expanded business art galleries all over central Lon - never seemed to gain traction as Harris+Hoole coffee 59 Wells Street improvement district (BID). don, being an important factor. an entity, compared to somewhere 136 - 138 New Cavendish Street Barclays Bank The New West End Company While one reads daily about auc - like the New York district of Protein Haus s hakes 154 Tottenham Court Road works in a public-private partner - tion records being smashed and Chelsea. There were initiatives to 36 Berners Street Dolcezza Italian cuisine ship with Westminster Council vast sums of money being paid promote the area as an art hub, Starbucks coffee 5 Warren Street 76 Tottenham Court Road and provides business services for paintings at the rarefied top such as Fitzrovia Lates, but they Ole and Steen S candi baker Greyhound cafe Thai food and lobbies on behalf of its mem - end of the market, these sales are fizzled out long ago. I like to think 1 Bedford Avenue 37 Berners Street bers. It is seeking a new BID term made to a small coterie of interna - that what we are seeing is a help - Noizé r estaurant Said Dal 1923 Italian Chocolate to run from April 2018 to March tional collectors/investors, and ful “correction” in a market that 39 Whitfield Street 29 Rathbone Place 2021 and is asking hundreds of the works often never leave the grew too quickly, and we do still Jova café 69 Charlotte Street The Flavour Garden eatery the largest businesses in the area auction house’s warehouse, before have some stunning and innova - Mortimer house kitchen 1 Bedford Avenue to vote on its three-year plan being sold again. These headline tive art spaces in our manor, restaurant 37 - 41 Mortimer Street Santa Maria Pizzeria which includes a wider catchment sales have little effect on smaller showing stand out work. 160 New Cavendish Street area than the existing district.

Advertisement by Newington Communications on behalf of the Open Oxford Street campaign and Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association.

TRANSPOR T FOR LONDON AND WESTMINSTER COUNCIL HA VE ANNOUNCED PLANS TO BAN ALL TRAFFIC FROM OXFORD STREET Oxford Street – the f acts Under curr ent plans, the str etch of Oxfor d Str eet fr om Oxfor d Cir cus to North Audley Str eet will be banned to all vehicles, including taxis, • 175,000 people get on or off a bus buses and delivery vans 24/7. That means all the vehicles, pollution on Oxford Street ever y day and noise fr om the busiest shopping str eet in the world will be pushed into r esidential ar eas.

• Its shops generate £6 billion per We ar e Open Oxfor d Str eet – an independent campaign backed year – 3% of the total UK economy by local r esidents to keep Oxfor d Str eet open and accessible to all. We believe that banning all vehicles fr om Oxfor d Str eet will harm • It’s visited by 15,000 taxis per day the local community . What’ s mor e, our r ecent survey shows that 87% of local r esidents agr ee. We want TfL and W estminster to explor e alter natives which work for everyone.

Join our campaign today! www .openoxfordstreet.com/join

openoxfordstreet.com @OpenOxfordSt facebook.com/openoxfordstreet 8 — Fitzrovia News issue 147 Winter 2017 Wandering spirit crossed continents and settled on a clutter-free city life

By Pete Whyatt

Stylish and engaging, Claire-Louise John leads a busy work and social life but found time to talk to me about her journey from country girl to city dweller.

“I’m passionate about the arts, love litera - On a beach in the Hamptons, Long Island. ture and have been writing poetry since I But her life in America was restricted was six years old. I’m because her visa limited work opportuni - ties. After two years in the USA she de - Graduation from Aberdeen University. fascinated by people, cided to travel to Latin America, visiting Mexico, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. our differences and Looking in the mirror, Claire-Louise being held Back in London Claire-Louise began ticket to a friend who was going to study in by her actor mother Margaret Louise Hampton. working in publishing for Headline Books similarities. I enjoy the States. in Great Titchfield Street (where she also Claire-Louise stayed for a while in lived for a while). Before that she worked yoga meditation and “Making Fitzrovia my home was im - Chicago then moved to New York. She ob - for Eagle Lion TV distribution (a job which portant because of my family history and tained an H1 job-specific visa which gave she got by meeting an executive on a beach long walks” links to the West End,” she tells me. her the right to work for the business and in Miami but that’s another story). “I’m now very much a city person but financal public relationsfirm who spon - The next few years were spent work - was brought up and raised just outside the sored her. She shared in Mid-Town initially, ing, travelling and studying. village of Chiddingfold in the countryside before moving to her own studio apart - “During this time I spent one year The Overseas Development Institute. and hills of the West Sussex-Surrey bor - ment on Broadway and Gt Jones Street in travelling around Nepal, India, SE Asia, Today she works part time on Pall Mall ders.” the Village. She was part of a downtown and Australia. I love mountains and for a fine art advisory and valuations firm Her father was a renowned pathologist collective of young artists and film stu - trekking at altitude. I have enjoyed walking where she is marketing and client liaison at St Thomas’s Hospital and her mother dents that put on events at their gallery some of the highest passes in the co-ordinator. was a Shakespearean and Classical actor. and performance space “Points of Depar - Himalayas, Andes and Pyrenees.” “It’s a creative arts environment and I “We loved her theatre stories and her ture” where Claire-Louise performed her She took a masters specialising in the enjoy my work and my colleagues.” wonderful friends were part of our child - own poetry. anthropology and politics of Latin Amer - She is a very organised tidy hood, visiting us in the countryside after ica. minimalist and has a sideline freelance she had left the theatre herself. Claire-Louise has worked in a number business in clutter busting. “Helping peo - “My mother converted to Roman of interesting environments, She worked at ple to clear their physical space requires Catholicism but she was free spirited with the Arts Council, was assistant administra - great sensitivity as possessions evoke pow - a liberal permissive outlook, although my tor for the Covent Garden Festival of Opera erful memories and emotions for most of sister and I were sent to convent boarding and Music Theatre for two seasons. She us.” school.” also worked for the independent think tank After sixth form college in Godalming, Claire-Louise studied English and Philoso - phy at Aberdeen University; these experi - ences were liberating and she gained an interest in current affairs, politics and ideas, human rights, and overseas develop - ment. In her final year at university Claire- Louise won two Virgin Atlantic flight tick - ets to the USA in a competition. Ditching her then boyfriend she gave her spare

Claire-Louise with her baby sister Cordelia. At the top of the World Trade Centre with In the Himalayan village of Malana, Kulu Valley, Himachal Pradesh. Brooklyn Bridge behind. Fitzrovia News issue 147 Winter 2017 — 9 Store Street and Cleveland Street - chalk and cheese? By GUY O’CONNELL Fitzrovia’s long been loved not just as the cooking pot of the West End … but its melting pot too. With the thousands of famous pubs, bars and restaurants have come the flavours and accents of the world. Historians have documented the Germans, the Italians, the Greeks, the Russians and the South Africans who set up home here. Marx and Engels planned a communist future, leaders of the African National Congress dreamt of an end to Apartheid, and some have even wondered if Hitler and Lenin walked down Charlotte Street while visiting in the same year. Even now within 200 metres, you can visit the Indian YMCA to indulge your need for a curry or the Goodge Street Mosque to break your fast. A new soup shop has opened on Tottenham Street thanks to the super skills of two Israeli friends. But can there be two short streets which offer more contrast in our area than Store Street and Cleveland Street? FN readers are hereby invited to vote for their favourite of these two much-loved strips. Orchidya at No 42

