You ain’t heard the last of us news.fitzrovia.org.uk Fitzrovia News Fitzrovia News is produced by residents and volunteers and distributed free to business and residential addresses in Fitzrovia Issue 153 Summer 2019 The final days of Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Centre

Housing and welfare advice service could relocate to more affordable premises in Kings Cross if funding is secured

The Fitzrovia Neighbourhood licensing and other consultations, Centre will close its doors in June and the publication of Fitzrovia for the last time after five decades News will continue to be done by of delivering a housing and wel - trustees and volunteers from their WIN THIS fare advice service and numerous homes. community projects from the Tot - The Friends of Fitzrovia Parks tenham Street building. who work with Camden Council £30 BOOK Camden Council, which owns to improve Crabtree Fields and the site and needs to carry out re - Whitfield Gardens is also sup - page 15 pairs and plans to redevelop the ported by the FNA as is the work listed Georgian building, has of - of the Charlotte Street Association fered Fitzrovia Neighbourhood which has done the bulk of the Association alternative accommo - planning and licensing work since dation at Cromer Street in Kings 1970. These groups intend to con - Cross. tinue their work in tandem with Camden has also agreed to the FNA. allow the FNA to return to a The Fitzrovia Festival which smaller Neighbourhood Centre on was first held in 1973 and cele - the ground floor at 39 Tottenham brates the residential community, Street after its redevelopment sub - its struggles for affordable hous - After 44 years since it first opened on the corner of Tottenham Street and ject to the organisation being able ing and community facilities Goodge Place, the Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Centre along with its advice ser - to pay the rent, securing funding, under the banner “The People vice and community projects will close for last time. and if the reduced size of the Live Here!” is also supported by premises is viable to operate from. the FNA and there are plans to Road, painted in 1980, captured session workers. Under Camden’s redevelopment continue the event. the spirit and struggles of the The last drop-in housing and Ann Basu reads her new book plans, the basement will be con - The Neighbourhood Centre 1970s — a timeless art piece, de - welfare advice service will be on verted to a flat to be sold at a mar - was first opened in 1975 after vol - caying but still as relevant as ever. Tuesday 11 June and the final New history ket price and the upper floors will unteers got together to refurbish a The mural was designed and women’s advice service will be on be converted to self-contained former glass shop and raised painted by artists Simon Barber Wednesday 12 June. housing to be let at a social rent. money to employ staff to provide and Mick Jones at the Neighbour - The FNA will hold its annual of Fitzrovia Staff and trustees of the FNA professional housing and welfare hood Centre after interviewing general meeting on Monday 24 have agreed in principle to relo - advice and support campaigns to local people. June at the Neighbourhood Cen - page 15 cate the advice service to Kings improve housing and community As Fitzrovia News went to tre. Camden council will take pos - Cross because there is no other facilities for the district that was press the future of the advice ser - session of the building on 1 July suitable, affordable premises in very mixed both by social class vice at Kings Cross and many of and a half-century long chapter of Faith in Fitzrovia available. and ethnicity. It was one of sev - the community projects in continuous community action in The housing and welfare ad - eral community advice centres es - Fitzrovia is uncertain. Due to a the building will draw to a close. vice service has a wider catch - tablished in the 1970s across lack of funding being secured ment area than the boundaries of Camden and other inner London from the end of June the organisa - Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Assocation Fitzrovia Fitzrovia with people travelling boroughs. tion has had no choice but to issue AGM, 6.30pm Monday 24 June at from all over Camden and West - The Fitzrovia Mural at Whit - notices of redundancy to its staff the Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Centre, special feature minster (and often other bor - field Gardens on Tottenham Court and termination of contracts to its 39 Tottenham Street, London W1T. oughs) in search of help with living, such is the need for the ser - pages 7 - 10 vice. However, the FNA cannot carry out its community develop - ment projects that are specific to Fitzrovia because the premises are located in a different neighbour - hood. Instead the community de - est1958 velopment workers plan to use occasional accommodation at a Awarded variety of sites in Fitzrovia in The home of traditional tripadvisor order to continue its arts and certificate of fish and chips. crafts work and health projects. excellence five GIGS The FNA’s role as an amenity years running Fully licensed Greek restaurant society, responding to planning, 2014 - 2018 12 Tottenham Street 020 7636 1424 2 — Fitzrovia News issue 153 Summer 2019 Fitzrovia News Formerly The Tower Letters, email and comment established 1973 news.fitzrovia.org.uk Write to [email protected] twitter.com/fitzrovianews facebook.com/fitzrovianews What is the point of talk of greening The life and changing times of the instagram.com/fitzrovianews [email protected] if rubbish pollutes our streets? Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Centre

Issue 153 Summer 2019 Every day I draw my curtains to see what the day has to offer, and The Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Centre was a product of its time and Published 4 June 2019 every day I see, between the newly planted trees at the junction of Gos - was one of several community advice centres being established across Editorial Team field Street and Langham Street, a pile of rubbish. Camden and other inner London boroughs in the 1970s. The opportu - Mike Pentelow: When I walk through Fitzrovia I see what all those walking to work nity arose as a result of funding provided by the Home Office to tackle editor and features editor have to walk past every day: little piles of rubbish everywhere. Even if inner city problems. This Urban Programme ran from 1968 to 75 and Linus Rees: people conform to the rules about leaving bags outside their residence Camden was one of 34 local authorities which were eligible for fund - website and assistant editor at the required time, rubbish is on the streets. And against the rules, it ing. Fortunately Judith Dainton, a leading light of the Tottenham Street Pete Whyatt: continues all day. When people see a bag, they add to it.What is the Tenants Association, came across the government circular inviting bids news and production editor point of talk of greening the area if rubbish pollutes our streets? while working for the National Council for Social Service then based in Clive Jennings: How is it that other boroughs and other parts of Westminster don't Bedford Square. She consulted other local people and, with the help of arts editor have this problem? Camden community workers made an application. Brian Jarman: Sorry, but we need *bins* - to contain the unsightly bags, and pre - The proposal involved establishing a centre in Fitzrovia which writer and sub-editor vent depradation by birds and rats. Leaving rubbish on the streets is would both provide expert advice on housing, welfare rights and im - Janet Gauld: unsightly and can be a health hazard. I refuse to put my refuse on the migration and bring together the twenty or so tenants’ associations and associate editor street. Since our bin was removed, I take my rubbish and recycling to community groups representing different parts of Fitzrovia on the Barb Jacobson: the bins at the back of John Lewis. Westminster and Camden sides of the borough boundary. associate editor Dare I suggest the old-fashioned solution of dustbins for each Early in 1975 this new collective was notified that its proposal was Jennifer Kavanagh: building? Money could be saved by less frequent collections. successful and that it was being awarded a grant of £54,000 per year associate editor over five years. A series of very talented and dedicated workers were Name and address supplied appointed to provide the support the area needed. Contributors: Goodge Place and number 39 Tottenham Street had been under Nick Bailey More bus stops are needed on threat of redevelopment by the Middlesex Hospital which in the early Sue Blundell 1970s was intent on expanding up to and including Charlotte Street. Fi - Jesse Brown Tottenham Court Road nancial circumstances changed and it soon withdrew redevelopment plans. The hospital was then asked if it would be willing to rent num - Jayne Davis Why has Camden Council cut the bus stops on Tottenham Court Road? ber 39 to provide a home for the newly formed Fitzrovia Neighbour - Terry Egan There used to be a stop at Percy Street but it has been closed. The near - hood Association. In April 1975 the Hospital agreed to let the former David Evans est stop to Warren Street is at Capper Street, a long way from Warren glass shop, long since boarded up, for a very reasonable £300 per year. Clifford Harper Street, especially if it is the first time you are looking for it and it is al - Two other houses in Goodge Place were included in the deal to provide Claire-Louise John most midnight and all the buses are passing you by. short-life housing. The whole terrace was later saved when Camden ac - Diana Mattheou When consultations were made a few years back, I suggested that quired the properties on the east side from the Greater London Council. AndrewPrior another stop was needed. The response was that it was a good idea. Tower (forerunner to Fitzrovia News ) regularly reported on the dire Clifford Slapper There are a lot of elderly and disabled people who use this route (as I housing conditions in the area and Sue Blundell from Camden’s Hous - Sunita Soliar am sure, every route). It is a long way if you have heavy shopping. ing Aid Centre ran regular advice sessions for hard-pressed tenants in Chris Tyler While I was waiting for a bus at Goodge Street towards TCR, three peo - the Neighbourhood Centre. In response, local residents carried out a se - Kipper Williams ple joined me – each with a walking stick. Proves my point, I think. ries of housing surveys in order to find out the extent of the problem. Robert Workman None was aware that there were no in-between stops. The results provided the evidence to persuade Camden and Westmin - No one can argue that it would be too costly. Too thoughtful ster Councils to take action. Printed by: Sharman & Co Ltd, maybe, for Camden. The level of community activity was sustained, throughout the Newark Road, Peterborough The widening of the pavement on both sides of the road has cre - decade and into the 1980s. Two notable achievements were the commit - PE1 5TD. sharmanandco.co.uk ated worse traffic jams than we had before. Whoever’s idea this was ment of the Fitzrovia Play Association in raising £30,000 for the im - Fitzrovia News is produced needs their head examined. Making a road two-way and then narrow - provement of The Warren playground and the involvement of the GLC by the Fitzrovia Community ing it by half what it was before — very clever. Newspaper Group. in acquiring what had been a car park in Whitfield Street and then landscaping it as the now green oasis off Colville Place known as Crab - ISSN: 0967-1404 A Reader (name and address supplied) Published by Fitzrovia tree Fields. Neighbourhood Association The Neighbourhood Centre was also the birthplace of many other (registered charity 1111649) local groups, including the Central London Law Centre, the Chinese fitzrovia.org.uk Public Meeting Workers Association, the Bengali Workers Association, and provided a meeting space for numerous tenants and residents groups as well as Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Association campaign groups and political parties. The Bengali Women’s Health Project was also founded here: a part - Fitzrovia News is published Annual General Meeting nership between several groups in the area, who worked to bring better four times a year. health to Bangladeshi women across south Camden through talks, exer - cise, massage and a pioneering womens clinic, and was a central group Our deadline for news, 6.30pm Monday 24 June 2019 organising the Camden Melas. features, letters and adverts The Womens Art Project worked for years with other community is normally two weeks groups and the Mary Ward Centre and the British Museum to make before publication. The at Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Centre beautiful community displays in response to many of its major exhibi - next issue will be out on tions and was a key partner in the development of its community unit. 39 Tottenham Street, London W1T 4RX The advice service has been helping to bring over half a million Tuesday 3 September 2019. pounds a year to the poorest in our area and ensure safer and more se - Deadline: 16 August cure housing for many, which has helped to maintain diversity in Agenda Fitzrovia. This despite the pressure of rents and property prices work - Notice Formal charity business ing to drive out much of the settled working class, many originally Please note that from 1 July 2019 from places all over the UK and the world. we will no longer be based at The past year The Older Fitzrovia project has linked up pensioners across the Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Centre. The future of the organisation area with oral history, singing, trips to places of interest across London, Please email exercise, massage and visits from and to the British Museum as well as [email protected] and visit signposting people to other interesting activities across Central Lon - our website news.fitzrovia.org.uk don. to keep in touch. Anyone who lives, works or studies in As Fitzrovia has changed from the workshop of the West End to Subscribe to Fitzrovia News Fitzrovia is welcome to attend. Social drinks the spare bedroom of the West End, the FNA has worked hard to main - for regular updates: tain a sense of continuity and pride amongst the people who do still and refreshments afterwards. live here, and welcome newcomers. bit.ly/fitzrovianews Fitzrovia News issue 153 Summer 2019 — 3

Affordable housing More people sleep rough at Rathbone Square The number of people sleeping rough on London’s streets has continued to increase, accord - ‘not fit for purpose’ ing to statistics released by the Greater London Authority. People in “affordable” homes at a the Rathbone Square develop - During the period January major development in Fitzrovia ment.” to March 2019 outreach teams are struggling to live in poorly de - Councillor Lewis said: “It ap - recorded 3,217 individuals signed flats and are watching pears that there are a whole raft of sleeping rough in Greater Lon - their bathrooms fall apart mere issues including but not limited to don, a 31 percent increase com - weeks after they have moved in, poor design of the building and pared to the same period last writes Linus Rees. disregard of residents’ needs by year. Residents complain of incom - A2 Dominion. In Westminster, 986 people petent management, poor design, “I’ve written to the Council’s were seen sleeping rough — and a lack of security at the block most senior housing officer who is 268 more than last year. Of of 20 “discounted market homes” now investigating the issue. De - these 48 percent were British built by Great Portland Estates in velopers need to be held to ac - and Irish, 38 percent were from Newman Street. count,” said the Labour councillor. central and east Europe, and 15 GPE who received planning However, a spokesperson for percent were female. permission for the major mixed- GPE said they “strongly refute” In Camden, 298 were seen use development in 2014 are ac - the allegation that they are not fit — 39 more than last year. Of cused of being in breach of the for purpose. these 48 percent were British s106 agreement with Westminster “Rathbone Square meets all and Irish, 43 percent were from council -- a charge they strongly relevant regulations and stan - central and east Europe, and 21 deny -- by delivering housing not dards, including our s106 agree - percent were female. Goggle and giggle fit for purpose before handing ment with Westminster Council. over to A2 Dominion, the regis - “We are committed to assist - Abena Gray thinks she may have been a mermaid in a previous exis - tered housing provider. ing A2Dominion to resolve any Historic bollards tence. She is passionate about swimming and has been around water At a meeting in a nearby pub defects which become apparent to since she was a baby. “I was born in Portland Jamaica and grew up in a residents described to Fitzrovia the homeowners,” they said. and plaque house that was by a river and close to the sea,”she states. News and West End ward coun - A2D said: “We are doing ev - “I came to the UK at eight years old and as a schoolgirl took part in cillor Pancho Lewis a catalogue of erything we can to resolve the is - missing from swimming competitions where my speciality was the front crawl. Be - problems they have experienced sues as quickly as possible," said cause of my passion for swimming and the physical and psychological since moving in. Steve Michaux, director of resi - Hanway Street health benefits I was alarmed at the statistic that 40 per cent of school Bathrooms are poorly de - dential services. “We would like leavers cannot swim. I wanted to help more parents get their children signed with timber absorbing to apologise to our residents for A collection of historic bollards safe in the water and be confident, happy swimmers. water, lifting, swelling and rot - the inconvenience caused.” marking the boundaries of West - “I’ve been teaching for ten years now and in 2012 we formed the ting. Wet room floors are not Cllr Andrew Smith, Westmin - minster, St Pancras, and St company Goggle and Giggle to provide a learning environment, teach - draining properly, and automatic ster Council cabinet member for Marylebone, and a plaque telling ing fundamental skills in an inclusive and fun way for children, young lights go off in windowless bath - housing, said: the story of a Georgian street have people and adults to feel safe and confident in the water. rooms leaving occupants shower - “Providing housing that is gone missing in a conservation “We even have some pensioners who have taken the plunge and ing in the dark. both affordable and high quality is area after redevelopment of an decided to learn how to swim later in life and increase their confidence The kitchens are poorly de - a priority for us. We’re aware of Oxford Street building. both in and out the water. signed with little storage space, the issues raised by residents and According to Westminster “We work in the swimming pool at the YMCA, Great Russell and a communal rubbish and re - stand with them in wanting this council’s Hanway Street Conser - Street, where one or two lanes are closed off for our exclusive use. We cycling area was left open for resolved as quickly as possible. vation Area statement the street offer tuition on a one-to-one basis and for small groups or families. We weeks because of a faulty lock al - We’re putting pressure on the dates back to 1600 and contains a are especially conscious if our pupils are nervous or embarrassed. lowing intruders into the stairwell housing association and develop - number of heritage assets mostly Every learner is different and may have fear and anxiety to begin with, and post room, leaving residents ers to carry out the required im - from the 18th century onwards so we begin with a consultation and assessment so our lessons can be vulnerable. provements.” when the street was first devel - adapted to suit the circumstances. Giulio Folino, chair of the res - Despite the problems the resi - oped. “I have have completed a triathlon and we offer training for such idents association, said: “We be - dents say they are keen to move “The most interesting exam - events and we can work towards certifications and life saving awards. lieve that the properties we have forward, saying it is a “brilliant lo - ples of street furniture within the “Spending so much time in the water takes its toll on my skin. I am just part-purchased should be fit cation” and they were making Conservation area are the variety very careful with my diet and nutrition (taking extra vitamins C and for purpose, and managed effec - good use of the bike storage facil - of bollards that exist.” D3), and I have to order four tubs of cocoa butter for my skin every tively. We no longer wish to be ity to cycle to work. High on a wall above the month!” treated as second class citizens in goggleandgiggle.co.uk 07808 583 056 or 07708 247 483 street was a stone fixed into the wall at the rear of 46 Oxford Street Still waiting for the loo inscribed: “This part of the Street The public toilet at Great Portland was widened 6ft in the year 1841 Street station has been closed for at the joint expense of Lieu. Co. over a year. “This is a very busy Rowles and E. H. Baldock, the area with passengers getting off ground having been given for that buses, leaving the tube station, purpose by E. H. Baldock.” but nowhere to answer the call of The trouble is, all these pieces nature,” says the Fitzrovia Neigh - of Hanway Street’s history were in bourhood Association. the way of the developers who Cllr Rachael Robathan, cabi - were given planning permission net member for finance, property by Westminster council to come in and regeneration said: “The toilet and knock everything down. The at Great Portland Street was last time they were seen was in a closed due to structural damage pile on the pavement. and will form part of our review Westminster council says they of all public conveniences in the will be replacing the bollards and borough, ensuring that they are the plaque. “We are awaiting pay - available in areas where they are ment from the developer at the most needed.” moment.” 4 — Fitzrovia News issue 153 Summer 2019 Rosemary Bailey (1953-2019), local author, travel writer and journalist

