What’s new? news.fitzrovia.org.uk Fitzrovia News Fitzrovia News is produced by residents and volunteers and distributed free to all businesses and residential addresses in Fitzrovia Issue 140 Spring 2016 Charity launches appeal for funds after rise in rough sleepers and food poverty

A small charity serving free we may have to reduce the hours The Soup Kitchen urgently needs London had 940 rough food and handing out warm we are open in order to keep the more than £5,000 to meet its ini - sleepers in autumn 2015, an service going every week.” tial £18,000 fundraising target — clothing for the homeless and increase of 27 percent since those living in poverty has Having a regular service is just the first stage of ongoing core Elvis Costello important as it provides a com - costs of £6,000 a month. the previous year, accord - seen an increase in demand munity for those who would Support the Soup Kitchen ing to statistics published for its service this winter but in Tottenham often be ignored and have no emergency appeal. in February. Westminster is struggling to cover its own place to go. “Many of our guests justgiving.com/miranda-suit3/ Council said there were 265 running costs. — whether they are sleeping on By cheque: Made out to the Court Road The Soup Kitchen at the rear the street or in housing — don’t ‘Soup Kitchen’, and sent to: Soup people sleeping on the of the American International get the chance to talk to people Kitchen at the American streets on a “typical night” Page 12 Church in Tottenham Court Road except when they come to the International Church, 79a in the borough. Camden is open for two hours, five days a Kitchen,” she says. Tottenham Court Road, London claims there were only 15 week serving hot food and drink The Kitchen has a good sup - W1T 4TD. Or by bank transfer: and providing clothing and a ply of donated food, clothing and email Miranda Suit for details: living rough on any single welcoming community for rough volunteers, but is very short of soupkitchendirector@ night (see rough sleepers sleepers and others in difficult cash to meet other running costs. hotmail.com story page 5). housing circumstances. “We are supporting more peo - ple than ever before,” says Miranda Suit who spoke to Fitzrovia News about the emer - gency appeal for funding they have launched to ensure they can continue to provide what they say is a vital service. About one third of the guests coming to the kitchen sleep on Chez Mamie Page 4 the streets, while another third are either in temporary accommo - dation or “sofa surfing”. The rest of the people they help are in social or private housing but are struggling to feed themselves because of cuts to, or delays in getting, their welfare benefits. “We see growing numbers of people on the streets. We have had some bitterly cold weather, and state benefits continue to be 60s pop spot cut back, making it a huge chal - Pensioners from the “Older Fitzrovia” group enjoy tea and cakes at Honey & Co Warren Street lenge to survive on the streets or (see also page 5) Photo Etienne Gilfillan. page 16 even on a low income,” she says. Statistics produced by the Soup Kitchen show a large increase in people using the serv - ice in December and January compared with the same months a year ago. But the Soup Kitchen is strug - gling to keep its doors open as GIGS est. 1958 costs rise and the level of funding coming in is going down as more The home of traditional Fish & Chips and more charities compete with each other for funding. Fully licensed Greek restaurant “We may have to cut back our 2014 Trip Adviser winners service in April,” says Suit. “If we can’t meet the funding shortfall 12 Tottenham Street 020 7636 1424 2 — Fitzrovia News issue 140 Spring 2016 facebook.com/FitzroviaNews :: twitter.com/FitzroviaNews Fitzrovia News Formerly The Tower Letters, emails 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 [email protected] The Housing and Planning Quest for Haggis 020 7580 4576 Bill will ‘damage London’s Issue 140 Spring 2016 This is a true story. I am 90, and Suddenly I heard rushing foot - Published 1 March 2016 have lived locally for 40 years. steps behind me. Was I being long established residential So I have always shopped daily mugged? Lo and behold! A Editorial Team at Tesco. I know many of our recent young Asian employee of Mike Pentelow: long-serving kindly staff by Tesco waved a pretty parcel and editor and features editor communities’ name, and some have become said triumphantly: “It’s just Linus Rees: friends. come in! It’s a PROMO! It’s a assistant editor We write as members of a Residents’ Association, facing the chal - On New Year’s Eve I wanted Haggis!” Pete Whyatt: lenges of the proposed Housing Bill, which will affect all who live in a Haggis. This traditonal Scottish Out of breath, he asked if I news and production editor properties owned by borough councils in central London. We are seasonal treat is sadly unknown wanted it. Of course I said “Yes!” Clive Jennings: concerned that the effects of the Housing Bill are not widely known, to some people. When I went to He then escorted me back to arts editor and that, if passed in its present form, the Bill will have enormously search the Tesco shelves, the Tesco where I thanked him and Brian Jarman: damaging consequences for London’s long established residential staff seemed puzzled, even the all the staff for such wonderful writer and sub-editor communities and for the city as a whole. manager who tried to telephone service on the busiest day of the Barb Jacobson: Our mansion block is owned by Camden Council, and occupied their headquarters, year. associate editor by a mix of council tenants and leaseholders. We are a stable commu - I decided to see if their com - A happy new year to Tesco Jennifer Kavanagh: nity, reflecting the local population, with a range of different income petitors stocked the Haggis. So I and you all. associate editor and ethnic groups and age profiles, and offer a good example of started my usual slow walk up Yvonne Craig Jess Owens social cohesion. Tottenham Court Road. associate editor Three aspects of the Bill are of particular concern to our Residents Association: Contributors: 1. Where the combined income of the two highest earners in a Autism and the homeless Ann Basu tenanted flat is above £40,000, rents will be increased by an as yet Sue Blundell unspecified amount up to local market rates. I was struck by the following Jayne Davis engagement with some very 2. When a tenant’s flat becomes vacant, the council will be piece received recently from Janet Gauld hard to reach rough sleepers. obliged to sell it; only if the Council ‘pays’ the government its market Streetsafe (SST), the Camden- Etienne Gilfillan This has resulted in two of price (from its already strapped budget?), can it remain as a tenanted based agency offering support Clifford Harper Camden’s most entrenched council property. and guidance for the street Stephen Heath rough sleepers accessing and 3. All new tenancies, including succession tenancies, will be for 2- homeless community. This was Angela Lovely maintaining accommodation. 5 years only; any new tenants will be unable to put down roots. written by Saul Freeman. Rosie Lunn One man entered accommo - Given property values for central London, tenants could face ‘During the last couple of José Mendonça dation after 30 years on the unmanageable rent increases; our residents would gradually become years [we] have worked closely Sunita Soliar street, another after four years of exclusively leaseholders, or those renting, short-term, from property together to raise awareness of Clifford Slapper rough sleeping and persistent developers. The community fragments and dies. Autism Spectrum disorders Adam Stoneman non-engagement with services. We urge all who care about London as a city to find out more (ASD) amongst the street home - Chris Tyler Both these men are still in about the Bill, to write to their MPs and councillors about its dubious less and hostel populations to Kipper Williams accommodation months after and unclear proposals, and to develop new ways of working leaving the streets and both say demonstrate to Parliament the that enable outreach workers Printed by: Cinema matinee is they have no intention of return - long term damaging effects of and key workers to engage more Sharman & Co Ltd, ing to rough sleeping. One has a most pleasant the proposed legislation. effectively with this client group. Newark Road, even begun a work placement.’ Amzad Hussain, Shafu Kanam, ‘Resources for Autism has Peterborough PE1 5TD Rev Alan Carr, Rector of St way to spend an Mary McAuley, Prof. John delivered eight training sessions sharmanandco.co.uk Giles-in-the-Fields, The afternoon O’Keefe, FRS, UCL Emeritus to professionals working in the Rectory, Gower Street . Prof. Eileen O’Keefe, London homeless sector. SST has used its Fitzrovia News is produced Metropolitan University, Prof. The Regent Street Cinema closed new found knowledge to change quarterly by the Fitzrovia Deborah Philips, University of to the public in 1980 and became working practises when autistic Community Newspaper Brighton Dr. Garry Whannel, a lecture theatre as part of the traits are identified in their Group, ISSN: 0967-1404 University of Bedfordshire Fitzrovia News University of Westminster. It re- clients, which has enabled better Sandra Wheen Published by the Fitzrovia opened its doors as a cinema in deadlines Neighbourhood Association May 2015. Apart from having a (registered charity no. 1111649) regular programme of films old Our deadline for news, and new, it now offers Matinee Feeling prayerful 39 Tottenham Street, features, letters and Classics every Wednesday after - London, W1T 4RX Sitting in the sunshine with my of the square, I didn’t feel pow - adverts is normally noon at 2 p.m. For those over sandwich in Pearson Square, I erful, but perhaps prayerful. 55, the price is just £1,75 instead two weeks before pub - fitzrovia.org.uk looked forward to becoming 91, This was because the nearby of the usual £11. google.com/+FitzroviaOrgUK and enjoying all the activities for Hospital Chapel, beautifully con - lication. Sometimes we The first time I went to a mati - twitter.com/FitzroviaNA older people in Fitzrovia. Our served by the developers, accept articles later. nee I was amazed , not just by facebook.com/FitzroviaNA wonderful community pro - brought back memories of com - The next issue of Fitzrovia the beauty of the cinema, but gramme is organised by the ded - fort and encouragement given News will be out on Tuesday 7 also by what was on offer. The icated and devoted Barb there by the doctors, nurses, and June. billing is usually for old Jacobson, to whom we are chaplains. Deadline is Friday 20 May. Hollywood musicals and most always grateful. The sculpture also made me Public editorial enjoyable they are too and beau - [email protected] But I was also reading a feel prayerful as it has been tiful. Also on offer is a free cof - meetings are held at funny book called “The Fairy carved with words of wisdom fee and, after the film, free danc - 7 pm, first Tuesday of Godmother” by Daniel Pennac, and blessing from many faiths, Corrections and ing lessons. A most pleasant full of odd stories about older and messages of peace and jus - every month at way to spend an afternoon. people, some of whom are sadly tice in a world at war. clarifications Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Special little cards are available neglected while “waiting for Then another old lady, also If you think Fitzrovia News has Association, from the box office advertising love to arrive.” Yet many elders wearing a headscarf, came and made a mistake please tell us by the films at these matinees, or 39 Tottenham Street have played powerful roles in sat beside me, with the Holy email [email protected] or you can always check online at London W1T 4RX protest and resistance. We Quran. Perhaps this is one of the contact us at our office. www.regentstreetcinema.com , remember their rising in the contributions we can still make Many news articles first Subscribe to Fitzrovia but hurry for as word spreads French and Russian revolutions, in troubled times when our aged appear on our website which is News for regular these matinees are getting very and as survivors of the limbs and minds need rest. We updated weekly. Edited versions popular updates: Holocaust. can sit and pray for peace. are then published in the printed Beryl Burton bit.ly/fitzrovianews Sitting in the shadow of the Yvonne Craig paper which is published quar - See article on page 18 amazing and awesome sculpture terly. facebook.com/FitzroviaNews :: twitter.com/FitzroviaNews Fitzrovia News issue 140 Spring 2016 — 3

News in brief Charity claims grassroots Regent’s Park could be closed to through traffic for most of the day under plans by Transport for London and The Royal Parks to improve condi - support for astroturf pitch tions for pedestrians and cyclists . By Linus Rees Westminster City Council Fitzrovia Youth in Action (FYA) has taken and Transport for London has over the management of The Warren sports proposed new cycle routes. pitch under a licence from Camden Council westminster.gov.uk/cycling and has installed a state-of-the-art playing has more information. surface which was officially opened on 26 The Westminster side of January. Fitzrovia needs more green Artificial grass has replaced tarmac at space says the FitzWest Whitfield Place which for most of the time Neighbourhood Forum which will be hired out to corporate users to gener - has won funding from Tesco ate an income for the youth charity. to provide some pollution- “This flood-lit pitch offers users a high busting planting and locations quality, newest generation Astroturf playing for wildlife to flourish. surface which is FIFA approved and ideal for There will be a chance to playing 5-a-side football,” says FYA who see the inside of the organise youth activities throughout Middlesex Hospital Chapel at Camden. a special “drop-in day” from But the move has been criticised by the 11am to 7pm on Wednesday 2 Friends of Fitzrovia Parks, a group set up by March. The trustees of the The games court at The Warren public open space now has an artificial grass playing surface. Camden Council to liaise with residents over Grade II* listed building will Pictured in the background is the affordable housing at Suffolk House run by Origin Housing. the use and improvement of open spaces in be providing information on a the neighbourhood. forthcoming application for a premises licence to allow The Friends group say that the new sur - part of the public open space by signing such “For those wanting to play basketball, plays, films, dance, sale of face will exclude games such as basketball a generous management agreement with the they can still practice shooting hoops and alcohol, and a licence for civil and netball and they criticise Camden for youth charity. there are other basketball courts available marriages. signing an agreement which reduces the “The FYA proposals shift the balance within a walking distance from the Warren. An application has been amount of time reserved for local children to away from a shared recreational space “Over the years, we have witnessed made for a memorial to vic - use the pitch. The Warren is one of only three toward a higher energy youth orientated many injuries. The new playing surface will tims of the transatlantic slave public open spaces in Fitzrovia and the only sports club focussed on corporate (albeit result in many more young people using the trade to be installed in Hyde multi-use games area (known as a MUGA). charitable) aspirations of FYA rather than facility compared to before. They will do so Park. It will be the only Previously the pitch was reserved for use local community needs.” in a safer and more supervised environment national monument for the by local children for at least 41 hours per A Camden officer replied to Skow saying and thanks to income generated through millions of deportees from week. Now FYA will reserve the pitch for that young people could go elsewhere and pitch hire, they will do so for free, at dedicat - Africa. Oku Ekpenyon, a only 22 hours per week for local children but use facilities at the Regent’s Park Estate and ed times every day of the week.” Fitzrovia resident and an more hours will be set aside during school Kings Cross. Camden Council has so far dis - Schott says the residents living next to organiser of the memorial, holidays. The rest of the time the pitch will missed the complaint and has declined to The Warren are in favour and support FYA’s said: "This memorial will be be hired out for between £45 and £85 per comment to Fitzrovia News. redevelopment of the ground. an educational resource." hour. Funding for the astro turf was provided “The FYA will be able to offer a much The Daily Mirror reported The Friends group also say the astro turf by the property developer Derwent London higher level of supervision than the Council that last year gamblers on will encourage a more intensive use of the who also own the freehold of the neighbour - can provide. Employees will be on hand to Tottenham Court Road blew pitch and a noisier game. They say that ing affordable housing at Suffolk House. The deal with issues whenever the pitch is open £2.5million on fixed odds bet - Camden’s officers had agreed that a new housing was built after Derwent converted and dedicated staff will engage with young ting terminals. playing surface would be installed but not commercial buildings into social-rented and people at the Warren. Fitzrovia is an area Navarro’s family-run astro turf. shared ownership housing in agreement with a chronic lack of green space and we Spanish restaurant celebrates The perimeter of the pitch is less than six with Camden Council as part of a controver - have found that residents living around the 30 years at 67 Charlotte Street metres away from newly built affordable sial planning permission for redeveloping Warren have warmly welcomed the visual with a special set menu avail - housing at Suffolk House run by Origin the Saatchi block in Charlotte Street. enhancement of the artificial grass as well as able from 14 to 19 March. Housing. Last year Camden Council put up Andre Schott, director of Fitzrovia Youth the improvements our new management Capita plc is to take a 20 notices asking users of the pitch to limit in Action told Fitzrovia News: arrangements will be providing,” he said. year lease at £86 per square noise levels during the mornings and “We are very excited to offer the commu - The Warren sports pitch is reserved for foot on all the office space at evenings after complaints about noise. nity a top quality playing facility and a local - the exclusive use by local children and young Derwent London ’s yet-to-be- Local resident Wesley Skow has made a ly based management system which will people up to the age of 18 during the follow - built Copyright Building in formal complaint against Camden Council benefit both young people and residents liv - ing times: weekdays from 4pm to 6pm (2pm Berners Street . says “The council has taken a multi-use ing around the pitch. The artificial grass will to 6pm during school holidays) and week - Students at UCL want games area and turned it into a football-only provide a more welcoming environment for ends from 2pm to 9pm. The pitch is available rents at halls of residence facility where local children have less right to people of all ages, both male and female. It for hire: weekdays from 9am to 4pm (9am to reduced by 40 percent. They play. The Council have taken the decision will allow for any type of physical activity 2pm in school holidays) and from 6pm to say rents have increased by 56 without following proper process and with - that can be played on natural grass, not only 9pm; and weekends from 10am to 2pm. percent since 2009 and the uni - out public consultation. football but also sports such as hockey, bad - See fya.org.uk/warrenpitch. versity is profiteering. At “The council has effectively privatised minton, volleyball and rugby training. Ramsay Hall in Maple Street the weekly, single room rent is Free pub lunch for Waitrose to close its Tottenham Court Road store £209.79, and includes bills plus Customers of the Waitrose in Tottenham Court breakfast and dinner each Fitzrovia News Road will miss the friendly and helpful staff as weekday. But a single room in well as the quality products if the plans to close a shared house in the private deliverers the shop go ahead this spring. Waitrose sector in Camden they could be worse off, paying around Fitzrovia News is offering a free announced its planned closure because of “diffi - £157 a week, not including pub lunch to anyone who delivers cult” trading since it opened five years ago. bills or meals. the paper for an hour on Sunday Several customers contacted Fitzrovia News to The Mayor of London & March 6... and again on June 12. express their concern at the loss of the shop London Assembly elections Why not bring a friend to help which is popular with local people and which are on 5 May 2016. You can deliver the papers and then enjoy a they says serves the residential population very only vote if you’re on the elec - Sunday roast and a drink with the well. toral register. rest of the team? Fitzrovia News understands that the last day Two new commercial ten - Assemble at the Fitzrovia of trading will be 29 April 2016. ants have been confirmed at Neighbourhood Centre, 39 Residents living near the store are encourag - Fitzroy Place — Lendinvest a Tottenham Street, between 12 and ing their neighbours to contact Waitrose to pre - with “Tottenham Court Road store” in the subject property investment company, 12.30pm. Bring a shopping buggy, vent the closure. line and say how much you value the store and and lawyers Volterra Fietta. trolley or bag if you have one. Email [email protected] why it should stay open. 4 — Fitzrovia News issue 140 Spring 2016 facebook.com/FitzroviaNews :: twitter.com/FitzroviaNews Mum’s the word.... “You only have to look at the family book of carefully handwritten menus to appreciate that this is a labour of love, not some impersonal commercial endeav - our.” Nelly Lenoble Raulier