CLEVELAND STREET Footes Music at No 41 Come here for the Indie chic with two rival Chinese restaurants that STORE STREET have been tipped as two of the Pop into the picture framers, pick best in London. The only Laun - up your hipster espresso, or get derette left for miles. Key cutters, your diploma printed in beautiful dry cleaners, fish and chips, hard-back style. Indulge your Brazilian pastries, tailor-made gothic fantasies in the book shop, clothes an Oyster Bar and craft plug in your guitar in a rented beer. music studio, or see the diarama Coffee at The Life Goddess, No 30 Friendly rivals: Bamboo Flute at 145 and Oriental Dragon restaurant a 100. of the whole of London on your way to the Co-op. But there’s something totally different about both these streets …. Landlords in Store Street have long used the same style shop- fronts lending a smart style like a well-mown lawn. But up on The last laundrette in the area at 88. Brodie’s key cutting at 88a Cleveland Street, the grass has Artists’ materials at No 30 grown longer and the moss has season and give our local busi - set up home too. nesses a boost. With so many de - So what’s your favourite and velopers moving in to make the why? area feel like just another city Make sure to visit the stores street, these two local favourites in both streets for the Christmas Bespoke tailor Paul Kitsiaros at 66 The Fish Bone at 82. Fitzroy Cleaners at 90 get our vote here at FN. asons greetings Se t RIB rom all a and f shing you a happy Wi Year prosperous New

www.rib .co .uk

10 — Fitzrovia News issue 147 Winter 2017 When skiffle was the art of A Victorian Pryvate Eye

The indiscretions of those in the improvisation... and plenty Tottenham Court Road area were frequently exposed in a scur - rilous Victorian scandal sheet called Paul Pry. The editors were frequently of plagiarism by the stars jailed, not only for libel, but also blackmail of victims to keep them By MIKE PENTELOW out of the paper. One of these was John Pardy, All the skiffle stars of the mid- a "dog stealer" who preferred to 1950s performed during their describe himself as a "keeper of a early days in the Bread Basket register office for the recovery of coffee bar at 65 Cleveland Street, lost dogs." In other words he including Lonnie Donegan and would charge owners for the re - Tommy Steele. turn of the dogs he had stolen. But two local lads appeared When living in Maple Street in the resident band, The Vipers, (when it was called London which also went on to have a Street) in 1849 he was jailed in a string of hits, as described in a debtors' prison for obtaining new book by Billy Bragg called credit by false pretences, describ - "Roots, Radicals and Rockers. ing himself by then as a stable How Skiffle Changed the World" keeper and horse dealer. (Faber & Faber, £20). Back in 1838 he had brought One local was Ron Gould Paul Pry into court accusing it of who grew up in The Ship public blackmailing him by demanding house, run by his father, at 134 he pay £50 (worth about £5,000 New Cavendish Street, on the cor - today) in order not to be named ner of Hanson Street. for an unspecified felony. He was Ron began playing wash - unsuccessful in this case. board in 1955 with a bunch of This is outlined in an article friends called the Southern Skiffle called Paul Pry in Camden: local Group, busking in nearby bomb - victims of gossip in a penny paper of sites. 1849 by David A Hayes in the lat - As he was leaving The Ship est issue of Camden History Review carrying his washboard his father (available from Camden Local declared to his customers: "Look Studies & Archives Centre, Hol - at him, he's going out to play with hit parade. born Library, 32-38 Theobalds a band that uses scrubbing boards Road, WC1X 8PA). and God knows what! Call that a Booker had in fact introduced Whyton to Tommy Steele who Many of those gossiped band?" about had their identities only A few days later he showed then played with them at the Bread Basket. Tommy also slightly veiled by dropping some his father a record which listed of the letters out of their names. "washboard" on the sleeve notes. brought his own band, the Cave - Bread Basket coffee bar in Cleveland men, where they first played their Through diligent consultation of Unimpressed he said: "Yeah, but street directories, parish rate that's a real bloody musical wash - Street advertises in NME in 1959. hit "Rock with the Caveman" writ - ten by Lionel Bart. This was later books, and census returns Mr board." They bumped into John Hayes has been able to have an Ron states in the book: "The Hasted, a banjo player who was recorded in a toilet at the Decca's studio because they had not educated guess at who they were. attraction of skiffle was that it rep - also a lecturer in atomic physics at They included: resented a rebellion against your University College London in booked a space, but this produced a natural echo which made it a Funeral carriage master E J parents and what they stood for. Gower Street. He was a Marxist Blackburn of 25 Store Street , ac - You could hear skiffle because it who had formed the London best seller. John Hasted printed a handy cused of passing off brown horses was being played in the street. Youth Choir to take part in festi - as black with the use of black pol - There was a feeling that this was vals all over the world. guide to constructing a tea-chest bass in a magazine which also ish. us... we're doing this for our - He invited Whyton and the Charles B--n of Torrington selves. It was anti-commercial. Vipers to get on his red lorry and gave information on making "a Lagerphone". This was an Aus - Place (when it was Francis Street), We're going to play our music and play as part of the Soho Fair pa - accused of "amours with the bal - Booker a job in his band. Donegan tralian invention comprising of sod all the rest." rade. Also on the lorry was a sea - let girls" of the Queen's Theatre in asked him to teach them "Don't 300 lager bottle tops attached to a He went on to play the tea man called Redd Sullivan who Tottenham Street , which ended You Rock Me Daddy-O" as he in - broom pole which rattled when it chest in the house band of the sang a shanty called "Sail Away its days as the Scala Theatre. tended to record it himself... and was bounced on the floor. Bread Basket, which was a cellar Ladies" with the phrase "Don't she Henry Aste, shopkeeper, of copyright it himself. This so out - An intriguing footnote is that cafe decorated with Spanish [meaning the ship] rock?" from 169 Tottenham Court Road , a raged Booker that he left the band Lonnie Donegan smuggled themed murals of flamenco the shantyman, to which the crew married man with nine children, and warned Whyton who copy - Buddy Holly (on tour in London) dancers and guitarists. Sometimes replied: "Die-dee-o" as they pulled accused of spending too much righted it before Donegan. into an historic benefit concert for they would be joined by Tommy together. time in the company of a pretty Ron Gould had earlier wit - singer Big Bill Broonzy who was Steele on guitar when he was on The Vipers adapted (or possi - waitress in the Bull's Head pub at nessed Donegan's pilfering ten - suffering from cancer. It took shore leave from the merchant bly misheard) it and changed the 101 Tottenham Court Road . dencies when trying to borrow a place in March 1958 at the Domin - navy. lyrics into "Don't You Rock Me Miss L E E--e of Warren Muddy Waters plantation record ion Theatre in Tottenham Court The other local lad, who Daddy-O" and the refrain "Sing Street was admonished for going from the library of the United Road where performing with Lon - played guitar in the coffee bar, away lady, sing away." to concerts frequently with differ - States Information Service in nie's group were the bands of was Wally Whyton, who lived It went down a storm when ent young men and returning at 2 Grosvenor Square, only to be told Chris Barber and Ken Colyer. with his mother off Tottenham they performed it at the Bread or 3 o'clock in the morning. it had been taken out by a Mr (Colyer, incidentally, had been Court Road, and had bought his Basket on July 30, 1956. Lonnie William Henry Morley, a 19- Donegan and never returned. brought up in Fitzroy Square first guitar in a pub just north of Donegan who was in the audience year-old lawyer's clerk, living at Lonnie admitted years later that where his parents were servants). the same road in 1954. Gradually and joined them on stage for a 34 Huntley Street (when it was he had stolen it, and paid a fine. And who was in the audience this band, led by Wally, developed couple of numbers, was particu - Sussex Street), was condemned as Versions of the "Don't You at the age of 19 on his first trip to into the Vipers, which was play - larly impressed. "a most tremendous boaster and Rock Me Daddy-O" by the Vipers, London? The future disc jockey ing regularly in the bar by 1956. He offered guitarist Johnny swaggering bully." and Donegan, both shot into the John Peel. Fitzrovia News issue 147 Winter 2017 — 11 The Duke of Darkness A short story by SUNITAR SOLIAR