By CLIVE JENNINGS “it added a dimension of appreci - Born in Yorkshire in 1953, the el - ation, and a way of deepening our dest of five children, Rosemary’s relationship, that I will always father was an evangelical Baptist treasure.” minister and she grew up with The third of the trilogy is “his hell-fire sermons ringing in “Love and War in the Pyrenees” my ears”. (2008) which explores the emo - As soon as she could she “es - tional landscape of the region dur - caped to a life of sex, drugs and ing the conflicts of the 1930s and Helen rock’n’roll” via an English and 1940s. Philosophy degree at Bristol Uni - Rosemary’s original research versity and a year on a farm com - uncovered the story of Mary Nurse: mune in Somerset. Elms, an Irish aid worker and pre - Rosemary moved to London, viously overlooked hero of the initially as a researcher with The The Spanish Civil War and WWII, Daily Telegraph Information Ser - who saved the lives of at least 200 Buddhist, vice, and then writing about cul - Jewish children during the Holo - ture, travel and women’s issues caust, by hiding them in the boot for The Guardian, The Indepen - find voice as a writer. A new edi - of her car. This, in part, led to efficacy, the writer proceeded to dancer, dent, The Sunday Times, Cos - tion of Scarlet Ribbons was pub - Elms being posthumously recog - spray the room with it, and the as - mopolitan, Elle, Vogue and other lished in 2017 to great acclaim and nised by the State of Israel as one sembled company had to escape publications. As well as features Radio 4 broadcast A Priest with of the “Righteous among the Na - to the kitchen with streaming she was known for interviews, AIDS in July of that year. tions” and a bridge in Cork being and yoga eyes, just as Allen Ginsberg ar - which included New York avant In 1997, they finally moved to named for her. rived at the chaotic scene with his garde writer, Kathy Acker; and France, where Rosemary wrote Rosemary loved the Pyrenees new boyfriend. former Fitzrovia resident Ian Life in a Postcard (2002) which de - and its rich mix of people, and After returning to the UK, she teacher McEwan. scribed life in a mountain village one of her proudest moments was spent several years researching, when her locale was awarded the Well known local character Helen Rosemary met Barry Miles, and their attempts to restore a Ro - editing and writing guide books accolade, “one of the most beauti - Nurse, of Goodge Place, has died biographer and cultural commen - manesque monastery, interwoven of pretty much every town, city ful villages in France” and the at the age of 93 after a stroke in tator, in 1979, and moved into the with the poignant story of the and area of interest in France, plus mayor quoted from her descrip - hospital. Fitzrovia flat that has remained monks and villagers who once Tuscany and New York, working tion of the community: “All ages, “She had an amazing life,” the family home. It was open lived there. Rosemary always for Dorling Kindersley, National several nationalities, French, Cata - said her daughter Leslie. “She had house for the great and the good wanted to write about people and Geographic and Insight Guides. lan, Spanish, Dutch, Belgian, Al - been a dancer, a yoga teacher, and of the counterculture, and guests understanding the realities, trials Living in France was her dream, gerian, Chilean, English. There at the age of over 70 studied included the poet Allen Ginsberg, and tribulations of local life: a and in 1988, they managed to buy were gays, lesbians, divorcees, Japanese for O level. Mick Jones of The Clash, and theme that permeates all her Corbiac, a monastery in the both with different partners, “And as a Buddhist she lived Steve Mass, owner of the famous books. Telling the tale of the tribe French Pyrenees, in need of much adopted children, foster children, with monks for ten years in the Mudd Club in New York. Frank of the village of Mosset felt simi - renovation. Real life intervened, even a few conventional legiti - Zen Centre at Chalk Farm. She al - Zappa visited, and an evening lar to her first book, writing about including the birth of her son, mate offspring. Teetotallers and ways followed the path of Zen was spent listening to albums and the people of Dinnington, in York - Theo, in 1990, and it was ten years pot smokers; fascists and femi - and did not believe in acquiring trying to find the worst shire. before they could finally escape to nists; politicians and beekeepers, lots of anything. psychedelic guitar solo ever Life in a Postcard was to be live there. farmers, gardeners, teachers, pot - “Right up to her death she recorded – an evening that Rose - the first of a trilogy of books In 1992, Rosemary’s brother, ters, donkey owners, tinkers, tai - was as sharp as a needle, and had mary described as the most bor - about the Pyrenees, a region that Simon, a Yorkshire vicar, told the lors, soldiers, sailors, beggar men a huge range of knowledge, lis - ing night she had ever had! had had little written about it, family that he was HIV positive. and doubtless thieves too. Not to tening to the radio a lot and In the mid 1980s Rosemary apart from walking books, since As Simon approached death and mention the writers, artists, knowing everything that was and Miles moved to New York the 19th century. The Man Who decided to make a television pro - nurses, carpenters, builders, li - going on. City for three years, where she Married a Mountain followed in gramme for the BBC Everyman brarians and jugglers.” “She was well liked in the wrote a column for The Sunday 2005. A combination of personal series, and come out about his ill - Rosemary Bailey died on community and known by every - Times documenting the down - memoir with travel and history, it ness, Rosemary wrote a book Wednesday 20 March, 2019, from one, with her little dog, Nansito. town club scene. They hung out tells the story of the eccentric and about him and the way that he a particularly virulent strain of Street vendors and neighbours with Andy Warhol, Jean Michel inspired character of Count Henry was lovingly cared for by his flu, after a long struggle with can - have all been so kind. Basquiat and William Burroughs. Russell, a 19th century moun - Yorkshire mining village parish - cer. She is survived by her hus - “Her doctor at the hospital Rosemary wrote about a dinner taineer. Often travelling with her Scarlet Ribbons, A Priest with band, Barry Miles, and her son, said she was an amazing human with Burroughs, who was ex - son Theo, then aged 12, to re - AIDS (1997). It was a very painful Theo Miles. being and a true friend. tolling the quality of his pepper search the book, Rosemary said: book to write, but helped her to “She was a very knowl - spray. When doubt was cast on its edgable person about all sorts of things, and is a big loss to us all.” Helen leaves another daugh - ter, Lucette, and a son, Vernon. YMCA Indian Student Hostel The funeral takes place in Mort - To keep up with 41 Fitzroy Square W1T 6AQ lake Crematorium, June 6, 3.20pm. Registered Charity since 1920 planning and Ideal place for students, professionals and transit guests A real “Home away from Home” licensing news, centrally heated wi-fi study rooms TV lounge indoor recreation and gym facilities sign up for our email [email protected] Authentic Indian cuisine 7 days a week email vegetarian and meat / fish options take away available visit newsletter: bit.ly/ weekdays : – breakfast 7:30 - 9:15am, lunch 12:00 - 2:00pm, fitzrovianews www.indianymca.org evening meal 6:30 - 8:30pm (please check for weekend and Bank Holiday hours)

020 7387 0411 Equipped conference rooms (25 - 250 people) Fitzrovia News issue 153 Summer 2019 — 5 Opening and closing

Closed The Tanning Shop 85 Mortimer Street Kin vegan cafe 22 Foley Stree t (relocated from Great Titchfield Street) Pescatori fish restaurant 57 Charlotte Stree t Cpress health drinks 31 Berners Street Gaucho Argentinain steak house 60A Charlotte Stree t Estelle’s cafe 29 Berners Street Curators coffee gallery 51 Margaret Street Paul express coffee sandwiches Fritz Hansen Skandanavian furniture 127A Tottenham Court Road 13-14 Margaret Street We11 coffee 29-31 Great Portland Street Fintran adult store basement 23 Goodge Street Yumi nails beauty 48 Mortimer Street Benito’s hat Mexican wraps 56 Goodge Street Tapas 44 Ibirean cuisine 3 Windmill Street Designer sofas furniture 82 Tottenham Court Road Drakes Tabanco sherry tapas 3 Windmill Street Artefact picture framers 36 Windmill Street Opening soon The Cartoon Museum is scheduled to open at 60 Wells Street on June 29. It Stressless furniture 82 Tottenham Court Road first opened in Little Russell Street in 2006 but has now had to move because Opened Circola Popolaire Italian restaurant of rent increases. Arros QD Spanish cuisine 64 Eastcastle Street 40-41 Rathbone Place The new premises will include a permanent exhibition telling the story of car - Efe’s Turkish restaurant 56 Maple Street Kiss the hippo coffee 51 Margaret Street toons and comics, another exhibition space for changing shows, a shop, and a Sir Tom Baker bespoke tailoring 71 Wells Street Aqua restaurant 170 Great Portland Street learning space for children and adults. Nicola Clark at John Freida hair salon 58-59 Margaret Street Great Thai Grab and go takeaway 51 Great Portland Street Advertisement Caffe Terra coffee shop 4 Rathbone Square Bambusa Asian cafe 6 Charlotte Stree t Jolt coffee shop Market Place Kafi coffee shop 20 Cleveland Street Luxury wax bar 91 Mortimer Street Miel bakery and workshop 57 Warren Street

Estate agent’s tenancy has lasted 23 years

David Caldiera is the Residential Director (Sales, Lettings, and New Homes) at estate agents Robert Irving Burns in Margaret Street, having worked there since February 1996. He says, “At first I started here on a six-month trial. I dropped out of University studying Engineering Manage - ment to begin the job. My parents came to the UK in the 1970s from Madeira in Portugal. I first got the job through my Father. Dad was working at the St George’s Hotel on Langham Place and was friendly with Howard Brecker, one of RIB’s founders and I have ended up here for the past 23 years!” David has noticed the change in the locality over that time with less focus on the historic rag trade and more media and technology companies present in the area. This has meant that whilst the community has changed in recent years, Fitzrovia still retains the Bohemian atmosphere it has always had with David seeing many of the long-standing residents around the area on Saturday mornings. David speaks Portuguese and still keeps links by visit - ing family there annually. “I still speak the language with my parents and we occasionally have clients who I can con - verse with in their native tongue.” Outside work David has a wife and young family. “I am a big Arsenal fan and attend home matches when I can and I’ve started to take my young son along”. 6 — Fitzrovia News issue 153 Summer 2019

