Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Vol 8 No 3 Autumn 2018 incorporating Islington History Journal

Ringing the changes A Holloway factory illustrates the remarkable history of telecommunications in Britain

Modern reincarnation for Odeon l Government pledges to protect heritage l William Blake’s gravestone unveiled l Hornsey Road Baths’ famous displays l Moving into a council flat in the 1920s l Islington’s early Jewish architects l A gothic ramble l An architectural dynasty and an aristocratic socialist l Books and reviews l Events and exhibitions l Letters and your questions About the society

Our committee What we do: talks, walks and more Contribute to this

and contacts he Islington journal: stories and President Alec Forshaw Archaeology & History pictures sought Vice president Mary Cosh TSociety is here to Chair Andrew Gardner, investigate, learn and celebrate We welcome articles on local [email protected] the heritage that is left to us. history, as well as your Secretary Morgan Barber-Rogers We organise lectures, walks research, memories and old Membership, publications and and other events, and photographs. events Catherine Brighty, publish this quarterly A one-page article needs 8 Wynyatt Street, EC1V 7HU, journal. We hold 10 about 500 words, and the 020 7833 1541, catherine. meetings a year, usually at maximum length is 1,000 [email protected] Islington Town Hall. words (please do not submit Treasurer Philip Anderson, The society was set up in articles published elsewhere). [email protected] 1975 and is run entirely by We like pictures – please check Academic adviser Lester Hillman volunteers. If you’d like to we can use them without Journal editor Christy Lawrance get involved, please contact infringing anyone’s copyright. Committee members Michael our chairman Andrew The journal is published in Harper, Derek Seeley, Samir Gardner (details left). www.facebook.com/ print and online in pdf form. Singh, Zena Sullivan 8 www.islingtonhistory.org.uk groups/islingtonhistory.org.uk Deadline for the winter issue is 26 October. How we use your data We hold names and addresses Journal back issues and extra copies Ever wondered…? to provide membership Do you have any queries about services. If you would like Journal distribution is Islington’s history, streets or your details removed from our overseen by Catherine buildings? Send them in for records, contact Catherine Brighty (details left). our tireless researcher Michael Brighty (above). We do not pass Contact her for more Reading and other readers to details to third parties unless copies, back issues, if you answer. Please note we do not we have to by law or for society move house and about keep an archive or carry out purposes; the printer deletes membership. Back issues family research. files of names and addresses can also be downloaded l See Letters, page 6 used for the labels after use. via our website at www. islingtonhistory.org.uk Copyright Copyright of everything in $ (photocopies acceptable) this journal lies with the Join the Islington Archaeology & History Society creator unless otherwise stated. While it can be difficult Membership per year is: £12 single; £15 joint at same address; concessions single £8/joint £10; to trace copyright ownership corporate £25; overseas £20; life: £125 (renewal forms sent out when due) of archive materials, we make every effort to do so. I/We would like single/joint/concession/joint concession/corporate membership and enclose a cheque payable to “Islington Archaeology & History Society” for ...... Editor Christy Lawrance, christy@ Name(s) ...... islingtonhistory.org.uk, c/o 6 Northview, Tufnell Park Address ...... Road, London N7 0QB

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2 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society

Incorporating Islington History Journal Vol 8 No 3 Autumn 2018

A small pub lives on after hundreds of years

his summer brought the welcome news that the Compton Arms in TCanonbury is to remain as a pub. Contents There had been concerns after it was put on sale that it might have been converted into something else or knocked down. News 4 Small pubs in London have suffered. Modern reincarnation for Odeon, plaque for Jacobean theatre unveiled, Compton Figures released this summer showed Arms defies trends, planning law updated and Blake is honoured with a gravestone that the capital has lost half of its small pubs in the past 17 years. Your letters and questions 6 The society does not just welcome the The marble factory on the canal, a lost station in Holloway, stories about the Garage news just because the Compton is a venue sought, a fake fire station and the pursuit of cold beer favourite place to visit after our meetings. There has been a tavern on the site since Bathed in glory 8 the 16th century, and its traditional role Hornsey Road Baths were famous for displays by international swimming champions in the community will continue. Islington’s early Jewish architects 10 Vanishing work lives Homes, warehouses and commercial and religious buildings in the 19th century Our cover image shows the telephone factory of Holloway – turn to page 16 and Gothic ramble 12 you’ll see a storeroom full of candlestick Islington’s links to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and wall phones and crowds of people leaving after work. Both the factory and Setting up home 14 the road it was on are now gone. Moving into Halton Mansions in the 1920s Islington once had many large industrial companies. They will not be forgotten, Ringing the changes 16 thanks to the Lost Trades of Islington The story of a Holloway telegraphy factory illustrates the remarkable history of project, which involved former workers; telecommunications in Britain find out about the exhibition on page 27. Generations of architects 18 Plaques and pride An architectural dynasty with an aristocratic socialist We were disappointed to hear that the Islington People’s Plaque scheme is being Reviews 20 put on hold, with no public voting to Painted ceiling restoration up close, subversive messages from the common choose who or what gets a green plaque people, a royal Aladdin’s cave and an Open House London preview next year. However, plaques that are not part of the scheme will still be installed. Publications 22 It is well known that local authorities Women’s suffrage, Jewish Islington, urban views and making magic are under horrendous pressures to save money. When drawing up budgets, we Events 24 trust the council will remember that local Days and evenings out heritage encourages pride in places, and is worth investing in. Directory 28 Societies, museums and resources Christy Lawrance Editor Islington Archaeology & History Society events 31