Do you feel safe in the dark? Big delicate about it. ’Will she be back?’ Ben off, street lights off, win - ‘Two guineas/ Couple of That makes you squirm, doesn’t dows boarded up. This city pounds.’ it? ‘She’s at boarding school.’ Chews thinks it’s getting one over on Are you pleased by that? Think - you up, does it, the thought of this them by playing dead, living in ing you’ve won the lottery? If that’s little angel at school while you let in what you need to think, I’m happy to a stranger who ogles her picture? this mausoleum of night. oblige. Does it pain you that I might think of Children to bed early, a cold sup - But to step onto the black-and- her while you let me have my way per so as not to use the stove. Check white striped streets we must pre - with you? ‘It’s why I work nights. for light leaks from gaps in windows tend. Take my arm? You don’t mind The fees.’ so that the bombs that come from the if you do. A soft arm, as though street Boo hoo. ‘Born out of wedlock, sky can’t see you. I have flown over work has reduced you to the essen - was she?’ life from up there — it is nothing to tials, flesh, not bone. Oh, you want to ‘Her father died.’ care about. But down here, at ground talk. ‘Nice night’ - ‘It’s as black as any Bet that’s a lie. Boarding school level, you and I have found a new other’ - ‘Working late at the office?’ - is probably a lie. A child out of wed - way to thrive. In a dark alleyway, the ‘It’s my night off. RAF’ - ‘Fancy! lock: a thing shoved out of sight. Per - cobbled echoes of Newman’s Pas - What does it look like from up there?’ haps father is a peer, a swell, a sage. New man. Quite. The men are Did you squeeze my arm tighter? You promise of a different life that the all new to you, aren’t they? But you think you’re safer because I’m in the child is deprived of by this whore of are like old leather, soft, easy to open RAF. But it’s the Duke you are with. a mother. What is done in the dark up. Yes, I watch you from Rathbone Illustration by Clifford Harper Gordon Cummins is signed in at may not breathe in the light, and here Street, skulking where your daytime mess - it’s silly what you can get for a you tell me your dark lies. pals can’t see. If only you could know pack of cigarettes. Your heel wobbles ‘Shall we?’ Poetry corner that I was watching you without you in a pothole as we turn a corner — is I’ll be the one to say. ’Turn the knowing! We’re all of us fallen in the WHITE CHRISTMAS VIA POINT that an accident? With a different lights off.’ dark, aren’t we? This thing inside me, by Wendy Shutler By Beth Lynette Thyr man at a different time of day, you That’s fine by you. Cheaper that this entity, could not have grown in might do this so that he is forced to way, I suppose. Cheap is the motto. the light. Brightness feeds things. It Hushed in a bright silence of snow, It's something of a family joke: catch you in his arms. I know your Zippers and buttons. You un - also kills them. In the dark rats crawl the house The snail-paced meander through the tricks. dressing on the other side. Well, through the cold tunnels of the ‘This is our stop.’ If you only here’s the surprise I’ve saved! How wraps around us like a blanket. busy parking lot human mind. knew what you were unlocking the will I look to you through rubber, the As pine logs crackle, burn and blaze, The eyeing-up of potential harbours And how long can I creep along door to! It’s perfect, this feeling for two big bug eyes of my mask? their smoky scent pervades our cave. The fickle rejection of same this thin tunnel without you notic - the banister in the dark, me following They’re supposed to protect us from Chestnuts roast upon the fire, and hot Even the aborted docking ing? Past the recessed doorways, the the creak of your shoes up the stairs. invisible killers, but isn’t the smell of spiced wine, infusing our blood, Cast away on what grounds? grilles over the windows…aha! Another door — the mazes we go disinfectant sickening inside, doesn’t You’ve got me. You’re older up close, makes us merry. On feel through, but we’ve arrived. This is the sight of your own inhuman, you’ve got the frown-and-scold On sudden skittishness your flat. A table lamp by the door — masked face nearly stop your heart? mouth of someone’s mother. I’ve The great dog Oscar dances with me, On the deluded notion that there is a on. Stale as bad breath from all off the We’ll find out. heard they call you The Lady, the round and round the Christmas tree. right spot brown tape and cardboard wedged In the darkness of your bed - men at the pub. Well, at the base, Resplendent in its perfect suitability up against the windows, and every - room, you can hear me, can’t you. they call me The Duke, so that makes thing in the room as limp as your The plastic creak of the mask moving Winter sunrise draws an outline, Further on this a date. flesh — a withered rug, the seat of away from my face with each breath. neon red on snowy fields. ‘You didn’t half frighten me,’ the chair hollow where the springs ‘You alright?’ There it is, a stocking I My husband slumps with staged res - you say. Good one. I’d laugh, but have given up — though limpness is can feel on the bed. Good for many The kids build a snowman on a white ignation you’re not in on the joke yet, are you? relative. You’ll find out. Hasty, aren’t things. Your hair, crispy to the touch, lawn My teenaged son giggles Looking at me full on with your coat you, to get me in the sack? Pulling your neck. There you go, jerking and open in a shirt and skirt that would as smooth as the icing on the Christ - But my twelve-year-old daughter aside the curtain that separates the twisting. I know that sound of your be respectable if they were a couple mas cake, - wrists still bare - living room from the bed. I’ll take my eyes bulging towards blackness, your of inches looser. We could pretend ci - but for their footprints. Squishes her face between my head - own time, and who is that? On the hands no match for mine. If you vility, discuss the possibility of a date, rest and my window. piano. A young girl. A you with more could know the life that slips out of guarding our eyes from passers-by, Lopsidedly, he melts away, “That space works, Mum,” she says air inside of her — pretty. You don’t you into my hands, the life that spills but no one sees now. some time after New Year's Day, to my right ear, want me looking at her image, hurry - out of me, while the rest of the world ‘How much?’ ing me on with ‘Come this way, love.’ is still in a place so dark, unashamed. with their footprints. “You’ll definitely fit. Just try again.” ‘Depends what you…’ But I’ll decide when and what hap - I could live here. If day, would never ‘Full.’ Let’s not pretend to be As if commitment were easy pens. come back. Aspiring poets should submit As if success were self-evident their verse to us (contact details As if the parking lot were a via point on page 2) by February 14, 2018. And I had somewhere yet to go ASAtsMLgtSLt@ aSol.Acom INTS, MARGARET STREET For more verses by local poets get: allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk Advent, Christmas & Epiphany Services A FITZROVIAN MISCELLANY All services with the Choir of All Saints Price just £3.50 Friday 15 December 12.30pm from Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Centre LUNCHTIME CAROL SERVICE Followed by mince pies & mulled wine 39 Tottenham Street, London W1T 4RX Monday 18 December 6pm FESTIVAL of NINE LESSONS & CAROLS by candlelight Followed by mince pies & mulled wine Sunday 24 December 11pm CHRISTMAS EVE Bloomsbury ward MIDNIGHT MASS and Blessing of the Crib councillors surgeries Monday 25 December 11am First Friday of the month 6:00-7:00pm Fitzrovia Centre 2 Foley Street CHRISTMAS DAY High Mass Second and fourth Fridays of the month 6:00-7:00pm Saturday 6 January, 12 noon Marchmont Community Centre, 62 Marchmont Street, WC1N 1AB EPIPHANY HIGH MASS Third Friday of the month is a “roving surgery” Get in touch if you would like us to conduct the surgery in your street or building Sunday 7 January, 6pm Adam Harrison, Sabrina Francis and Rishi Madlani EPIPHANY CAROL SERVICE contact 020 7974 3111 [email protected] [email protected] Celebrate with us and bring your friends to [email protected] see this beautiful Church! 12 — Fitzrovia News issue 147 Winter 2017 Fighting the post-war fascists Hanson Street printer was in thick of battle