Benefit night saves club

The Social music club at 5 Little Portland Street has been saved by a crowdfunding appeal and a benefit night where deejays such as Fat - boy Slim gave their services free. Opened in 1999 the club has provided a platform for several singers who have gone on to become stars. Word from the Streets These include Lily Allen, Adele, and the By CHARLOTTE STREET and her siblings Chemical Brothers. Others who have per- formed there include Embarrassing moment for star Jarvis Cocker, Vampire Weekend, Laura Mar- More anecdotes about Dennis Norden , the scriptwriter and television ling, and Wolf Alice. presenter, who died in his nineties last year, and had an office at 1 The sum of £95,000 Rathbone Street . had to be raised in two After giving a talk to the blind, he was approached by a lady who weeks to buy a control- asked: “Do you remember me?” Dennis did not, but tactfully said she ling share in the lease seemed familiar but he could not quite place her. She vividly described to fend off a takeover an amorous encounter they had shared at Wimbledon Theatre. After Underground bid by a cocktail bar saying he had never appeared there it emerged she thought he was chain. Eric Sykes (another scriptwriter and comedian of Dennis’s era). message The story was told to me by My brother Warren took the mick Pete Smith , who was a local po - out of a Warren Street station liceman for 30 years at Totten - public announcement. It said: ham Court Road . “I often “When leaving the escalator, wonder if he told Eric Sykes please continue moving forward.” TV jackpot about that,” mused Pete. He thought that was so obvious a He also knew two of Den - thing to do that it did not need nis’s cousins who worked in the spelling out. But my brother winner has area. Alan Norden sold pub Stephen said some people can be glasses from Chitty Street , and a bit slow on the uptake and block pub party Edna Frey sold suitcases in Tot - the passage of others. A winner of the television quiz tenham Court Road. And Den - Which reminded me of a joke show “Pointless” jackpot of nis’s father, George , had an by music hall comedian Max £4,250 spent it joyously on his upmarket bridal gown shop, Nor - Sketch for radio DJ’s pub Miller , which was banned by the 60th birthday celebrations in the dennis, in Margaret Street on the New manager of the Horse and Groom, in Great Portland Street, BBC (I think you know the one). King & Queen pub in Foley corner of Wells Street . Kevin Davies (right) was pleased to be presented with a sketch of the One of Max’s other banned jokes Street. Another character remem - historic pub. involved being on another tube Mark Thoma (right in pic - bered by Pete was Zigi Shipper It was drawn by Stephen Lees (left), author of “Music Hall - Our station and being asked by a lady ture above), a freelance photog - who had a printing and sta - Finest Hour” which was reviewed in our last issue. traveller: “Is this Cockfosters?” rapher, who has had many front tionery shop in Rathbone Place . In that review we mistakenly stated Stephen was an architect. In Max replied: “No, Miller’s the pages on national papers (and After retiring he was an inter - fact he frequents bars of both the legal and drinking variety, being a name, maam.” Fitzrovia News), appeared with preter for Prince William and barrister and a member of the Groucho club. his brother Charlie, a freelance Kate during their visit to Poland Part of Radio 1’s Red Nose Day broadcast in March was live from Decluttering in 1989. the pub, which is a favourite haunt of many of the station’s disc jock - graphic designer. It is amazing what you can uncover eys. Before they won the jackpot while decluttering. they were asked what they How about two electric drills, would spend the £4,250 on if Popster pops in at the Fitzroy three pairs of (originally new) un - they won it. Charlie, who never James Dale , bassist and vocalist for indie band Goldheart Assembly, worn shoes, two bottles of rum, an flies but collects airline sick has revealed he often drinks in the Fitzroy Tavern in Charlotte Street. old £10 note, and, best of all, a pair of bags of which he has around His record label, LGM Records, is based at 52 Tottenham Court Batman tights. 1,000 (his favourite being from Road , and so “we often go to the Fitzroy Tavern, which is a Sam These were all found by my old - North Korea), said it would be Smith’s pub,” he told Beer (the magazine of the Campaign for Real Ale). est brother, Mortimer , who is far on building a garden shed. “It’s lovely and old looking, thought it’s been recently refurbished. from house proud. Indeed his role Mark said he would spend it “That pub has a rich creative heritage - Dylan Thomas used to model has always been the Fitzrovian on his 60th birthday celebra - drink there, as did George Orwell. eccentric Quentin Crisp (1908- tions. “I have a soft spot for Sammy Smith’s pubs. When I first moved to 1999) who said unswept household The pointless answer that London, it was so cheap, like being a student again, and they were al - dust never got worse after the first won them the dosh was any Novel success ways nicely done out.” two years. player who reached the fourth A new award winning novel is set round of the US Open tennis in our area in the 1850s. Called singles tournament in 2017. The “The Doll Factory” by Elizabeth Suffragettes and obscene publications on rails winning choice being Juan Mar - Macneal it was recently serialised tin del Potro. on Radio 4. The central character What is the link between Rath - the General Post Office pur - speak to the liberal prime minis - Game show hosts, Alexan - is Iris Whittle, who gives up her bone Place , Tony Benn, obscene chased premises at Rathbone ter, Herbert Asquith, about allow - dra Armstrong and Richard job in a doll shop, to act as a publications, and two suf - Place in 1952. And this became ing women to vote. He refused to Osman, were disappointed that model for a Pre Raphaelite artist fragettes who posted themselves the new Western District Office, a talk to them. the brothers had won on their in return for art lessons in his stu - to the prime minister? new stop on the mail rail, which The Rathbone Place sorting first appearance. Otherwise they dio at 6 Colville Place . The answer is an under - was opened in 1965 by Tony office has now been redeveloped could have appeared again and ground “mail rail” which took Benn , who was then the Postmas - as Rathbone Square (between further elaborated on their letters and parcels in small un - ter General. Rathbone Place and Newman bizarre interests. Sherlock spotted manned subterranean trains from Publications considered ob - Street). I was privileged to be at Benedict Cumberbatch fans various railway stations and mail scene, such as “Ulysses” by James More information from the Mark’s 60th birthday at the King were treated to a glimpse of him sorting offices from 1928 until Joyce in 1920, were banned and Postal Museum at 15-20 Phoenix & Queen, when Charlie deliv - filming the Sherlock television 2003. destroyed if found in the postal Place (off Mount Pleasant), WC1X ered the most drunken and gen - show at Speedy’s sandwich bar When new mechanised sort - system. But two suffragettes suc - 0DA t uinely moving tribute to his tree at 187 North Gower Street (just ing machines were introduced, cessfully posted themselves in tte S brother that I have ever heard. arlo outside Fitzrovia). which needed larger premises, 1909 to 10 Downing Street to Ch Fitzrovia News issue 153 Summer 2019 — 7 Faith in Fitzrovia Part of Fitzrovia’s diversity is the multitude of religious and spiritual groups that are established here. In this special feature we explore the buildings and the beliefs that dot the district’s landscape. Many of them obvious, some less so, and one or two are al - Speed dating most hidden. does the business Speed dating is a novel way of in - troducing advertising, marketing and creative agencies, to various brands. This is one of the ways that independent business develop - ment consultants, Ingenuity at 1 Maple Place, has used to grow tenfold over the last 14 years. When it started in Soho it em - ployed five people, and now 50 people work in Fitzrovia. “We create relationships be - tween agencies and brands,” co- founder Chris Kemp (above) explained. “The company offers business-to-business events, lead generation, content marketing, and public relations services.” The company moved to 80 Charlotte Street’s Saatchi and Saatchi’s building nine years ago. And then to Maple Place five years ago. All Saints' Corpus Christi Procession 2018 - this year's takes place on the evening of Thursday 20 June with High Mass at 6.30pm followed by the congregation Chris, who will be 40 when processing and singing with a band of musicians and choir from Margaret Street along Wells Street, Oxford Street, Market Square and back to All Saints. The this feature appears, explained the Mass setting is Mozart in D K.194. Photo Andrew Prior reason for the speed dating. All Saints Margaret Street “Our job is to introduce ad - 7 Margaret Street allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk The American International Church vertising, marketing and creative Parish Office 020 7636 1788 Vicar Father Alan Moses 79A Tottenham Court Road 0207 580 2791 agencies, to the right brand part - All people are welcome to our fellowship and invited to share our Senior Minister Jennifer Mills-Knutsen [email protected] ners to work with,” he said. common life of worship and prayer. Our diverse and inclusive parish is Whitefield Memorial Church was built in 1957-8, after the previous “One way we do this is to grounded in the rich catholic tradition of Anglicanism. The doors of All church on the site was destroyed in 1945, by one of the last V2 rockets hire out Chelsea football club’s Saints Margaret Street are generally open to visitors and worshippers to hit London. The original church was built for the famous preacher corporate boxes for 15 representa - seven days a week so anyone can make a visit, light a candle or pray at George Whitefield in the mid-18th century. Whitefield was renowned tives of brands and 15 promo - will. The worship of Almighty God is at the heart of our life at All for drawing crowds of thousands when preaching in open fields and tional agencies, and they all meet Saints Margaret Street and is a daily event. For full details of service for his many missionary tours of the British colonies in America. White - each other for 15 minutes. We ar - times, please see the Worship Calendar/times on the website. Music field was the first Anglo-American celebrity preacher! The Whitefield range these events 25 times a year plays an integral part in worship, our major service each week is High congregation, part of the United Reformed Church, disbanded in the and it is a great way to introduce Mass on Sunday morning at 11am. Please join us for refreshments late 1970s, and the American Church joined the United Reformed people to people in a short time served in the Courtyard (weather permitting) or the Parish Room after - Church and has occupied the church ever since. frame. wards. High Mass services normally last 90 minutes. Choral Evensong In 1986, the church launched The Soup Kitchen, serving a hot meal “It works well in marketing and Benediction on Sunday evenings lasts around an hour. Daily to people in need. There is also a clothes closet and other outreach min - which is all about the process of masses through the week last about half an hour - possible to fit in be - istries, all supported by volunteers. Our community outreach has ex - people meeting people.” fore (8am) or after work (6.30pm) or in a lunch-break (1.10pm). All panded to include a seasonal night shelter staffed by volunteers from Since his company moved Saints is a diverse and inclusive congregation, which includes local res - the congregation. Worship reflects our American roots with a casual at - into the area he has noticed that a idents from the parish area and those who work around us and lots of mosphere and interactive style that draws upon the rich traditions of lot of the big advertising agencies, visitors from all over the world. our interdenominational, international community Our worship service such as Saatchi and Saatchi and includes spoken prayers, singing by the congregation, music by choir TBWA, moved out and more fi - or instrumentalists, scripture reading, offering, and a message from the nance and private equity busi - All Souls Clubhouse 141 Cleveland Street 020 7387 1360 vicar Luke Ijaz preacher that tries to explore how our faith intersects with our daily nesses have come in. lives and the needs of the world. But he is happy to stay in the We are part of the Church of England in the Diocese of London. We belong to the family of All Souls Langham Place. Sunday service at Each weekly service follows a basic pattern, but the content and area. “We have great diversity and style vary. We may emphasize traditional hymns one week and jazz or creative talent working for us, and 11am in the Upper Room, on the first floor. The service normally runs for just over an hour, with praise and prayer and preaching. Refresh - gospel the next, or you may find contemporary praise songs, music every month we have a social from Africa and an anthem by a classical composer blended together. gathering in the area,” he said. ments follow every service, and often a cooked lunch. The first and third Sunday of the month is a Holy Communion service. Engage Children are always welcome in worship, no matter their age. In “We know all the pubs, and the addition, we have a crèche staffed by professional childcare workers. Grafton Arms is our local, and we Groups meet midweek in various locations on the second and fourth weeks of the month, with the aim of engaging with Jesus, with one an - We celebrate Holy Communion on the first Sunday of every month, are lucky to have so many restau - After worship, you are invited to stay for coffee and tea at the back of rants in Charlotte Street, my other, and with the needs of our city. First Wednesday, monthly gather - ing is a time to bring our common thanks and priorities and concerns to the sanctuary. Our style is casual and informal, always open to new - favourite of which is the Roka comers and visitors. With programmes for children, youth and adults, Japanese [number 37].” God. We meet over refreshments at 7:00pm leading into one hour of prayer from 7:30pm. As a charity, we value the support of both individ - we seek to always grow in faith and relationship with God. Our music Chris was raised in Twicken - and worship seek to reflect our diversity. ham, studied at the University of uals and organisations who share our heart and are willing to partner with us in our various projects and programmes. (A range of activities, Bristol, started work in sports The London Chinese Lutheran Church meets at The American Church marketing, has played cricket for mums and toddler groups, childrens activities, befriending and lunch club for seniors help with addiction and some homeless outreach.) 79A Tottenham Court Road Services in Cantonese and Mandarin are the MCC and Teddington club, held each Sunday from 14:00 londonchinesechurch.com Contact: Pas - and is married with two young tor Gladys Wu daughters. 8 — Fitzrovia News issue 153 Summer 2019 Faith in Fitzrovia

The congregation at London Fo Guang Shan Temple Margaret Street International Christian Ministries - Kings Prayer garden Senior Pastor is James Koshy 07886195252 Christian The Salvation Army Regent Hall 275 Oxford Street Cross Pentecostal church (part of Elim Foursquare Phone: 020 7629 5424 salvationarmy.org.uk/regent-hall Church meet at the Indian YMCA the first Friday of every Gospel Alliance) icmkingscross.com 020 7366 1387 month 6;30pm Free style of worship we pray together, wor - Email address: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Sundays 10:00am and 2:00pm open air ministry ship Jesus by singing songs and playing music, reading the Meets every Sunday at the Club 52 Basement 52 Gower Word and discussing. Our core purpose is to pray for Cen - 11:00am family worship 3:00pm Afternoon service Street 12:00pm Various services and meetings throughout the week tral London (peace, security, joy and righteousness in the city). also Oasis cafe Jesus Fellowship Church upholds the historic Church of Christ Tuesdays and Saturdays 6-10pm at the Christian faith, being reformed, evangelical and charis - Indian YMCA The Welsh Church of central London matic and practises believer’s baptism. london.jesus.org.uk Grace Communion International Saturday 12-6 at the In - 30 Eastcastle Street 0207 580 6182 Jesus Centre, Marylebone Passage 82 Margaret Street dian YMCA www.eglwysgymraegllundain.org/home Sundays: 11.15am Sunday mornings @ The Chapel, London Fo Guang Shan Temple Sunday Services at 11:00am and 6:00pm Wednesdays: 8.00pm Cell church groups meet in various 84 Margaret Street (0) 20 7636 8394 londonfgs.org.uk The Welsh language, traditions and culture are very locations All Welcome – Admission Free Open Saturday - Thursday 9:30am - 5;00pm closed Friday important to us; however, we are an ‘inclusive’ church and Regular Sunday Services 1:30 pm-3:00 pm, 1st Sunday: consequently all our services are bilingual. As well as our Chanting-Medicine Buddha Sutra 2nd Sunday: Chanting- regular Sunday worship at 11:00 and 6:00, a Bible discus - Indian YMCA student hostel 40 Fitzroy Square Amitabha Buddha Sutra 3rd Sunday: Meditation sion group meets at 4:30. The “Saturday Afternoon Soci - host a number of Faith groups and organisations. 4th Sunday: Chanting-Diamond Sutra 5th Sunday: Service ety” meets on the first Saturday of the month at 2:00 from Church in London 10am on Sundays Regular Classes February until July. Every Wednesday at 12:00 we hold a We gather together simply as believers of the Lord in Monday evening ~ 7:00 pm The Awakening of Faith brief, informal service followed by a cuppa and chat “Mid- this city, receiving as our brothers and sisters all who be - Thursday evening ~ 7:30 pm Chinese Buddhist Class day, Mid-week, Mid-London” lieve in Jesus Christ. We also warmly welcome guests and Sunday Morning ~ 10:30 am Bodhi Garden Class visitors who are not Christians. The Lord’s Table The Lord Established in 1992, London Fo Guang Shan Temple is Korean Presbyterian Church Jesus instituted this meeting Himself some 2000 years ago. an active centre of Buddhist worship and teaching in the godsvisionchurch.org We partake of the bread and the wine that reminds us of Mahayana tradition. It is one of the 200 worldwide Sunday service: 2 pm at the Welsh Chapel the price Jesus paid for the believers to be able to come branches founded in Taiwan in 1967. Simultaneous interpretation is available in English back to God and enjoy. The Temple propagates the Dharma (Buddhist Teach - during worship hours. Take the interpreter from the en - Bethel Bible college ings) of Humanistic Buddhism which places strong empha - trance of the church. Pentecostal Church organised by Shalom Christian Fel - sis on making Buddhism relevant in contemporary society lowship conducted byPastor Varghese Samuel, Bible class by bringing it into all aspects of our daily lives. at YMCA hall every 2nd Saturday, 9-4 pm.shalomcf.org The temple aspires to create a pure land on earth. [email protected] Housed in a Grade II* listed building spanning four floors, Hillsong Church is a contemporary Christian church. London Central Church Pastor Rev. Sangbo Lee the Temple consists of the Main Shrine, two additional Sunday services at The Dominion Theatre Tottenham Pentecostal church, part of the Full Gospel denomina - Shrines for Avalokitesvara (Guan Yin Pusa) Bodhisattva Court Road 11:00am, 1:15pm, 3:30pm and 6:00pm tion. Our main services are held on Sundays at 2:30 pm Fri - and for Ksitigarbha (Zi Zang Pusa) Bodhisttva, A medita - hillsong.com days at 7:30 pm. In addition, daily prayer meetings, tion hall, a refectory and a library. We have actively ful - Hillsong Church was founded in 1983 in Australia. Monday to Thursday, with worship and intercession from filled our role in spreading the Dharma of Humanistic Now, Hillsong has churches in city centres in 21 countries 6 pm to 10 pm. in the Chapel on the 5th floor of the Indian Buddhism based on the four principles initiated by the around the world. The church has an average global atten - YMCA. We are a Korean congregation, mainly made up of Venerable Master: dance approaching 130,000 weekly. Korean immigrants and students in the UK, We offer inter - Propagating Dharma through Cultural Activities pretation for all our services, so non-Korean speakers are Fostering talents through education more than welcome. Benefiting society through Philanthropic Programmes For more information contact : [email protected] Purifying human hearts and minds through Buddhist practices Fitzrovia News issue 153 Summer 2019 — 9 Faith in Fitzrovia The Goodge Street Mosque site in Little Howland Street (now Ogle Street) from the 46 Goodge Street 020 7636 7568 mwllo.org.uk Duke of Portland. The Muslim World League London Office (MWLLO) The church was solemnly opened in May, 1863, The works in the UK under the auspices of its parent organisa - lease on the church site ran out in 1905 and as the area had tion the Muslim World League in Makkah al-Mukarramah. become commercialised by that time the price of the free - The mosque is on the first floor while ladies’ prayer room hold was formidable. The proposal to demolish the church is on the ground floor. The mosque is open for the five and built a factory did not come about. In June 1921, bene - prayers (Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha). factors bought the freehold and presented the land to the On Fridays all floors are open to accommodate as diocese of Westminster. During the war a section of the many people as possible. Approximately 800 people attend church was damaged and between 1957-1963 , extensive re - the Friday congregation every week. pairs and re-decoration inside and out were carried out Surrounded by universities, colleges, hospitals and Recently from 1978 to 1980 the church has again been several offices where a large number of Muslims study or repaired and re-decorated inside and out. Fr Keens em - work, the MWLLO provides them with prayer facilities ployed T J Wilson and S J Nicholl as architects of the new and Iftar meals during Ramadan. During weekends free fa - church. cilities are provided to other organisations to hold their It was built in a Gothic Early English traditional style. programmes. Kentish rag stone was used to cover the eastern and south - MWLLO maintains good relationships with UK-based ern sides of the church. The grey stonework became very prominent Muslim organisations and works towards serv - dark in the London air, and in recent years it was cleaned ing the community and initiating constructive dialogue about 1967 and, more recently, in 1979. with various faith groups in the UK focusing on points of agreement. It respects other faiths and social groups by The Catholic Chaplaincy (for Students) Newman building bridges of understanding. The youth are the focal House 111 Gower Street 020 7387 6370 point of MWLLO’s activities. It endeavours to enable them to contribute positively to the welfare of the society. To West Central Liberal Synagogue achieve its objectives, MWLLO organises conferences, sym - The Montagu Centre 21 Maple Street wcls.org.uk posia and various cultural events open to faith and non- The West Central Liberal Synagogue (WCLS), was es - faith groups and to the British society at large. tablished by Lily Montagu in 1928 when many of the local Prayer time are advertised at the Mosque and on the web - Jewish Community employed in the fashion industry were site obliged to work on Saturday mornings. She created the morning Shabbat service that is held at 3pm in the after - St Charles Borromeo 8 Ogle Street 020 7636 2883. noon! a tradition which remains today. Part of Liberal Ju - St Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church Ogle Street parish.rcdow.org.uk/oglestreet/ daism, men and women take equal roles in all aspects of Email address [email protected]. the Synagogue, services and community life. If you wish to Sunday Masses 9 am, 11 am (Sung Mass) Weekday Masses attend services or enquire further, please contact Central Synagogue London 12:30 pm also Thursday and Friday 6 pm [email protected] entrance 36-40 Hallam Street Confession available on Request after mass Shabbat and Festival services are led by Rabbi centralsynagogue.org.uk (0)20 7580 1355 Charismatic prayer group Thursday 7pm Jackie Tabick, who provides regular weekday The Central Synagogue has been in Great Port - soulfoodgroup.org/ evening sessions on basic Hebrew and exploring Jew - land Street, London for more than 155 years. Today’s ish beliefs and traditions. For further information, synagogue was rebuilt and reconsecrated in 1958, First set up in 1861 as a part of the parish of St conact [email protected]. We welcome all visi - after the original building was destroyed in a bomb - Patrick’s, Soho. There were about 2,000 families in the area, tors, please have a valid photo ID ready to show. ing raid on 10 May 1941. many of them lapsed Catholics. It was established as an in - We hold regular weekday and Shabbat services, as dependent parish. when an anonymous benefactor leased a well as a range of social events throughout the year. Regular service times can be found on our timetable. More details about these and about times for Shabbat can be found in our regular newsletter. Or call the of - fice for details on taking part in our services and to arrange security in advance of your visit. You can also read more about the format of our Shabbat services by downloading our information sheet. We have in - troduced a new Children’s Service format so that chil - dren of all ages may be catered for. We also have a dedicated toddlers’ service crafted to take the group through a song-based, interactive experience of Shab - bat. Older children can spend time discussing a spe - cific theme of the week. We welcome all visitors but would suggest that you contact the Synagogue office prior to your visit.