If you walk round Hanway Street at the moment, the medieval street is like a war zone. It’s difficult to pick your way around builders noise and disruption, writes Pete Whyatt . On this once quiet side street there is a treasure that you could easily walk past if you were not aware of its existence. In the discreet window is a mouth-watering dis - play of freshly made “Plaisir of the day” dishes. When you walk through the door lighting is subdued, you can sense the quiet hum of people chatting laughing enjoying lovely homemade food. At the centre of this establishment is Mama, 71 years old Francoise Raulier who has worked in the catering and “The simple recipes of an apple mother” restaurant trade for over 40 years. cover of Nelly’s handwritten recipie book. Francoise was born in Belgium and lived there for her first 30 years and then the “I call this an ‘emotional café bistro.’ next 30 years in Spain (Ibiza and Madrid.) Love is very important, family is very She then spent 8 years as the private cook important, deep emotion both happy and for an Iranian family.” In this job I trav - sad is a key ingredient of our dishes. We elled with the family and learnt a lot are a family business with good and bad about a different tradition and culture times. Sometimes we have arguments or Francoise Raulier outside Chez Mamie which widened my food perspective. I sharp words with each other but we make discovered new dishes and interesting up and there are always deep feelings Mmm. Then there was the octopus in a Iranian twists. The Persian people are one between us. I think that this ‘soul’ is wonderful, multi-coloured salad with so of the oldest civilisations and they have something our customers understand. many ingredients I lost count. an interesting and sophisticated cuisine.” People can see and feel the atmosphere The ambience has a slightly bohemian Francoise cooks by the seasons. She and good vibes here. After working here feel similar to what might have been buys what is good fresh and abundant people want to be part of our family. found in Quartier Latin fifty years ago. and likes to use Marylebone farmers mar - “Behind all this is the love and encour - There are not many tables and when it is ket and Berwick Street market in Soho. agement of my Mamie who taught me all full and everyone is chatting, as it is at The food also reflects her personal mood. the culture sophistication and love of food lunchtime and quite often in the evening, If she feels happy or sad then it will affect and cooking. Nelly Lenoble Raulier died it has a good buzz. When it is quiet, what she cooks and the way she cooks it. in 1995 aged 84 years. She wrote her recip - mindful of where it is located, it is bliss. All the food is freshly prepared. The ies out in beautiful handwritten script. Our neighbour went every day when menus are hand written and presented on They are all collected in this book we have his family was away and we notice that a board as “plaisir of the day.” It changes had reprinted ‘Les recettes simples de I like Chez Mamie because it is some - there are several regulars who do just the daily around a soup, a chicken dish, a pomme maman’ which is the motivation thing once commonplace in Fitzrovia but same. It is good to escape there and sit in meat dish a fish dish and a vegetarian and creative source of our cuisine Each now a rarity: a family business where the green high-backed armchair with a offering. day my daughter Victoria makes pastries three generations live 'over the shop' the mocha, a slice of Victoria's chocolate cake, for us using her Grandmother’s recipes. It food is simple, creative and very good newspaper and laptop. is our reference and inspiration.” writes Stephen Heath . I visit Chez Mamie at Service is warm and friendly. 'Staff' is Chez Mamie, 22 Hanway Street W1T 1UQ least once a week. You only have to look not an appropriate concept here. It is fam - Mon–Sat 9-9 closed Sunday at the family book of carefully handwrit - ily. Francoise (Mamie), her daughters and Twitter @Chezmamielondon ten menus to appreciate that this is a the other friends and relatives who pop in facebook chezmamielondon labour of love, not some impersonal com - to help. mercial endeavour. There are the regular staples on the printed menu and the daily wonders of the plats de jour that depend on whatever Francoise finds in the shops. It is all fresh - ly prepared from what is seasonal and good that day. I would describe the cook - ing as inventive: healthy Belgian home cooking with an occasional Spanish twist. The two influences mix in the languages spoken, on the wine list and in the food. I would recommend Francoise’s fresh, home made tarte tatin. I have fond memo - Portrait of Francoise as a child ries of the rhubarb on creme fraiche on a Daughter Victoria serves some delicious meals displayed in the restaurant. bed of pastry steeped in hot syrup... facebook.com/FitzroviaNews :: twitter.com/FitzroviaNews Fitzrovia News issue 140 Spring 2016 — 5 Charity appeals Rough sleepers Camden Council told the gov - to planning ernment that there were only 15 rough sleepers on a “typical inspector night” in the whole of the bor - ough during the autumn of 2015, far fewer than the number published by the GLA. Fitzrovia News compared the “typical night” figures collected by the government and pub - lished in February with figures derived from the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN), a multi- agency database recording infor - mation about rough sleepers and the wider street population in London. UCLH Charity has appealed to The CHAIN report (Q3 2015- Itamar Srulovich of Honey & Co chatting with pensioners from the Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Association’s Older the government's planning 16) for October to December Fitzrovia group. Itamar and Sarit, Honey & Co proprietors, are inviting local people over 65 to sample their deli - inspectorate to overturn a deci - 2015 published by the GLA cious teas and cakes for free on 27 March 2-4pm. Space is limited, so please give Barb Jacobson a call on 020 7580 sion by Camden Council to states that 58 people were 4576 by 24 March to book your place. They look forward to welcoming you! Photo: Etienne Gilfillan. refuse permission to convert a classed as “living on the streets”. former hospital building into a Fitzrovia News also did a Estate keeper lists its petty rules mixed-use office building with a sample count in a small area of small amount of housing. Bloomsbury ward. We found Posh estate managers Jones Lang LaSalle have now put up a list of Camden refused permission for seven men and two women in petty rules in the new public open space at Pearson Square (see the scheme at 40 Tottenham 45 minutes on a cold morning. FN139 ). Street after the Charlotte Street Camden has defended its A sign states “no consumption of alcohol” or “hot food” mere Association community group count and says our analysis is metres away from tables for al fresco diners at the on site licensed successfully argued that the incorrect. Councillor Jonathan restaurant. Meanwhile in the children’s play area there is to be no plans did not comply with Simpson said: “ball games or similar” and no “cycling, skateboardsing or similar” Camden's planning policies and “From our work with our allowed. the brief in the Fitzrovia Area specialist services and local part - There must be no “animals on the grass”. (We hope the sparrows, Action Plan. The CSA argued ners, we know that there are blackbirds and pigeons can read.) that Camden's policies priori - around 60 people who meet the Local residents have reported that people have been told off for tised housing for the site includ - accepted definition of ‘living on skipping with a rope and sitting near the public art. ing a significant amount of the streets’ in the borough. This Security guards patrol what they say is private land and that social-rented and intermediate does not mean that all this they are only following orders of “the management”. homes. A planning inspector group sleep rough every night. It is a requirement of the planning permission for the develop - will now conduct an informal The figure of 15 represents those ment of Fitzroy Place to allow public access and space to relax. The hearing and make a decision sleeping rough on one particular managers of the estate are permitted to employ security and set out after hearing representations. night in November last year and “reasonable” rules of behaviour. Yet Jones Lang LaSalle had to be was calculated using specific dragged kicking and screaming by local residents to enforce delivery methodology set out by central rules in Cleveland Street and Riding House Street to prevent distur - Basement hotel sunk Government for their national bance from the various comings and goings. report.” Developers Criterion Capital last Association. He emphasised the year applied to Camden Council to the residential community in the Business group sends cyclists the wrong convert a car park at basement lev - vicinity of the proposed under - els -4 and -5 to a 166 bedroom win - ground hotel was already under dowless hotel below the St Giles stress from previous Council deci - way along one way streets Hotel on the corner of Great sions to allow development, and Russell Street and Adeline Place. that the present situation was The Fitzrovia Partnership Business Improvement The subterranean complex was already bad, so don’t make it any District is to recall and scrap its guide to cycling in described by Criterion Capital as worse. Local Councillors argued Fitzrovia after realising that it was directing filling a gap in the market provid - strongly in support of a “communi - cyclists to ride the wrong way down one way ing economical rooms for business ty under stress” and made a plea streets. travellers and tourists looking for for residents whose amenity was very short term occupancy. already under threat from the noise The local cycling guide, which was distributed Residents, businesses, landowners, and disturbance from trucks con - to business es in and around Tottenham Court local councillors, GLA members gesting Bedford Avenue and Road and made available at Kings Cross and and local MP all sent comments Adeline Place. Euston train stations as well as tube stations and objecting to the proposals. Councillors refused the application shops in Fitzrovia, was intended to promote jour- On 14 January Camden Council’s by five votes to three with one neys by bicycle and avoid busy streets. planning committee rejected the abstention. Local resident Chris “Presented in a handy z-card format, employ- controversial plans. Camden’s Gardiner said: “We are up against a ees and commuters can see the cleaner and greener planning officers were recommend - large company here with financial ways to navigate around quieter and less trafficked ing approval of the plans to con - muscle. The rejection on Thursday vert the underground car park is a victory for good sense and the routes by using side streets to reach Fitzrovia from In a response The Fitzrovia Partnership admit - Kings Cross and Euston train stations. Helping into “pod” hotel. Roger Wilson small guys.” ted the mistake and said the maps would be with - spoke on behalf of the Bloomsbury you and your colleagues breathe a little easier on drawn. your way to and from work,” said The Fitzrovia “I have checked the map that we printed and Partnership which is trying to flaunt its green cre- clearly there is a mistake. I have taken steps to dentials. have the stock recycled and the online version cor - The guide also reminded cyclists of the law by rected. I appreciate you highlighting the error to stating they must not “cycle the wrong way up a us,” said Lee Lyons the BID manager. one-way street, unless there’s a sign showing that However, The Fitzrovia Partnership need not cyclists can do so”. bother to produce its own map because cyclists can But the routes directed cyclists the wrong way make use of the freely available maps produced by down Grafton Way and Goodge Street. No cycling Transport for London in partnership with the contraflow exists on these streets. There are also London Cycling Campaign. There are 14 maps other mistakes on the map. covering Greater London. Map number 1 covers The guide was published and distributed in the central London. The paper maps can be ordered autumn of 2015 and Fitzrovia News understands from the TfL website. that thousands of copies were made available. The Fitzrovia BID intends to produced a cor - Fitzrovia News contacted The Fitzrovia rected guide which will be available from nearby Partnership to point out the errors and the dangers rail stations, and local shops and cafes. of directing cyclists into oncoming traffic. 6 — Fitzrovia News issue 140 Spring 2016 facebook.com/FitzroviaNews :: twitter.com/FitzroviaNews Spectacular return Opening and England.’ We have a small factory in Perivale West London and our manufacturing business more than ever is determined to face up to today’s chal - lenges. Being a retailer helps our manufacturing side as we are close to changes in demand. closing “Our retail and manufacturing opticians busi - ness was established in 1978. During the early Closed years we sold wholesale to other opticians as well Puro Design bathrooms kitchens as through our own outlets. However, from the 100 Great Portland Street mid 90s we exclusively sold our own products. All Cleveland Hair stylists eyewear is branded 'Harpers' or 'acid' which are 78 Cleveland Street our registered trademarks. Delancey And Co New York style shop interior “Our interest is in traditional eyewear design deli 34 Goodge Street and manufacture. We offer a unique personal serv - By Pete Whyatt Yog frozen yogurt ice; we are not chasing footfall. We are able to 45 Charlotte Street Welcome back to Fitzrovia for Opera Opera opti - make a one off copy of any vintage frame style, Goodge Street Espresso coffee cians. They had the shop at 20 Percy Street on the colour or size. We can make both bespoke specta - 31b Goodge Street corner with Tottenham Court Road from 1985 to cles and ready-to-wear ‘retro models’, including Newman Street Tavern 2002 then moved to Covent Garden and finally last those that were in the original NHS programme. Seoul Bakery gastropub 48 Newman Street month the business has been consolidated back “If you forward a photo to us or an internet Korean Cafe/K-pop merchandise Jetlag Bar 125 Cleveland Street here. link we can make a reproduction handmade frame 14 Great Russel Street Loaf 93 Tottenham Court Road I was chatting with the owner of the business handcrafted and unique. We often have requests The Larder cafe/deli Caffe Nero Arun Ahluwalia. He told me about the history and for Johnny Depp, John Lennon or Buddy Holly Pearson Square 187 Tottenham Court Road evolution of the Optical trade in the UK. In the glasses. We supply handcrafted to theatre, televi - Via Carluccio’s Italian fast food El Burrito Mexican cusisine early part of the 20th century opticians were a sion and film production companies and even 93 Tottenham Court Road 5 Charlotte Place Jewish occupation based around Wigmore Street. stock pince-nez, monocles and lorgnettes. Opera Pancafe Italian cafe Urgent cars minicabs Then in the 1960’s the trade became very popular Opera relies on word of mouth recommendations 52 Tottenham Court Road 27 Tottenham Street with the upwardly mobile Asian population. In and we do not generally like our styles in glossy Mantovani Ice cream, gelato Boopshi’s schnitzel’s post-war Britain, the new Labour government cre - magazines or newspaper product placements.” 187 Tottenham Court Road 31 Windmill Street ated NHS eyewear frames and subsidised manu - facturers to produce them. In the 1980s, Margaret Thatcher deregulated the opticians’ trade and dis - Opened Opening soon mantled the NHS frame programme. Later in the Yoob Japanese Food Market Place Nationwide Building Society decade, foreign manufacturers entered the market 41 Great Castle Street 220 Tottenham Court Road through lowered trade barriers and many British Honest Burgers Detox Kitchen companies couldn’t compete and eventually fold - 117 Tottenham Court Road 10 Mortimer Street ed. Later on the global demand for high-end Denny’s catering wear/equiptment Oliver Bonas fashion, homewares acetate frames declined. More recently the rise of 62 Berners Street 63 Tottenham Court Road the mass produced glasses, multiple chain opti - Bao Oriental cuisine Hiba Lebanese street food cians and people buying glasses on the internet 31 Windmill Street 10 Tottenham Street has led to the decline of the British and European Foley’s Modern world food Dickie Fitz Pacific cuisine glasses manufacturing industry. China now pro - 23 Foley Street 48 Newman Street duces quality frames and sunglasses at very low costs. Arun is proud of the fact that Opera Opera is now one of only three companies left in the UK that actually manufacture spectacle frames. “We can proudly stamp on all our frames ‘Made in NHS spectacles