A local lad, Sidney Spellman, was one of the 43 Group’s members. Brought up in Hanson Street, he was an apprentice compositor in the print trade at the time of his involvement. Sidney writes in a letter quoted in The 43 Group: "My first involvement was attending fascist meetings on Satur - day afternoons at Notting Hill Gate. Victor Burgess [a well-known Fascist and anti-Semite who belonged to the pro-Mosley British Union of Freemen before joining the UM] spoke. … The platform was often knocked over … One meeting was the first night of the Succoth festival [a Jewish festival commemorating the Exodus from By ANN BASU Egypt and taking place between late September and late October]. The Fascists were about 2,000 strong. They were protected by Jews had become a prominent Workers take to the streets against Mosley’s fascists mounted and foot police who kept us apart. Next morning the Daily group in Fitzrovia by the time of Graphic had a large front page picture showing me in the front row. I the Second World War. Having was going on in Nazi Germany abated until the outbreak of war needed this to show my father why I had not been at synagogue the migrated into the rich ethnic mix and at home had built up into a and the banning of the BUF, along previous evening." of Fitzrovia, these Jews were powerful sense of threat that was with the internment of its key fig - The 43 Group’s response to the Fascists was “we were born here! much less exposed to anti- causing constant pressure on the ures including Mosley. We fought for this country and were trained to kill the same type of Semitism than the East End Jews, Board of Deputies to take action. But after the War in the late bastard coming back out of the woodwork. They, too, must be at - who were also a far larger group. A Jewish Defence Campaign set 1940s there were attempts by tacked and destroyed. If you can’t do it, we will!” However, as the 1930s pro - up by the Board of Deputies was Mosley and others to revive the gressed and German Fascism announced in the Jewish Chroni - British Fascist movement. Mar - grew, strong forces threatened Some Jews living in Fitzrovia memories of my mother’s cousin cle on July 24, 1936, less than three kets including Soho’s Berwick Jews across London and other and the West End, like many other Henry, a small boy in the 1930s. months before the Mosleyites Street market were targeted for British cities. The biggest home- Londoners, were concerned with The people he knew were “hum - tried to march in Cable Street. distribution of Fascist literature, grown Fascist movement was Os - avoiding ‘trouble’ and going ble and timid people”, he says, The Defence Campaign although Hackney was the area of wald Mosley’s British Union of about their daily business without not well-informed about the cur - aimed to oppose the denigration London most affected by the Fascists, which operated mostly in interference. rent situation and not prone to of and attacks on Jews by rea - Mosleyites. Several other Fascist the East End but had several of - In my own family of Fitzro - getting into fights with anyone. soned arguments against anti- groups were operating at that fices in the West End, including a vian tailors this might have been But by 1936 the feelings of Semitism and the presentation of time, many based in West London recruiting office in Regent Street. the ruling view, judging from the unease and fearfulness at what the positive contribution Jews – perhaps as many as 14 groups in were making to British society. London. The Jewish People’s Council This drive was vigorously Star billing for this film restaurant against Fascism and Anti- countered by various groups who Semitism was also formed at this by 1950 had aided in ending the BFI Stephen Street Kitchen, 21 courgette, sundried tomatoes and time. This took action on the ‘Union Movement’, as Mosley’s Stephen Street. mozzarella; ham, mushrooms and streets and engaged in anti- new group was called. The British Film Institute is the peas; spicy pulled beef, peppers defamation work that exposed the main organisation - government and sweetcorn - priced from £9.95 political motives of the fascists. It LYONS CORNER HOUSE and lottery assisted - supporting to £11.95; a couple to share with a worked closely with the National The 43 Group consisted of and promoting the making of salad is a meal for two. Council for Civil Liberties, organ - Jewish men and women many of British film and television. Be - If you’d rather have a main, ising joint conferences and having whom had served in the War and nugo is a chain that specialises in the two most expensive (and re - their speakers on the same plat - weren’t prepared to see Fascism having restaurants and cafes in ally enjoyable) are roast free-range form at meetings. Other defence take root again in British soil. places like Westminster Abbey, chicken, beautifully-cooked and organisations were formed at Their story is compellingly told London Wall, and the House of St juicy when I had it, served on a around the same time, including a by one of the 43 Group’s key Barnabus in Soho (and John bed of crispy potato strips with Jewish ex-servicemen’s organisa - members, Morris Beckman, in his Lewis). baby leeks; and an extraordinary- tion that soon had more than a book, The 43 Group (1992). The 43 Down an easy-to-miss small By the DINING DETECTIVE looking (and good-tasting) slow- thousand members. Group frequently met at an old

street off Tottenham Court Road, cooked, short rib of beef with and popular rendezvous for Jew - . t e e r t S y a w n o C 1 2 t a s i 4 1 e g a

or reached by Gresse Street off p chunky chips and beetroot and COURT APPEARANCES ish people: Lyons’ Corner House n o e r u t c i p e h T : E L Z Z U P E R U T C I