Greater World Christian Spiritualist Association 3 Conway Street 020 7436 7555 www.greaterworld.net Since 1931, The Greater World has helped individuals along the spiritual pathway by sharing a deeper under - standing of Christ's teaching. We call this 'The Christ Mis - sion'. We believe that God manifests through the power of Holy Spirit and that each soul survives, as an individual, after physical death. Like the disciples of old, we believe in direct communion with God, with His angelic ministers and souls functioning in conditions other than the earth life. In fact, we believe that all forms of life created by God intermingle, are interdependent and evolve until spiritual perfection is attained. And that sins committed can only be rectified by the sinner through the redemptive power of Jesus the Christ, by repentence and service to others.

The Central Synagogue London Great Portland Street 10 — Fitzrovia News issue 153 Summer 2019 Faith in Fitzrovia

Mantra Meditation, Karma-free Diet, Feeding the Needy, Quakers Friends House 173 Euston Road Spiritual Education Courses, Community Development 020 7663 1100 nwlondonquakers.org.uk/friends-house Volunteering Opportunities. Meetings Sunday at 11:00am 'Children are welcome at Our aim is to educate and enliven others on how to Sunday Meeting, and are best provided for by prior ar - live a holistic lifestyle. Our centre's owned-and-operated rangement with the Clerk. Weekday lunchtimes 12:30am Govinda's Restaurant is a pure vegetarian restaurant and Thursday 6.30pm. ‘Quaker Quest' for enquirers and which has been in London since 1979. newcomers, Monday 6.30-9.00pm Quakers are a faith group committed to working for equality and peace. Our understanding of God is shaped The Sunday Assembly is a secular congregation by personal experience; different people use words that that celebrates life First and third Sundays of the month they find helpful and meaningful. We believe that there is 11am - 12.15pm Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square. something of God in everyone. Find out how we worship, Sunday Assembly London, is a non-religious commu - what we do, how we are organised and how you can join nity organisation that celebrates life, and everyone is wel - us. come to join us. Our assemblies combine inspiring talks, We don't offer neat creeds or doctrine. Instead, we try sing-along pop songs and a touch of mindfulness, all fol - to help each other work out how we should live. All peo - lowed up by tea and cake. In between these gatherings ple are welcome and accepted at a Quaker meeting. Quak - there's loads of community activities to get involved with. ers don't use traditional religious structures or paid Sunday Assembly is free to attend (we run on dona - ministers. We share responsibility for what we do because tions), family friendly and totally accessible. Everyone is everyone has a valuable contribution to make. Every meet - welcome to come along! Please visit our website or Face - ing begins in silence. We use it to open ourselves to the book page to see what the theme is for the next assembly! wisdom that comes out of stillness. @SundayAssemblyLondon nationbuilder.sundayassembly.com/london

London Radha-Krishna Temple 9-10 Soho Street iskcon-london.org Happy Science is a worldwide religious organization Phone: 020 7437 3662 that spreads spiritual teachings to solve problems in life Juliette Bausor flute, Beatrice Phillips violin, Adam Newman viola, Han Popularly known as the "Hare Krishnas", we are a with love. 3 Margaret Street 020 7323 9255 Photo Robert Workman worldwide organisation officially called ISKCON (the In - happy-science.org ternational Society for Krishna Consciousness). Daily, we offer a variety of activities and services to David Evans our community. We offer, Bhakti-yoga, Conscious Living, Pete Whyatt Th

9:30 nes

11am “Ar Reb

1pm Loc whi Stre

Afte Fitz

5.30 com Reb

7:30 vian pos with The

9.30 Illustration Jesse Brown Mu Nei Wednesday 19 June The The

5.30pm - Rush Hour Concert - Chamber Music by Fitzrovian Composers performed by the FitzFest musicians. Rebecca Hos - Fr sack Gallery, 28 Charlotte Street. Free 9:30 7:30pm - Opening Night Gala Chamber Music Concert “An nes Evening of Benjamin Britten” performed by the festival musi - cians. 11am Britten’s Phantasy Quartet (1932), Elegy for solo viola (1929), gis Cello Suite no.1 (1964), (interval), Six Metamorphoses after ish) Ovid (1951), Three Divertimenti (1933) 1pm Goodge Street Mosque entrance The Fitzrovia Chapel Pearson Square £15 in advance or on the Per door Fitzrovia News issue 153 Summer 2019 — 11

Come and celebrate the musical and cultural heritage and contempo- area. He and his wife lived for a time on Berners Street. rary diversity of Fitzrovia at FitzFest 2019. Now in its fourth year, In addition to these productions, there will be other opportuni- FitzFest is organised by local classical musician, Daniel Bates. The ties to learn more about Fitzrovia in the form of guided walks festival welcomes visitors and residents to enjoy its varied pro- through the area. Mike Pentelow, co-author of ‘Characters of gramme of events. Fitzrovia’ will share his stories of famous and infamous residents on Central to the festival are the dedicated Festival Musicians: an informative route round the area, and Matthew Sturgis will lead a Daniel Bates on oboe, Katherine Spencer on clarinet, Bea Phillips and walk on the artist Walter Sickert in Fitzrovia. In another event Laura Lutzke on violin, Adam Newman on viola, and Hannah Matthew will be discussing his new book on Oscar Wilde. Sloane on cello. This year guests of the FitzFest include virtuoso Ann Basu will talk on her new book ‘Fitzrovia: the other side of baroque flautist Neil McLaren, who will play works by William Oxford Street,’ and Kate Thorogood will deepen our knowledge of Alwyn and Gordon Jacob on an original 1890s Rudal Carte flute (in- the Middlesex Hospital Chapel.The festival programme celebrates struments made on Berners Street). Other visiting artists include reg- the works of two prominent Fitzrovian composers with an Opening ular Glyndebourne soloist Charlotte Beament soprano, and violinist Gala concert of Benjamin Britten, and a Closing Night Gala of the Maria Wloszczowska supported by the Hattori Foundation and music of Sir Arthur Bliss. Poland's Minister of Culture and National Heritage. Ticketed events are £15 for the 7.30pm concerts, and £10 for the Local actor and director, Nick Moran (best known for his role in shorter late night concerts. All tickets can be purchased on the door, the film Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels) directs Roberto or in advance via Eventbrite or at fitzfest.co.uk. Other events are free Kouyoumdjian’s play ‘Round in Squares’ inspired by lives of Fitzroy and include community activities such as yoga at the Fitzrovia Square’s many interesting residents. Chapel each morning, family fun with classical music on the Satur- Playwright and Director Sue Blundell returns to FitzFest with day afternoon, Sunday afternoon tea with music performed by the another chance to see her hit production ‘The Man from the Sleepy Festival Musicians at Honey & Co, Warren Street for the over 60s. To Lagoon.” which tells the story of the light music composer Eric buy advance tickets and for further information and details of this Coates, best known for composing the theme tune to Desert Island year’s FitzFest programme, please visit website fitzfest.co.uk or pick Discs. up a leaflet from one of the venues. nnah Sloane cello, and Daniel Bates oboe Coates is played by David Acton, accompanied by the FitzFest Claire-Louise John musicians. Coates frequented the eateries of Fitzrovia and loved the

2pm - Literary talk by Ann Basu on her new book Saturday 22 June hursday 20 June “Fitzrovia: the other side of Oxford Street” Rebecca Hossack Gallery, 2a Conway Street free 9:30am - Yoga at The Fitzrovia Chapel With yoga and mindful - 0am - Yoga at The Fitzrovia Chapel With yoga and mindful - ness teacher Jessica Leonard Hull. Free 5.30pm - Rush Hour Concert - Chamber Music by Fitzrovian s teacher Jessica Leonard Hull. Free Composers performed by the festival musicians Rebecca Hos - 12.30pm - Tour of the Fitzrovia Chapel , led by Kate Thorogood. sack Gallery, 28 Charlotte Street. Free m - Guided Walk around Fitzrovia with Mike Pentelow Free rtists and Writers who fell foul of the law.” Start and finish: 7:30pm - Theatre Night becca Hossack Gallery, 2a Conway Street. Free 1pm - Lunchtime Chamber Music Concert "Bach Solo Violin “Round in Squares” by Roberto Kouyoumdjian , directed by Music" performed by internationally renowned, award-win - Nick Moran inspired by life in Fitzroy Square and “The Man m - Literary talk “Matthew Sturgis on Oscar Wilde” ning violinist Maria Wloszczowska from the Sleepy Lagoon” . written and directed by Sue Blun - cal author Matthew Sturgis discusses his new book, copies of The Fitzrovia Chapel. Free dell, starring David Acton. On the light music composer, and ich will be on sale. Rebecca Hossack Gallery, 2a Conway Fitzrovian, Eric Coates with music performed by the festival eet. Free 2pm - Family Fun Activities with music and playful educa - musicians Rebecca Hossack Gallery, 2a Conway Street. tional workshops led by the festival musicians £15 in advance or on the door ernoon - Look out for pop up performances throughout The Fitzrovia Chapel. Free zrovia! Performed by the Festival Musicians 10pm - Late Night Duo Concert : English Folk Songs 5pm - Early Evening Concert Chamber music by Fitzrovian Vaughan Williams “Blake Songs” for oboe and soprano 0pm - Rush Hour Concert - Chamber Music by Fitzrovian Composers, performed by the festival musicians Performed by Charlotte Beament soprano, Daniel Bates oboe. mposers performed by the festival musicians Rebecca Hossack Gallery, 2a Conway Street. Free The Fitzrovia Chapel. £10 in advance or on the door becca Hossack Gallery, 28 Charlotte Street. Free 7.30pm - Closing Night Gala Chamber Music Concert “Pure 0pm - Chamber Music Concert "JC Bach and other Fitzro - Bliss ” music composed by famous Fitzrovian, Sir Arthur Bliss: ns” Music by JC Bach, Mozart and other Fitzrovian com - Oboe Quintet, Clarinet Quintet performed by the festival musi - sers. Performed on historical instruments made in Fitzrovia cians. The Fitzrovia Chapel £15 in advance or on the door h flautist Neil McLaren and the festival musicians. e Fitzrovia Chapel. £15 in advance or on the door 10pm - Late Night Solo Concert - Pip Eastop ‘Set the Wild Echoes Flying’ for Solo Natural Horn and Speaker, Nick Moran 0pm - Late Night Solo Concert “The Fitzrovian Flute” Music performed by the festival musicians interspersed with usic by William Alwyn and Gordon Jacob. poetry by Keats, Tennyson and Auden – poems used by Fitzro - il McLaren performs on an original 1890s Rudal Carte flute. vian Benjamin Britten for his Serenade for Tenor Horn and ese instruments were made on Berners Street. Strings. The Fitzrovia Chapel. £10 in advance or on the door. e Fitzrovia Chapel. £10 in advance or on the door Sunday 23 June iday 21 June All day - Nick Moran's Fitzrovia Actor, director, producer and 0am - Yoga at The Fitzrovia Chapel with yoga and mindful - Fitzrovia resident Nick Moran curates a day of talks, walks, s teacher Jessica Leonard Hull Free gigs and film events to celebrate Fitzrovia. Free See fitzfest.co.uk for more details. m - Guided Walk “Sickert in Fitzrovia” with Matthew Stur - Rebecca Hossack Gallery, 2a Conway Street (start and fin - Afternoon - Music and Afternoon Tea for the Over 60s at ). Free Honey & Co, 25a Warren Street m - Look out for pop up performances throughout Fitzrovia! Performed by the festival musicians formed by the festival musicians Free (just come along) Illustration Jesse Brown 12 — Fitzrovia News issue 153 Summer 2019 Sculptor’s legacy for all to see