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 3 news In brief Plaque for Jacobean theatre unveiled Nursery and wine bar Pointless game show presenter plan thrown out Alexander Armstrong has Proposals to convert the unveiled a plaque at the site of Archway Tavern into a wine the 17th century theatre. bar and a nursery have been The Red Bull Playhouse rejected. Council planners, stood in Hay­ward’s Place who called the plan “bizarre”, in Clerken­well from 1605 said the two uses were to 1665. “incompatible” in the same Also at the event was building. They also said a pub historian Dr Eva Griffith, who of community and heritage campaigned for the plaque, value would be lost. and has written a book about the theatre’s history. Tower of London may Armstrong is a descendent of Edward Somerset, earl of lose UNESCO status Worcester, who was a patron The Tower of London is at risk of the theatre. TV presenter Alexander Armstrong and historian Dr Eva Griffith at the of losing its UNESCO World He said: “I was so surprised unveiling of the plaque to Islington’s first purpose-built theatre Heritage Site status because its and thrilled to learn of my setting has been drastically family connection with sensational effects, including Dr Griffith said: “Where we altered by the number of Tudor/Stuart theatre history. fireworks and performers are standing once stood a skyscrapers that have been And the Red Bull Playhouse is swinging on ropes. It became theatre with a larger capacity built in the City. such an important feature of known for a rowdy clientele. than Shakes­peare’s Globe.” that history – it’s a total joy to The Red Bull stayed open She noted that the Red Bull M&S to leave deco be able to celebrate this link.” during the Civil War, when was arguably Islington’s first The theatre staged theatres were illegal. purpose-built theatre. store in Holloway Marks & Spencer is to quit its store in Nag’s Head, the facade We will protect heritage sites, says Blake honoured with of which has many original memorial gravestone 1930s features. The company government as it updates law opened its first Holloway shop in Seven Sisters Road in 1914. The government has “no It also says that the more intention” to weaken important the asset, the Revamp for historic protection for heritage assets, greater the weight should be. it said when it issued updated In addition, councils will Upper Street park planning laws this summer. have to maintain or have The gardens next to grade II Heritage policy is largely access to a historic listed St Mary’s Church in unchanged under the revised environment record. This Upper Street are to get new National Planning Policy should contain current lighting and entrances and Framework, according to information about heritage in more colourful plants as part Historic England. their area and be used to of a church project. The government said it assess the significance of “recognises the importance of assets and their contribution. Thousands on track the historic environment and These records should be has no intention to reduce, available to the public. Poet William Blake finally has at Postal Museum whether through the The NPPF states that a memorial stone to mark his Nearly 200,000 people have framework or otherwise, the local authorities should not burial place at Bunhill Fields. visited the Postal Museum in important protections that allow part of all of a heritage He died on 12 August 1827 Phoenix Place since it opened exist for it”. asset to be lost unless its but his grave was not last September. Its Mail Rail The NPPF is clear that when replacement is completed to identified until 2006. trains – which run along the considering the impact of a justify this. The Blake Society unveiled tracks of the former Post planned development, “great In addition, impact on a the Portland stone memorial at Office underground railway weight” should be given to an designated heritage asset in a ceremony on 12 August 2018 – have made 9,000 journeys. asset’s conservation, regardless itself may be sufficient to that included music and the of the amount of harm the override a presumption of lighting of 191 candles, one for All news by Christy Lawrance proposals could cause. sustainable development. each year since Blake’s death.

4 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 Green plaques to go on hold for a year ‘Modern reincarnation’ for Odeon Voting for Islington’s People’s Plaques will not take place Original features of The foyer in next year, but will return the Holloway’s Odeon could be 1938: its year after. This is to save costs. revealed under plans to original bar will be reinstated Commemorative plaques may revamp the grade II listed under plans still be unveiled but they will building. not be part of the green The foyer – the only part of plaque scheme where people the interior to retain parts of vote to recognise a person, the original C Howard Crane place or event of significance. design – will be opened up, under plans submitted to the Lottery win for council, and include a bar again in a “modern reincarnation of meeting house the original use”. Newington Green Meeting Is is also the only part of the The planning application The planning application House has been awarded interior to have survived states: “The proposals seek to says the works will also nearly £1.8 million of Heritage bomb damage during the preserve the listed building, address problems that led to Lottery funding for Second World War. its setting, and features of the building’s inclusion on the refurbishment. Once home to Removal of the partitioning special architectural and “at risk” register, dissenters, it has connections to screen 3 is expected to historic interest… [and] the The cinema, which was to Benjamin Franklin, Thomas reveal the original balustrade, reinstatement of the original designed by C Howard Crane, Jefferson, Thomas Paine and ceiling and fenestration. foyer bar”. the architect of the Earls Mary Wollstone­craft. The large Odeon sign, Court Exhibition Centre, which “interrupts views of the opened in 1938. Five decades on film tower fenestration” will be After suffering bomb moved to the fascia panel damage that destroyed the for housing body above the tower window. auditorium, it closed and was Barnsbury Housing Association The cinema is a significant left derelict. It reopened in has marked its 50th anniversary example of “super-sized” 1958, and became an Odeon with a film on its history, with interwar cinemas. It had a in 1962. contributions from residents, capacity of 3,000 and was The row of shops facing staff and board members. able to show both films and Holloway Road will become a l https://barnsbury.org/about/ Original ceiling plaster stage productions. restaurant. about-us/50thanniversary/

Council plans to buy Compton defies trend as it reopens as a pub fire station for homes The Compton Arms – one of Nick Stephens, who also owns The Compton is one of the Islington Council is in talks the pubs that inspired George The Gun in Hackney. three Canonbury pubs to about buying Clerkenwell Fire Orwell to describe his perfect Islington Archaeology & inspire George Orwell to Station so it can be used for tavern – has reopened. History Society chair Andy describe his perfect pub, the affordable housing and This happened as official Gardner applied to have the Moon Under Water. The others workspace. More than £400,000 figures showed that half of all Compton registered as an asset are the Hen & Chickens and has been spent on security at small pubs in London have of community value last year. the Canonbury Tavern. the grade II listed building disappeared in the past 17 since it was closed in 2014. years – including the Compton Whittington & Cat in Archway. Arms: there Half a century for The Canonbury pub was put has been a up for sale last year, raising tavern on the Victoria Line fears it could be demolished site since the 16th century The 50th anniversary of the or turned into flats. Victoria Line was marked by a One pub a week is closing in heritage event at Highbury & London, according to the Islington station. On Sunday Office for National Statistics. Its 1 September 1968, the first data showed there were 3,530 train ran from Walthamstow working pubs in the capital - a Central for Highbury and 27% reduction since 2001.

Islington station. The Compton is now run by MarkGrave: Odeon Smulian; Odeon Cinemas; all other images: Christy foyer: Lawrance

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 5 Letters and your questions We draw on the expertise of our researcher Michael Reading and society members, so get in touch if you have a query or can respond to anything here