Rathbone Place, is the Benugo-run P horseradish. For vegetarians, as Numbers of local residents re - in Tottenham Court Road . Its of - Stephen Street Kitchen, attached well as half the wood-fired flat - sisted the BUF, and sometimes fice was in Panton Street, Soho. to offices (and small downstairs I’ve been there three times breads and all of the sides, there is ended up in court. The Times of The Group helped to beat the viewing cinemas) of the British (learning now not to review a beetroot and ricotta ravioli as a June 25, 1937 reports that a fitter’s Mosleyites by continual pressure Film Institute. place until I’ve made several vis - main. Also there is sea bream mate and St. Pancras resident, on the Fascists often leading to vi - I find this a really pleasant its), and enjoyed the informality, with spring greens, fennel and cit - William Joseph Fairman, had been olent confrontations at Fascist place to go to. There is a big bar the food, the reasonably-priced rus butter; plus a delicious pan- fined 40 shillings (£2) for “using meetings; by working to gain sup - space with sofas if you just want a wine by the glass or carafe or bot - seared cod loin with chorizo and insulting words and behaviour” port from people living in the drink, and a café-restaurant if you tle, the pleasant staff – and an op - mint-infused broad beans and by shouting “Smash Fascism! most affected localities; and by want to eat – and a pleasant out - portunity to eat out within my peas, mixed. Down with the Fascists!” at a obtaining advance information on side terrace at the back, if you budget. All mains are priced from group of BUF marchers from the movements and intentions of dare. And just a thank-you here to £12.50 to £16.95. One of the really Shoreditch and Stepney who were the UM by successfully using in - Not a large menu but plenty the restaurants like this one that tasty side dishes, a snack in itself, marching through St. Pancras op - filtrators. of choices. Small plates with allow you to taste the wine before is Sweet Potato chunks with chilli, posed by “about 1,000 St. Pancras By 1950 Oswald Mosley had things like smoked salmon scotch you order – in some of the places lime and yoghurt (£3.50). residents”. conceded that efforts to keep the eggs, or roasted cauliflower with I’ve reviewed over the years a Desserts include affogato, Fairman had been found with UM going had failed, moving to mushrooms; wood-fired flat- ‘tasting’ glass adds £2 to your bill cheesecake and profiteroles – and “Communist literature and appli - Ireland in 1951. So, by 1950, those breads like small pizzas; salads; before you start. a flourless chocolate and hazelnut cation forms”. He must have been like Fitzrovia’s Sidney Spellman grilled sandwiches; mains of fish The wood-fired flat-breads cake that sounds interesting – all among many Communists who who had fought to defeat post- or chicken or beef, with vegetar - are like long, thin pizzas with var - £3.50 to £5.50. opposed the BUF locally. Anti- war Fascism could feel that their ian alternatives. ied tasty toppings: aubergine, Fascist protest continued un - job was completed. Fitzrovia News issue 147 Winter 2017 — 13 A pioneering artist whose life should be filmed By HELENE PARRY Over the years, Fitzrovia has wel - comed many artists, some better known than others. One such resident was the Welsh painter Richard Wilson (1714–1782) who co-founded the Royal Academy Murder in 1905... of Arts, inspired Constable and Turner, and has been called the father of British landscape paint - The unmasking of the Union on her and her son to neighbours. ing. Street sign on the corner of Rid - On the morning of September Yet the mountains of North ing House Street and Cleveland 24, 1905 he stabbed Mary four Wales aren’t known as “Wilson Street (pictured above) reminds times with a shoemaker's knife. country”. And as yet, there’s been us of a murder there in 1905. She was taken to nearby Middle - no award-winning arthouse Riding House Street between sex Hospital in Mortimer Street, movie, Mr Wilson , starring An - Great Titchfield Street and Cleve - but died later in the day, after thony Hopkins or Michael Sheen land Street was called Union naming Butler as her attacker. as the eccentric, gifted brushmeis - Street until 1937. At his Old Bailey trial he ter. So why is Richard Wilson not In 1905 a 50-year-old man claimed he was so drunk at the a household name today? The called William Butler lived in a time that he did not know what Fitzrovia News presents its own flat in the street with Mary Allen, he was doing. But several wit - sketch of the man many critics also aged 50. Trouble started nesses gave evidence of his consider the greatest painter when her son from a previous threats against her, and he was Wales has ever produced. marriage, George Melhuish, convicted of murder. Fittingly for a landscape moved in. He was hanged at Pentonville artist, Richard Wilson was a child RICHARD WILSON (National Portrait Gallery) The two men did not get on, on November 7 the same year. De - of the mountains – born in Pene - resulting in a fight which led to spite being only 5 foot 2 inches goes, rural North Wales. His fa - Butler being taken to hospital tall he weighed 15 stone, and was ther was a clergyman, but young with a broken jaw. despatched with a six feet drop. Richard decided against following He thought Mary supported A sketch of him appears in the his father into the Church, instead the attack and vowed vengeance December issue of True Detective moving to London in 1729 to train magazine. as a portrait painter – at the time, the best way for an artist to make a living. He became a competent portraitist, even being admitted to .... and in 1945 court to paint the future King A meeting in the Duke of York in tioned in Hampshire. George III (then Prince of Wales). Rathbone Street just after the Blaine was tried for murder at But his love of nature must have war led to the murder of a Cana - the Old Bailey on November 15, proved stronger than the prospect dian army captain in Soho. 1945. of a safe career, because in 1750 he The two men in the pub wore Police sergeant John Dimsey, travelled to Italy to redirect his A View from Tivoli over the Campagna, by Richard Wilson British army uniforms although who had arrested the prisoner, energies into landscape painting. hills to find the precise spots Wil - Wilson enjoyed a comfort - neither was entitled to. gave evidence that when he told Wilson set up a studio in son had painted from, so that he able, convivial existence during One was Robert Blaine, a 24- him the man was dead with his Rome and stayed in Italy for six could replicate the scenes. the 1760s. In December 1786 he year-old labourer from Walworth, head bashed in with a brick, the years, painting the scenery In addition, Wilson revolu - became one of the founder mem - south London, who had been dis - prisoner said: "I didn't do it. The around him, gradually develop - tionised the English country bers of the Royal Academy. But charged in April 1945 from the other one hit him when I was ing his own style. It is fair to say house picture. Traditionally, the gradually the market for his type army, which considered him a holding him." he changed the way British and house itself had always taken cen - of landscape painting disap - psychopath. Blaine denied using these European artists approached tre stage. Wilson pushed the peared and his income dwindled. The other was a 21-year-old words, which were not in his con - landscape painting. Before Wil - building to one side, a technique In a quirky aside, Wilson is Scot called Charles Connelly who fession, stating that although he son, landscape artists tended to later copied by Constable, who, believed to have painted the sign was an army deserter. robbed the man he at no time sketch from nature, but then re - after seeing Wilson's painting of of the We Three Loggerheads Inn Then on September 14, 1945 harmed him. turn to the studio to produce ide - Tabley House in Cheshire, wrote in Mold, North Wales. Not many they were walking down Wardour For some reason, however, alised versions of what they had that it "still swims in my brain like artists are known for taking on Street and saw a pile of bricks. the defence lawyer did not cross- seen. But, rather than follow the a delicious dream". such a commission (although Connelly told Blaine to pick one examine the police about the use fashion, Wilson painted what was Wilson took lodgings in Char - Chagall would certainly have up, which he did thinking it was of the words "when I was holding in front of him, closely observing lotte Street, which at the time af - done justice to The Green Man). to be used to break a window for him." the topography, the light and forded views of the open Richard Wilson died in Llan - a housebreaking robbery. It was these words that led to weather conditions, and bringing countryside, and would invite his ferres in May 1782, and was Then, according to Blaine, he the guilty verdict and the death to his work an emotional engage - friends to come and watch the buried in the churchyard of St saw Connelly in an alley hitting a sentence. He was hanged at ment with the scene. sunset from his balcony. Mary’s at nearby Mold. In Wales man on the head with a brick. He Wandsworth Prison on December On his return to London in Over the years he lived at he is still considered the country’s took the brick off him, but then 29, 1945, by Albert Pierrepoint (a 1757, Wilson became the first three addresses in Charlotte most distinguished painter, and they went through the uncon - regular customer in the Fitzroy major British painter to concen - Street (8, 76 and 78 under present the Royal Cambrian Academy has scious victim's pockets. Tavern, Charlotte Street). trate on landscape painting. numbering), as well as 85 Great held exhibitions of his work as re - They heard two policeman Connelly had escaped to In search of inspiring land - Titchfield Street, 21 Bolsover cently as 2014. coming so ran off. America by stowing aboard a scapes to paint, he soon turned his Street (when it was called Norton Today, Richard Wilson’s One of them caught Blaine ship, only to be deported back to attention to his native Wales. Up Street), Rathbone Place, and Tot - paintings hang in galleries who told him: "Jock clouted him. I England in handcuffs. But be - until then Wales had been consid - tenham Street (the part which throughout the world, including didn't see if there was a fight. I cause he was using the alias of ered a bleak terrain of no interest was then called Chapel Street, Tate Britain and the National heard a holler and went up to Kelly, he was released, and by the to artists, but Wilson’s powerful between Whitfield Street and Gallery. Although his powerful, them. I only took some gear. time his true identity was realised paintings opened his artistic con - Tottenham Court Road) until romantic landscapes are far re - That's all I know." Meanwhile he had disappeared, and was temporaries’ eyes to the dramatic shortly before his death.. moved from the London quarters Connelly escaped. never captured. mountains and stunning Welsh He also played skittles and he lived and worked in, Fitzrovia The victim, who was found to A full account of the case is in scenery. A young JMW Turner ad - drank in the Farthing Pie House can be proud to number, among be dead, was Captain John the winter special issue of True De - mired Wilson’s work so much, he in Euston Road (now called the its former residents, the “father of Alexander Ritchie, aged 41, sta - tective even trekked across the Welsh Green Man) British landscape painting”. 14 — Fitzrovia News issue 147 Winter 2017 Goddesses and Gods of Fitzrovia The first in an occasional series by SUE BLUNDELL