turned into a series of eight sculp - By MIKE PENTELOW tures collectively known as Acts The most famous sculptor of his of Mercy. These included Beggars time, John Flaxman (1755-1826), Receiving Charity, Feed the Hun - spent the last 32 years of his life gry, Clothe the Naked, and De - at 7 Greenwell Street (off Cleve - liver the Captive. land Street). He had deep Christian con - It is commemorated by an old victions and believed that “art in style ornamental plaque at the Christianity can rise higher than side of the building. But a far in paganism, since Christian ideas more significant commemoration are more sublime than pagan of his life and works exists in The ones.” Flaxman Gallery and the Univer - On the other hand he drew ABOVE: Self portait at the age of 24 sity College, London (UCL) Art “The Intrigues of the Church” in (UCL). BELOW: Statue of Flaxman Museum in the Wilkins Building 1792, showing a “giant” and a at the Royal Academy. in Gower Street. “harlot” over serpent-like crea - Here you can see many of his tures as “representative of a cor - sculptures including (pictured rupt church and rapacious right) “St Michael Overcoming tyranny.” Satan” and “A Brahmin and a Mo - Harriet Mathew, the rev - Two years later he and his hammedan in Earnest Conversa - erend’s wife, held literary gather - wife moved to Greenwell Street tion for their Country’s Good” (of ings in their home at 27 Rathbone which was called Buckingham Indian Hindu and Muslim leaders Place. While she was reading Street in those days. First they created in 1815). aloud from Homer and other moved into number 6, then took He could also sketch, as is Greek and Roman poets young over next door at number 7 as born out by his “Self Portrait at Flaxman illustrated some of the well. This enabled them to have a the Age of Twenty-Four”, pro - more vivid passages in sketches studio, and a spacious garden duced in 1779 and also on display. from his imagination. He also where they grew cabbages and A sickly child who had a drew a portrait in chalk of her. cauliflowers. At that time it was a humped shoulder he needed Harriet introduced the scantily populated area facing crutches until the age of ten. youngster to a Mr Knight of Port - hills up to Hampstead. The Amer - This hindered attendance at land Place who gave him his first ican artist C R (Charles Robert) school so he spent most of his commission. Another guest com - Leslie lived round the corner and time in the studio of his father missioned six drawings from him. often visited Flaxman, whom he who made casts and plaster fig - He moved on to sculpting, described as kind “but over po - ures for sculptors, which young gaining a Royal Academy pre - lite.” Flaxman sketched. mium for modelling in clay when Earlier Flaxman had lived at At the age of six he was seen only 11 years old, and exhibiting a 17 Rathbone Place, 12 Grafton reading a Latin book in the studio figure of Hercules a year later. He Way, Foley Street (when it was by the visiting Rev Anthony was just 14 when he became a stu - Queen Anne Street East), and 27 Mathew of the Percy Chapel at 15- dent at the Royal Academy Wardour Street. 17 Charlotte Street. school. He had to draw from plas - He became the Royal He asked him about it and ter casts because he was too Academy’s first ever Professor of the youngster said he was trying young to attend life drawing Sculpture in 1810. The childless Building. After Henry Crabb to teach himself Latin as he had classes of the female nude. Flaxman apparently treated his Robinson, a shareholder in the not been to school. He did in fact In his first year he won a sil - students with the “affection of a college, paid off her debts she successfully teach himself both ver medal for wax models of Nep - parent”. Although his lectures agreed to donate them perma - Latin and Greek. tune. He was disappointed not to were delivered in a weak and nently to the college in 1847. get the gold as this would have monotonous voice this was more The gallery where they were won him the chance to travel and than compensated for by ani - displayed opened in 1851 and one study in Italy. This “humbled my mated facial expressions. of the first visitors was Prince Al - conceit” he stated as he had been Local artist, Henry Fuseli (fa - bert, who had donated £100 to - over confident of winning the mous or infamous for his painting wards it. gold. “The Nightmare”) was an enthu - During the blitz of 1940-41 While at the school he be - siastic attender of his lectures. large parts of the gallery were friended fellow students William Flaxman remained Professor damaged by bombs and some of Blake and Thomas Stothard. Blake of Sculpture until a few months the models destroyed. By 1947 The artist George Romney, of course became more famous as before his death at the end of many of the models were exposed who first met Flaxman in his fa - a poet - and his first work was 1826. He was posthumously hon - to rain and wind. Then during re - ther’s workshop, employed published by the aforementioned oured by the RA with a statue of building work in 1949 the head of young Flaxman to make plaster Rev Mathew after Flaxman intro - him by Henry Weeks, which can one sculpture was deliberately casts of antique artists. The money duced them. This was Poetical still be seen above the front of its knocked off by one of the work - 7 Greenwell Street (above) and St from this and from Josiah Wedg - Sketches published in 1783. Burlington House gallery in Pic - men in order to make room for Giles-in-the-Fields (below) wood enabled him and his wife to Stothard stuck to painting and cadilly. scaffolding. travel to Italy at last in 1787. later lived at 28 Newman Street Flaxman was buried in St Another work was desecrated Originally they planned to go where there was a plaque to him Giles-in-the-Fields churchyard in 1972 when a monument for the for just two years, but ended up but it has since been removed. (close to what is now Tottenham Baring family had a political slo - there for seven, setting up a stu - On leaving the art school at Court Road station). Although the gan scrawled on it and chocolate dio in Rome. He was elected a the age of 20 Flaxman was em - precise location is not now papers stuck to it. To protect them member of the Accademia di San ployed, along with his father, pro - known, there is a memorial to him from further attacks many of the Luca and got plenty of commis - ducing designs for Josiah just inside the church entrance. exhibits, including “St Michael sions from wealthy clients. While Wedgwood’s pottery. Flaxman’s works were kept Overcoming Satan”, were moved there he was able to study works Early in 1780 Flaxman met a by his sister-in-law Maria Den - to the Victoria and Albert Mu - from the Renaissance, and to young schoolteacher, Ann Den - man. When she got into financial seum the following year for safe sketch street scenes (one of “Three man, who worked in an Oxford difficulties she asked University keeping for a while. Men Attempting to Tear a Child Street boarding school. Despite College to store them temporarily “St Michael Overcoming from a Woman”). her father’s disapproval, they and prevent them being seized by Satan” was returned to its present It was during this time that he married two years later. Blake creditors. This was agreed and position in the gallery in 1994. made the sketches which he later later wrote a poem dedicated to they were put in the Wilkins her. Fitzrovia News issue 153 Summer 2019 — 13 Off the beaten track

CHEZ NOUS 22 Hanway Street. once bright and garish, definitely Anyone know the story of weird slightly dusty now. There was old Hanway Street? A winding, also a notice advising people to slightly mysterious alley that joins keep their bags with them as the backs of Tottenham Court there was no cloak room. It all Road and Oxford Street near Tot - looked a bit strange. Upstairs I tenham Court Road tube station? asked if the bar was still used, a There has been a Spanish pub man sitting in a corner who was there for many years; a nail bar; obviously Spanish answered me. an internet store now; here and That bar is open with a Spanish Civil rights pioneer there a Japanese or Korean eating band performing from 9pm on place – and a branch of the exclu - Wednesday and Thursday nights sive Chinese chain Hakussan hid - By the DINING DETECTIVE and from 11pm on Friday and who ended British

den away in a dark corner. But Saturday nights. So much for my

. . ) t e e r t S e g d o o G f o r e n r o c there are also odd, closed up ( ruminations about not walking in

t e e r t S n a m w e N 8 4 t a s i 8 1 e g a p n buildings, strange doorways and o Hanway Street late at night, and

h p a r g o t o h p e h T : E L Z Z U P E R U T C I P Army segregation windows; a closed cocktail bar. that of course is why “Chez Parts of some buildings feel Nous” closes at 9pm: not danger empty but not empty. The alley lentils – nothing cost more than but music! A new plaque to a civil rights ac - British seafarers had no proof of runs into Hanway Place: there I £13.50, and some less than £10. I went back once more – for tivist has been unveiled at the identity and so were made re - saw what was obviously an old Very nice home-made cakes and lunch, just because I liked being YMCA building just off Totten - dundant. school, long closed. I went to look crumbles for dessert, all seem - in the place. (I haven’t yet at - ham Court Road in Great Rus - The league also succeeded in more closely and saw it was once ingly served with icecream, all tended the downstairs bar but to sell Street. ending segregation of sections of the Westminster Jews Free Schools priced at £4.50. As we left I saw my surprise it turns out to be ad - It is in honour of Harold the British armed forces during but when I looked in the windows the odd light in various closed-up vertised in the Fitzrovia News Moody (1882-1947) who formed the second world war. I saw full supermarket shelves buildings in the alley, cigarette ‘What’s On’ section, and it is the League of Coloured People A devout Christian, Moody and a woman pushing a trolley: it smoke drifting out of a dark win - called Sevilla Mia Spanish Bar.) It there in 1931. became involved in the Coloured is now a back emergency exit of dow. I read the opening hours of was a sunny day, the doors were He was born in Kingston, Ja - Men’s Institute which was a reli - Sainsburys in Tottenham Court Chez Nous: open from 9am for open back and front, on to Han - maica, and came to London in gious, social and welfare centre Road. breakfast, coffee, brunch and – in - way Street and Hanway Place, 1904 to study medicine, finishing for sailors. Parts of the area kind of feel terestingly after my above re - the sun shone on to more fresh top of his class and qualifying in Sadly, the League of like an alley near docks, but marks about Hanway Street late flowers on the polished wood ta - 1910. But racial discrimination Coloured People was wound up there’s no port near Hanway at night – closes at 9pm bles. More cakes, a wonderful prevented him getting work so he soon after Moody’s death, after a Street. I thought to myself it’s About a week later, I asked a smell of home cooking. Then I started his own medical practice. proud history of campaigning for probably not somewhere you’d friend to meet there for a morning saw a couple of crispy chickens He formed and became the equality of all races around the choose to walk alone late at night. coffee. A sprinkling of customers; come out of the oven, that were first president of the league to world, exposing the persecution And in this street is a little some obviously having business placed beside a genuine Spanish promote racial equality and civil of the Jews in Germany before restaurant called Chez Nous. meetings; at one stage a woman omelette: they were delicious, rights. Prominent members in - the war, for example. When I walked into Chez screamed very loudly – but it and most lunch dishes are cluded Paul Robeson, Jomo Those who praised his good Nous, with its old, dark, wooden turned out she was waiting for a around £10. People were in and Kenyatta, C L R James, and Una work at the unveiling ceremony polished chairs and tables of dif - son she hadn’t seen for many out, as before, never crowded. As Marson. included Rastafari poet Raoul ferent designs, with candles, old years and she apologised and ex - I was leaving, the old French Moody also tackled racism in Dero, Jamaican High Commis - prints on the wall, and fresh flow - plained to the room – soon she music playing, I asked about the the armed forces and helped sioner Seth Ramocan, Camden ers, I thought at first I was in the was laughing and crying with her history of the place and got five overturn the Special Restriction mayor Jenny Headlam-Wells, little sister of a famous, and popu - son, but quietly. Very good coffee years’ worth: it has been there for Order (Coloured Seamen’s Act) Westminster lord mayor Lindsey lar restaurant in Soho called An - and again the fresh flowers and five years as a French restaurant, of 1925. This rewarded shipping Hall, and Westminster deputy drew Edmonds that dates from the music and the polished dark the owner was from Brussels but companies for employing only mayor Louise Hayes. the sixties. It even had a seat out furniture in the very pleasant she has just retired. The bar British nationals, and required The plaque was sponsored at the front as a welcome, as An - room. My friend wanted a muffin downstairs is let out to a Spanish “alien” seamen to register with by Black History Walks, and the drew Edmonds does. So: hidden or something sweet – the wait - brother-in-law. But as to its, and local police - even though many Nubian Jak Community Trust. away rather in Hanway Street is ress’s English wasn’t very good Hanway Street’s, history before of these “aliens” had served the A film of the ceremony can this cosy little European place that but she understood 'cake' and ap - that, I am none the wiser. Some of country during the first world be viewed on is such a pleasure to walk in to. peared with a serving of the same you will like it; some of you war. Just like the recent Windrush https://m.youtube.com/watch?v French music was playing and on kind of cake we’d had at dinner – wont. But I’ll be back for the scandal many black and Asian =EuSHutAIq5k the walls there are photographs served with ice-cream to my Spanish omelette. by Robert Doisneau, and old friend’s surprise. He said “ice- prints of fancy French soldiers. I cream at 10.45am seems slightly suppose it might hold thirty cus - odd but anyway thank you,” and tomers; it was half full, people ate it all and enjoyed it. came and went and ate and some I wanted to use the toilet and All Saints COuhr diuversre candh inc luMsive paarirshg is garorunededt i n Sthe tricrh ecateholt ic tradition men drank in one corner. was sent downstairs, and then the of Anglicanism. We offer a place of peace and beauty in busy central The dinner menu was small, plot began to thicken - I was taken London. (open Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm and Saturday from 11am). with plats du jour. There is a small greatly by surprise to find myself Main services on Sunday - 11am High Mass but reasonable wine list. House in a bar - with a stage at one end. 6pm Choral Evensong and Benediction wine £4.90 for a glass. Half a It, and the stairs leading to it, We maintain fine liturgical traditions and excellence in music. The parish would be delighted to welcome you to all or any of our liturgies if you are dozen mains, not lip-smacking were decorated with Spanish able to join us in ‘one of the ten buildings that have changed the face of food but perfectly acceptable: posters, and the sort of paintings Britain’ (English Heritage). mackerel salad, beef bourguignon, made straight on to bare walls chicken parmigiano, salmon and that were around last century – FEAST of CORPUS CHRISTI , Thursday 20 June HIGH MASS & Outdoor Procession of the Blessed Sacrament at If you enjoy Fitzrovia News, 6.30pm Preacher: The Vicar, Fr Alan Moses. Mass Setting: Mozart in D K.194

please consider making a FEAST of the ASSUMPTION , Thursday 15 August HIGH MASS & Outdoor Procession of Our Lady of Walsingham donation: at 6.30pm Times of Daily Prayer, Masses & opportunities for confession & counselling are fitzrovia.org.uk/donate advertised at: www.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk Parish office: 020 7636 1788 14 — Fitzrovia News issue 153 Summer 2019 Ban on women doctors conquered in the most extraordinary way By MIKE PENTELOW