Marble factory by the canal I don’t have any definitive I’m searching for a marble dates for Barry’s Dance Hall. cutters or factory in Islington These establishments changed in the 1920s-30s. hands in quick succession. My mum lived in Halliford A picture from 1966 shows Street and told me her dad one end of the Temperance worked as a marble cutter in Billiard Hall building. It looks “Ansel Odlins” on the canal. I like there was newsagent/ have a beautiful piece of tobacconist shop and possibly marble he cut from there. a café on the ground floor. I’ve tried to find out using I left Islington in 1967, but the internet but no luck. distinctly remember the I’m planning a trip to see Temperance Billiard Hall where my mum lived and when I was a youth. I’m sure went to school and would the billiard hall was on the love to visit where he worked first floor. It had a shady if possible. reputation, was a teddy boy Linda Barry (family name Vagg) hangout and had associations Via email with the underworld. Barry Page Anselm Odling & Sons Ltd was based at 132 New North In 1967, it was opened as the Road, N1, on the corner with Tempo nightclub, which was Baring Street, which runs owned by Ray Grehan and along the canal. They were run by Freddie Fields. marble decorators and marble Grehan was a Scottish merchants. entrepreneur. He had held The site is not far to walk directorships of popular from Halliford Street. 1915 and has been Stories sought of the Tyneside clubs and the gaming Unfortunately, there is demolished. Has anyone a Garage venue rights to most of the clubs in nothing left of the original picture of the station I am looking for information the Mecca organisation. works. building? I think the entrance on what was on the site of the The club featured top Michael Reading was on Hornsey Street. Garage venue in Holloway cabaret stars and was Paul Canty Road near Highbury Corner. considered to be very classy. Lost station of Holloway Via Facebook Before it was the Garage, it Unfortunately, several Holloway & Caledonian Road was the Town & Country II incidents with what can only railway station was opened in I don’t have any pictures of the venue (opened in 1989) and be described as “gangsters” 1852 by the Great Northern station but, from the 1896 OS before then I believe it was a forced the club to close. Railway in Holloway. It was map, it looks like the entrance Temperance Billiard Hall but I John Leo Waters the first station north of to the station was on have no dates for this. King’s Cross. Holloway Road with If anyone has any Other than the frontage, it As with many other inner connections between the up information, could they appears that the majority of London stations, it was and down platform via a contact me through Facebook? the original building is long replaced by later public subway and stairs. We’re writing the history of gone. transport developments. In Nothing at all is left of the the venue and what existed on The frontage itself has also this case, these were the tram station infrastructure, except the site before 1989. been abused. Pebble dashed, and the Piccadilly Line which perhaps the bridge abutments Julie Tippins clock missing, windows opened at the adjacent and the bricked arches with Via Facebook missing, wood cladding Holloway Road station the curved retaining wall at covering the entrance, all in 1906. the western end. The Garage was once Barry’s painted black. As far as I Holloway & Caledonian Barry Page Dance Hall, and had a snooker know, the operators don’t own Road station was closed in Via Facebook hall on the ground floor. the lease.

6 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 This is a shame as investment in restoring the frontage could go some way to helping it get some form of protected status. Joe Kaz

Researching a shop on Cloudesley Road My daughter is about to purchase her first home at 42 Cloudesley Road. She has the ground floor flat which was clearly a shop in a former life. It seems to have been converted into residential back in the 1970s. I would love to find out what sort of shop it was, and, ideally, get a photo of it to give to her as a moving in present. Sunday pub outing from and often worked in the they didn’t have one. I have trawled through a lot the Four Sisters evenings after her main job Her future husband Edward of the online information My great-grandmother until she married. Peters (Eddie) is also in the about the Cloudesley Josephine Motts was the land The picture shows them on picture, along with one of her properties but cannot find lady of the Four Sisters pub. an outing one Sunday to a pub sisters. anything about that property. My nan Bertha Irene Mott that held a Sunday licence. Sara Munikwa Do you have any local (known as Rene) lived there I understood form my nan Via Facebook knowledge or could you point me in the direction of someone who could help? A fake fire station the frontage had been messed of a group of oldies who met Lucy King Is anyone able to shed light on with so much. Railings and a most afternoons in the pub. [email protected] the history of 32 Cross Street? door on the right that look He told us of how blokes Some think it was a fire original have been removed. used to cope with hot weather I have a collection of London station but the basement light It appears as if the alterations in the 1930s. Those in the know Post Office Street Directories well makes this seem wrong. were done to make it look like used to catch the Piccadilly CDs going up to 1940. I Joe Kaz a fire station and the owners Line to Manor House. thought it might be of interest Via Facebook are peddling this myth. There, the Manor House to select five records showing Also, small window panes pub had been constructed as the occupants of no 42: It is a former fire station have been replaced with single part of the Piccadilly Line l 1940: F&T Woolett, house according to this estate agent: sheets of glass. A nice little project. It had an unusually agents www.onthemarket.com/ detail has been lost. deep beer cellar, which meant l 1930-33: no entries details/1481518/ Joe Kaz unusually cold beer in hot l 1921: Payne & O’Regan, Shirley Moth weather. (This was long before house decorators My booklet Cross Street: a pubs had refrigerators.) l 1910: Thomas Harry Back in 1973, when I lived just history of One of the Oldest About 15 years ago, I went Hollebon, furniture dealer. behind this building in Hume Streets in the Borough (in the into the Manor House pub, The selling estate agents Court, it was a fashion and Local History Centre) shows a mostly out of curiosity. I asked may know when the shop was dressmaker outlet. A photo photograph of nos 30 and 32. the barman about the deep converted to residential use. from the time shows it had It was built in 1897 as an cellar and he looked at me The London Metropolitan shopfronts. industrial building and first blankly. I concluded that the Archives holds Post Office David Brown occupied by the Gestetner deep cellar must have been directories from 1800 to about Company. Before then, nos 30 partitioned off, beyond access 1994. It also has an extensive It is called Devonshire House, and 32 had been separate. and out of memory. collection of photographs of and has a sign giving its build Michael Reading The pub space is now Islington taken after the date as 1897. It looks more like occupied by a supermarket. I Second World War, which a factory than a fire station – all A Piccadilly Line trip in hope it changes back one day. may include one of no 42. those windows letting in light... pursuit of cold beer Alas, John is no more either. The Islington Local History Elizabeth Burling In the late 1990s, I got to know He died in 2003, after falling Centre also has a collection of a long-retired chap who could as he left a pub. He was 94 photographs and Post Office I agree with this was not a fire remember English summers years old. street directories. station. Looking at an old from just after the First World Philip Smith Michael Reading photograph, I didn’t realise War. John was the most senior Via Facebook

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 7 Bathed in glory

Hornsey Road Baths were known far and wide for staging performances by international swimming champions. Caitlin Davies dips into its history