See article page 7 Fitzrovia News readers can get a £5 discount by quoting the password Keeping his eye in at the age of 78 Ted Jones still works as an optical technician for Opera Opera in Fitzrovia MANAGER when ordering it online through: where he started in 1986. http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=3655 facebook.com/FitzroviaNews :: twitter.com/FitzroviaNews Fitzrovia News issue 140 Spring 2016 — 7 Consultant publishes second book

Local government consultant Alexander Stevenson, who lives Are you a fox in Foley Street, has just had his second book published. It is or a hedgehog? called The Public Sector Fox, and did well and is still selling. Twelve ways to become a brilliant His motivation for writing it, Public Sector Manager . he said, was twofold. First there Dr Natalie Riddel checks out some He started off working for are few books about public sec - blood Financial Times, setting up tor management and manage - FT.com, then set up his own ment comes under the business company, RSeConsulting, which section in shops. Old age and worked for over 200 public sec - "The second is that we have tor bodies. This was bought by grown up to think of public sec - Tribal Group in 2008 when it tor management as terrible, and immunology was based in Newman Street. the private sector as efficient. University College London is Now he is a trustee of the "Margaret Thatcher deliber - hosting an open day where local Young Foundation which aims ately set about creating that people will have the chance to to tackle structural inequality in impression, that public equals hear about research, see posters the belief that it undermines the bad and private equals good, 30 and demonstrations, ask ques - economy and communities. It or 40 years ago. This might have tions about changes to their was set up by Michael Young been to reverse the snooty view health as they age, and find out (1915-2002) who helped draft that commerce was to be looked what it means to take part in Labour's manifesto for the 1945 down upon. research. Food and drinks will general election which intro - "But the public sector is just be provided. duced the National Health harder to do well than private Older people are invited to Service, and he helped found the sector management. One is that attend to learn about the latest Open University. there is no single success factor Alexander Stevenson with partner Roshinee Aloysius and daughter Zeni, research on aging, the immune Alexander is also chair of in the public sector, whether who reads his new book. system, and understand why Create Streets, which campaigns every decision is profitable or older adults are more prone to against the rapid growth of sky - gle defining thought, while them are resilience, commit - not. Also the private sector does infection and illness. scrapers in London and other those like foxes experienced the ment, willing to be experimen - not have democratic accounta - The open day will take place cities. "Most people prefer to live world through a varied range of tal, and having perspective." bility. on 4 April, from 2pm till 4:30pm, in streets rather than skyscrapers ideas. He has worked a lot with "The private sector plays at the Rayne Institute, 5 and the economic case for it is The book contends there are Camden and "really rates local backgammon, while the public University Street, London WC1E strong," said Alexander. 12 skills that managers "need to government." sector plays chess." 6JF. He is also raising funding to thrive in the multi-faceted public The book costs £14.99 but His new book, written with If you would like to attend, set up a website which helps sector of the 21st century." Fitzrovia News readers can get a Marcial Boo, is based on a quote please contact UCL by email, people over the age of 50 find "It looks at the personal skills £5 discount by quoting the pass - by the philosopher Isaiah Berlin: telephone or post: work. needed, what has changed in the word MANAGER when order - "The fox knows many things but Dr Natalie Riddell: Email His first book was entitled last few years," said Alexander, ing it online through: the hedgehog knows one big [email protected]; Tel. 0203 108 Public Sector: Managing the "and how you can improve your http://www.troubador.co.uk thing." Those like hedgehogs 2177 chances of gaining those quali - unmanageable, which was pub - viewed the world through a sin - /book_info.asp?bookid=3655 lished by Kogan Paul in 2013, ties and develop them. Among What’s Missing from Mayor candidates’ views on Oxford Street changes Fitzrovia’s Nostalgia Bars What will the new Mayor of er, safer and more pleasant: a London do about Oxford place to spend a day out, rather By Adam Stoneman Street? than a somewhere you dread Leather booth seating, lavatorial white tiles, pink Last month Fitzrovia News wrote visiting at weekends. and orange art deco lamps. No, not a bar or restau - to all declared candidates in the And the Liberal Democrat rant from the 1950s, but a ‘retro fitted’ establish - London Mayoral Election (to be candidate, Caroline Pidegeon , ment in Fitzrovia. Step into Love Die Late, held on May 5th) asking Are you writes: Simmons or Riding House Café and History is in favour of the pedestrianisa - Over many years the street announced with a jumbled array of post-war para - tion of Oxford Street? If so, what has been pedestrianised for ‘VIP phernalia. The current nostalgia for the 1940s and are your proposals for the vehi - Days’. In 2011 this closure was ‘50s extends beyond kitsch ornamentation too; the cles which would be displaced for over two days. new development in Kings Cross, led by from Oxford Street? We received However the impact of Maccreanor Lavington, has returned to the simple replies from just two of them. Crossrail will also lead to many brick-clad vernacular of post-war social housing. Zac Goldsmith , the journeys between west and east And of course there is the ubiquitous ‘Keep Calm Conservative candidate, says: London changing. The route of and Carry On’ image, originally a poster, now a I will introduce tougher rules some bus routes will pervasive viral meme, its clean, austere design and on HGVs, including use of con - inevitably need revising. stoic message conjuring parallels with post-war solidation centres to reduce their As should always be the Britain’s earlier period of privation and scarcity. number. I will facilitate a rapid case, any changes to bus routes achievements of social democracy in this country: But why all this nostalgia for the ‘40s and ‘50s? switch to electric buses, cabs and must first see proper consulta - the creation of free healthcare and a welfare system This is the question Owen Hatherley asks in his cars, and I’ll introduce a Boris- tion with both bus users and and the widespread provision of genuinely afford - recent book, Ministry for Nostalgia. At the same bike equivalent for electric cars. I local residents. able council housing.. time as the remnants of the welfare state are being will continue the current I am also strongly in favour Unfortunately the fad for post war Britain is in actively demolished by the present government, Mayor’s emphasis on making of a 1-hour bus ticket, allowing style not substance: the new Kings Cross develop - the British public have become transfixed in wist - cycling safer and easier. people to switch buses as part of ment, like so many new developments here in ful remembrance of the age that produced it. Oxford Street is the back - a single journey but for the price Fitzrovia, will primarily provide non-dom invest - Cameron’s government have worked to conjure bone of the central London econ - of a single journey. As for nearby ment opportunities, rather than homes for people parallels between current austerity measures and omy, but it is also an air quality residents to Oxford Street it must who desperately need them. . the austerity endured by the British public in the disaster for the people who live be the case that the redirected Without becoming wistful and nostalgic about years following the war; the Tories’ ideological and work here. I am determined buses should be fully electric, the post-war era of our grandparents’ generation, project of shrinking the welfare state is thus to find a way to pedestrianise it which are quiet, as well as creat - Hatherley urges us to remember that a more just framed as an issue of moral fortitude and national without harming businesses and ing no exhaust pollution. society was constructed after the war –it was possi - resilience: ‘We are all in this together’, just like we without diverting heavy traffic Making Oxford Street a more ble then, and can be possible now. Unless we supposedly were during and after the war. Except, to surrounding residential areas. pleasant environment does bring remember this, all that will be left from that era as Hatherley points out, the post-war period of I want to make Oxford street challenges, but the benefits will be twee 1950s ornaments in overpriced bars. hardship was also marked by the incredible and the surrounding area green - would be immense. 8 — Fitzrovia News issue 140 Spring 2016 facebook.com/FitzroviaNews :: twitter.com/FitzroviaNews Fun lecturer Frank Warner , the late sociology lecturer whose office was at 76- 78 Mortimer Street, was fondly remembered by newly elected Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn just before Christmas. Several Fitzrovian socialists were at the Stop The War Coalition party attended by Jeremy. One of them asked him Word from the Streets about Frank who was Jeremy's friend and neighbour. Jeremy's face lit up and he gave details By CHARLOTTE STREET and her family of a potato growing competi - tion which Frank had organ - Making a splash Comic’s diaries ised, ending in the production of alcohol. An up and coming swimmer to fetch £220,000 Frank was a regular in The keep an eye out for future suc - George which was next to his cess is 14-year-old Alex Rowson Comic actor Kenneth Williams , Mortimer Street office when who lives in the Bricklayers who lived near Great Portland working for the Polytechnic of Arms , Gresse Street. Street for the last 16 years of his Central London. He once Last month he picked up no life, has achieved literary recogni - espied radio chat show host less than six medals at the tion 27 years after his 1988 death. Ned Sherrin in the bar there Middlesex County Amateur The British Library has paid and asked him if he was join - Swimming Association £220,000 for his diaries and other ing the march taking place Championships. correspondence. The library's cura - round the corner. Ned smiled These were two golds tor of theatrical archives, Kathryn and said he would have to get (freestyle 100 and 200m), a silver Johnson, described the diaries as a his police uniform before join - (freestyle 1,500m), and three treasure trove "which we now hope ing it. bronze (freestyle 400m, breast to scan and make available to stroke 200m, and individual researchers from March." medley 200m). Paul Richardson , the close He has lived all his life in Swimming champion Alex Rowson in action at butterfly (top) and freestyle friend and neighbour of Williams in Fitzrovian pubs (the Yorkshire Osnaburgh Street, remarked: "His Grey, the Champion, and now Royal lie Road from 1957," he asks. This is daily existence bordered on the the Bricklayers Arms) and now the Spearmint Rhino monastic, defined by routines which Griff Rhys Jones , the comedian attended All Souls primary Gentlemen's Club. might be described today as obses - who resides in Fitzrovia, has school in Foley Street. "They were run by Doris sive-compulsive. From the mid revealed how he once pretend - He started training at the Westwood and were attended 1950s he lived in Fitzrovia in a ed to be deaf to Princess YMCA pool off Tottenham Court by disc jockey Pete Murray , series of one bedroom flats that were Margaret. Appearing on the tel - Road and now swims with the singer Matt Munro , script writer bare furnished and unwelcoming." evision panel show "Would I Chelsea Westminster Swimming and comedian Bob Monkhouse He had no television, books or Lie to You?" he recalled that he Club. and other stars. pictures and very little furniture, was presented to her at a func - "He is really dedicated, get - "Does anyone have any just a radio and a pile of old theatre tion. ting up at 5 am three mornings a memories of this? If so I would magazines, added Richardson. His She asked him a question, Illustration by Jayne Davis week to train (twice before love to hear about them through daily routine included shopping at but in a mumbled posh voice school and once at the week - Fitzrovia News." Tesco in Goodge Street or John Feather brain that he could not understand. ends)," said his mother Juliette, Those who made their start Lewis in Oxford Street, then dining The image of a flamingo (a large After she repeated it twice but who often takes him there on in the coffee bar included Jimmy in cheap local Italian restaurants. pink bird with long neck and legs) no more clearly he had to feign her motorbike. Justice , Emile Ford , Wally Literary agent Caroline dancing in a Hanway Street club deafness. "Now he is training for the Whyton , and most famously Dawnay concluded: "In 20 years' could have been raised in my last Griff failed to be made the London regional finals in May. Tommy Steele . time Kenneth Williams won't be column. I wrote about flamingo best liar on the show; that hon - But who knows, he could be at "In fact Tommy Steele was remembered as a camp entertainer music and dancing in the Costa our went to Hairy Biker, Dave the Commonwealth Games in walking home to Bermondsey and Carry On star. Instead he will Dorada Spanish club (recently Myers - even though both his Australia in 2018 or even the from the Bread Basket when he stand alongside Samuel Pepys and demolished), when I of course stories were true (being locked Olympics in Tokyo in 2020." first saw the 2 I's club in Old Virginia Woolf as the author of one meant flamenco (Spanish dancing in a bank and making an air - Compton Street where he made of the finest diaries in the English to guitar music). Luckily our hawk ship in a garden). Comedy great his name," said John. language." eyed sub-editor, Janet Gauld , spot - ted the error and corrected it. Barry Cryer , the octogenarian Thanks for sparing my blushes, comedian, was accosted in the toilet Janet. of the Yorkshire Grey in Langham Street, according to a recent Radio Storm in teacup Times. I was interested to read the obit - Disc jockey Stuart Maconie uary to Brian Keats in the last revealed: "I was once in the gents' issue. My older brother loo at the BBC pub the Yorkshire Mortimer did some weekly Grey with him when a radio pro - Star balls shopping for him in return for a ducer entered and began a heartfelt A pop star of the 1960s is seek - cup of tea. When Brian became eulogy to the great man extolling ing the help of our readers who bedridden it fell to Mortimer to his many talents. remember the Bread Basket cof - make the tea. "That is the first "Barry smiled kindly, but raised fee bar at 65 Cleveland Street in Nurses visit chapel filmed for TV time I have made tea for ages," a hand and stopped the young chap: the late 50s and early 60s. he told Brian. "It tastes like it," 'My dear boy, thank you, but I John Allison , of the Allisons Watch out for a BBC television drama called Apple Tree Yard on your snarled Brian scathingly. don't want reverence... I want who topped the charts, played screens in the near future. The crew recently filmed scenes in the work.'" there every Friday from April to Middlesex Hospital chapel in Pearson Square. Live music Barry is a stalwart of the radio June in 1960. Then their hit, Are This will be of particular interest to six ladies who recently cele - Good to see some live music show "I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue" You Sure, came second in the brated the 60th anniversary of the commencement of their training as coming back... every in which he often mentions Eurovision Song Contest in 1961 nurses in the hospital (February 9, 1956). Wednesday in the Simmons bar Cleveland Street in the Mornington and sold over a million copies. They dined in Percy & Founders by the window which looks into in Maple Street. It has changed Crescent game. He was familiar But John is interested in the the chapel next door. "It was a very happy gathering with many fond name five times since 1991. Can with the street when attending charitable balls run by the coffee memories of the hospital," said one of them, Jill Hutchins (director you list them? Answer next Middlesex Hospital and drinking in bar in the late 50s (see advert of the Curwen Gallery in Windmill Street ). "The restaurant looked time. the One Tun in Goodge Street. above) . "I wonder if any of your after us very well." In the Uxbridge English Fitzrovia members have any The ex-nurses came from as far as Cumbria and Winchester. Dictionary game he recently defined memories of the balls held by Pictured clockwise (starting from the left) are: Sally Dale, Jan Street "gladiator" as an unrepetent canni - the Bread Basket in the Empire Meryon, Lindy Sullivan, Pamela Bedwell, Jill Hutchins, Jean Dunbar, arlotte bal. Rooms in Tottenham Court Tilly Van Rees, and Julianne Grobler. Ch facebook.com/FitzroviaNews :: twitter.com/FitzroviaNews Fitzrovia News issue 140 Spring 2016 — 9 A music festival for Fitzrovia FitzFest 2016 will take place at various venues from 8 to 11 June