The amazing story of a woman who had to pose as a man in order to practise as a surgeon all over the world is told in a fasci - nating book. It is called “Dr James Barry, A Woman Ahead of Her Time,” by Michael du Perez and Jeremy Dronfield. Margaret Anne Bulkley was born around 1789 in the Irish port of Cork. Her uncle was the fa - mous painter James Barry (1741- 1806) who lived at 36 Eastcastle Street (which was called Little Castle Street in those days). And when she was barred from studying medicine she took He was a little friendlier this his name in order to become a time and proudly showed them “male” medical student. his life’s masterwork, “The Birth Margaret and her mother, of Pandora”, which measured 17 Mary, visited Barry for help in feet wide and 9 feet high. He said 1804 after her father Jeremiah was he would give them a letter of at - sacked and made homeless by the torney to empower them to get the British because he was a Catholic. house. This was in the aftermath of the But the following year he died Kipper Williams has contributed to Fitzrovia News for about 30 years. See page 19 for one of his from ten years ago. 1798 Irish rebellion from sheer lack of nourishment, They were astonished at the according to Southey. After col - state of Barry’s house, which was lapsing in the street Barry was He had also read of a French two pints a day of a special beer ployed a maid, Sophia Bishop. grimy, had cracked windows, and taken to a lodging house above a woman who had disguised her - brewed there. There was an epidemic of di - the entrance was clogged with lit - shop in Mortimer Street, but was self as a man in order to attend After qualifying, “Dr James arrhoea (followed by cholera) in ter, including several skeletons of thrown out when his bleeding lectures in medicine and surgery. Barry” became an army surgeon the extreme heat of July that year. stray dogs and cats. These had stained the bed sheets. He was His plan was for Margaret to do in the Cape of Good Hope, and The doctor died in soiled been placed there by locals who taken to the house of his friend, the same and then he would take later served all over the world in - sheets at around 4am on July 25, suspected him of being an old the Italian architect Joseph her to a liberated Venezuela cluding Jamaica, America, 1865. She was found by Sophia wizard. Bonomi, nearby [76 Great Titch - where she could accompany him Canada, and Malta. who called the local doctor, David The painter was as untidy as field Street] where he died from and practise there openly as a She often stood up against McKinnon, who registered the his dwelling, wearing clothes cov - inflammation of the lungs. woman. In fact, according to other authoritarian regimes and so was death at Marylebone register of - ered in paint and dirt, and a wig Another of his friends, Dr Ed - authors, Margaret used the name unpopular with the establishment fice as that of a male and the which “you might suppose he ward Fryer, who lived at 76 New - of Miranda Stuart in his honour. and demoted on occasions. Her cause of death as diarrhoea. had borrowed from a scarecrow”, man Street, took care of his Sadly nothing came of this evidence that a slave had died The woman who was laying according to his friend, the poet paintings, including Pandora, and because, although Miranda suc - from a flogging got the owner out the corpse realised that the Robert Southey. also became responsible for the ceeded in leading a revolution to who had conducted the flogging doctor was in fact a woman, who Mary and Margaret wanted education of Margaret, who was overthrow the Spanish and be - hanged for wilful murder. Much had given birth to a baby. This Barry to confirm that he had left a now living in Little Titchfield come the leader of an indepen - hostility was directed at Barry was because Margaret had been house in Cork to them on the Street. dent republic in 1811, he was subsequently. raped at about the age of 13, pos - death of the occupant, who had Fryer and Barry had be - deposed a year later and jailedfor The doctor also challenged sibly by her uncle, and had given since died. He did not seem to un - friended Francisco de Miranda life in Spain. the authorities over the appalling birth to a daughter, Juliana, who derstand this so they returned to (1750-1816), the Venezuelan revo - Meanwhile Margaret became conditions of lepers, lunatics, and was adopted by Margaret’s Ireland. lutionary in exile at 58 Grafton a student at St Thomas’s hospital prisoners. mother and raised as her own They revisited Barry the fol - Way (which was 27 Grafton Street under the name of James Barry. She particularly disliked one daughter. lowing year, however, when his in those days). There was a whipping post for prison chaplain who only at - The corpse layer-out tried to house was even worse with all the Miranda had a large library, punishing unruly patients in the tended the jail for executions. An - make money out of the doctor’s windows broken and filled in including medical books, and was hospital, but they were allowed other foe was a gaoler, secret, and soon it was leaked to with old etchings. prepared to give her a reference. appropriately named Mr Locke, the press. who objected to black prisoners A footman arrived in full liv - being questioned about condi - ery and took away Barry’s little THE DUKE OF YORK tions when “white Christians” dog and a mysterious black box. were there to answer. The book speculates that the box Opening hours Mon-Fri 12-11pm The doctor performed only contained personal letters of an the second successful Caesarean intimate nature from Lord Charles Sat 1-11pm Sunday closed in medical history, and when vis - Somerset, the Governor of Good 47 Rathbone Street W1T 1NW iting Turkey during the Crimean Hope, whom it had been ru - war in 1855 (with her pet goat) moured had a sexual liaison with 0207 636 7065 [email protected] she crossed swords with the leg - Dr Barry. endary nurse Florence Nightin - The funeral was at Kensal A traditional pub with a good selection of gale. Barry scolded Nightingale Green Cemetery on July 29, 1865, real ales and varied wine list. for her negligence in front of oth - and the gravestone (at plot num - ers, for which she branded the ber 19301) read: “Dr James Barry, Upstairs Bar / Function room available for doctor a brute. Inspector General of Hospitals, private parties and buffets. Barry eventually ended up in died 25 July 1865, aged 70.” In fact London in 1865 taking rooms at the doctor was aged 76 but had Check us out on facebook! 14 Margaret Street, owned by a pretended to be younger to ac - surgeon and dentist called James count for “his” slender build and Anderson and his wife, who em - lack of any male facial hair. Fitzrovia News issue 153 Summer 2019 — 15 New history of Fitzrovia connections, including the myste - rious “Joe the Greek”. Apart from boxing it was used for wrestling and weightlifting. shows rich mixture George, a Maltese gentleman, with his face “disfigured by razor scars” but a “kindly family man”, ran Tony’s cafe at 91 Charlotte Street in the 1950s. Its customers consisted of “bohemians, small time villains, and prostitutes with hard faces.” Many communists, anarchists Elephant man and other revolutionaries settled including Karl Marx’s tailor, A series of interviews for The Friedrich Lessner, who lodged in Oldie by local publisher Naim At - Tottenham Court Road and later tallah has just appeared in book co-founded the Independent form. Fitzrovia, The Other Side of Ox - Labour Party. And from the other It is called “No Longer With ford Street, A Social History extreme Oswald Mosley’s British Us, Encounters with Naim Attal - 1900-1950. By Ann Basu (The Union of Fascists had a women’s lah” and is published by Quartet History Press, £17.99). section run by Lady Makgill at Books at 27 Goodge Street, which 233 Regent Street (50 yards from he took over in 1976. Life on the edge, both geographi - Oxford Circus) until 1934. Among those interviewed is cally and socially, is the theme of The entertainment at the the - gay icon Quentin Crisp (1908-99), this book. Colourful examples atres and many cinemas in Totten - who frequented Fitzrovia from come from fake antique dealers, ham Court Road over the years the 1920s to 1940s. dodgy second hand car salesmen, are all chronicled - and the amuse - His candid autobiography and a variety of villains. ment arcades of which there were “The Naked Civil Servant” de - Many honest and underpaid four by 1920. One had slot ma - Dancers at the Paramount Ballroom in Tottenham Court Road, 1949 scribed what it was like to be workers in the furniture trade, the chines that delivered horoscopes (Getty Images). openly and defiantly gay when clothing industry, show business, and even “your future wife’s pic - male homosexuality was a crimi - and restaurants are also included. versity College London in Gower ture.” nal offence. And a rich mix of immigrants Street. The Indian YMCA was set The many restaurants are also The book was published in from France, Italy, Germany, Rus - up to “regulate reportedly wild recorded. The claim that “tip” 1968 and became hugely popular sia, Cyprus, and even Japan. behaviour of Indian students in - stood for “To Improve Prompt - when made into a television film This cosmopolitan nature of volving English women and ness” is made but also the discon - in 1975, when Crisp was played the area, where unorthodox ideas drink.” It was set up in Keppel tent of waiters at having these tips by John Hurt (1940-2017), who could be expressed, “created an Street in 1920 and moved to creamed off (or “troned” or lived in Fitzrovia. intellectual greenhouse where po - Gower Street in 1923, before mov - “trunked” as it was called). In the interview Crisp was litical and philosophical ideas ing to Fitzroy Square in 1950 Many of these waiters and asked by Attallah if he was happy could be formulated, debated, and where it is now. chefs lived in a “rooming house” with Hurt’s widely acclaimed spread,” observes the author. Jewish refugees fleeing perse - for them in Charlotte Street until portrayal of him. But there was also hostility to cution in eastern Europe settled in the late 1960s, according to “I was indeed,” he replied. “It immigrants, especially during the the area over many decades. “someone on the editorial staff of Gershon Simkovitch (later Harris), was a marvellous reproduction of first and second world wars, One young Polish Jewish or - the Fitzrovia News”, we are told. the author’s great-grandfather, and my voice for one thing. He was when they were treated as aliens. phan girl arrived alone in 1937 at Restaurants and residents two of his six children slightly more defiant than I ever The Paramount Ballroom at Victoria station where a railway would often get their milk from was, but only minimally. 161 Tottenham Court Road dent on orders from the big Tot - policewoman feared she would be the various dairies that existed “He’s born to play victims. demonstrated both attitudes just tenham Court Road retailers such captured into the “white slave with cows on the premises. One After he played me he went on to after the second world war. It was as Maples and Heals. This drove trade”. So she took her to the with ten cows was at 42a Clip - play Claudius, which is really one of the few halls to play jive down wages for skilled craftsmen Emerson Bainbridge Hostel for stone Street until as late as 1930. only me in a sheet, and then he music and where black and white such as cabinet makers, guilders, Young Women and Girls at 49 Those who preferred beer had was the Elephant Man. People young people mixed socially and carvers and carpenters. The Wor - Cleveland Street, next door to the many pubs to choose from includ - sometimes ask me if I feel like an amicably, dancing the jitterbug. shipful Company of Carpenters Hostel for Fallen Women. The ing the Fitzroy Tavern on the cor - elephant man, and I do, I do.” But the Daily Mirror expressed re - set up a training school in 1893 at source for this was Ebb and Flow ner of Charlotte Street and vulsion at the sight of “dance 153-155 Great Titchfield Street, in Fitzrovia by Barb Jacobson and Windmill Street. The proprietor fevered” white teenage girls “nuz - which was later named the Build - Olive Leonard, published by the Judah Kleinfeld provided free WIN THIS BOOK zling and clutching the hefty, grin - ing Crafts College, and remained Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Associ - cigars on Sunday mornings in the Answer this question: Which ning dancers.” It was raided by there until 2001 when it moved to ation in 2010. 1930s. Surely a custom that de - Fitzrovian actor played the part police many times and was Stratford. And it was at the West Cen - serves reviving (even if they of fellow Fitzrovian gay icon, turned into a banqueting hall in Some unscrupulous dealers tral Jewish Lads’ Club at 38 would have to be smoked outside Quentin Crisp, in the film of his 1950. produced fake antique furniture Fitzroy Square where jazz musi - nowadays). life? Sweated labour was common by adding simulated wormholes, cian, broadcaster and journalist With today’s traffic conges - Send your answer, along in the highly competitive rag burns and “encouraging rabbits Benny Green first learned all these tion it is difficult to believe that with your name and address, by trade, mostly women making to scamper across their surface.” skills. He learned to speak in pub - even as late as the 1950s children email to [email protected] women’s garments. But some of A “shady” trade which was lic there, “played the saxophone could play safely in the streets as (with “Crisp Competition” in the the more unusual skills in this less seedy however was that of before an audience for the first there were not many cars. Joyce subject box). Entries close on trade included an ostrich feather Japanese lampshade making, time in my life there… and I be - Hooper of Hanson Street recalls, July 2. curler in Charlotte Street and a which was started in 1928 at 92 came the editor of the club maga - also from Ebb and Flow in pearl stringer in Cleveland Street. Charlotte Street, by Seiji Kaneko zine.” He was brought up in Fitzrovia, that she put her baby Previous winner The author’s great-grandpar - who stayed there until 1965. poverty in Cleveland Street daughter in a pram unattended in ents came from Belarus in 1895 The lampshades were made within a short walk from the the street. “The only thing I did Congratulations to Maria March- and worked in the clothing indus - by Japanese ex-seamen, some of super rich at Nash Terraces by Re - was put a notice on, Please do not ese of Newman Street who won try. They changed their surname whom were interned or sent to a gents Park “where you saw how feed this child’.” our competition in the last issue. from Simkovitch to Harris and prisoner of war camp in Scotland the other half lived.” The foreword is by local She correctly answered that moved to 1 Little Titchfield Street during the war. They had their Just round the corner in writer Nick Bailey, author of Mortimer Street was where Oscar by 1911. own social club in Tottenham Fitzroy Street was the Olympic Fitzrovia, published in 1981. Wilde visited a palmist during Furniture making was also Court Road. Gym run by William Klein in the Ann Basu has contributed his trial. So she won the book competitive with the self em - Other immigrants from Asia 1940s and 1950s which, according many historical features to “Oscar, A Life” by local author ployed craftsmen being depen - included Indian students at Uni - to the Picture Post, had gangster Fitzrovia News. Matthew Sturgis. 16 — Fitzrovia News issue 152 Spring 2019 The Other Cinema/Scala