n the early 1970s, I used to go included some of the top swimmers for swimming lessons at the and performers of the day. Hornsey Road Baths in Professor Jules Gautier, for Islington. We had a strange example, a piano maker from adsf asdfasdsds instructor – let’s call him Islington, performed “some asdassdads sad IMr P. He said if we didn’t do as we outstanding under water feats”. A ids;idfi dsaf were told, we’d have to take off our few years earlier, he had found costumes and swim around the fame by swimming three and a half pool naked. I was 10 years old and miles down the River Thames with petrified. his wrists and feet bound with rope. But Mr P couldn’t destroy my There was a water polo match, love of swimming, and there was club races, comic sketches and such a buzz at the Hornsey Road music by Mr Algernon Clarke’s Baths with the happy shrieks of Orchestral Band. Doors opened at children echoing off the tiled walls. 7pm and entrance was one shilling. The “finest At secondary school, we Top of the bill was Professor swimming bath was a feat unheard of for a woman switched to a swimming pool in Frederick Beckwith and his in the world”: and Agnes soon became one of the Kentish Town and, until I moved “unrivalled troupe of divers, Hornsey Road most famous swimmers of the Baths, with the to the Holloway area 12 years ago, ornamental and trick swimmers”. 1930s diver Victorian era. However, she did I’d forgotten about the Hornsey The professor’s daughter was none not join her father during the Road Baths. other than Agnes Beckwith who, in Grand Swimming Entertainment Then one evening I was on the 91 1875 at the tender age of 14, had of 1894. bus when I saw the 1930s neon sign swum five miles in the Thames. It The Hornsey Road Baths were of a woman diving on the wall of now known far and wide. They the old baths. I found out they had were the best and most popular closed in 1991 and been turned into baths in Islington, according to the flats. However, it was only when I Islington Gazette, and local schools started researching Downstream: a sent hundreds of boys and girls to History and Celebration of swim there every day. In 1898, Swimming the River Thames that I more than a quarter of a million realised how famous the Hornsey people used the baths. Road Baths had once been. A few years later, another famous First opened in the summer of swimmer performed at the 1892, when swimming was all the Hornsey Road Baths – Australian rage in England, they had two Annette Kellerman. Born in pools for men and one for women, Performers at the Sydney, New South Wales, she had as well as a laundry and washhouse. baths included had rickets as a child and wore leg The baths were soon hosting Islington piano braces until she was seven. Once popular sporting events and maker Professor the braces were off and following several local clubs made it their Jules Gautier, who medical advice, she started home, including the Finsbury Park swam three and a swimming. By the age of 16, she was Young Men’s Christian Association. half miles down the 100 metres world record holder. “Miss Rosemary” was on hand to the River Thames In 1905, she came to Britain with with his wrists and offer daily swimming lessons to her father and the British press feet bound. This “schools and families on liberal image appeared reported “she will probably do terms” at the “finest swimming in The Licensed some record breaking while in bath in the world”. Victuallers’ Mirror, England”. Kellerman started by In the spring of 1894, a “Grand 18 September giving exhibitions at indoor baths, Swimming Entertainment” 1888 with a debut that included the

8 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 “standing-sitting-standing The old gatehouse and honeypot” dive. She was known as washhouse remain, and are now an intrepid and graceful performer, grade II listed, and the site is home although the British press found to flats, offices and Platform, a the Australian “splosh dive” to be creative hub for young people. “a very peculiar feat”. The diving sign has also survived In September 1905, Kellerman – a glowing reminder of the performed at the Hornsey Road Hornsey Road Baths’ glorious Baths, by which time a second pool aquatic history. for women had been added. Now when I pass it on the Disappointingly, she was 91 bus I think not only of my “unfortunate enough to touch the primary school days but also of bottom with her head” during a Agnes Beckwith, champion dive. According to one press report swimmer of the world, whose she was “badly cut”, although father took his unrivalled troupe of another insisted she had “cut her swimmers and divers to perform at forehead slightly”. Islington’s famous baths. n She went on to complete l Daisy Belle: Swimming Champion numerous long distance open water of the World (2018) is published by swims, designed the first one-piece asdfasdf asdfasd Unbound costume for women and became a l See events, page 24 Hollywood film star, performing l For more about the women who her own stunts, including leaping inspired the novel, see caitlindavies. into a pool of crocodiles. co.uk or t @CaitlinDavies2 I loved the idea that the baths I l Hornsey Road Baths – an had swum in as a child used to be Unofficial Guide for the Curious: so popular and had hosted so https://hornseyroadbathsand many amazing swimmers and Agnes Beckwith, who swam five miles in the Thames aged 14 laundry.wordpress.com/ divers. So, when I decided to write t @HornseyRdBaths a novel inspired by the life and a house nearby in 1972 and, as it career of Victorian champion did not have a bathroom, he went Caitlin Davies is an Islington-based Agnes Beckwith, whose father had to the Hornsey Road Baths to wash. author performed at the Hornsey Road “The baths closed down the year Baths, I wanted to set a pivotal before I was born, so to me the big scene at the Islington pools. red brick building adorned with the neon diving lady was always a mysterious curiosity,” explains Job. Top of the bill was “I was intrigued by the idea of my Professor Frederick dad having to go to this now derelict building to take a bath. What were Beckwith and his the stories behind the building?” “unrivalled troupe of The Hornsey Road Baths certainly have a chequered history divers, ornamental and – built in Victorian times, bombed trick swimmers” during the Blitz, renovated in the 1970s, closed in the 1990s and partly demolished in 2006. Daisy Belle: Swimming Champion “I was surprised to learn about of the World is based on the careers all the wacky things the derelict of several Victorian swimmers and baths were used for in the early divers, and follows young Daisy 1990s,” she says. “For example, the Belle as she becomes champion empty pool was used as the stage lady swimmer of the world. for performances of Shakespeare’s I am not the only one to be Titus Andronicus.” fascinated by the Hornsey Road Annette Kellerman held a world record Baths. Local resident Rachel Job, aged 16; she designed a swimming who is studying for an MA in costume for women, saying there was museums and galleries in education no more reason to wear “awful water at UCL, has created a blog on the overcoats … awkward, unnecessary, baths providing “an unofficial guide lumpy ‘bathing suits’ than there is that for the curious”. Her father bought you should wear lead chains” Hornsey baths exterior: Christy Kellerman: Annette Lawrance; Bain News Service/WikimediaWikimedia Commons other images: Commons;

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 9 Islington’s early Jewish architects

Jewish architects left their mark on London from the 19th century, designing social housing, warehouses and commercial and religious buildings, writes Petra Laidlaw

ubetkin and Libeskind and 18th centuries working in this were two great 20th capacity on any significant scale. In century Jewish architects Britain as elsewhere, they had who have left their mark largely been excluded since on Islington. But what medieval times from the Labout earlier? With the long Jewish craftsmen’s guilds that would have presence in Islington, is there a provided training. Even the great corresponding architectural 18th century synagogue buildings footprint? The answer is yes – in in London were designed by a way. non-Jewish builders, the Sephardi Architecture as a discrete Bevis Marks synagogue (opened in profession, in Britain at least, really 1701) by Quaker Joseph Avis, and started to emerge only in the 19th the Ashkenazi Great Synagogue century. Before then, even the best (developed in stages over the 18th building designers and overseers of century) by George Dance the Elder works would simply have been and George Dance the Younger. known as builders. The person generally regarded as There is no obvious evidence of the first Jewish architect in this Working-class dwellings: Pollard House Jews in this country in the 17th country was George Basevi in Northdown Street, built in the 1890s (1794-1845), who was brought up at 6 Highbury Place. The son of Soane – for his neoclassical There is nothing two eminent and longstanding designs, and is now best known for surprising about his Sephardi (Spanish-origin) families his design of the Belgrave Square engagement in church in London, the Basevis and the in London and the Fitzwilliam Lindos, he was a first cousin of Museum in Cambridge. projects; at Ely Cathedral both Benjamin Disraeli and David Basevi’s cousin David Alfred he met his death, falling Alfred Mocatta. Like the Disraelis, Mocatta (1806-82) is regarded as both the Basevi and Lindo families the first practising Jewish architect from the bell tower while became estranged from formal in Britain. His mother Abigail Lindo inspecting repairs Judaism when George and was a sister of Basevi’s mother Benjamin were children and both Bathsheba, but the Mocattas, unlike boys married out. the Lindos, did not detach There is nothing surprising, themselves from the Jewish faith. therefore, about George’s Instead, many of them, David engagement in numerous church included, devoted themselves to building projects; it was at Ely the formation of Reform Judaism Cathedral that he met his in Britain. Like Basevi, Mocatta premature death, falling from the was a pupil of Soane, and a master bell tower while inspecting repairs. of the neoclassical style; he was He had followed the then elected a fellow of the RIBA and traditional route of articled served on its council. Unlike pupillage to a master designer- Basevi, he took on several builder, in this case one of the synagogue projects, including greatest masters, Sir John Soane, of Sir Moses Montefiore’s synagogue whom George is said to have been in Ramsgate, thought to be the first a favourite and the most gifted. An in Britain to be designed by a early member of the newly formed Jewish architect. Gibson Gardens in Stoke Newington, built in 1880, by Henry Royal Institute of British After Mocatta, it became normal David Davis and Barrow Emanuel Architects, he was renowned – like in Britain for synagogues to be