The next time you walk down When you’re there you can easily Chenies Street, look out for the miss Minerva House because it’s goddess Athena, gazing down at partially obsured by the Eisen - you from on high in North Cres - hower Centre. This is a concrete cent. I should really call her Min - structure containing the main en - erva – the Roman counterpart of trance to a deep-level shelter built the Greek goddess Athena – under Goodge Street tube station since the building she presides in 1942. The shelter was occupied over is Minerva House. by the US Army Signal Corps dur - But in this statue she appears ing the preparations for the D- very much in her Greek guise, Day landings. It’s sometimes said with helmet, spear and shield. that General Eisenhower, the The head of the Gorgon Medusa, Supreme Allied Commander, met the monster who turns men who ern reputation for wisdom, how - Churchill there during the final look at her into stone, is displayed ever, is a bit undeserved. She and run-up to the landings, but this on her shield. her Greek equivalent Athena are has never been confirmed. Nowa - Minerva House is a former clever, rather than wise. They are days it is used for archive storage, car showroom and workshop, cre - good at manipulating both mate - and there is no public access. tre celebrated for its cutting edge “She’s not a real woman,” as ated for the Minerva Motor Com - rial and people. They are very Just outside the Eisenhower theatre. a friend of mine once said of Mar - pany, a Belgian firm, in 1912-13. good at getting their own way. Centre there’s a memorial to The I can’t say that I like the god - garet Thatcher. I didn’t like Mar - One early importer of Minerva But the most striking quality Rangers, the 12th (County of Lon - dess Athena all that much, but garet Thatcher either – far from it cars was Charles Rolls, who set of both Athena and Minerva is don) Battalion of the London Reg - she’s been quite an important fig - – but I did resent the way in up a dealership in Fulham in their militarism. A famous warrior iment. Wreathes are still laid there ure in my life. The first conference which she was often portrayed by 1903. Over in Fitzrovia, Minerva goddess, Athena rarely appears on Remembrance Day. paper I ever gave, in Washington the media, as a closet male. Any House was designed by George anywhere without her weapons And finally on the other side in the early 1990s, was about the powerful woman must essentially Vernon, and was built in Portland and armour. In Homer’s poem of Chenies Street, at number 16, problem of Athena. How did an be a man, they seemed to be say - Stone. It is a grade II listed build - the Iliad, she regularly sweeps there’s The Drill Hall, built in intensely patriarchal society like ing. ing. down to the battlefield at Troy, 1882 as premises for The Blooms - that of classical Athens cope with The comparison between I don’t know why a Belgian bellowing war cries. She storms bury Rifles. It’s now occupied by being represented by a female Thatcher and Athena isn’t an idle motor manufacturer chose Min - through the Greek ranks, bullying RADA Studios, and the building deity? The answer I gave, in brief, one. The warrior Athena became erva as the figurehead for its com - her favourites into killing more has been associated with the arts was that the Athenians had ma - the prototype for the figure of Bri - pany, but I can hazard a guess. Trojans, and guiding their spears for a long time. It was used as a nipulated the image of their pa - tannia, invented by the Romans She’s a goddess who looks reli - into enemy flesh. She is totally rehearsal space by Nijinsky and tron goddess to emphasise her when they conquered our country. able and tough, capable of outdis - ruthless. the Ballets Russes in the early masculine qualities (her warrior And Britannia was of course one tancing other travellers. And in So it is entirely appropriate 1900s, and for Gang Shows during aspect) and downplay her femi - of the many guises which cartoon - mythology she was a renowned that Chenies Street should contain the Second World War. From the nine side. ists of the 1980s loved to confer on technician and inventor. Her mod - a number of military references. 1980s until 2012 it was an arts cen - our first woman Prime Minister, especially when she was doing battle with the EU. 6 FITZROY SQUARE The perfect venue

The perfect venue for meetings, launches, seminars, dinners, wedding receptions and other corporate events.

The Georgian Group’s elegant eigh - + Friendly medical advice teenth-century headquarters + NHS and private overlooking Fitzroy Square provides a prescriptions unique location for all types of private + Prescription collection and corporate events in the heart of central London. and delivery + Repeat dispensing We cordially invite local businesses + Multivitamins, health and individuals to visit our building and advice and get a taste of the authentic + Flu vaccination Georgian experience... + Herbal and nutritional support For booking enquiries, availability and rates please contact Rob Kouyoumdjian on 0207 529 8921 SHIV or [email protected] Pharmacy 70 Great Titchfield Street How well do you know Fitzrovia? Can you W1W 7QN Picture identify where this picture was taken? An - Monday-Friday 8:30 - 6:00pm swer below the Dining Detective picture on Tel/Fax 0207 580 2393 puzzle page 12. Fitzrovia News issue 147 Winter 2017 — 15 The piano’s on my foot A history of every