Older readers may remember the thriving “alternative” scene of films and live music in the late 1970s at 25 Tottenham Street. This was where the Other Cinema staged events from 1975 to 1977 and then continued under the name of the Scala from 1978 to 1981 (pictured right), after which it moved to Kings Cross. It is all lovingly chronicled in a new book by Jane Giles, called The Scala Cinema, 1978-1993 (published by FAB Press). The performances frequently ignored all censorship and they attracted a very mixed bunch of often bizarrely dressed eccentric The Scala in Tottenham Street in 1979 Regency Theatre in 1817 characters. It achieved notoriety as a so - Following a withdrawal of County Council rules, which for - cialist cinema in the mid-1970s, on British Film Institute funding the bade dancing, make-up, and any - the site where there had been a Other Cinema closed in December thing unhealthy or unsuitable. wide variety of theatres since 1977. But it re-emerged in June This led to official complaints in 1772. 1978, with backing from Virgin, as 1946 about a concert starring blue By 1975 the main building the Scala. comedian Geoge Robey (who in had become the head office of Na - It put on all-night live music his defence said he was not using tional Car Parks, but there was and film events which were false eyelids), and African dancer room under it for the Other Cin - hugely popular. Alexander Within (who said his ema to operate. This was funded Singer Boy George remem - movements were more of a shuf - by many film stars including Sean bered them fondly even though fle than a dance). Connery, whose career had he, and fellow gender bender A performance by various an - started when representing Scot - singer Marilyn, were once beaten imals from Chessington zoo in land for the Mr Universe competi - up on its doorstep. 1942 included a baby elephant. tion in 1953 at the Scala Theatre as Other bands as diverse as Applying for the performance li - it then was. He was unplaced, but Throbbing Gristle and Spandau cence an offer was made to “ar - another competitor told him Ballet appeared within a week of range for a machine gun to be about auditions for a touring each other. fired in the proximity of the baby South Pacific production, from Equally diverse were mem - elephant in order to show that she which he got a part as a chorus bers of the audience. They ranged would not be upset by the noise.” boy, his first acting job. from a woman with a paintbrush Permission was granted but only The Other Cinema opened in stuck into her beehive hairdo, and during daylight hours and when October 1976 with a film about giants permanently in drag, to there was no bombing of the area. Gerrard Winstanley who started celebrities such as ballet dancer Young French Jewish children the diggers movement in the 17th Rudolf Nureyev, actor Tom Conti, who had survived the concentra - century calling for all land to be poet Linton Kwesi Johnson, and The Scala’s Charlotte Street entrance in 1967 tion camps were allowed to per - shared out and cultivated. punk performer Viv Albertine of form in Yiddish to raise money for A month of Chinese films the Slits. Channel 4 did put on a over by the Salvation Army in the Polish Children’s Rescue Fund then followed and attracted 11,000 Cult movies such as Eraser - monthly film in a small studio for 1885 and turned into a soup one Sunday in 1946. But only on people. head were screened there more locals for a short time after mov - kitchen and preaching hall where condition that they did no wear But when audiences wained it than once from 1979, often during ing in at the end of 1982. But that butchers, brothels, bars and tobac - false beards or animal costumes! was decided to have rock’n’roll all-night sessions. And the films was effectively the end of the conists were all lambasted from Peter Pan was performed at films coupled with live perfor - ranged from Laurel and Harder, story in Tottenham Street. the pulpit. Representatives of the Scala every year from 1945 to mances in the summer of 1977. A to Fassbinder. The book also traces the ex - these professions banded together 1968, when Wendy Craig was the Sex Pistols film was shown fol - One student observed: “The traordinary history of the various to form The Skeleton Army in re - last to top the bill. lowed by a live performance of audience would be at least as in - theatres that occupied the site, taliation leading to clashes be - It was also used as a location the Buzzcocks for example. The teresting as the film programmes” dating back to 1772 when it tween the two armies resulting in for Alfred Hitchcock’s film, Stage gig was watched by Sid Vicious in including insomniacs, psy - opened as a concert hall by an fatalities. Fright, in 1950 which showed the audience, and fellow Pistol, chopaths, and anarchists. Italian emigre and double bass It became the Scala Theatre in many sequences of its front and Johnny Rotten, who was pho - But with the advent of Chan - player called Francis Pasquili. 1905, and from 1910 showed films back stage. It starred Marlene Di - tographed in the packed bar. nel 4 taking over the building the It had many names over the as well as staging live entertain - etrich, Aleister Sim, Joyce Gren - Another film, The Ballad of last gig at the Scala was with New years with everything from ment. fell, and Hitchcock’s daughter Joe Hill, was coupled with a live Order and Altered Images in Rooms for Concerts of Ancient The screening of the Epic of Patricia (who was training at performance by Tom Robinson. April 1981. Music, through Theatre of Variety, Everest film in 1924 was embel - RADA in Gower Street). to the Dust Hole. lished by backdrops of the Hi - Another film shot there was During the 19th century per - malayas round the stage, and famously “A Hard Day’s Night” formers included Barnaby Brittle seven Tibetan monks performing starring the Beatles in 1964. The Bloomsbury ward the Woodman of the Alps dancing religious music and dances. Their old portico front is shown plus the Original Egg Hornpipe, Carlo trumpets were made from thigh many interior shots, including a councillors surgeries the Dog of Intelligence, and pri - bones, and drums from human live concert by the group. First Friday of the month 6:00-7:00pm Fitzrovia Centre 2 Foley Street mate impersonator Monsieur skulls. Some of this was mocked The A3 book has 423 pages of Second and fourth Fridays of the month 6:00-7:00pm Gouffe. in the popular press which the Ti - fascinating material, which makes Marchmont Community Centre, 62 Marchmont Street, WC1N 1AB A play about slavery, called betan government felt under - it rather expensive. But it has been Third Friday of the month is a “roving surgery” Get in touch if you would Somebody in the House with mined their dignity, so they reduced at the time of writing like us to conduct the surgery in your street or building Dinah, was staged in 1847, featur - banned Britain from entering the from £75 to £50 when ordered Adam Harrison, Sabrina Francis and Rishi Madlani ing what was billed as a “whole country (and so Everest) for ten through the publishers contact 020 7974 3111 bevy of black females.” years. (fabpress.com). [email protected] [email protected] When it was called the Sunday performances were [email protected] “Queen’s Dust Hole” it was taken governed by very strict London Fitzrovia News issue 153 Summer 2019 — 17 Miscount

A short story by SUNITA SOLIAR

Either the world dies or I do, and don’t bleed. Black coffee, I tell it seems determined to kill me. him, and he is gone. Strong cof - Does it think I don’t notice the fee, to keep my wits about me. snares it sends? The building I You have to be careful with wait - live in wants to collapse just so it ers. They control what you put can crush me. into your body. And one must eat You can hear its desire in the to live if one can afford it. These creaking floorboards: should I kill are the world’s slipperiest agents, Betty May now as she walks out but, no, this one is a friend. And I into the bright morning? Or per - never eat here. No cold platters haps when she returns from a of oysters, no steak tartare. Only night at the Cafe Royal? The coffee. Coffee is safe. And light. world sets all of its agents against The world itches and scurries me. The hair net that gave me under my skin. if I had just ten three white spots on my head. grains. I had one hundred earlier, Leprosy! If I hadn’t noticed them but what if it was not a hundred? and jumped on that bus to Pic - Ninety-nine or ninety-eight. The cadilly it would have got me. But world miscounts me and claws I cried out against it on the bus its way through my blood. and defeated it. What the world Here comes coffee — but does not realise is that I could what is this? I asked for black. eclipse it for good. I could jump And this is white. White! To dull from my building. I could choose me into milky submission? That Illustration by Clifford Harper leprosy. I could take a few hun - is the slippery start of it. And he see. These are the conspirators dred more grains of cocaine. And too? I said black. He reaches for vent me from even such a small and the world have lost. Do they watching from over lobsters and there — the world all gone. my cup and says he will bring thing as drinking black coffee. see? Into my neck. I die. ice buckets. They think they have Is it safe here? This brasserie me another, but no. This is the What with? A knife? But I have Do I die? Does the beyond trapped me, but if I do not die with marble pillars, red suede cup that should be black. An - no plate, no cutlery. Only this tea - look exactly like this world - cruel today, do not think I may not an - booths and pink-edged table other would be counterfeit, not spoon on the wrong saucer of joke - a swirl of red suede and other time. And it will be my by cloths. Colour and light are safe, the thing itself. Look at how it this wrong coffee. Grab it from glass? Or worse, has this been the own hand. I am leaving. Keep the and, if one is to be, one must be spills and clatters as I wrest it another diner then. From the beyond and I free all along? hatpin. It is tainted now, a thing of somewhere. My favourite waiter. back from him. That is not coffee man with the steak knife and the Which way am I being tugged? the world. I can lose it, and yet I He’s a friend. You can tell because that is right. I asked for black. napkin tucked in at his chin, who Stop the pull of life on my arm must be careful. It starts with a of the way he blinks. A frequent Not this one white then another is looking at me in the gaps when and — the pin is released. Those hat pin, but soon it is a hat, then flitter of his lids over brown eyes. — no. I said black! The world I am not looking at him. But no, are my fingers. Why did they let the hairs on my head, then the Never trust people who don’t thinks it has won, does it? Its Betty May, you are a tiger. Do not go? My fingers on the hand con - world crawling into my scalp and blink often. And the skin on his people watching me. But my life die by the world’s steak knife. nected to my arm, and my neigh - chewing through the bone and fingers is always a little red, is mine and I can pull it from Well then, wait — my hat pin. bour, he of the steak knife, sponge that is my brain. In your shredded where he cuts his nails under the world’s feet. Yes, here; Out it comes. Now they will see. gripping my arm and in the other blood is one thing, but never let it too short. Never trust people who yes, now. If the world is to pre - And the waiter knows that he hand holding my pried hat pin. I get into your head. Poetry corner Hogarth classic on show

Spring Morning in Soho Square What Robin, the Boy Wonder, One of William Hogarth’s most famous paintings of a Tottenham Court Road scene in 1745 is By Diana Matheou Does Now on display until September 1 at The Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1. By Terry Egan It is “The March of the Guards to Finchley” depicting Deciding to sit in the square where sun The Joker's taken over Gotham government troops preparing to defend London from Ja - Like an incoming tide City, cobite rebels who had reached Derby from Scotland. The Has spread among the branches one by one and Robin's writing poetry - picture was painted in 1750, five years after the event. The A woman finds a seat the warmth has dried. that's this: full painting is shown on the back page. haiku, sonnets... Tweeting, sitting Some of the lower ranks are depicted (bottom right) Tramp-like and rank, a man who sleeps nearby pretty, in an advanced inebriated state, having just left a brothel. Too close for comfort - sits the Joker's taken over Gotham The three windows of the brothel are shown in the top Unpacks a paper and his day’s supply. City. right of the painting (pictured inset right) with the prosti - She stares ahead and wonders if his wits And Batman's in a glass box - tutes calling farewell out of them to the soldiers. what a pity The madam (on the right of the bottom window) is Are turned or if it’s safe to say hello, there's none to help him. Golly Mother Douglas, praying for the safe return of her best But nods and gives a smile gee, what's this? customers. She was Jane Douglas (c1700-1761), described And then absorbs the morning’s gentle flow, The Joker's taken over Gotham by Foundling Hospital governor Sir Charles Hanberry Circling pigeons and a blackbird’s song while City, Wells, as “a great, flabby, fat, stinking, swearing, hallow - and Robin's writing poetry. ing, ranting Billingsgate Bawd, very well known to most Michael the gardener blows with his machine That's this. men of quality and distinction in these kingdoms.” The debris from the grass (Robin worked with Batman In the centre of the picture is an open air boxing And Father Alexander on the green from 1970 to 1980. He now lives, match, which may well have been George Taylor’s Great Walking his dog has finished early mass. and writes, in London.) Booth which existed in Tottenham Court Road. Famous boxer John Broughton (1703-89) fought there for several The light moves from the bench and a fresh For more verses by local poets get: years before setting up his own arena. He created the first A FITZROVIAN MISCELLANY breeze rules of boxing after one of his opponent’s died in the Price just £3.50 Hurries along the day. from Fitzrovia Neighbourhood ring. High in the blue beyond the greening trees Centre The exhibition is entitled “Hogarth & The Art of The soundless planes like needles thread away. 39 Tottenham Street, London W1T 4RX Noise.” Visit: [email protected]

18 — Fitzrovia News issue 153 Summer 2019 Kill or cure? Apollo and his twin sister Artemis Sue Blundell continues her series on Gods and Goddesses

Greek gods and goddesses are notoriously hot-tempered, devi - ous and vengeful. Two in partic - ular, Apollo and his twin sister cal logo. The full sculpted panel in Keppel Street (above) and a close up (below) forced to shelve its own construc - Artemis, stand out as being espe - So in spite of his violence, tion plans when war broke out in cially brutal. Apollo had strong links with 1914.) Opened in 1929, the School They’re literally pestiferous, medicine. Binary opposites fasci - was one of the earliest steel- or plague-bearing – when they nated the Greeks and Romans, framed buildings ever erected. Its fire their arrows at the human and they saw Apollo as a god balconies are decorated with race, we die from disease. So why who could destroy and create, kill gilded bronze images of some of was this unlikely pair given a and cure. Both he and his son As - the animals and insects which starring role in the sculpted panel clepius were associated with transmit disease; and the names over the main entrance to the Lon - snakes, creatures which can of of 23 pioneers of public health don School of Hygiene and Tropi - course be deadly but were also re - and tropical medicine are carved cal Medicine on Keppel Street? garded as therapeutic: they were into its frieze. The panel was inspired by used in Asclepius’s healing cult to All these names belong to the School’s official seal, which lick the affected parts of patients. men – Lister, for example, the pio - was designed by sculptor and Artemis was equally paradoxical. neer of antiseptic surgery, and the medallist Allan G. Wyon and A determined virgin herself, she bacteriologist Pasteur. But in a re - modelled on a Greek coin from was celebrated as the goddess cent planning application submit - Sicily. In both panel and seal we who assisted women in child - ted to Camden Council, the see the divine twins in a chariot: birth. School states that it “proposes to the pains of love: you’ve broken all too well how to cause it. Artemis is driving while Apollo ‘From the one that harms celebrate a number of female sci - my heart, so only you can mend I’ve already written about raises his bow to shoot down comes healing’ was a popular entists who have made equally it. But we also know it to be Apollo and his sister in this series some hapless victim. The date maxim among both Greeks and significant contributions to the partly true of doctors, surgeons, (‘The Apollo of Bourlet Close’, palm in the background refers to Romans. The best-known myth il - field.” They want to add the and psychotherapists in our own Fitzrovia News March 2018), but the tropical activities of the lustrating this paradox is the names of three women to the day: they have to probe and cut I’ll just refer here to one of their School, but also recalls the palm story of Telephus, a hero who’d frieze, but their identity is still to and question in order to make us nastier exploits. When the mortal tree miraculously created on the been wounded in his thigh by the be decided. Artemis presumably well. Just a few weeks ago the woman Niobe boasted that she parched island of Delos to pro - warrior Achilles. The gash only will not be among them. She de - life of a young woman in London had more children than the god - vide a patch of shade for the god - began to mend when Achilles serves recognition as a goddess was saved when a virus was in - dess Leto, the terrible twins leapt dess Leto when she was giving himself finally agreed to touch who played an important role in troduced into her body to destroy into action with their bows and birth to Apollo and Artemis. The the spot with the point of his the lives of women in the ancient the bacteria that were ravaging arrows to defend their mother’s sculpture is framed by the coils of spear. world. But there must be many her liver and lungs. And it’s cer - honour. They shot down Niobe’s an enormous snake, symbol of As - So the person with the most female practitioners of healing tainly true of Apollo and twelve sons and daughters, and clepios, god of medicine and child power to hurt us is also the one who have been far more kind and Artemis: they thoroughly under - the poor woman wept so much of Apollo. His snake-entwined who can cure us. Roman poets caring in their activities than the stand disease because they know she was turned into a cliff face staff still features in many a medi - liked to see this as an allegory of Greek deity of childbirth. Perhaps streaming with water. our readers would like to suggest Artemis merits a separate some candidates. mention. Her Roman counterpart Picture was Diana, and to my mind she’s 6 FITZROY SQUARE The perfect venue one of the most interesting of the goddesses. She was closely associ - The perfect venue for meetings, launches, seminars, ated with female reproductive dinners, wedding receptions and other corporate events. puzzle functions: young women made offerings to her at the menarche, + Friendly medical advice The Georgian Group’s elegant eigh - before their marriage-night, and + NHS and private in the course of childbirth. Yet teenth-century headquarters prescriptions overlooking Fitzroy Square provides Artemis was pictured as an ath - a unique location for all types of pri - letic virgin huntress who shunned + Prescription collection the company of men. Perhaps, as vate and corporate events in the heart and delivery of central London. a goddess who had to make women bleed, she herself had to + Repeat dispensing We cordially invite local businesses stand outside the process and be immune from bleeding. This fits and individuals to visit our building + Multivitamins, health in well with the notion of a deity and get a taste of the authentic and advice who has to harm in order to cre - Georgian experience... ate. + Flu vaccination So the School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine knew what it + Herbal and nutritional For booking enquiries, availability How well do you know was doing when it chose the di - support and rates please contact Fitzrovia? vine twins as the emblem for its Rob Kouyoumdjian on 0207 529 vital research and teaching in the 8921 or Can you identify at area of public and global health. SHIV [email protected] which address the When the School was expanded above photograph was in the 1920s a new building was Pharmacy taken? created for it on the corner of Keppel and Gower Streets by ar - 70 Great Titchfield Street For the answer see chitects Morley Horder and W1W 7QN under the detective pic - Verner Rees. (The site had been Monday-Friday 8:30 - 6:00pm ture on page 13. acquired from the National The - atre Committee, which had been Tel/Fax 0207 580 2393 Fitzrovia News issue 153 Summer 2019 — 19 Parrot spotted wrong notes