10 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 Belgrave Square, by George Basevi; Thornhill Houses, Thornhill Road designed by Jews. The Barnsbury the second half of the 19th century Synagogue was designed by by several philanthropic model Hyman Henry Collins (1833-1905) dwellings companies. and that in Poets Road by Nathan Among the pioneers of this Solomon Joseph (1834-1909); earlier form of social housing were neither have survived. Jewish architects Henry David Mocatta is best known for Davis (1839-1915) and Barrow several projects connected with the Emanuel (1842-1904). mid 19th century railway boom, As regular architects to the East including the London & Brighton End Dwellings Company and the Railway of which he was chief Metropolitan Association for That they could rise to such architect, designing among other Improving the Dwellings of the achievements when Jews in much things Brighton station itself. Industrious Classes, they were of the rest of Europe and beyond When the London Fever responsible for a large number of were labouring under crippling Hospital had to move from its site social housing projects both in the restrictions says much both for at Battle Bridge to make way for East End and in north London. their own talents and for the the building of King’s Cross Gibson Gardens in Stoke openness of the London in which station, it was he who designed its Newington (1880) still stands. Of they practised. n replacement premises in Liverpool the paired development of Pollard and Winton Houses (1894-95) off Petra Laidlaw is author of The Jewish Pentonville Road, only Pollard Communities of Islington, 1730s-1880s; House now survives, Winton see Publications, page 20 having been severely damaged by bombing in the Second World War. Thornhill Houses in Barnsbury (1902) was another of their projects. Their architectural practice was at 32 Moorgate Street (1867) then at 2 Finsbury Pavement, just outside Islington Council predecessor the Metropolitan The London Fever Hospital, later the Borough of Finsbury. Royal Free and Bust of George Basevi in Belgrave Apart from social housing, they now flats, in Square: he is generally regarded as the undertook a wide range of projects, Liverpool Road; first Jewish architect in this country among them the development of the Fitzwilliam Finsbury Circus and many offices, Museum in Road, Barnsbury (later banks and warehouses in the City Cambridge amalgamated with the Royal Free and the East End, several schools Hospital, and now turned into (including the City of London flats). He is not known to have lived School on Victoria Embankment) in Islington at any point, but he is and some important London buried here in the historic Reform synagogues. cemetery in Kingsbury Road. Emanuel, who like Mocatta worshipped at the West London Social housing (Reform) Synagogue, is buried at the Michael Reading’s articles in this Reform ground in Kingsbury Road. and the previous issue look at some Islington can take some vicarious early days of council housing in pride in its connection to these Islington and Mary Cosh’s History groundbreakers, whether of Jewish of Islington includes a section on entry into the artistic professions or projects undertaken in Islington in the development of social housing. Laidlaw Petra

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 11 A gothic ramble

To mark the bicentenary of Frankenstein‘s publication, Lester Hillman takes us on a tour showing Islington’s links to the book

rankenstein or the For the next six months, he Modern Prometheus and chases up contacts, carries out its author Mary Shelley scientific research and sources have a wealth of links to chemical equipment and supplies. Islington. Shelley had a fair knowledge of FWe are at the bicentenary of the where to go for chemical and book, which was published in scientific supplies. In September Islington. Shelley was not yet 21 1814, just after her 17th birthday, when it came out anonymously at she and her husband Percy landed the beginning of 1818. at Gravesend after a six-week tour Two years previously, climate of the continent. disruption from a volcanic eruption They set up home in Church in Indonesia resulted in 1816 being Row next to St Pancras Victor Frankenstein disgusted at his creation. Illustration “the year without a summer”, which Churchyard and amused from the frontispiece of the 1831 edition of Frankenstein by is believed have influenced themselves by carrying out Mary Shelley directions in art, music and chemistry experiments and letting literature, including Shelley’s book. off fireworks in the garden. from a rustic fool into a metropolitan The manuscript for Frankenstein Over three centuries to 1854 star with no respect for propriety was rejected by publishers John 1.5% of all Londoners were buried or authority. He regularly appeared Murray and Charles Ollier but a at St Pancras. Records held in the at Sadler’s Wells theatre. deal for 500 was struck with London Metropolitan Archives list Sadler’s Wells was for Grimaldi Lackington, Hughes, Harding, up to four funerals daily. “sacred ground” where he had Mavor & Jones. Lackington’s Charles Dickens’ Tale of Two been “wont to wander up and premises, the “Temple of the Muses”, Cities is set in a period down beside the tall poplars and with a 140ft frontage, was an contemporary with the the narrow river [New River] and imposing presence on Finsbury Frankenstein story and it describes cogitate upon his by-gone glories”, Square. resurrection men “fishing” – according to an 1837 report in the The book was priced at 16s 6d. stealing bodies from graves for Humorist magazine. Its release, scheduled for 29 dissection – in the churchyard. Before an audience of 3,000 at December 1817, was delayed. Covent Garden on Boxing Day in There seem to have been recurring Monster pantomime 1810, Grimaldi unveiled his problems with the book’s binding Performer Joseph Grimaldi was Christmas pantomime Harlequin and boards. famous for transforming the clown Asmodeus. It was printed by Robert MacDonald & Son, who may be Mary Shelley (far linked to the Robert MacDonald left) and her romance printers listed 25 years mother Mary later at 30 Great Sutton Street, a Wollstonecraft few minutes north of Finsbury Square. Frankenstein is set some time in the 18th century and sweeps across broad geographical areas. Victor Frankenstein sailed into London from the continent in early October. “At length we saw the numerous steeples of London, St Paul’s towering above all, and the Tower famed in English history.”