pioning our community. evening and lunchtime concerts “Fitzrovia has hosted an to talks-with-music about specif - astounding number of great ic aspects of local culture, and musicians, writers, thinkers and unexpected “musical flash mob” artists from many cultures over events. Also planned is a concert the centuries — the festival will of music composed by children programme music entirely by at All Souls’ Primary School per - musicians and composers who formed by professional musi - have lived or worked in the cians, and musical visits to the area, and aims to highlight its paediatric ward at UCLH. cultural richness.” “At the core of FitzFest,” “An example of this would says Bates “is a new commission Robin Rimbaud aka Scanner be a performance by internation - by internationally famous elec - ally famous clarinettist Jörg tronic music pioneer Scanner or memories of the Middlesex Widmann of the Clarinet (aka Robin Rimbaud) who is a Hospital — perhaps as a patient, Quintet by the early 19th centu - multi-talented, multi-award visitor or worker there — and ry German composer Carl Maria winning artist. The aim of this would like to record a short interview for the project please Dan Bates and colleague at All Souls Primary School von Weber in the very room on exciting new work is to com - Great Portland Street in which memorate the late lamented contact A music festival celebrating the community music festival” and (we think!) the composer died.” Middlesex Hospital and at the Dan Bates at [email protected] many musicians and composers is desperately looking for “peo - The concerts and events will same to celebrate the preserva - www.fitzfest.co.uk who have had a connection with ple with a passion for Fitzrovia be held in all kinds of unusual tion and restoration of the Fitzrovia will take place in early to help organize the many com - venues and will range from Chapel.” June, the first of an annual event munity events, concerts, walks, Scanner will create a per - FitzFest launch concert say the organisers. talks, exhibitions and lectures formance from recordings of at Westbourne House The series of performances that are planned for the area” he interviews of people’s experi - 14 - 16 Westbourne Grove will take place at a variety of told Fitzrovia News. ences and memories of the hos - W2 5RH yet-to-be-chosen venues “FitzFest aims to be a mod - pital and of the neighbourhood, 8th March 2016 throughout the neighbourhood ern and welcoming annual com - and use electronic music to doors open 7:00pm assisted by an Arts Council of munity music festival for weave these into a soundscape concert 7:30pm England grant. Local resident Fitzrovia — providing great which will run for 24 hours a followed by reception. Dan Bates, a classically-trained music but also promoting pride day throughout the festival, £35 suggested donation oboist, is leading the series of in the area, celebrating its diver - echoing the pattern of shift proceeds towards FitzFest and events under the banner of sity, generating a greater knowl - The February fundraising concert workers at the hospital. Olgarhythm music charity. “FitzFest: Fitzrovia’s annual edge of local facilities and cham - in Marylebone. If you have any experiences

LETTINGSLETTINGS RESIDENTIALRESIDENTIAL SALESALESS

GosfieldGosfield Street,Street, FitzroviaFitzrovia £1350 per week THE PORTLANDPORTLAND LLOFTSOFTS Ameticulously 142142 GGreatreat PPortlandortland SStreettreet & 109109 BBolsoverolsover StreetStreet designed duplex penthouse apartment withith a fantasticf t ti !"#$%&'($()*+#*,%+-.!"#$%&'($()*+#*,%+-.-/&01-*(% #$%)*%'/(#1)(-%&00&2#$%)*%'/(#1)(-%&00&2('*#(3% entertaining space and 4&2%/'5'24&2%/'5'2&2%/'5'23%/#.#*,%#*%("-%"-)2(% access to a balcony. &4%&*-%&4%6&*+&*7&4%&*-%&4%6&*+&*7$%1&$(% +-$#2)8)8/-%/&9)(#&*$:% ;)2-4'//;)2-4'//3%)*+%$310)("-(#9)//3% 2-*&.)(-+%(&%("-%"#,"-$(%.)(-+%(&%("-%"#,"-$(% $()*+)2+$%)*+%8$()*+)2+$%)*+%8/-*+#*,%("-%<-3% )$0-9($%&4%#*+'$(2)$0-9($%&4%#*+'$(2#)/%9")2)9(-2% )*+%9&*(-10&2)*+%9&*(-10&2)23%+-$#,*% MR¾YIRRGIW XS EGLMIZI  E XVYP]  $('**#*,%2-$'/(:%% !"-$-%-59/'$#.-% TVSTIVXMIW VIHI½RI XLI BernersBerners Street,Street, FitzroviaFitzrovia £995 per week 9&*9-0(%&4%$(3/#$"%'28)*%/#.#*,:

!"%%!=!=&%)*+%!"2-- % We are delighted to >-+2&&1%)0)2(1-*($>-+2&&1%)0)2 launch this luxury !%%%!=!=&%4)*()$(#9 % two bedroom lateral ?-*("&'$-%)0)2-*("&'$-%)0)2(1-*($ apartment in this brand !%%%?2#.)(-%@&&4%%#.)(-%@&&4%%!-!-2 2 2)9-$%(& % new development. $-/-9(-+%)0)2(1-*($$-/-9(-+%)0)2 !%%%%%A#2-9(%6#4(%)99-$$%(& $-/-9(-+%)0)2(1-*($$-/-9(-+%)0)2 !%%%B-=%CCC%3%B-=%CCC%3-)2%/-)$- !%%%%%D$(#1)(-+%;&10/-(#&* E9(&8-2%FGHI

!"#$%&'(")*'+,-.*!"#$%&'(")*'+,-.*

23-24 Margaret Street, London, W1W 8LF 0207 637 0821 www.rib.co.uk [email protected] 10 — Fitzrovia News issue 140 Spring 2016 facebook.com/FitzroviaNews :: twitter.com/FitzroviaNews Beatrice: Independent woman who sang with feeling

“As the people say, if you live happy you must live with a church, a pub and a market. We have everything here, we have Sainsbury’s, this church here on Ogle Street and we have two pubs on my street.”

Beatrice in “I like things “Fitzrovia to me is that are easy like a mother or “The neighbo you. This is a everyone I m father that look very particul

“I find this a Beatrice in 2010 after your sons.” ionable. And

Well known and loved resident Beatrice Malta died in Victoria. At that time nobody stole anything so nobody “Fitzrovia to affair. He used to go to Africa for business. He said to December 2015. She had lived in Fitzrovia for over 50 bothered me. I had a few tears of course.” your sons.” me: ‘Beatrice, I will take you to Africa with me and we years and she always said how much she loved living Beatrice found a job looking after the children of a will go together.’ I said to him: ‘Do you mind Malcolm here. She first lived for 20 years in York House in Berners Jewish family in Finchley. “They were lovely people. I “Oh I love da I have lots of things to do here.’ Street that at the time was staff accommodation for the worked there for two years with them and they treated my exercise f “I liked him, but I didn’t love him. He said to me: ‘I Middlesex Hospital. On retirement she moved to me as one of their own. I learnt a lot of the Jewish faith, like you, but I like you more because you know what Haddon House in Hanson Street where she remained it was very interesting.” “I was danci you like in life.’ He died in an air crash. He was a love - until her death. Beatrice then got a job in the catering department at “You don’t n ly man we had a a wonderful ten years together.” Beatrice was born in Portugal in 1925. At 18 she Tooting Bec Hospital. She was not too happy there and a Beatrice also gained a reputation and made regular worked as a waitress in France for two years, learning friend who worked at the Middlesex Hospital in “As the peop appearances as a singer. As a young woman her father the language fluently. She came to London in 1962 to Mortimer Street encouraged Beatrice to join her there. church, a pub paid for her to study Italian operatic technique. She escape an unhappy marriage (her husband was a gam - “I was the first Domestic Supervisor who could sung soprano, but over time her voice lowered to have Sainsbu bler). At that time this was a very courageous and speak English and Portuguese. I spent a lot of the time mezzo soprano. She enjoyed singing, especiallly Italian have two pub unusual thing to do for a woman to travel on her own. interpreting as well. I never ever regretted a minute. I opera, but her reportoire included popular and She was a kind of personal and political refugee. It is worked in the Middlesex for 25 years. I loved the hospi - Portuguese songs (she even made a record of probably unlikely that she would have been allowed to tal work, I never thought I would love it so much. “ Portuguese songs). return as there was a dictatorship in place in Portugal For the final four years of her career Beatrice worked She sang in restaurants and the Spanish clubs on then and women did not usually have their own pass - at the hospital for women in Soho, then retired at 62. Tottenham Court Road and Edgware Road. In her later port so usually had to travel as a wife. She continued working part time to supplement her years singing became a hobby. She continued perform - “I came here on my own when I was 36, and I didn’t pension at the Berners Hotel in Berners Street (now the ing for charity events at the Covent Garden Concert have a job or accommodation, and was without any London Edition hotel) as an evening house keeper, a Artists’ Association and the Salvation Army. friends but I knew English, so I slept on a little chair in freelance interpreter for Harley Street private doctors and working for the Wedgewood China shop, off Regent Street. Beatrice was always very candid about talking José Mendonça adds: about matters of a private nature. “I came here at 36 on In 2010 one Sunday morning I was sitting in Saint my own free as a bird.” As a young woman she met Charles Borromeo Church on Ogle Street waiting for Malcolm, a widower from Cornwall. “He said to me: ‘I the service to begin. From behind me I heard some would like to take you for dinner.’ I said: ‘Thank you chattering which disturbed me, so I turned around to very much.’ He was eight years older than me. When we ask the person talking to please shut up. The person went to the restaurant I thought to myself ‘well he has gave a frosty and aggressive response. After the service got a Rover, he has got money.’ We sat and he said: we met up and noticed each other’s accents. We were ‘what would you like to eat Beatrice and drink?’ I said: both from Portugal. This was my introduction to ‘Champagne please Malcolm.’ I added: ‘Because you Beatrice. It was the start of a very strong and warm know I wouldn’t have ordered it if I knew you couldn’t friendship. We shared meals together in each other’s afford it but I’m sure you could afford it.’ He said: ‘Oh flats. She came along to some of my partner’s musical yes, my dear, no problem.’ events and I accompanied her to some functions. As “I am very independent. Also to me it’s respect. You her sight and mobility deteriorated in the last few see when you’re married you do everything and people years I took her out for walks. I still find it hard to don’t respect, you. With the second time everything was comprehend that she has passed away. She was such a This obitua my way. I said to Malcolm: ‘I will not be used now to character and positive force. Fitzrovia N wash pants, socks or make a breakfast, not anymore.’ project in 20 “So I said to myself why not? We had a ten year able from F facebook.com/FitzroviaNews :: twitter.com/FitzroviaNews Fitzrovia News issue 140 Spring 2016 — 11 Enhanced images of the Fitzrovia Mural displayed

The Fitzrovia Mural, painted in 1980 by London-based artists Simon Barber and Mick Jones, was commissioned by Camden Council and created in consultation with the local community. The mural covers the entire side of a building on Tottenham Street and faces Whitfield Gardens, on Tottenham Court Road. It is one of the largest and most popular pieces of outdoor art in London. The artwork, painted in the style of Mexican artist Diego Rivera, is a colourful depiction of people living and working in the neigh - bourhood and a playful satire poking fun at property developers, planners, and the drudgery of modern office work. But over the Fox of Fitzroy Square years its bold colours have faded with the ravages of wind, rain and sunlight, while the lower part of the mural has been defaced with By Guy O’Connell the camera’s as its long sleek graffiti. A wild animal again roams body followed the line of the Now Camden Council have committed the money to restore the Fitzrovia. It is perhaps the largest street sign. All was framed per - mural as part of the planned regeneration of the Tottenham Court untamed mammal seen ’round fectly — fox, and Fitzroy Square. Road area, know as the Camden West End Project, leading up to the these parts since building started The animal stayed proud at opening of Crossrail in 2018. on the ancient hunting grounds we its puddle for sixty seconds or The high-resolution photographs by Nigel Moore reveal the at Fitzrovia News call home. It has more, allowing multiple shots mural’s full diversity, its artistic quality and intricate detail. The so far eluded capture on camera, perfect for the front page of despite the best efforts of your cor - Fitzrovia Mural exhibition is at Arup, 8 Fitzroy Street untill 11 March Fitzrovia News and perhaps for respondent, whose account fol - 2016. A booklet about the mural is available from Arup . many a year to come on the lows. walls of our many readers At around 10.30pm on New homes. But the wily animal per - Year’s Eve, as revellers headed haps knew what the human did to the many bars around her own words: not … the camera failed to Fitzrovia, a small brown dog cir - s that have some difficulty. I don’t like things record a single foxy frame. The cled Fitzroy Square. A large fox of Fitzroy Square had not to me; they are of no interest.” moon hung in the last skies of been shot. 2015. In the silvery glow, the ours are very nice; I feel that they care for So your correspondent offers dog’s companion spotted the a pint in a Fitzrovian pub to the a nice neighbourhood, but I cannot call distinctive red brush of a fox. It human who can capture the best meet a friend or invite for a cup of coffee; I am flicked slightly as the animal’s photo of the carnivore in Fitzroy lar.” tongue licked at a puddle Square before May 13. Send us beneath the large road sign your picture to area very interesting; it is very old and fash - marked “Fitzroy Square” on the [email protected] or tweet d it has got lots of history” north east corner of the famous us @FitzroviaNews or post to London landmark. our Facebook page. o me is like a mother or father that look after What a photo! The fox raised its head; its own eyes meeting ancing every morning; I put on a cassette for for my leg.” Illustrations of mid-Victorian London Harry ing, singing, eating, drinking and spending.” need to see to sing; you need to have feelings” ple say, if you live happy you must live with a Hyams b and a market. We have everything here; we ury’s, this church here on Ogle Street and we bs on my street.” Property developer Harry Hyams died on 19th December 2015. His Centre Point tower saw him become, for some, the unac - ceptable face of property devel - opment in the 1960s. Already a successful entre - preneur, he took advantage of council proposals for a (never built) roundabout at the junction of Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road to gain a lease on land there. The 35-storey tower was completed in 1966 but remained empty for the next 14 years, because Hyams wanted to rent it The Workmen’s Train: Workers hurry to catch their morning train to work. Steam trains depicted by Gustave Dor é out to a single occupier. Even as at Gower Street station (now called Euston Square) on the Metropolitan underground line, which opened in 1863. an empty building, its initial value of £5m more than quadru - In 1869 the journalist Blanchard Jerrold and French even though they realised that London was chang - pled, but Centre Point became a artist Gustave Doré produced an illustrated record ing and some of the worst social evils were begin - focus for homeless charities, of the ‘shadows and sunlight’ of London. They ning to be addressed. Doré’s work has become cel - who claimed the London prop - spent many days and nights exploring, often pro - ebrated for its dramatic use of light and shade, and erty boom encouraged owners tected by plain-clothes policemen. The ambitious the power of his images to capture the atmosphere to keep buildings empty. project, which took four years to complete, was of mid-Victorian London. Hymans shunned publicity, and even held his company's ry was prepared with interviews from the eventually published as London: a pilgrimage with See more at The British Library Website annual general meeting on New Neighbourhood Association’s oral history 180 engravings. www.bl.uk/collection-items/london-illustrations- Year's Day to discourage anyone 010. “Ebb and Flow in Fitzrovia”, is avail - Both were transfixed by the deprivation, by-gustave-dor from attending. FNA, 39 Tottenham Street, W1T 4RX (£5) squalor and wretchedness of the lives of the poor, 12 — Fitzrovia News issue 140 Spring 2016 facebook.com/FitzroviaNews :: twitter.com/FitzroviaNews Elvis Costello’s early days in Tottenham Court Road