The Piano ‘Sweet Caroline’ by Neil Dia - Man No 11 by mond, and ‘Piano Man’ by Billy street in the area Joel. CLIFFORD A comprehensive history of every SLAPPER ‘Sweet Caroline’ is the archetype of the singalong song street in western Fitzrovia is in - which us pianists either love or cluded in the recently published One key part of being a live pi - hate. Some enjoy leading singa - Survey of London for South East anist in bars or clubs is the tradi - longs. Communal musical har - Marylebone (Volume 52, Part 2). tion of the request. A good signal mony is a positive thing. But more It includes archive pictures of of enthusiasm from the crowd, often than not, the reality can be many pubs, concert halls, places the right request at the right time painful, an inebriated mass howl - Cartoon by Chris Tyler of worship, historic restaurants, can really lift the mood. On the ing and shouting which owes times rewrite certain aspects of a art schools, and a fire station... all other hand, this tradition can oc - more to the football terraces than song. For example, often when I long demolished. casionally be used in less helpful to the bliss of an ethereal choir. have played David Bowie’s ‘Life Among the pubs are: The ways. Playing some years ago at the On Mars?’ and people have Colosseum at 198 Great Portland Of course, yours truly has Groucho Club, I was approached started singing along, they will Street (there from at least 1826 to never experienced, but has heard by an extremely polite and self-ef - omit the second half of the chorus at least 1890), the City of Hereford tales of, the hapless player being (“Take a look at the law man…”) at 1 Cleveland Street on the corner asked if he takes requests, only to and proceed straight into the well- of Riding House Street (at least be requested by the would-be wit known refrain, “…Is there life on 1809 until the 1920s), and the Cas - Margaret Street on the book cover. to cease playing. More likely, the Requests Mars?” too early. Perhaps they are tle at 28 Great Castle Street (at problem would be that the music impatient to get to the climactic least 1826 until at least 1898). viously been in Wells Street from is in full swing, with lively pun - line. As the pianist, I have to make Concert halls include Queens 1862) until 1889. It also hosted the ters dancing around the edges of can make a a split second decision whether to Hall at 4 Langham Place (there Artists Rifle Volunteer Corps in the room to a piano playing some follow their error or stick to my from 1893 to 1941), and the Phil - the 1880s. Jerry Lee Lewis to its full percus - guns and let them follow me in - harmonic Hall (previously St Art students from here in its sive potential, when a jejune geek stead. James's Hall from 1905) at 97 Wells Street days may well have totters forward to demand Bach’s monkey My dear old friend, magician Great Portland Street (from 1913 used Fuller's Temple of Fancy Mass in B minor. This is best dealt Fay Presto, used to ask people re - to 1929). which was at 34 Rathbone Place with by a sincerely delivered one- questing her favourite tricks to Many musicians (and singers from 1809 until 1862, as a printer word reply: “Later”. out of you write their requests on a fiver. such as Caruso) performing at and seller of artists' materials. Such a change in mood can With inflation that should proba - these venues dined at Pagani's Also pictured is a fire station also have its comical side. My old facing Stephen Fry, who charm - bly now be a tenner. restaurant at 40-48 Great Portland which was at 171 Great Portland friend, Lisa, would always re - ingly framed his request as an But perhaps the last word on Street from 1884 to 1941 when Street from 1866 until at least quest the country song, ‘Ruby, apology. It turned out his embar - requests should go to our simian most of it was bombed, but No 40 1902; and the Radium Institute Don’t Take Your Love To Town’, rassment was at asking for “any - friends. There was a television ad - continued as a buffet until 1955. which was at 1-3 Riding House which, like many country songs, thing by Elton John”, fearing that vertisement many years ago for St Paul's Chapel on the north Street from 1910 until 1947 when is rather tragic. It tells the tale of a this was too predictable. I quickly PG Tips tea which our more ma - west corner of Great Portland it was taken over by the NSPCA. man in a wheelchair having to reassured him that it was a fine ture readers will certainly recall. Street and Riding House Street, As well as modern pictures watch his wife get made up to go request, and duly obliged by of - Two monkeys were carrying a was built privately in 1760 as the there are maps of the whole area out on the town without him. fering a spirited rendition of piano up some stairs. The young Portland Chapel and demolished from 1870 and 2010. Somehow it is so sad, it’s funny. ‘Benny And The Jets’ (with thanks monkey cries out, “Dad, do you in 1906 according to the text, but The bad news is that the book According to statistical that he had not requested Billy know the piano’s on my foot?!” to pictured in 1908 according to the (published by the Yale University records, the top ten songs re - Joel!) which the older monkey replied, caption. Press) can only be bought with quested in piano bars include It is fascinating to see how “No, son, but you hum it and I’ll The West London School of Volume 51 for a combined price of ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ by Journey, public group singalongs some - play it!” Art was at 153-155 Great Titch - £150. But the text can be visited field Street from 1879 (having pre - online. Looking back through the archives

came to a satisfactory arrange - to Alfie Maron. "He starts off at 40 years ago ment with them. the famous Talk of the Town, "Well over 200 people came - where he is part of a dancing most of them children - proving, group. After the early show, he Warren play area yet again, that Fitzrovia is a fam - darts off to the Burlesque Club in ily district which really does need Regent Street, where he does a off to great start a recreation area like the Warren." speciality Adagio act. As soon as From Tower, December 1977: Cricket matches, cribbage this performance is over, he's off The Warren Playground Restora - leagues, shops, restaurants and again to the Hirondelle to do a tion Appeal got off to a grand pubs had all raised money. singing and dancing stint." start with a Funday that raised Swami concert Bum's rush £80, wrote appeal secretary Gill A man who claims to be able to Landlord Alan Thorne thought Orphans, one of the Middlesex Hospital paintings under threat. Burke. hold his breath for 30 minutes and nothing of it when he served a The private developers who "The highlight was the five-a- make sounds come out of his ears pint to an anorak-clad tourist in 10 years ago had bought the hospital were in - side football knockout, giving a [scope for a misprint] was due to The Hope the other week - until From Fitzrovia News, Autumn tending to sell them at private glimpse of one of the many recre - perform the art of Taan at the the customer went to sit down, 2007: auction. ational uses to which the Warren Mandeer Restaurant in Hanway that is. It then became apparent A campaign to save four master - Sir Nicholas Serota, director will be put when the money is Place on January 7, 1978. Swami that the anorak was the only thing pieces by artist Frederick Cayley of the Tate Gallery, opposing this, raised and the restoration com - Nadabrahmananda was billed as he was wearing! Robinson (1862-1927) for public declared: "It would seem wrong pleted. one of the greatest living classical Given, as it were, the bum's view was launched by Fiona that Sir Edmund Davis' wishes for "The prize for the five-a-side Indian musicians and the last rush by Alan, he was later appre - Green. The paintings entitled col - them to serve as an inspiration to was a crate of beer, generously do - know master of Taan, the exact hended in the Rising Sun, Totten - lectively as "The Acts of Mercy" patients and medical staff should nated by Collet, Dickenson and science of sound. ham Court Road. I (wrote the were at the time in Middlesex be ignored by a subsequent gener - Pierce of Howland Street. gossip columnist) hear that he All round entertainer Hospital reception area, Mortimer ation." "There was some consterna - was Swiss and claimed he had Peter Kenyon, a versatile per - Street.They depicted first world The hospital claimed there tion when the winners proved to been robbed; lucky man, at least former living in Langham Street, war nursing and were chosen to was not enough room for them in be too young to drink the prize, they left him with the price of a had a busy schedule every night be placed in the hospital by arts the new UCH hospital in Euston but the gallant (adult) losers soon pint... from 9.30pm to 2.30am, according patron Sir Edmund Davis. Road. 16 — Fitzrovia News issue 147 Winter 2017 WHAT’S ON AROUND FITZROVIA Email [email protected] by February 17, 2018 for the March issue and put “Listings” in the subject box