12 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 It featured the white face clown and Vegetable Man, a grotesque figure fashioned from vegetables and fruit. The creature came to life and fisticuffs ensued. Blows were traded with large vegetables and the monster’s creator is beaten off stage. Sensing parallels with Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, audiences and commentators dubbed Grimaldi Joe Frankenstein. Some in Shelley’s circle, notably Lord Byron, recognised Grimaldi’s imagination and talents. Grimaldi went on tour with his son Joseph Samuel William, and they performed excerpts from Harlequin Asmodeus. The relationship between father and son was tense, the son’s rage, resentment, monstrous behaviour, violence and drink causing distress Joseph Grimaldi to his parents. reference to Joseph’s head being tackles Vegetable Calshot Street (formerly Joseph junior, living in poor severed before interment. Man in Harlequin Southampton Street). Here, at circumstances at 24 Pitt Street near Today, the well-maintained grave Asmodeus: number 33, Joseph Grimaldi spent audiences saw Tottenham Court Road, died on 11 is a focus for commemorations. his last years from 1834, regularly parallels with the December 1832, possibly poisoned. The former St James Pentonville Frankenstein visiting the Marquis of Cornwallis graveyard, reputed to hold story, and Public House on the corner with Pentonville Road some 1,300 graves, is now a dubbed Grimaldi Collier Street. On the Monopoly board it is only public garden named Joseph Joe Frankenstein The family lives of Grimaldi and £120 but Pentonville Road is rich Grimaldi Park. Shelley were linked. in Frankensteinia. Overlooking the park is Wollstonecraft married William Grimaldi was buried in the area Cumming Street, where Shelley’s Godwin at St Pancras Church on at 1pm on Monday 5 June 1837. mother Mary Wollstonecraft, 29 March 1797 only to die six His grave was dug “far beyond the writer, philosopher and advocate of months later; her funeral in usual depth” – a precaution against women’s rights, once lived. She is the church was held on body snatchers. to be commemorated with a statue 16 September 1797. Grimaldi’s father had a fear of in Newington Green. The family continued to live in premature burial and there is Next to Cumming Street is Somers Town and William Godwin married Mary Jane Clairmont, his neighbour in the Polygon, in the church on 21 December 1801. Just three days later, Joseph Grimaldi, also a widower, married Mary Bristow in the same church. n

Lester Hillman is academic adviser to the Islington Archaeology & History Society and author of a guide to St Pancras Churchyard

Frankensteinia: an Islington walk On Saturday 1 June 2019, Lester will lead a society walk exploring Islington’s Frankensteinia Meet at 11am at the entrance to the Angel underground station. The walk, all downhill, will take 90 minutes to two hours and finish near King’s Cross. All are welcome, £8

St Pancras Old Church in 1815. It was largely rebuilt later in the 19th century per person, all proceeds to the IAHS Wikimedia Commons Man: Gabrielle Collection/V&A; all other images: Enthoven Vegetable

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 13 Setting up home

Tenants started to move into in Halton Mansions in the 1920s. Michael Reading describes the how the flats were fitted out and the estate’s completion

alton Mansions, overlooked the front of the block Islington Council’s and a coal fireplace – the only first state-aided heating. Adjoining this was the council estate, was let scullery with a sink with a cold soon after most of it water supply only and a wooden Hwas completed in the 1920s. The draining board and possibly a final flats attracted 800 applicants; plate rack above. There would have they were let to those in most been a food cupboard/larder and urgent need, subject to references. a place for a gas oven with four Although most of the estate had rings. This scullery would also been completed and let out, the contain a gas-fired copper for The final block eight flats in the final phase could washing clothes. contained bigger 18/- (90p) per week rent on her not be built as the leases on 27-28 Bathrooms had an unpanelled flats – differences two-bedroomed flat; she was Canonbury Villas did not expire bath, a gas water heater, a wash in its design initially able to get some help with until 29 September 1932. basin and a lavatory. Electricity was include the this from the council. double windows Instead of paying compensation used only for lighting; sculleries in the roof to the owners, the council decided had no power points as few Barracks and coal cupboards to delay building until the leases electrical appliances were available. However, by March 1924, expired. This meant that, until The other rooms would be used complaints began to be voiced and then, there was half an estate as bedrooms, one facing the front the Islington Gazette published building next to a pair of and the other one or two the rear. letters from aggrieved tenants. semi-detached houses at the Floors had a composition covering. There were some inevitable south-east corner. The narrow windows with 12 small comparisons with army barracks. panes restricted the amount of One complaint was that the coal Inside the flats light, particularly to the ground cupboards for tenants on the Layouts of flats varied little floor flats. ground floor could hold only 1 cwt between councils. They had three Halton Mansions provided a vast of coal, although they were said to or four rooms plus scullery and improvement in living conditions hold as much as 2½ cwt. One bathroom. Back in 1921, the use of for most people. The Islington resident suggested keeping 2-3 cwt each room was not specified. Gazette reported the pleasure of in a wooden box in a kitchen At Halton Mansions, living several of the new tenants, despite cupboard. Tenants said they were rooms had two windows that one finding it difficult to pay the not able to order larger quantities at lower prices. The gardens filled up with broken flower pots, broken bricks and other rubbish, and lacked seats. There were not enough clothes lines in the drying yards and the indoor drying room was available only between 10am and 4pm on Monday and Tuesday, so there was not enough time for all 160 tenants. It is presumed that all these The later addition difficulties and grievances had a much were overcome. lower porch in a Attention was also drawn to how slightly different flats were allocated, as some had style been let to people without

14 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 children. It was claimed that a four-roomed flat had been let to such a couple. Then, in May 1924, the council received a claim from builders Rice & Son for loss they had suffered. Their access to the site had been delayed because the council had not been able to find new homes for the residents of the houses that were to be demolished to make way for the new homes. The claim was for £7,155; Rice & Son settled for £2,230.