By MIKE PENTELOW

efore pop star Elvis Costello became famous he played at Bthe Fitzrovia Festival on June 1, 1974 in Rathbone Street - under his real name of Declan MacManus. He was fronting a group called Flip City, with Mitch Kent on bass guitar and vocals, Malcolm Dennis on drums, Steve Hazlehurst on guitar, and Dickie Faulkner on congas and vocals. Yet this was not his first per - formance in the area, as he reveals in his new autobiogra - phy "Unfaithful Music & mimed his hit of seven years Disappearing Ink" (Penguin, earlier, Israelites, to a much bet - £25). ter audience reaction than theirs. That took place a year earlier "We'd been completely upstaged in "a good club up some stairs by someone pretending to sing," on the Tottenham Court Road" bemoaned Costello, but "it which was hosted by a Jamaican turned out to be a perfect singer called Raggy Farmer who apprenticeship for a life on Top let him "play a few tunes now of the Pops." Michael Jackson, The Jam, and and then." Just after playing at the 100 Duran Duran. This in fact was the Granny's Club in Oxford Street on During breaks Costello Folk and Blues Club in the December 9, 1975 the band would nip out to "a mews pub Rising Sun at 46 Tottenham broke up. off Portland Place" [probably the Court Road, which had folk on Five years after his early per - Dover Castle in Weymouth Fridays and Saturdays, blues on formances in the Rising Sun he Mews] and flirt with an attrac - Sundays, and poetry also on returned to Tottenham Court tive girl behind the bar. Fridays (as listed in Tower, the Road as an established star with He wrote a song called predecessor of Fitzrovia News). his group The Attractions - "Shipbuilding" in 1982 during "Eventually, I fell in with a packing them in at the the Falklands War about British gang of like-minded fellers with Dominion Theatre for seven shipyard workers building whom I formed a band that we nights over Christmas 1978 (see ships, potentially taking their called Flip City, after a few even picture on front page) . own soldier sons to their deaths. more farcical attempts at finding There was a huge cardboard It became a hit for Robert Wyatt, a name," writes Costello. likeness of him outside the the - who discussed it with Costello They scraped together atre. But the mood of the audi - on television and radio pro - enough to rent a three-bed - ence was sometimes ugly. His grammes. roomed rat-infested semi- father Ross (a singer with the Joe Costello's favourite picture detached house where they Loss Orchestra) came backstage of this was of Wyatt in the lobby lived on beans on toast. A spe - after one performance to report: of Broadcasting House "sitting in cial treat would be a recipe of "They want to kill you." his wheelchair bathed in a shaft Costello's: "cheese on toast over They survived this and had a of sunlight, reading the Morning a lick of blackberry jam, sprin - successful recording career, Star." The following year kled with paprika and sometimes using the Air Studios Costello recorded it himself with Worcestershire sauce." above Oxford Circus (where Top the Attractions in Air Studios, They played in pubs wearing Shop is now) from 1981 to 1983. and it became their finale during overalls and work shirts, and, in Here they met and befriended their live shows. the case of the conga player, other artists such as Paul He appears at the London clogs. One of their first bookings McCartney, Alice Cooper, Palladium from May 10 to 14. DECLAN MacMANUS at the Fitrovia Festival in 1974. was for a "captive audience" at Wandsworth Prison for no fee (following in the footsteps of Poetry corner Hawkwind). The rain; it stopped, it stopped, it stopped, Eventually they got a gig THE RAIN The wind became so fair, opening for Dr Feelgood at the By Rosie Lunn, The rain; it came, it came, it came, it came, A gentle breeze upon the face, Marquee Club in Wardour Street Holcroft Court, Clipstone Street The wind; it blew so bold, It ruffled up my hair. - to a nearly empty floor because We sailed right past the paper shop, the Feelgood fans refused to pay The rain; it came, it came, it came, it came. The weather became so cold. The sun came out, the rainbow arced, club prices for beer. The wind it blew so strong. A wondrous place to be, Flip City’s drummer worked I put my wellies on my feet, We were all alone for mile and mile, in a music showroom in Soho And slowly ambled along. We came upon the "Victory", Upon the endless sea. Square, where they "borrowed" A lovely place to be, instruments for their weekend Off to the shop at the corner of the street, We didn't know, we couldn't tell, We turned around, around, around, around, performances. A paper for to fetch, We were out upon the sea. And flew upon the foam, A year after their Fitzrovia But as I turned the corner, Right past the paper shop again, Festival performance (halfway I came upon a ketch. And landed safe back home. between the Duke of York and The dolphins came to play with us, the Newman Arms) they played The captain ordered me aboard, They carried us along, The rain, the rain, the rain, the rain, at a basement club in Charing He said it was unsafe, We went right past the 'Isle of Wight', A tale I could never tell, Cross Road. During their break To wander in my wellies, And heard the 'sirens song'. That day upon the high seas, Desmond Dekkar got up and I looked like some drowned waif. When I heard the 'Lutine Bell'. facebook.com/FitzroviaNews :: twitter.com/FitzroviaNews Fitzrovia News issue 140 Spring 2016 —13 Barrister who saved Better looking two lives

A short story by Famous barrister Edward SUNITA SOLIAR Marshall Hall (1858-1927) won an unusual bet with a Great Titchfield Street silversmith near was never as good-looking as his Hallam Street home in 1920. you. Everyone said it, or if they He told the silversmith that didn’t say it, you could see it in I he was representing a Welsh their eyes. How’d she get him? He’s quite a catch, isn’t he? Of course, solicitor named Harold they’d never seen the pimples on Greenwood, who had received a your bottom. Red, sucker-like particularly hostile press before blotches with oozing white heads in the middle. his trial for murdering his wife Even so, you were still beau - with poison. tiful. The high, curved arches of "I am surprised at you, Sir your feet, strong calf muscles, so Edward, for defending that little hair on your chest and blackguard Greenwood," said arms. I’ve never cared for hairy the silversmith. "You must see limbs. The hair on your head – he's guilty yourself. However, I pale, blond waves that looked suppose it's your job." silver in the afternoon sunlight The barrister replied: "Guilty, as we walked through the fields, indeed. The man's innocent, and hiding under solitary trees. Not I'll get him off - you'll see." that it matters. I’m not trying to The silversmith then said if be Barbie to your Ken. Not after he could convince him the man you ran off with a Sindy, so to was innocent he would give him speak. Claire from the end of my an 18th century silver tankard. road. I can’t see what’s so much Against all the odds better about her. She’s got ratty Marshall Hall got a not guilty hair, split ends. Whenever she verdict, and a few days later he came down the salon, Moira received a parcel with the who worked with me would tankard inscribed: "I dared you remark: Ends like a feather to do it, and you did it." duster. I had to take three inches Incredibly the tankard bore off. I suppose she has big boobs. the name of Sir Edward's own I never knew that was your grandfather who had owned it thing. earlier. Anyway, I’m not changing The information that the sil - for you – because of you maybe, versmith was in Great Titchfield Street was contained in a drama - but – see, when I left Devon, Illustration by Clifford Harper after you, I realized for the first ‘I realised for the first time that there tised account of the case on time that there were other ver - My chest felt heavy. It was hard Radio 4Extra. Those listed in sions of me out there. were other versions of me out there’ to breathe. I had to stay in hos - that street in 1920 are Robert Possibilities. I didn’t have to pital for a few days. My flat Sutherland at number 5, and Scrutton Engraving at number work in We’ll Dye for You until I looking at the old me that you on T.V. Real Housewives of mate, Andrea, came to visit and 76. – well, you know. Aunty Linda cheated on. I’ve always thought wherever. You don’t need make - I was asleep when she arrived. I Another person accused of worked there her whole life. my nose was a bit too wide at up on with boobs that good. woke up to her crying. When I murder whose life the barrister And if I stayed, there’d be no the front, too stubby. All the Who’s looking at your face? opened my eyes, she said, ‘You saved was Marie Herman who getting away from big-boobed times as a kid I’d stand in front When he came back in, I told looked like you were dead!’ She lived at 51 Grafton Way (called Claire, would there? Where else of the mirror of the school toi - him perhaps I could do them as laughed. I would have laughed Street in those days) in 1894. She is she going to get her hair cut? lets, raising the tip of it high like well? Would that be feasible? To too, except I couldn’t move my resorted to prostitution to sup - Or I’d bump into you buying a a pig’s snout. save on down time. He was very face. With her help, I sat up, port her three children, one of savaloy down the chippie. No, I We talked about it, me and accommodating. looked in a mirror. My eyes whom was blind. realized that there were parts of the doctor. Of course he was ‘I want them to look natural,’ were bruised purple, the tam - One client attacked her and the country where it was OK not keen. You have to pay a lot more I said. Maybe just go up a cup pons soaked red. My nose was ended up dead, after which she to love clotted cream. for that. It must cost a lot too for size. He told me to stand and he engorged. I did look dead, with moved to lodgings round the Truth is, I don’t really know an office with these plush examined me side on, then from my static buoyant boobs, the corner at 115 New Cavendish how I broke my nose. I was leather chairs right here on the front. He opened a cup - only perky part of me. I shifted Street (56 Upper Marylebone drunk. Three months after you Harley Street. That’s proper board and brought out a latex my back to try to get comfort - Street at the time) and took the and still drinking. I don’t know posh. You’ve never been to bra. able. I supposed that would set - body there in a trunk. if I bashed myself on the way London, have you? He wasn’t ‘Try this on,’ he said and tle, too. Marshall Hall pleaded her home or fell down the stairs, but much to look at, the doctor. He pulled the curtain around a Well, perhaps it was good case of self defence and the I woke up in my hallway with was in his fifties, a bit jowly, but changing area. They felt heavy, that I looked dead. I was being charge was reduced to my nose on the wonk and eyes he had perfect teeth and precise horrifying, but when I put them reborn. You wouldn’t recognize manslaughter and she was jailed swollen. I was tempted to tell eyebrows. Probably got them on, I was more than myself. me. And if you didn’t recognize for six years instead of being the doctor you did it. But that plucked. He said he’d get some When I looked in the mirror, I me, there was a chance that I hanged. didn’t seem fair – oh, I wasn’t samples, pictures of noses I wanted to wolf whistle. I didn’t wouldn’t recognize you. worried about hurting your feel - could look at. Rhinoplasty. I even see my broken nose. It was ings – more about the women haven’t really thought about much more than a cup bigger. that have had their noses that word since you and I were They spoke for themselves. smashed. Their boyfriends prob - in primary school and Michael ‘How do you like those?’ he Bloomsbury ward ably cheated on them too. I Jackson’s collapsed beak was all asked. councillors’ surgeries could do a lot worse to you than over the papers. I liked them. ‘Maybe we 6:00 - 7:00pm first Friday of the month at lie. I’d like to singe your locks It was then, while the doctor could go bigger. Just another Fitzrovia Community Centre, Foley Street, W1W 6DN off with curling irons. was in the other room, I picked cup?’ Already, it felt much easier The doctor said my nose was up a brochure of the work he to turn my back on you. 6:00 - 7:00pm second and fourth Fridays of the month at broken in a couple of places and covers. Botox. Boob jobs. You see In the end, we resized me Marchmont Community Centre, 62 Marchmont Street, WC1N 1AB would hurt to put it back into adverts for those all the time on from a B to an E. Third Friday of the month is a 'roving surgery'. Get in touch if you would place. I was going to tell him it the tube. Make Yourself When I woke up, there were like us to conduct the surgery at your street or building. wouldn’t hurt half as much as Amazing. And some of these tubes like tampons stuffed up Adam Harrison, Sabrina Francis, and Rishi Madlani walking in on you and Claire; boobs are amazing. The ones my nose. My eyes were so Contact 020 7974 3111 or [email protected] then I thought, I don’t want to that stick up even when you’re swollen they hurt to blink. The [email protected] [email protected] put it back. I don’t want to keep not wearing a bra. You see them doctor told me it would settle. 14 — Fitzrovia News issue 140 Spring 2016 facebook.com/FitzroviaNews :: twitter.com/FitzroviaNews The shabby history of the Warren Street second hand car market