MUSIC THEATRE CINEMA EXHIBITIONS ART

The Albany, 240 Great Portland St Bloomsbury Theatre Studio , 15 Bloomsbury Studio , 15 Gordon St British Museum , Great Russell St Featured exhibitions. A full (thealbanyw1w.co.uk): Ukeleles Gordon St (thebloomsbury.com): (thebloomsbury.com): Italian doc - (britishmuseum.org): list of art galleries is on our on Wednesdays, 8pm. A Peril of the Sea, Dec 14-16. Roll umentary season (all 7pm): Sur - Free: On violence and beauty: re - website. Over Atlantic, Dec 18-19. Graham biles, Dec 12. Il Monte delle flections on war, until Jan 21. The Fellows (aka John Shuttleworth Formiche, Dec 16. L'ultima Spiag - business of prints, until Jan 28. and Jilted John): Completely Out gia, Feb 20. The currency of communism, of Character, Jan 29-30. Carl until March 18. Hutchinson "Live", March 2. Bolivar Hall , 54 Grafton Way Pay for: Scythians, until Jan 14. (cultura.embavenez-uk.org): Lon - Living with gods: peoples, places Camden People's Theatre , 58-60 don Socialist Film Co-op screen Peter and Barbara Snape and worlds beyond, until April 8. Hampstead Rd (cptheatre.co.uk): films at 11am on the second Sun - Alison Jacques Gallery, 18 Bern - King & Queen , 1 Foley St : Folk Man On The Moon, Dec 12-13. day of each month. Trasmontane, Grant Museum of Zoology, 21 ers St: Juergen Teller “Go-Sees, once a month on Fridays 8-11pm Anne Meets Jeffrey, Dec 13-14. about a young blind man in University St: The museum of or - Bubenreuth Kids and a Fairytale (visit web mustradclub.co.uk). We've Got Each Other, Dec 14-16. Lebanon, Dec 10. Revolution, Jan dinary animals, until Dec 16, 1- about a King”, to Jan 13. Pictured Peter and Barbara Snape sing Mr Mineshaft, Dec 15-16. The 14. First Cry, and Mother Jones 5pm. above: Vesna. music hall songs (pictured) and Book of Darkness and Light, Dec and her Children, Feb 11. She's tunes from Katie and John How - 19-20. Sing-A-Long-A-Muppets, Beautiful when She is Angry, Royal College of Nursing Library Bartha Contemporary, 25 Mar - son, Dec 8. Burns Night cele - Christmas Carol, Dec 21-22. Calm March 11. and Heritage Centre, 20 garet St: S. Baumkotter, J . Howell brated by Carol Andersn & Down Dear: Big Bang 1, Jan 15. So socialistfilm.blogspot.co.uk Cavendish Square, Henrietta & P. Sims “Accrochage”, to Jan 27. Racker Donnelly, Jan 19. Brian Pe - Many Reasons, Jan 16-Feb 3. Enter Place entrance opposite John ters, Feb 16. Michael Sheehy & Ed The Dragons, Jan 16-17. The Gen - Charlotte Street Hotel , 15-17 Lewis Food Hall Barrett, plus Marianne McAleer, tle Art of Punishment, Jan 18-20. Charlotte St: Film Club with meal (rcn.org.uk/whatson): RCN Cen - March 9. The Doctor Is In, Jan 21. Calm and a movie for £40.To book tick - tenary Exhibition, until Dec 22. Scaledown alternative live enter - Down Dear: Big Bang 2, Jan 22. ets visit bit.ly/CharlotteStreet - tainments last Friday of the Enticement Machine, Jan 23. Psy - FilmClub. Special screening of UCL Art Museum , South Clois - month (theorchestrapit.com). chopomp, Jan 24. Syd & Sylvia, Wonder (2017), Dec 9, 11am to ters, Wilkins Building, Gower St: Jan 25. All Of Me, Jan 26-27. Tem - raise money for the Magic Break - The composition has been re - Sevilla Mia Spanish Bar, 22 Han - porary, Jan 28. Calm Down Dear: fast Charity (£10.90, child £5.69), versed, new works by Slade way St (basement): World Fusion, Big Bang 3, Jan 29. Bodies [Broken book through purearth.co.uk. artists, until Dec 15, 1-5pm. Josh Lilley, 44-46 Riding House Tue, 9.30pm; Swing 'n' Blues, 4U], Jan 30. Sexy, Jan 31-Feb 3. St: Alex Da Corte “Bad Land”, to Wed, 9.30pm; Spanish Rumba, Thunder Road, Feb 4. Green Man , 36 Riding House St: UCL Main Library , Wilkins Dec 23. Pictured above: installa - Thur-Sat, 10.30pm. London Animation Club, first Building, Gower St: East side sto - tion view. Dominion Theatre , 269 Totten - Tuesday of month. ries: Londoners in transition, until Simmons , 28 Maple St: Live ham Court Rd Dec 15. music every Wednesday evening. (dominiontheatre.com): An Odeon, 30 Tottenham Court Rd: American in Paris, ongoing. Weekly film details from UCL Octagon Gallery , Wilkins The 100 Club , 100 Oxford St odeon.co.uk or 08712 244007. Building, Gower St: What Does It (the100club.co.uk): The Mike Fitzrovia Chapel , Pearson Square: Mean To Be Human? Until Feb 28. Flowers Pops' Singalong Christ - Dylan Thomas: A Child's Christ - Regent Street Cinema , 309 Re - mas Party, Dec 11. The Annual mas In Wales, Dec 15, 1pm. gent St: For daily programme visit Wellcome Library , 183 Euston Rd Christmas Tour: Bad Manners, regentstreetcinema.com. Matinee (wellcomecollection.org): Can Dec 16. Boot Boys Christmas classics every Wednesday at 2pm, Graphic Design Save Your Life?, Knees-up, Dec 22. Christmas for over 55s, £1.75. Kids' Kino until Jan 14. Ayurvedic Man: en - Show: Ruts DC, Dec 23. Climax Club, every Saturday, 11.30am. counters with Indian medicine, Narrative Projects , 110 New Blues Band, Jan 17. Stan Webb's until Apr 8. Cavendish St: Harm van den Dor - Chicken Shack, Jan 19. Downlin - Royal Anthropological Institute , Permanent exhibitions: Medicine pel “Asking for a Friend” (pictured ers Sect, Jan 20. Sex Pistols Experi - 50 Fitzroy St (raifilm.org.uk). Reg - Now, and Medicine Man above) , to Jan 20. ence, Feb 24. Juicy Lucy, Feb 27. London Palladium , Argyll St ular programme of interesting The Ramones, March 8. (london-palladium.co.uk): Dick screenings. Whittington, starring Julian Clary TALKS UCL North Cloisters , Gower St: and Elaine Page, Dec 9-Jan 14. WALKS Chamber Music Club Christmas London Literary Pub Crawl , Sohemian Society , Wheatsheaf, Concert, both choral and instru - every Saturday, 5pm. Start at the 25 Rathbone Place: David Bowie mental, including first perfor - Wheatsheaf, 25 Rathbone Place. Made Me Gay, by Darryl Bullock, mance of Puer Natus est Nobis by LondonLiteraryPubCrawl.com. Dec 7, 7.30pm. Roger Beeson, Dec 12, 6-7 pm. COMEDY London Walks (walks.com) £10, UCL Darwin Lecture Theatre , Over 65 £8: Malet Place (ucl.ac.uk/events): The Albany , 240 Great Portland Thirty Christmases Beatles Magical Mystery Tour, Tuesdays and Thursdays (1.15- St: Mondays at 8pm. New Diorama Theatre Tottenham Court Rd station, 1.55pm) during term time. Tristan Hoare, 6 Fitzroy Square: (newdiorama.com), 15-16 Triton every Sunday 11am, and every “Studio Africa !” (pictured above), Wheatsheaf , 25 Rathbone Place: St (Euston Rd opposite Fitzroy St): Thursday, 11am, Wednesdays to Dec 20. Improvisation on Thursdays, Thirty Christmases (a Rebellious 2pm. FAMILY 8.30pm, and stand-up on Satur - Comedy for Grown-Ups), Dec 4- Rock'n'Roll London, Tottenham days, 7.30pm upstairs. Grant Museum of Zoology , 21 23. Court Rd station, every Wednes - University St: Explore zoology, day, 7pm, every Friday, 2pm. PUB QUIZZES The Wheatsheaf , 25 Rathbone Dec 9, 1-4pm. Creature creations, Place: The Christmas Carol, star - produce art inspired by weird and Carpenters Arms , 68-70 Whitfield ring Guy Masterson, Dec 17 and CHRISTMAS wonderful animals in the mu - St. Every Tuesday. 18, 2.30 and 7.30pm. A 50 per cent seum, Dec 16, 1-4pm. Prince of Wales Feathers , 8 War - discount to Fitzrovia News read - Pollocks Toy Museum , 1 Scala St: Please mention Fitzrovia Tiwani Contemporary , 16 Little ren St: Every Monday, 7pm. Christmas themed evening, with Portland St: Manuel Mathieu ers, quoting code "Charles" when News when replying to Rising Sun , 46 Tottenham Court booking at: mulled wine, Friday, December 8, “Truth to Power”, to Dec 22. Pic - Rd. Every Wednesday, 8pm www.TheChristmasCarol.co.uk 5-8pm. advertisers tured above: "Eternal Flowers".