The last block By December 1933, the leases on 27-28 Canonbury Villas had expired. Refurbishing the houses was considered but this idea was abandoned. Moving up: a flat in Halton Mansions meant better living conditions for most people The council had to complete the eight flats by March 1934 to receive here that the extra space was the join in the brickwork can still a subsidy under the Housing provided. The arrangement of be seen. (Financial Provisions Act 1924); it windows in the roof is not The windows at the rear are tried to get the deadline extended consistent with the other half of different from others on the estate to 30 September but failed. the building, also because of the except for those in what could be Council minutes note that, as of extra space. described as an extension to the end 1 April 1934, the freehold had been The final two windows at the end of the block. Had Monson kept to acquired for £1,350. In the same on the first and second floors are the original plan, there would have month, it authorised completion within their own breakfront, with a been a simple arched doorway of the estate and ECP Monson double window above in the roof. facing into Canonbury Villas, which was again called upon to provide Viewing the new block from would not have been acceptable the plans. the front, an obvious anomaly is aesthetically. A compromise was For this phase, every flat was to the much lower and slightly reached with the introduction of have four rooms, scullery and different porch. the lower but similar porch. bathroom. Monson decided to reverse the During works in 1935, it was The total cost, including the arrangement of the staircase and discovered that the entire ground architect’s and quantity surveyor built the entrance porch facing floor needed relaying because of to Frank N Falkner’s fees, was set at the drying grounds at the rear. In dampness and deterioration, which £5,200. The builder was Norman addition, the staircase is set over would cost £836. On the later part Wright (Builders) of South the porch where it goes up to the The electoral roll for 1935 to the estate, the Norwood, SE25. Building began top of the building and is flanked staircase is showed only 160 flats were in 1935. by two brick reverse buttress-like flanked at the top occupied; 27-28 Canonbury Villas Although at a first glance today structures. Standard red bricks by brick reverse were no longer listed. By 1936, the from Canonbury Villas would were used so there is no discernible buttress-like electoral roll showed all 168 flats suggest that the new block had difference in the colour, although structures had people living in them. been joined harmoniously with its Tenants came and went, neighbour, a closer look shows this complaints and irritations is not the case. were raised then settled, and Although the gambrel roof was life continued. n retained, the arrangement of the windows in the newer half of the This is the second article on Halton building is not consistent with the Mansions by Michael Reading. The first, other half. in the summer issue, looked at the The windows follow the original estate’s design. plan both in the roof and below in The articles are edited excerpts from the breakfront; however, the his Halton Mansions: a History of the unifying pediment at the top has First State Aided Housing Scheme in been omitted. The next four the Borough of Islington. It is available windows are further apart – it is in the Islington Local History Centre Christy Lawrance

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 15 Ringing the changes

The story of a Holloway telegraphy factory illustrates the remarkable history of telecommunications in Britain, writes Ayah Al-Rawni

hen the telegraph against nationalisation, public Post Office Factory Division, – an instrument opinion was already against them. which was responsible for the that enabled a After the Telegraph Act was manufacture of communications message to be passed in 1868, the Post Office apparatus. sent over a wire acquired the assets of the telegraph When the first telephone –W was invented in the 1830s, it was companies, including the Holloway company in Britain was established the start of a revolution in factory. in the 1878, it was bad news for the communications. In 1872, the factory became a Post Office. It had invested in a The story of the Holloway subject of a white paper to network which now seemed as factory captures the remarkable parliament. From the information though it would be superseded by history of telecommunications in contained in this paper, we know a more advanced technology. Britain. that the factory took up nearly half The Post Office took legal action, The 1840s saw the beginning of an acre and employed around 70 arguing that a telephone was a commercial telegraphy. It was a skilled mechanics and apprentices, telegraph and telephone call was a new, exciting technology that 105 telegraph labourers, five clerks, telegram and that, under the resulted in a booming industry. as well as various senior mechanics Telegraph Act, the Post Office Entrepreneurs, inventors and and foremen. should have a monopoly. It was a investors founded various The size of the factory meant success – the Post Office gained companies which helped create a that Post Office could “carry on a control of telephone networks and, new telecommunications network. great variety of operations which from that point on, private Two of these companies merged in make us to a great extent companies operated under a Post 1855. A few years later, in 1858, the independent of manufacturers”. Office license. company set up a factory in In addition to the Holloway The Post Office was now working Holloway to manufacture factory, the Post Office acquired a on telephones as well as telegraph telegraphy equipment. factory in Bolton and bought a Staff leaving the equipment. Demand on the factory in Hampstead. factory at the end factories increased and further Nationalisation The Holloway factory was now a of the day, 1905; premises were required. These As telegraphy became more major asset in the newly formed at work, 1900 were found in nearby cottages on widespread, there were calls for the Bovay Place (off Hertslet Road – network to come under Nag’s Head shopping centre is now government control. This was met on the site). with opposition from private At the turn of the century, the companies who felt that the number of telephone subscribers government had no right to increased, resulting in higher nationalise a network that they had demand for telephone not supported to begin with. manufacturing and repair work. However, customers were Once again, the Post Office became becoming increasingly dissatisfied the subject of discussion among with the network and the press was senior government officials. in favour of the Post Office A letter dated 1903 from the stepping in to regulate it. So, by the secretary to the treasury reads: time the private telegraph “I am directed by the Postmaster companies began their campaign General to state for the

16 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 Clockwise from information of the Lords and the above: wall and Treasury that the rapid increase in candlestick the demands for the supply and telephones in repair of Telephone Apparatus the stores, 1901; manufacture; the renders it necessary to provide factory in 1905; additional workshop space at the used for a military Telegraph Instrument Factory in party during the In the interwar years, the Holloway… First World War; fortunes of the Post Office factories “The number of pieces of viewed from fluctuated and, before the Second telephone apparatus repaired in Bovay Place, 1900 World War, there was little 1900 was 1,440 and in 1902, 5,187, construction work or expansion. while during the first two months But, when the war began, factories of the present year the number has were putting in about 80 hours a so increased that the total for the week of work, often under hostile year is likely to be considerably in air attack. A large part of the work excess of 6,000 showing an was to restore existing systems that increase in 3 years of over 3,000 had been damaged, but it varied per cent.” from manufacturing mobile Many of those who worked in exchanges to staff-run bomb the Post Office Factories division disposal units. lost their lives in the First World War. Images from the time show Head office to store that the factory spaces were used In 1967, the Post Office updated its for military parties. factories division to bring it in line with the practices of other Research centre manufacturers at the time. In addition to manufacturing and What had began as the Holloway In 1992, the site of the Holloway repair of equipment, the factory factory for the Electric and factory building was built over by was used to test various telephone International Telegraph Company the Nag’s Head shopping centre. and network equipment. had now become the headquarters The site is now occupied by Records from the 1910s and of a large Post Office factories Morrison’s supermarket. 1920s include reports on tests of division, which had with three sites From private telegraph company carbon granules, terminal in London, three in Birmingham, site, to Post Office factory, this site transformers and repeating coils, one in Edinburgh and one in is an integral part of the story of all part of the research and Cwmcarn in south Wales. telecommunications. n development that was being In 1985, the BT Factories carried out in the Post Office to Division was revamped as Ayah Al-Rawni is an archivist and was improve telecommunications Fulcrum. BT relinquished direct previously archives assistant at BT

in Britain. control of manufacturing in 1991. Heritage and Archives HeritageBT and Archives

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 17 Generations of architects