By ANN BASU covenant and ordered them to pay costs. arren Street was one of the The market’s reputation also most important second- suffered by association with the Whand car markets in murder of one of the street car London until well after the Second World War, busily trading from the dealers, Stanley Setty. The 1920s. This used car market was a accused was Brian Donald slightly shabby neighbour of the Hume, known in the market as upmarket car showrooms clustered “the flying smuggler”. He was a in Great Portland Street, with their displays of shining new models. pilot, and had dropped Setty’s For many local residents like body parts from a plane. The May Thomas, Warren Street, not headless and legless body was Great Portland Street, “was the found dumped on Tillingham centre of all the cars … You marshes in Essex on 21 October would walk in one end and by 1949. Hume was actually cleared the time you come out the other of the murder: after being given end you would have your car.” a retrial because the first jury A Volvo car showroom on the couldn’t agree a verdict. He was corner of Warren Street which sentenced instead to 12 years in closed down two years ago was prison for being an accessory the market’s last echo. after the fact. The used car market first After Setty’s murder, the began in 1912 when Friswell’s Warren Street market had second-hand car auction rooms become a continuing focus of opened in Euston Road. Traffic police interest and media atten - soon grew on the main road, tion, with a Picture Post article making it hard to park the stock. of 19 November 1949 homing in So, dealers started to use Warren on the market’s daily business in Street, just behind Euston Road, an article entitled “Car Dealers to store their used cars. By 1930 of Warren Street”. The illustra - Cass’s Motor Mart and five tions present almost a gangster other car dealers were located in image of the street traders, Warren Street, and by 1950 there showing unsmiling men in were 15, including the specialist mackintoshes and Trilby hats American Autos Limited. gathered in deep conversation The second-hand car market next to a car or lingering on the greatly helped those not in the corner of Warren Street and "respectable" salaried occupa - The spot where murdered Warren Street car dealer, Stanley Setty, used to park his car, pictured in 1949. Fitzroy Street. The disdainful tone of the tions necessary to obtain a car After the War, the market selling new cars; a most unwel - whole piece was shown in the on Hire Purchase. Working-class attracted discharged servicemen Despite dubious come activity to the dealers in final paragraph: consumers sometimes shared who couldn’t find a job. With the established market for new "It is this constantly present - the purchase of a car with family these street dealers the buyer dealings it was cars a stone’s throw away in ed two-sided aspect of Warren or friends. Lower-income car had to beware. Some years Great Portland Street. The estab - Street, its trade and its people, buyers like these might also before this, a columnist in the an important lished car trade was badly hit by which is rather confusing. We work in transport sectors or Illustrated London News had the war, and was in no condition found a host of people who have close connections who did warned prospective buyers market for many to take any form of competition, were frank, open and honest. and could help with buying and against so-called "crashes", or let alone rule-bending, from the which have one to make – of the But we ran into strange silences maintaining a car. “attractive looking cars of aristo - Warren Street traders. And it hit proper sort, I mean.” when we asked the standard of The numerous registered cratic descent which have unfor - back with court cases: the Times Unsuspecting customers could current prices. Or how a dealer dealerships on Warren Street tunately met with disaster and for 21 December 1948 reports a sometimes be sold a bad bargain could buy a car he had never were supplemented by casual been patched up … Be very case brought against some pave - like this on the pavement in seen over the phone, and confi - street dealers who kept no careful about these. Deal only ment traders, “Salvadori and Warren Street. dently see it at a profit by the paperwork, sealing a deal with with firms which have a reputa - others”, by the British Motor The shadow car market in next telephone call." just a handshake. tion to lose and never with those Warren Street was also quietly Trade Association, concerning breaches of its motor car The Picture Post article gave covenants imposed to prevent its middle-class readers a strate - All Saints Church car owners selling their new cars gically heightened view of an within twelve months. "exotic" corner of urban life that Margaret Street New cars were in very short comes across as superciliously supply just after the war and negative about the whole mar - Our diverse and inclusive parish is grounded in the ket. The suspicion that emanates rich catholic tradition of Anglicanism. We offer a this encouraged an illicit trade where Warren Street dealers from the newspaper article place of peace and beauty in busy central London might be connected with a prej - (open daily from 7 to 7). We maintain fine liturgical would pay above list price to those prepared to sell to them, udice against the working-class, traditions and excellence in music. The parish would non-establishment traders, some be delighted to welcome you to all or any of our then sell them on to customers willing to pay up to twice the of them immigrants, who were liturgies if you are able to join us in ‘one of the undermining a bigger car trade ten buildings that have changed the face of Britain’ list price. The dealers argued in court that clearly had its own price (English Heritage). cartel. Main services on Sunday that they were legitimate compe - tition for the established car Whatever dubious dealings 11am High Mass took place in some parts of 6pm Choral Evensong and Benediction market, but the judge rejected their claim, adding that he “had Warren Street, its importance as a used-car market for 60 or more Times of Daily Prayer, Masses & opportunities suffered from a spate of false years tells us that many for confession & counselling are advertised at: evidence” and that some of the Londoners, and non-Londoners www.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk documents in the case “were too, trusted it to provide them Parish office: 020 7636 1788 melancholy touchstones of men - with private means of transport Please tell us if you came to All Saints dacity.” He granted an injunc - after seeing this advertisement. tion restraining them from deal - at a time when other sources ing in new cars in breach of were beyond their reach. facebook.com/FitzroviaNews :: twitter.com/FitzroviaNews Fitzrovia News issue 140 Spring 2016 — 15 When Fitzroy Place was home to a criminal gang

gang of youths from Fitzroy Place was involved in a Amurder in 1888, according to the book "Gangs of London, 100 Years of Mob Warfare", by Brian McDonald. Cream song was It was the climax of a long running series of fights staged jotted down on between the "Fitzroy Place Boys", and the Lisson Grove gang from club serviette Marylebone, it states. The story of how a song by "Matters came to a head in Cream in 1967 was jotted down May, when Frank Cole of the on a serviette in the Speakeasy Fitzroy crowd was found with his Club at 48 Margaret Street is girlfriend, Cissy Chapman, in told in a new book. rival territory outside Madame Australian pop artist Martin Tussaud's Waxworks on Sharp (1942-2013) met his friend Marylebone Road. Charlotte Martin in the club "Cole was challenged by two A street called Fitzroy Place used to exist just north of Euston Road until it where she introduced him to her Lisson Grove boys: 'Do you know was redeveloped in the 1960s. new guitarist boyfriend. Sharp any of the Fitzroy Place lads?' one lad in nearby Howland Street, told him of a poem he had just asked. 'Yes, and glad to know most probably what is now DEATH SENTENCE knocked him down and kicked written, and the guitarist said he them too,' came Cole's not too known as The Warren, and was Eight of the gang of youths him. Then they set off to search was looking for lyrics to a tune clever reply. also known in the 19th century as were arrested and charged with the Green Man public house in he had composed. "Twenty more lads were whis - Fitzroy Market where "boisterous murder. Galletly was sentenced to Euston Road and, finding noth - So Sharp wrote the poem on tled up to help punch and kick behaviour" was complained of death (later commuted to life ing, moved on to Regent's Park, a a serviette and gave it to the gui - Cole to the ground, and giving from "the nightly assemblage of imprisonment because of his age), collecting point for the Lisson tarist - who turned out to be Eric Cissy a black eye when she asked lads and girls, who conducted and the others got short terms of Grove gang." Clapton. why it took so many of them." themselves in a disorderly man - imprisonment with hard labour. Here they found Joe Rumbold This became "Tales of Brave The following evening Cole ner" by pushing people off pave - At the time there was a who was stabbed in the back and Ulysses" which was the flip side sought revenge so gathered a ments and interfering with shop - Fitzroy Place north of Euston neck by George Galletly. The vic - of Cream's huge hit "Strange dozen or so friends at "the Fair", keepers. This was described by Road (see map top right), but the tim staggered a few hundred Brew" and was also on their next described as a disused ground Jess Owen in the Spring 2010 street disappeared when the area yards before collapsing, and later album "Disraeli Gears" - the between Tottenham Court Road issue of Fitzrovia News.) was redeveloped in the 1960s. died in a cab taking him to hospi - cover of which was designed by and Whitfield Street. (This was "Soon, they spotted a Lisson Now, of course, Fitzroy Place tal. is the name of the residential and Sharp. commercial development on the The book containing this site of the old Middlesex Hospital information is "Jumpin' Jack A relaxed and comfortable ambiance in Pearson Square, and run by an Flash, David Litvinoff and the entirely different gang. Rock'n'Roll Underworld" by Steak & Lobster restaurant, ing, you knew exactly what you The above account from the Keiron Pim (published by Raddisson BLU Edwardian were spending, the service was book (published by Milo books in Jonathan Cape, £16.99). Grafton Hotel, 130 Tottenham so good: it was just so pleasant. 2010) can be viewed on the web at It is about Litvinoff who Court Road. Which I suppose is partly at londonstreetgangs.blogspot.co.uk redirected Eric Clapton's musical least what ambiance is all about. in the "before 1950s" section. career and mixed freely with The inside of a hotel in Fitzrovia The food is served as simply pop stars and London gangsters. is not the Dining Detective’s as it is described. The lobster usual hunting ground but some - arrives cut in half to help you one recommended this place to and with a (not too alarming- me. Steak and Lobster is a chain: looking!) bone crusher to be £20 per head for either a steak or used on certain parts. The lob - a lobster and as much salad, and ster (from Canada at this time of as many French fries, as you can year as are most lobsters we eat eat. I went to see for myself: a in the winter) was delicious but large restaurant inside the old fairly small, so I think you might Grafton Hotel, with its elegant By the DINING DETECTIVE still feel a bit hungry after win -

old Edwardian staircases, (now kling out all the flesh, but the

. t e e r t S d n a l t r o P t a e r G 7

the Radisson BLU), near Warren 2 chips keep arriving – and a par -

t a s i 9 1 e g a p n o h p a r g o t o h p e h

Street tube station on the same T ticularly good green salad is

: R E W S N A E L Z Z U P E R U T C I side of the road. P served in small pots which, like Restaurant reviewers often the pots holding the thin French talk about ‘ambiance’ and I the service was always there if fries, are refilled as soon as they know what we mean but some - you wanted no matter how are empty. times I can't put my finger on crowded it was – but never The steak was not huge, but why one place has it and one intrusive if you didn’t. There are good, and served exactly as doesn’t. A large restaurant plenty of waiters, who are good ordered. A good bottle of Cote inside an old hotel as opposed at their job (if you serve lobster du Rhone was £24. If you want a to a trendy new wine bar: you’d in London you have to be good simple dessert like Banana Split think the wine bar would win at your job and must often show or Knickerbocker Glory you’ll hands down but I felt more wel - inexperienced people how to eat pay another fiver. come and at ease, less rushed, it, which these waiters did with I know perfectly well that and simply more comfortable great charm and courtesy). this is food you can get in plenty here on a busy, rainy, grey night, Choose how you’d like your of other places. It might have than in many another Fitzrovia steak cooked, choose if you been the rain outside, but in the restaurant. want your lobster grilled or Steak and Lobster inside the When we arrived, there was steamed, order something to Radisson BLU I felt the most a smattering of people; when we drink if you want it: that’s absolutely relaxed and comfort - left it was full, but I could it. The seats were so comfort - able that I’ve felt in a local always hear my companion; and able, the lighting was so relax - restaurant for ages. 16 — Fitzrovia News issue 140 Spring 2016 facebook.com/FitzroviaNews :: twitter.com/FitzroviaNews Speakeasy, where The Who could drink easy, pull easy