Piano Man truly one of Maggie’s blue-rinse by the piano, and a silver, three- No 17 by brigade, and wore her whiskers tiered cake stand festooned with Clifford with pride. shortbread biscuits, all for her. On The piano occupied two some occasions the temptation Slapper thirds of the room, and alongside was too great and rather than was her beloved parrot who wait until I left she would grab a Your local pianist did not begin squawked more enthusiastically quick nibble of one of the short - his illustrious career in our as the music soared, and seemed bread biscuits whilst I was play - beloved Fitzrovia, but in the to comment on any wrong notes. ing. Out of the corner of my eye I back alleys of the North London She would congratulate me on could see the crumbs sticking to suburb of Wembley. As chance having practised hard each week, her moustache. She couldn’t fool would have it, the local piano although in reality I barely stud - me! I do regret, however, fooling teacher was quite an unusual ied at all between lessons, much her: it would have stood me in character. preferring to improvise. The good stead if I had possessed My parents were then and Chopin was becoming more flu - enough patience for the daily still are music lovers. Records ent only because at each lesson I hour of home practice she urged. were played on a popular model was playing it one more time. Her In addition to all of the grade of a 1960s record player called a Cartoon by Chris Tyler teaching methods were neither exams, she also entered me for grandmother took me there and Dansette (other brands of 1960s modern nor inspired, consisting many concerts held in Wembley sat in the corner, proudly watch - record player are not available!) long before the internet brought of her writing a few notes in a Sil - under the auspices of the Brent ing me play my way through My father, Ivor still likes to put us search engines) they alighted vine notebook as to how I might Festival of Music and Dance; but pieces of increasing complexity, Noel Harrison’s “The Windmills upon a certain Miss Beryl Silley, improve each piece. I have some there was still something missing, from the early five finger exer - of Your Mind” or some Sérgio who lived in a maisonette at the of those notebooks still, full of her a lack of inspiration. That came cises to Chopin and Beethoven a Mendes on the turntable, and bottom of The Avenue, a stone’s careful old hand, and I can still with my burgeoning interest in few years later. Miss Silley was a there are very few songs of any throw from Wembley Stadium, smell the musty odour of her hall - pop songs, and especially those little old lady living in genteel genre which my mother, Doreen, which in those days had an iconic way. making heavy use of piano. There poverty, a baby grand piano can’t sing along to very tunefully. set of twin towers, rather than the On the drive home, my was Gilbert O’Sullivan, and then squeezed into her living room When I was about five, they modern leaning semi-circular grandmother, Raie Schwartz, and my grandmother bought me the amongst much old dusty bric-a- bought me a toy piano. Appar - arch which would arrive in 2007. I would joke about the lesson and cassette tape of Elton John’s brac. In later years a large portrait ently, whatever other trinkets The comical combination of do imitations of Beryl. Miss Silley Honky Chateau album, every of Margaret Thatcher (who was were put my way, I kept gravitat - names was not lost on my youth - treated herself to afternoon tea song of which I still love to this Education Secretary from 1970 ing back to that little wonder, so it ful sense of humour as, from the each day at 4.00pm, and when we day. and Leader of the Opposition was decided to send me for piano age of 7, young Slapper went to arrived at 3.30pm there was a But in 1973 I went out for the from 1975) appeared on the hall - lessons. be taught by old Silley. My par - large tea-pot brewing, under a first time to buy a record for my - way wall facing the front door as Looking through the Yellow ents were both at work so at woolen tea-cosy on a trestle-table self: David Bowie’s album, Al - you walked in. Beryl Silley was Pages (an encyclopaedic directory 3.30pm every Thursday, my addin Sane. It turned everything upside down and featured the avant-garde piano of a certain Looking back through the archives Mike Garson, which showed me how percussively the piano could 10 years ago Danny Kaye had worked there 40 years ago be played. I still remember my ex - for a while as a dishwasher. Other citement as I ran home from the celebrities dined there included shop with that precious disc of Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Mar - Police stabbing vinyl. I carefully placed it on the got Fonteyn, Diana Dors, and turntable of the Dansette, its thin Norman Wisdom as well as gang - black legs had by now been re - From Tower, June 1979: sters such as the Kray brothers. moved, leaving it to sit on the Local police constable Stan Bald - An illuminated image of floor. As the needle made contact win was back on the beat after re - Australian cricketer, Shane with the spiral groove rotating at ceiving a nasty wound at a Warne, was projected beside the Alfie Maron 33 and a third times per minute, demonstration which hospitalised statue of Francisco de Miranda in the two opening chords of him for five days. Fitzroy Street.The advertisement Music hall “Watch That Man”, G and C, “We understand that the im - Comic meeting led to criticisms from locals who Music hall artists performed were an apt fanfare for the arrival perturbable Stan did not realise he thought it inappropriate beside every month in The Horseshoe of my adolescence. From Fitzrovia News, Summer had been stabbed until he nearly the statue of the Venezuelan revo - pub at 267 Tottenham Court Road. 2009: passed out,” reported the Gossip lutionary who lived at 58 Grafton The pub was the headquar - A proposal was made on Radio 4 column. Footnote Way in the early 19th century. He ters of the British Music Hall Soci - to erect a plaque at Warren Street “All his many friends in the was briefly the leader of ety which was run by Langham tube station to the four “Beyond area will no doubt be administer - Venezuela when a revolution Street clothes wholesaler Harry The Fringe” comedians. The four ing convalescent medicines in kicked out the Spanish, but was Kaye. - Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, local dispensaries, such as the toppled within a year and spent “This world famous society is Jonathan Miller, and Alan Ben - White Hart and the Northumber - the rest of his life in jail. a must for those who wish to par - nett - first met in an Italian land Arms.” take in musical nostalgia and once restaurant virtually opposite the [The White Hart, was at 20 again enjoy the performances of station in May 1960, according to Windmill Street, on the corner of household names who at one time Edinburgh Festival artistic direc - Whitfield Street, which then con - topped the bill of variety houses tor, John Bassett. This was illus - tinued through to Percy Street, all over the country,” wrote Alfie trated with a cartoon by Kipper but was closed and built over in Maron (1912-86), himself an actor Williams (above ). 1998; the Northumberland Arms who lived in Langham Street. Cook’s widow thought the at 43 Goodge Street is now the “Many of the the artists are meeting was in a Goodge Street Queen Charlotte/Draft House]. still performing and on the first restaurant. Either way no plaque Sadly, Stan died last year Tuesday of every month gather to was ever erected. (2018), we are told by his retired recap past triumphs and meet Pictured in 1942 is the Hare’s Foot police colleague, Pete Smith. “We with old friends. public house at 36 Goodge Street. Star dishwasher think he might have been stabbed “I advise theatre lovers to go The pub was there from at least 1851 A feature on Olivelli’s Sicilian by a stiletto instead of a knife be - along and enjoy a really great until the early 1960s when it became restaurant at 35 Store Street re - cause of the size of the wound,” evening and indeed dip into a restaurant. The Mondello Italian vealed that star entertainer he said. Danny Kaye memories of the past.” restaurant now occupies the site. 20 — Fitzrovia News issue 153 Summer 2019 WHAT’S ON AROUND FITZROVIA Email [email protected] with listings by Aug 17, for the Sept issue and put “Listings” in the subject box

LIVE MUSIC THEATRE ART Bloomsbury Theatre/Studio , 15 Featured exhibitions below. Gordon St (thebloomsbury.com): A full list of all galleries in Show and Tell (cutting edge com - the area is on our website: edy), June 13. Werewolf: Live news.fitzrovia.org.uk (comedy game show), June 19- July 1.

Camden People's Theatre , 58-60 Hampstead Rd (cptheatre.co.uk): Calm Down Dear, series of plays, NANCY KERR until June 17. All Saints , 7 Margaret St: Jeremiah Stephenson organ recital, June 9, 7.15pm.

The Albany, 240 Great Portland St: Sixties Rebellion (Garage, Surf Hogarth’s classic painting sset in Tottenham Court Road in 1745 is on show & Rockabilly), every Friday, at the Foundling Museum until September. See page 17. 9pm-2am.

CINEMA EXHIBITIONS Alison Jacques Gallery , 18 Bern - King & Queen , 1 Foley St : Folk ers St: Graham Little “Selected once a month on Fridays 8-11pm Bolivar Hall , 54 Grafton Way British Museum, Great Russell St Works”, June 5-July 27. (visit web mustradclub.co.uk): (cultura.embavenez-uk.org): Lon - (britishmuseum.org): Musical Traditions Festival, June don Socialist Film Co-op screen Free : Witnesses: Symbolist prints, 14-16. Nancy Kerr, Sept 13. films at 11am on the second Sun - until July 18. Artists postcards day of each month. from 1960 to now, until August 4. Sevilla Mia Spanish Bar , 22 Rembrandt: thinking on paper, Hanway St (basement): World Charlotte Street Hotel, 15-17 until Aug 4. Reimagining Captain Fusion, Tue, 9.30pm; Swing 'n' Charlotte St: Film Club with meal Cook, until Aug 4. Playing with Blues, Wed, 9.30pm; Spanish Dominion Theatre , 269 Totten - and a movie for £40.To book tick - Money: currency and games, until Rumba, Thur-Sat, 10.30pm. ham Court Rd ets visit bit.ly/CharlotteStreet - Sept 29. Pilar Corrias , 54 Eastcastle St: (dominiontheatre.com): Big, The FilmClub. Pay for : Edvard Munch: Love and Elizabeth Neel “Nightjars and Al - Simmons , 28 Maple St: Live Musical, from September for nine angst, until July 21. Manga, until lies”, to June 28. music every Wednesday evening. weeks. White Christmas, Novem - Greener Man , 36 Riding House Aug 26 ber. St: London Animation Club, first Josh Lilley , 44-46 Riding House The 100 Club , 100 Oxford St Tuesday of month. St: Various artists “Stains on a (the100club.co.uk): Alvin Gibbs Decade”, until July 3. and the Disobedient Servants, Odeon , 30 Tottenham Court Rd: June 10. Man With A Mission, Weekly film details from Tristan Hoare , 6 Fitzroy Square: June 12. Mungo Jerry, June 13. odeon.co.uk or 08712 244007. Various artists “Botanica”, until Betty Harris, June 14. The Electric July 5. Stars, June 15. Anglo-American RADA : Jerwood Vanbrugh The - Rock’n’Roll Heritage Show, June London Palladium , Argyll St atre, Male St: Six short films pro - Senate House Library, Malet St 16. The Members + Piranhas 4, (london-palladium.co.uk): Julian duced by RADA students, July 9, (senatehouselibrary.ac.uk): Stag - June 20. Hung Like Hanratty, Clary, Born to Mince, June 8. 7pm. ing Magic: The Story Behind The June 28. Northern Soul All- Joseph and the Amazing Techni - Illusion, until June 15. Nighter, June 29 (11pm-6am). colour Dreamcoat, June 27-Sept 8. Regent Street Cinema , 309 Re - gent St: For daily programme Wellcome Library , 183 Euston Rd CABARET New Diorama Theatre (newdio - visit regentstreetcinema.com. (wellcomecollection.org): Smoke rama.com), 15-16 Triton St (Eu - London Australian Film Festival, and Mirrors: The Psychology of The Wheatsheaf , 25 Rathbone ston Rd opposite Fitzroy St): June 27-30. Magic, until Sept 15. Misbehaving Place: Maverick Theatre’s Operation Mincemeat (glam- Matinee classics every Wednes - Bodies, until Jan 26. SpeakEasy Cabaret, first Satur - punk musical), until June 15. 549: day at 12 noon and 3.30pm, for Tiwani Contemporary , 16 Little day of the month, 7.30pm. If you TALKS Scots of the Spanish Civil War over 55s, £1.75. Kids' Kino Club, Portland St: Virginia Chihota would like to appear for up to (four miners join the International every Saturday, 11.30am. Sohemian Society , Wheatsheaf, “Mhamha”, until June 29. ten minutes email story@maver - Brigades), June 22-23, 7.30pm. In - 25 Rathbone Place: ‘1919: Britain’s icktheatre.co.uk. coming Festival, June 24-30. Royal Anthropological Institute , Year of Revolution’. Speaker Ballroom dancing 50 Fitzroy St Simon Webb. June 19, 7.30pm. RADA , Malet St (raifilm.org.uk/events): Regular The Art Deco Orchestra present (rada.ac.uk/whats-on): Shake - programme of screenings UCL Darwin Lecture Theatre , the Fitzrovia Society Ball at the In - speare for young audiences (As Malet Place (ucl.ac.uk/events): dian YMCA Fitzroy Square on You Like It, Cymbeline, and Lunchtime lectures, Tuesdays and June 14 , July 12 and August 9 . Julius Caesar), June 26-July 6. PUB QUIZZES Thursdays (1.15-1.55pm) during Dancing to vintage dance records term time. The Albany , 240 Great Portland followed by the Orchestra playing ULU Live (The Venue), Torring - St: Sundays, 7pm jazz and dance music of the 1920s ton Place (ulu-live.co.uk): The UCL Wilkins Main Building , and 30s. includes tea, coffee and Meat Puppets, June 20. Arkells, Gower St: Brain Power, Neuro - Carpenters Arms , 68-70 Whitfield soft drinks and Indian snacks. July 25. science Festival, June 22 (11am- St. Tuesdays, 6.30pm. Free taxi dancers plus half hour 5pm). dance lesson from 7pm. COMEDY Tickets £8 non dancing balcony Prince of Wales Feathers , 8 War - WALKS only £16 and £20 dancing on-line The Albany , 240 Great Portland ren St: Tuesdays, 6pm. Zari Gallery , 73 Newman St: and at the door St: Every Monday and Wednes - London Literary Pub Crawl , Yurim Gough, until June 12. eventbrite.co.uk day (plus occasional other nights) Rising Sun , 46 Tottenham Court every Saturday, 5pm. Start at the Nakazzi Tafari, July 1-19. Robert fitzrovia-society-ball-tickets at 7.30 pm. Rd. Wednesdays, 6.30 for 7pm. Wheatsheaf, 25 Rathbone Place. John, Aug 19-30.