By CLIVE JENNINGS the venue had failed under dif - rom 1966 for the next decade ferent management. Tearing out the coolest club in London the tacky screening that hid the Fwas the famous Speakeasy original Speakeasy décor, located in the modest basement of Pauline discovered the original 48 Margaret Street. As the watering hole of choice for the glitterati of Speakeasy pinball table, which the rock and pop music scene, it she promptly sold to the Hard was frequented by virtually every Rock Café, where it still resides, musician of note, both British and and installed mirrors originally American, from the Beatles to the Sex Pistols, many of whom played designed for the Biba shop. there. Encouraged by her old oppo It was immortalised on disc Laurie O’Leary, Pauline took the by both The Who, in their song club back to its music business Speakeasy, which includes the roots, but for a different genera - wonderful lyric: "Speakeasy, tion and this time as customers drink easy, pull easy", from the rather than performers . The bar album The Who Sell Out (1967), was the longest in London with and Elvis Costello, who men - an illuminated version of the tioned the club in his song Manhattan skyline behind it, London's Brilliant Parade from complete with figures jumping the album Brutal Youth (1994). Pauline Cutler today John Entwistle, Bill Wyman, Pauline Cutler (8 months from skyscrapers, and the wait - I met Pauline Cutler who pregnant!) and Ringo Starr resses wore saucy satin cos - worked at the Speakeasy (or the the Krays, Legend , and popular tumes with pill box hats, that Speak, as everyone referred to it) with the Beatles, the Rolling had first featured in Martini from the very early days, and Stones and Frank Sinatra) and adverts. later owned the club in the ‘80s, later Sybylla’s, co-owned by The new club was opened by in its new incarnation as George Harrison. He had actor Richard Harris, a close Bootleggers. Originally from worked with many big names friend of Laurie’s. Barbara Birmingham, Pauline was help - including: Chuck Berry, Eric Windsor, Tony Curtis and ing run a club there, the Clapton, Mick Fleetwood, Charlie Kray were also there. Midnight City Club under New Marvin Gaye and Steve Boy George and Marilyn tried to Street Station, at the tender age Marriott, putting together the gatecrash the opening, and regu - of 15, while also go-go dancing original Small Faces line up. lars included many of the old in a cage at the famous Elbow Pauline, the beautiful young faces and a new generation of Room club. At 16 she moved to dancer, and Laurie, the fixer, musicians, including Phil Lynott, London to study at the Royal became an item and oversaw the Lemmy (who Pauline often had Ballet School. Living in a damp club – “Laurie was never a to take home, when he was a bit flat in Maida Vale with three gangster, but an observer” far gone) and Kid Creole and the other girls, and needing to make explains Pauline, “He was hired The gorgeous waitresses at Bootleggers Club Coconuts. Mel, of Mel & Kim ends meet she discovered the because he was connected, and fame, worked behind the bar Speak, as she explains: “I was good at what he did.” getting involved in informal jam orable night: “After the hooha and Simon Cowell, then a record the hostess in reception, and The roll call of bands that sessions. There were a lot of had died down when Bowie plugger, could be seen receiving always getting chatted up. played there was impressive, to recreational drugs and crazy famously killed off Ziggy, piles of notes from hopeful Working in a club was great, lots say the least, including: The antics. Keith Moon was a fixture, onstage at Hammersmith recording execs. of big tips. It was a music busi - Beatles, Bob Marley, Cockney and when he wasn’t trying to Odeon, we all went for dinner Pauline remembers being in ness club, favoured by record Rebel, Crazy World of Arthur join the band on stage, letting off with David and several others in a party that included Richard industry executives, and groups Brown, Deep Purple, Ginger stink bombs or getting involved the famous Grill Room at the Burton in Richard Harris’s suite had their promotions there. The Baker, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, in food fights (mushy peas being Café Royale. We all sat rather at the Savoy. Talking about bands would come on late and it King Crimson, Mothers of the ammunition of choice) he dumbfounded at what had hap - French films, she said her was the first club to have a 3am Invention, Pink Floyd and Yes. would be getting up to mischief pened, and Bowie took off all favourite was La Cage aux licence. The first group I remem - Eric Clapton was a regular – his with his best pal actor Oliver clothes and announced ‘Ziggy’s Folles. Harris immediately went ber there were The Who, then band Derek and the Dominos Reed, also a regular, dropping dead, he’s gone!’ as he stood into the bedroom and emerges called the High Numbers. Their was launched there. At a time their trousers, dancing on the next to the piano, totally stark - wearing only boxer shorts and first contract was drafted on a when a popular graffiti slogan bar and chucking chairs around. ers. Oscar Wilde (famous patron vest, mincing around, and say - tablecloth at the club.” was “Clapton is God” Eric Pauline remembers catching of this venue) would have ing “I want to be the camp one”, The Speakeasy was owned Clapton’s simple and effective Keith in flagrante delicto on the approved - I think that that is while Richard Burton argued, by David Shamoon, an Iraqi- chat up line was “My name’s fire escape with one of the why he did it.” “No, I want to be the camp born entrepreneur, who went on Eric Clapton, what’s yours?” Swedish waitresses! “Nobody By the mid ‘70s it was start - one”. Harris protested “No, to open Revolution and Blaises, Rod Stewart would sing for seemed to sleep, and we would ing to fizzle out and more fash - you’ve already played a gay and the Shamoon family still pints at the bar and Keith often all go on to the ion and film people were com - man in the film Staircase!” and own half of Margaret Street. In Richard would play with who - Troubadour in Earls Court, ing in and Pauline was pursuing they continued to recite and 1968, Shamoon very shrewdly ever was around. Everyone from which was open all night.” The her career as a dancer with improvise whole scenes from the hired Laurie O’Leary to help run Marc Bolan to Bob Dylan was front door was often cluttered Dougie Squires Young film, much to the entertainment the place, both because he was a there, not to mention all the with photographers and Pauline Generation, supporting the likes of the assembled company. childhood friend of the Kray bands that are now long forgot - would smuggle her famous of Tom Jones and Engelbert Sadly, Mark her business twins and their brother Charlie ten – Glass Menagerie, Velvet clientele out via the fire escape Humperdinck on prime time TV. partner in Bootleggers died in (about whom he wrote the book Opera and Renaissance – and which came out a couple of The Sex Pistols were the last 1987, and Pauline lost heart and Ronnie Kray, who he cautiously the ones that never made it – doors up the road; or by cannily band to play there in 1976 with sold her share, the end of anoth - described as “a marvellous Audience, Sampson, Spirit of calling other clubs and telling queues of spiky haired punks, a er era. An amazing and historic friend, but a very dangerous John Morgan – all six of these them such and such rock star fitting end to an era, as many Fitrovia venue that over twenty enemy”); and because he was groups playing a night each dur - was on their way over, which claim that Punk was the death years witnessed the greats of very well known in the music ing just one hot June week. the paparazzi would get wind knell for what was then called one of the most influential peri - business, having booked the acts The psychedelically embel - of, and decamp. progressive rock. ods in twentieth century popu - for the Krays’ Knightsbridge lished Speakeasy was always David Bowie used to hang Fast forward to the ‘80s and lar music, from Beat to New Club, Esmeralda’s Barn (fea - full of rock’n’roll royalty, either out there a lot from the late ‘60s, Pauline was back in business at Romantics. tured in the recent film about performing, watching other and performed there as Ziggy 48 Margaret Street as co-owner I think a blue plaque is long bands, socialising or often just Stardust. Pauline recalls a mem - of the all new Bootleggers, after overdue. facebook.com/FitzroviaNews :: twitter.com/FitzroviaNews Fitzrovia News issue 140 Spring 2016 —17 Prime minister Anarchist found revolutionary spied on by Special Branch pecial Branch intercepted the mail at 99 Charlotte Street in club in the thick fog of 1895 Sthe 1950s and 60s of the dem - ocratically elected premier of what By MIKE PENTELOW was then British Guiana (now Guyana). In 1912 there was a strike of Although Cheddi Jagan the skilled tailoring workers of hick fog covered the area (1918-1997) had the support of when a German anarchist in the west end. When the employ - the electorate as a democratic exile arrived at Cleveland ers attempted to break the strike T socialist in his own country he Street in 1895. by giving work to the mainly was disapproved of by the He was Rudolf Rocker (1873- Jewish workers in the sweat - British and American govern - 1958) who was visiting the home shops of the east end a success - ments for being too left wing of his comrade Wilhelm Werner. ful appeal was made by Rocker and they successfully planned to It was "a bleak, foggy morn - for them to join the strike in soli - oust him. ing" with "a thick, clammy yel - darity. Jagan had first visited low mist over everything" The employers responded London in 1951 when calling for recalled Rocker in his memoirs with a three weeks' lock-out to his country's independence. Two (The London Years, republished starve the east enders back to years later he was elected its by Five Leaves Publications). work. After this time the west prime minister and continued to Werner found Rocker a small end workers reached a settle - press his case. He was elected room to let in Carburton Street, ment. But the strike continued in premier again from 1961 to 1964, and later lodgings in Charlotte the east end until they won during which time he visited Street. higher wages, shorter hours, and London again frequently to On his first night they went an end to the sweatshop system. press more urgently for inde - to the Grafton Hall Club in During the first world war pendence. Grafton Way (which was called many German workers were Under pressure from US Grafton Street in those days). arrested, including about 30 in president Kennedy the British This was a spacious club which Grafton Hall. Before that government agreed to conspire had over 500 paying members German and French unem - in the removal of Jagan. It did and was also visited by ployed workers, including RUDOLF ROCKER Illustration by CLIFFORD HARPER this by calling an election a year Germans and others from cooks, got together to form a before Jagan's office had expired, abroad. rooms were on the second floor." communist kitchen to feed them. and changing the rules so that It was the finest meeting Because it was expensive to "It was wonderful to see although his party (the People's place that foreign revolutionar - run, however, it could not be too German and French workers Progressive Party) got most ies ever had in London, wrote selective over who it let in. engaged together in this com - votes the conservative opposi - Rocker. "There was a large room "Most of the revenue came from mon work of help, while over on tion was invited to form the on the ground floor, where the the bar, from selling beer, wine the continent millions of government. comrades who lived in the and other intoxicants," he stated, German and French proletarians During Jagan's visits to neighbourhood came every and "it was not always pleasant" were killing each other on the London at this time his mail at evening for company and for as all sorts of bodies hired it. orders of their governments," Charlotte Street was intercepted their evening meal. Most people in it however recounted Rocker. and passed on to Special Branch, "On Saturdays and Sundays were radical sympathisers and He was also arrested and put as was revealed by a Royal Mail it was packed with comrades contributed to the funds. on stone breaking duties. After sorter to the Camden New from other parts of the huge city, It was here that Rocker met the war he returned to Germany Journal earlier this year. who could only come on those French anarchist Louise Michel and fought against Nazi anti- trical mechanic by trade and had Because of the Official days. (1830-1905) and Italian anarchist Semitism until 1933, when he a workshop in New Oxford Secrets Act the sorter had to "The big, bright, comfortable Errico Malatesta (1853-1932). fled, barely escaping with his Street. remain anonymous but particu - library was at the back. He met Michel, whom he life, to America, where he con - Rocker had been to London larly remembered letters arriv - "The entire first floor was said was living in Whitfield tinued writing and campaigning for a brief visit in 1893 when he ing for Jagan and handing them taken up by a spacious hall, Street in 1896, several times in for libertarian socialism. which easily seated 500 people, visited the Autonomie anarchist on to Special Branch. her small dark room, which she group at 6 Windmill Street. "It and was often hired for meet - shared with her friend Charlotte ings by groups of French, Italian, was a very small place, just two Vauwelle. He described Michel rooms, which served the com - 6 Fitzroy Square: The Perfect Venue and other foreign comrades. The as a heroine of the Paris office rooms and committee rades as a meeting centre," he Commune. By then "her hair observed. After this group lost The perfect venue for meetings, launches, was grey and she was a little these premises they joined the seminars, dinners, wedding receptions and bowed with age, but her mind Grafton Hall Club. other corporate events. Shiv was astonishingly fresh, and "When I came to London the though she suffered much ill - whole district from Oxford ness her vitality never left her Street to Euston Road, and from Pharmacy till she died." The Georgian Group’s elegant Tottenham Court Road to eighteenth-century headquarters She was, he continued, "a Cleveland Street was almost 70 Great Titchfield Street kindly, warm-hearted person overlooking Fitzroy Square provide exclusively inhabited by a unique location for all types of London W1W 7QN with a clear mind and a noble German, French, Austrians and soul... Her inborn fearlessness, private and corporate events in the Prescriptions Swiss. The language spoken in heart of central London. which made her shrink from no the streets was more often Multivitamins danger, risking her life and liber - German or French than English." ty for her beliefs, was not the Rocker was at the meeting of Herbal Medications result of hardness of character, We cordially invite local the International Socialist businesses and individuals to visit Natural and but came from her intense love Labour Congress meeting in the of humanity." our building and get a taste of the Homeopathic Queen's Hall, at 4 Langham authentic Georgian experience… produce After the defeat of the Paris Place, in July 1896, when the Commune in 1871 she was sen - anarchists were expelled. Also tenced to ten years in a penal present was playwright George colony in New Caledonia where For booking enquiries, Friendly Medical Bernard Shaw, as a delegate availability and rates please contact: she taught the native Kanaks. from the British Fabians. Advice On her release a priest shot her Rob Kouyoumdjian on Open Monday to Friday A bookbinder by trade 020 7529 8921 or in the throat, then the authorities Rocker left Fitzrovia for Stepney 8.30am to 6pm [email protected] planned to lock her up in a Green in the east end of London Tel/Fax lunatic asylum, so she fled to where a beer is now named after London. him. Here he became editor of 020 7580 2393 Malatesta was a member of Arbeter Fraint which was a the Bureau of the Anarchist Yiddish anarchist journal (even [email protected] International, who was an elec - though he was not Jewish). 18 — Fitzrovia News issue 140 Spring 2016 facebook.com/FitzroviaNews :: twitter.com/FitzroviaNews Jamie Lloyd brings Harold Pinter’s masterpiece to a new generation By Clifford Slapper real tour de force of urbane, sneering menace. Gemma Chan, as Ruth, suc - ceeds in capturing a woman arold Pinter’s 1965 play, The Homecoming, is a haunted by her past. John Hmasterpiece of modern Macmillan shows a powerful drama every bit as pregnant frustration as boxer Joey, lacking with meaning as any of the clas - the words to voice his hard sics. Jamie Lloyd’s 50th anniver - experience within this dysfunc - sary revival at Trafalgar Studios does justice to the work, making tional family. it accessible to a new generation The special lighting and by adopting some of the stylistic sound effects by Richard Howell conventions and effects taken for and George Dennis respectively granted in twenty-first century are the seventh character. The "Its Your Duty to be Beautiful" by Prue Stevenson 1973 taken from jingle film. This production also brings played by radio 1 DJ Jimmy Young out the dark comedy from what leads are periodically caught in was always a wickedly funny The Homecoming, written by their own world of torment as Local artist’s picture chosen for display at text. Harold Pinter, directed by Jamie sounds and flashing lights The acting is impeccable and Lloyd. Starring Keith Allen (Sam), accentuate their paroxysms of Kings Cross exhibition stage set minimalist, yet Gemma Chan (Ruth), Ron Cook pain. For an earlier generation, A+: 100 years of visual communication by women at Central Saint inspired. The large room in (Max), Gary Kemp (Teddy), John Pinter’s intense script sufficed to Martins. which most of the action takes Macmillan (Joey) and John Simm convey this. It is debatable This showcases graphic communication by CSM’s female alumni place is shown with red “per - (Lenny). whether this new underlining (including Fitzrovian artist Prue Stevenson) and staff over the past spective” lines running along technique is necessary, but it is century as an accessible subject and an area of intellectual enquiry. the corners and sharply away to ty of Max’s tormented and brilliantly executed and acted. Gender representation in the historical and contemporary graphic the back of the stage and the vicious soul. I was fortunate to have the arena does not reflect the large numbers of women studying the sub - entrance door to the house, Gary Kemp’s Ted is rather chance to meet Pinter in person ject who go on to enter the profession, or the contribution women which both gives an impression more donnish than previous not long before his death. It was have made to the discipline's history. This exhibition aims to be part of great size and yet some claus - interpretations and yet contains at the 2007 premier for the film of the growing movement to redress this. trophobia in this space. The flashes of a harder interior and remake of “Sleuth”, starring The exhibition is at Window Gallery Central Saint Martins, direction is pacey, again possibly hints of occasional bullying Michael Caine and Jude Law, for Granary Building, 1 Granary Square, King's Cross N1C 4AA and with an eye on appealing to an menace more characteristic of which Pinter had written the runs until March 23. online generation with shorter his father. Earlier productions screenplay (he also had a brief attention spans, to the extent Keep up to date with the latest made the homecoming academic cameo on a television screen that in the opening dialogue, Please mention Fitzrovia News more of an outsider to the fami - within the film). In the original Max’s lines even sound surpris - Fitzrovia News facebook.com/FitzroviaNews ly dynamic. His chilling resigna - 1972 film Caine had played the ingly rushed. Later, though, Ron when replying to twitter.com/FitzroviaNews tion to his own repression is a younger man to Laurence Cook unfolds the full complexi - advertisers news.fitzrovia.org.UK tragic journey, which is caught Olivier’s older man so it was a perfectly by Kemp. Somehow nice twist that in the remake, his teacherly demeanour lends Caine reappeared, but this time greater credibility to the unrav - as the older man. Pinter was elling of his relationship with his already quite frail then and in a wife. bizarre way, worthy of one of his Keith Allen plays put-upon plays. He was sat alone in a cor - uncle Sam, the chauffeur, with a ner at the party afterwards, a camp flourish. There are hints in lone unsung hero of the night. the quips of his brother that Sam Yet when I approached him he is gay, but this is the first pro - was very happy to chat. His psy - duction I have seen in which his chological insight and mordant portrayal gives this dimension wit shines on in this admirable full rein. His lack of convention - and welcome revival. al masculinity is his escape valve from the otherwise suffo - The Homecoming was at the cating male insecurity and Trafalgar Studios from 15 misogyny which run rife in this November 2015 to 13 February family, and are so well por - 2016. trayed by John Simm’s Lenny, a Matinee classics at the Regent Street Cinema for £1.75 Every Wednesday at 2pm, Future performances: Matinee Classics bring some of the world’s favourite films back Daddy Long Legs - March 1 to the screen, tickets are just The Harvey Girls - March 9 £1.75 for those over 55. Easter Parade - March 16 Wherever possible the films will be screened from 35mm prints. State Fair - March 23 Films will have a live cinema The Pirate - March 30 organ prelude from 1:45pm. Brigadoon - April 6 Those inspired by Gene April in Paris - April 13 Kelly’s or Fred’s moves are invit - Copacabana - April 20 ed to join us afterwards for free South Pacific - April 27 dance classes. This is on a strict - ly first come first served basis Regent Street Cinema 309 Pot of gold in Fitzrovia for someone. A rainbow forms over BT Tower as viewed from Cleveland Street. and starts at 4pm. Regent Street If you have any scenic photos of the neighbourhood please send them to us — [email protected] facebook.com/FitzroviaNews :: twitter.com/FitzroviaNews Fitzrovia News issue 140 Spring 2016 —19

Picture puzzle The thin white duke in Fitzrovia ‘The Piano Soho side of Oxford Street, roughly opposite Essex Music. Man’ No 4 Bowie played there on 13th by April 1967 with The Riot Squad CLIFFORD (“The Complete Musical SLAPPER Entertainers”) which saw one of anuary 10th was a very sad day, his earliest ventures into using with the loss of a London boy theatricality and make-up as who had become a musical and J part of the show. During their artistic titan. David Bowie was an artist of enormous influence within brief existence, The Riot Squad almost every area of cultural life. recorded a version of The Velvet His inspiration has already Underground’s “Waiting For launched a hundred fashions, a Cartoon by Chris Tyler The Man”, which remained a thousand bands and a million songs. He stood head and shoul - mainstay of Bowie’s repertoire ders above his nearest competitors with Pink Floyd and it had a through the years. in musical innovation, as well as profound effect on him, inform - One final, if tenuous, connec - edge or cool. ing his own work throughout tion between Bowie and Aged 11, I bought my first his life. Fitzrovia is of special relevance album: Aladdin Sane, and never His first meeting with Tony and interest to me. In the 1930s, looked back. I retained a lifelong Visconti, who would become the his father, Haywood Stenton love of Bowie as well as his producer of numerous albums of Jones, was a young jazz enthusi - BT Tower on 11th January 2016. extraordinary pianist, Mike his, including “Blackstar”, ast new to London from Photo: Clifford Slapper Garson. I went on to become a released on Bowie’s birthday Yorkshire, who had inherited pianist myself and in recent just two days before he died, £3,000, which he invested in was a piano bar called the Boop- years was fortunate both to was at the offices of a publishing helping the career of his then A-Doop, which was located in work with Bowie and to write company cheekily calling itself wife, Hilda Sullivan. She was a the Swiss Club, The the first biography of Mike Essex Music International (hence singer who was known as Schweizerbund at 74 Charlotte Garson, at his invitation. How well do you know “EMI”!) in July 1967, at 68 “Chérie – The Viennese Street. In later years it was In his early days, David Fitzrovia? Oxford Street (on the Fitzrovia Nightingale” (she is said to have Charlotte Street Blues, at which Bowie was no stranger to the side). A few doors away was Can you recognise this fled from the political situation in 2010 I ran my “Slapper’s streets of Fitzrovia. When the (and is) the 100 Club, where in Austria at the time). Club” weekly “piano bar” night mural and identify where it UFO Club opened in December, Bowie performed several times In his final years in the in the basement – without is? 1966 at 30 Tottenham Court with the Lower Third, as early 1960s, Jones also encouraged his knowing at the time about my No prizes we are afraid. Road, “freaks came out of the as 1965. son’s nascent musical career. In esteemed predecessor there, or But for the answer look woodwork from all over the The Tiles Club, hosted by my the 1930s, his fortune was com - the link to Bowie. under the Dining Detective city”, in the words of Joe Boyd, good friend Jeff Dexter, who also pletely lost through several ven - Sadly, the building has since picture on page 15. one of the clubs founders. Bowie DJ’ed there, was not strictly in tures, each with Hilda as the fea - been demolished. saw Syd Barrett perform there Fitzrovia, being situated on the tured artist, the last of which Looking back through our archives See also http://archive.fitzrovia.org.uk 10 years ago undergoing treatment at the hos - policeman hit him over the head The lower half includes a else people can get away with in pital's psychiatric ward. Ray was with his truncheon so hard that waiter from one of the area's hospital without being chal - Kenneth Williams eventually asked to leave it broke (the truncheon). With many restaurants, a Bangladeshi lenged." because of his noisy visitors." blood spurting from his head family involved in the rag trade, Tower, which was three diaries broadcast A raid on a 24-hour strip and the gangster was gouging the and a border collie called Mick years old, also reported the Fitzrovia News, Spring 2006 : drinks club in Goodge Street in eyes of his assailant when rein - who regularly visited the gar - opening for use of the Fitzrovia A new BBC 4 television drama the early 1960s was described in forments arrived. dens. Neighbourhood Centre at 39 based on the diaries of fomer his autobiography by retired Appeals were made to reno - Tottenham Street. Fitzrovia resident Kenneth Metropolitan Police vate the then 25-year-old mural 40 years ago Two staff had over 100 years' Williams was due to be broad - Commissioner, Sir John Stevens. in Whitfield Gardens near service between them in L Fern cast, reported Katherine Hayes. He won a commendation for Goodge Street station. The Playground opening coffee suppliers at 27 Rathbone He lived opposite Great bravery for his part in the raid artists Mike Jones (who did the an instant success Place, which had been there Portland Street station until his as a raw recruit based at top half) and Simon Barber since 1903. Mr Van , a Belgian, death in 1988 and often drank Tottenham Court Road police (who did the bottom half) Tower, March and April 1976: joined as a shop assistant in 1919 with fellow comedians Kenneth station. They tackled four armed described some of its features. The playground in Whitfield and got the job because he could Horne , Richard Murdoch , and men who were part of a protec - An architect with a key in his Street (the Warren) opened in speak four languages and the Tommy Cooper in the Fitzroy tion racket who were carving up back, to symbolise being a time for the Easter holidays and other applicant knew only three. Tavern. the owner, a Greek Cypriot machine of the developers, is proved an instant success with Sidney Ringwood started in "Williams also frequented called Paphos. Blood was every - just below the top left. A family local children thanks to the 1926 as a tricycle rider, and Olivelli's restaurant in Store where and one person's arm was sitting around a table in the top efforts of local volunteers over though now aged 65 was still Street. The Middlesex Hospital nearly severed. centre include Dylan Thomas several months. known as "the boy'. was where he and Diana Dors Stevens chased the Irish (who lived in Fitzrovia) and a Teams of students from the Residential parking was would visit friend and Carry On leader of the gang who was man reading Tower (the prede - Polytechnic of Central London introduced by Camden in 11 co-star Andrew Ray who was brandishing an axe. The young cessor of Fitzrovia News). (now renamed University of Fitzrovian streets (including Westminster) had cleared away Charlotte, Cleveland and THE DUKE OF YORK all the stones and dirt from the Whitfield Streets) - for a cost of site. And Middlesex Hospital £1.25 a week. Opening hours, Mon-Fri, 12-11pm, Sat 1-11pm, Sun closed students donated £300 from a A series of eateries where 47 RATHBONE STREET,LONDON W1T 1NW Christmas revue which helped you could get a decent meal for 020 7636 7065 [email protected] finance the fence, floodlighting under a pound was started. The A traditional pub, with a good selection of real ales and varied wine list. and goal posts. first was the Rambler Cafe at Upstairs Bar/Function room available for private parties and Buffets. The doctors in Middlesex 145 Cleveland Street, run by Check us out on Facebook! Hospital, however, were watch - Sam and Marje, where prices ing television in the common ranged from 30p for sausage room when "two men in white and chips to 75p for steak and THE GRAFTON coats came in, switched the set veg and they came in larger por - off and took it away 'for servic - tions than others. ing'. Later that day, the same The second was Peter and ARMS men walked into the main hall, Andrew's in Charlotte Place Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12-11pm, Sat 5-11pm, Sun closed. took the flowers off the huge which provided Greek Cypriot 72 GRAFTON WAY, LONDON WIT 5DU centre table and marched out and English meals ranging from 020 7387 7923 [email protected] with it," reported Tower. 30p for egg and chips to 90p for Newly refurbished heated roof terrace. Food served 12.-3, 6-10 pm "You've got to hand it to the steak and chips. Lamb casserole Parties catered for. Range of real ales. Function area. Friendly service! thieves for their brazen cheek, or roast ribs of lamb were a spe - but it makes you wonder what ciality. 20 — Fitzrovia News issue 140 Spring 2016 facebook.com/FitzroviaNews :: twitter.com/FitzroviaNews WHAT’S ON AROUND FITZROVIA

Email [email protected] by May 19 for the June 2016 issue, and put “Listings” in the subject box.

LIVE MUSIC London Palladium , Argyll St ART GALLERIES All Saints, 7 Margaret St: Organ (palladium.londontheatres.co.uk): recitals: Laurence Long, March Glen Hansard, March 16; Bryan 20; David Graham, May 22. Both Ferry, April 20, 22; Bellowhead, at 7.15pm. Apr 23; Roger Hodson, Apr 28; Elvis Costello, May 10, 11, 13, 14; The Albany, 240 Great Portland St (thealbanyw1w.co.uk): CINEMA/FILM Ukeleles on Wednesdays, 8pm. All Saints, 7 Margaret St: Of Gods and Men (Xavier Bolivar Hall, 54 Grafton Way: Beaauvois' film about Trappist Pedro Barboza jazz quartet, monks amid Islamist violence in March 10, 7.30pm. Free but book Algeria), March 10 after evening culturaembajadalondres@gmail. mass. Alison Jacques Gallery , 18 com. Nene Quintero Percussion Mark Farrelly playing Quentin Crisp: See Sohemian Society under Talks. Masterclass, Apr 12, 7pm, also Berners St: To 3 March: Ryan Bolivar Hall , 54 Grafton Way free but book as above. TALKS Mosley / Anatomy and the Wall (cultura.embavenez-uk.org): EXHIBITIONS (pictured above) . 6 April – 14 London Socialist Film Co-op Sohemian Society , Wheatsheaf, King & Queen, 1 Foley St : Folk British Museum , Great Russell May: Maria Bartuszova. Edel screen films at 11am on the sec - 25 Rathbone Place: Quentin once a month on Fridays 8-11pm St (britishmuseum.org): FREE : ond Sunday of each month. The Crisp, by Mark Farrelly, March (visit web mustradclub.co.uk). Life and sole footwear from the Will of the People, and War is 16, 7.30pm. Judy Cook, Laurel Swift, and Islamic world, until May 15. Beautiful (both about Spanish Ben Moss, March 18. John Hoards: the hidden history of Civil War) March 13; Together UCL Darwin Lecture Theatre , Kirkpatrick, Apr 22. Michael ancient Britain, until May 22. (deaf people in East End docks), Malet Place (events.ucl.ac.uk): Sheehy Band, May 13. Light, time, legacy: Francis and Si. Se Peude, Seven Days at Tuesdays and Thursdays (1.15- Scaledown alternative live enter- Towne's watercolours of Rome, Pah Barcelona (housing direct 1.55pm) during term time. tainments last Friday of the until Aug 14. Krishna in the gar - action), Apr 10; Jose Marti: The Reproduction without sex, month (theorchestrapit.com) den of Assam: the cultural con - Eye of the Canary (Cuban exile), text of an Indian textile, until March 8. Ovarian cancer screen - Curwen Gallery , 34 Windmill May 8. Aug 15. PAY FOR : Cicily: cul - ing, March 10. On the origins of St: March 3-31- Robin Simmons, 28 Maple St: Live life a chemist's perspective, music every Wednesday ture and conquest, from Apr 21. Richmond, Living Landscape Green Man , 36 Riding House St: March 15. Bones, mummies, evening. Sunken cities: Egypt's lost (pictured above) . London Animation Club, first worlds, from May 19. tuberculosis and ancient DNA, Tuesday of month. March 17. UCL, Haldane Room, Gower St: Odeon, 30 Tottenham Court Rd: Chamber concert of Baroque UCL Art Museum , Wilkins Weekly film details from UCL Petrie Museum , Malet music, March 4, 1.10pm. Building, Gower St: Revolution www.odeon.co.uk or 08712 Place: The women behind Petrie Chamber music on revolution, under a king: French prints 244007. 1789-92, afternoons until June excavations, March 5, 10.30am March 17, 5.30pm. (pre-book 10. Assanti , 17A Newman St: 16 UCL Petrie Museum , Malet [email protected]). In The 100 Club, 100 Oxford St Mar – 23 April: Ad Minoliti. 16 Place: Monstrous or misunder - shadow: fragments of the (the100club.co.uk): Complete Mar – 23 April: Dale Lewis (pic - stood: Furies, March 10, 6pm Amarna Palace, March 8, Madness, March 25. The Darling tured above). (pre-book 1.15pm. Buds, April 2. Cockney Rejects, [email protected]). April 8, 9. Mods Mayday, May 6. Monstrous or misunderstood: WALKS Evelyn Yard , Evelyn Yard: To 20 Eddie and the Hotrods, May 20. Sirens, March 23, 6pm (pre-book London Literary Pub Crawl , March: Lucy Stein & France-Lise as above). every Saturday, 5pm. Start at the McGurn/Neo-Pagan-Witch- See London Palladium under Wheatsheaf, 25 Rathbone Place. Bitch. Theatre for more live music. Regent Street Cinema , 309 LondonLiteraryPubCrawl.com. Grad Gallery , 3-4 Little Portland THEATRE Regent St: Double bill: The Lady St: To 30 April: Unexpected Bloomsbury Theatre Studio , 15 in the Van (4.25pm), and Dad's London Walks (£10, Over 65 £8): Eisenstein. Gordon St (thebloomsbury.com): Army (6.30pm), Sat, March 5. Bohemian Fitzrovia, Goodge St station, March 12 , 7.15pm. Bright Club (UCL researchers Matinee classics every UCL Main Library , Wilkins Beatles Magical Mystery Tour, night of comedy), March 22, Wednesday at 2pm, £1.75. See Building, Gower St: Fair play Tottenham Court Rd station, 7.30pm (pre-book page 18. For daily programme and foul: connecting with every Sunday 11am, and every [email protected]). visit regentstreetcinema.com/ Shakespeare at UCL (pictured Thursday, 11am, Wednesdays programme. above) , until Dec 15. Camden People's Theatre , 58-60 2pm from February. Rock'n'Roll London, Tottenham Hampstead Rd LIVE COMEDY UCL Octagon Gallery , Wilkins (cptheatre.co.uk): Egg, March 5. Court Rd station, every Friday, The Albany , 240 Great Portland Building, Gower St: Cabinets of The Paddock (experimental 2pm. Ibid Gallery , 47 Mortimer St: To St: Mondays at 8pm. consequence (works of UCL comedy), monthly on Sundays geographers, neurosscientists, 2 April: Maria Taniguchi (pic - from March 6. The Seagull, or St Giles in the Fields Church , tured above) . Wheatsheaf , 25 Rathbone Place: archeologists, zoologists), Apr 4- why Masha always wears black, 60 St Giles High St: Walk in the Pi Artworks , 55 Eastcastle St: To Improvisation on Thursdays, Nov 11. March 11. This is not an egg, fields, Richard Cohen, circular 24 March: Nancy 8.30pm, and stand-up on March 17. Daughters of the walk, May 8, 30pm Atakan/Sporting Chances. Saturdays, 7.30pm upstairs. UCL Petrie Museum , Malet Curry revolution, March 18-19. Place With Force and Noise (punk, POETRY (ucl.ac.uk/museums/petrie): OTHER EVENTS Full list of art galleries on our protest and psychology), March Akhenaten: heretic, visionary UCL Grant Museum of website: news.fitzrovia.org.uk Bloomsbury Theatre Studio , 15 23-24. The best of both worlds: a and icon, afternoons until Aug Zoology , 21 University St: Gordon St (thebloomsbury.com): busker's opera, March 25. 27. Animal Showoff (jokes about Calculating Kindness (the life of Bang Said the Gun, poetry for animals), March 9, 6.30pm (pre- those who don't like poetry, George Price), March 29-Apr 16 Wellcome Library , 183 Euston book at March 31, Apr 28. Keep up to date with the latest . Rd (wellcomecollection.org): [email protected]). Dominion Theatre , 269 States of Mind: Tracing the Dead, life drawing (artist super - Fitzrovia News Tottenham Court Rd (domin - PUB QUIZZES edges of consciousness, until Oct vises drawing of dead animals), facebook.com/FitzroviaNews iontheatre.com): The War of the The Court , 108a Tottenham 16. This is a Voice (the material March 15, 6.30-9pm. Worlds, starring Jimmy Nail and Court Rd: Every Sunday, 8pm. quality of the voice), Apr 14-July twitter.com/FitzroviaNews David Essex, until July. The 31. Permanent exhibitions: UCL Main Campus , Gower St: and Bodyguard, starring Beverley Prince of Wales Feathers , 8 Medicine Now, and Medicine Festival of Astronomy, March news.fitzrovia.org.UK Knight, from July 15. Warren St: Every Monday, 7pm. Man. 10-12. Web: ucl.ac.uk/your universe