The Lander family worked on projects from nonconformist chapels and garden cities to buildings in Covent Garden. John Lucey tells the story of an architectural dynasty

he Lander family Harold Clapham Late in Lander’s career, the produced a dynasty of Lander worked Congregational Hall in Blenheim architects. They were on cooperative Road (now Bavaria Road), which is congregational in housing garden now Replica House, was built in religion, liberal in politics cities 1883 to his design. andT philanthropic in nature. He also designed the Spa Fields Richard Smith Lander was born Church in Wharton Street (1885- in the parish of St Luke Islington on 86) which closed in 1936 and was 22 July 1827, the third of four sons later demolished. to John Lander and Harriett Smith. He was architect to the Duke of He attended Homerton College Bedford for work in Covent in Hackney, which was affiliated to Garden – work that would be London University, and went on to continued by his younger son with study architecture and surveying. the erection of the Jubilee Market In 1854, at the age of 26, he in 1904 – and surveyor to the formed the architectural firm of dean and chapter of Christ’s Lander & Bedells with Charles Church Oxford. King Bedells (1832-97). They was built by Dove Brothers in His firm was responsible for established offices in Bedford Row Pentonville in just six weeks. many churches and other fine and immediately set about winning At the Union Chapel, where the buildings in the London area, architectural competitions with family worshipped, Lander including the rebuilding of the their designs. enlarged the building and added Holborn Empire in 1887. Its work Despite one of their earlier the portico in 1861. The chapel was further afield included the Park designs, for a Baptist Chapel in later again enlarged and Congregational Church at Llanelli Camden Town, exhibited at the remodelled, between 1876 and in South Wales, which it rebuilt Architectural Exhibition 1854-55, 1879, to the design of James Cubitt in 1864. being ridiculed by a critic in The (1836-1912) another leading Ecclesiologist as reaching new nonconformist chapel architect A Holloway family heights in hideousness, they soon who believed that the gothic In the same year he set up his became the leading nonconformist style was not appropriate for architectural practice, Lander chapel architects. protestant worship. married Charlotte Cooper The Offord Road Chapel (now a (1818-54), and they lived at 2 decorating supplies centre) was Albion Cottages in Holloway. She completed in 1856 to their design. died in December of the same year They used two Islington building at home due to perforated ulcers of contractors in some of their work the stomach. – Dove Brothers of Studd Street Five years later, he married for a and William Hill & Son of second time to Clerkenwell-born Charlton Crescent. Maria Berdoe (1830-1922), who In 1857, Lander submitted an lived at Roseberry Villas in Tufnell architectural design for the Park in Islington. They had two Islington Vestry Hall. However, sons, Walter John and Harold this was eventually built in Upper Clapham, both born at 1 St Street by Dove Brothers to the Andrew’s Villas, St Paul’s Road, design of another architect amid Canonbury, a semi-detached claims of nepotism and corruption building. By 1863, this had become (see Building the Vestry Hall, 69 St Paul’s Road. spring 2013, page 14). In 1860, his In 1870 the family moved to 8 temporary timber-clad church, Richard Smith Lander’s proposal to enlarge the Union Penn Road Villas in Holloway, a designed to hold 500 people, Chapel, where the family worshipped recently built fashionable middle-

18 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 class neighbourhood. Some five years later, they moved to “He was the most Tunbridge Wells. aristocratic socialist I Lander’s younger brother, William Woodman Lander have ever known” (1831-1911), was a philanthropist. He left £300 each to the archbishop of Westminster and the bishop of He was a close friend of Southwark “to apply the income Ebenezer Howard (1850-1928), the therefrom to charitable purposes”. London-born founder of the movement, and they produced A successful but short life plans for cooperative housing Walter, who was born on schemes at Letchworth and 17 August 1860, went to school in Welwyn Garden City in Islington and entered University Hertfordshire. College London in 1878 to study Lander lived in both places, as architecture. Here, he won many did Howard, and died at the latter prizes, including for fine art in on 12 February 1955. 1880 and for modern practice In 1904, Harold Clapham Lander in 1881. married Islington-born Ethel Mary He was elected a member of the Clapham (1876-1951) (whose Architectural Association on surname was curiously the same as 17 December 1880 and gained his middle name) and they had drawing prizes, including that for two daughters. the study of planning and During their long professional specification writing in 1882, while careers as architects, Richard studying there. Lander and his son Harold Afterwards, he undertook a Walter John Lander’s 1882 drawing showing details of the Lander gained a wide reputation grand tour of the continent visiting abbey at St Jean aux Bois in northern France, published in for skill and judgment in the France and the Netherlands among the volume II of the Architectural Association Sketch Book various important works they other countries and sketching successfully carried out. The buildings. He also travelled An aristocratic socialist elder son Walter Lander, despite throughout the English The younger son Harold attended his very short life, has also left a countryside drawing and painting Tonbridge School before studying legacy in architectural design with – he painted watercolours of architecture at UCL and the his drawings. n Bodiam Castle in East Sussex and Architectural Association where, of the The Dargle when he visited like his brother, he won prizes. John Lucey lived as a young man for a Ireland. He was elected an associate of time at Englefield Road in Islington Eight of his drawings were Below: RS the RIBA in 1894, then a fellow 10 featured in volumes II, III and IV Lander’s Offord years later. He was a member of the of the Architectural Association Road Chapel in Town Planning Institute. The Builder in Sketch Book. Like his father, he started to 1856 before it Although articled to his father’s opened; right: practice at the age of 26 with the firm, he sadly did not live long the former firm, which became Lander, enough to practise as an architect, Congregational Bedells & Crompton when William dying in 1884 at the age of 23 from Hall in Bavaria EV Crompton (1867-1937) joined. an underlying heart condition. Road The younger Lander apparently ran the architectural practice along socialist lines and was described by a former employee as “the most aristocratic socialist I have ever k n o w n”. A conscientious objector during the First World War, he was a member of the Fabian Society and published many papers on social housing and related topics. Although he designed many London buildings, he is best known for his work with the

garden city movement. Publications HC Lander: Association Architectural City Garden Collection; Union Chapel Project;

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 19 Publications and bookshop

The Jewish Communities of This issue, we celebrate women’s suffrage, consider urban views, find Islington, 1730s-1880s out about Islington’s Jewish communities, celebrate a charity’s 500 Petra Laidlaw £9.99 + £2.80 p&p, Islington years in Islington, sift through old rubbish and make some magic Archaeology & History Society, 2013 Islington was home to a Rise Up Women! The clerks, bootmakers and significant Jewish population Remarkable Lives of the sweated workers, Irish, Welsh, 200 years ago, and remained Suffragettes Scottish and English – a so until the middle of the 20th Diane Atkinson wealth of women’s lives are century. £30, hardback first edition, brought together for the first However, as London Bloomsbury, 2018 time, in this meticulously expanded and earlier Marking the centenary of researched biography of a inhabitants drifted outwards, female suffrage, this definitive movement. the Jewish presence in this history charts women’s fight The campaign for women’s area was largely forgotten. for the vote through the lives suffrage was fought with great This books draws on of those who took part, in a flair and imagination in the extensive research to bring timely celebration of an public arena. back to life the communities extraordinary struggle. From their marches on that lived here between the Bringing together the voices parliament and 10 Downing 1730s and the eve of mass of women from all walks of Street, to the selling of their immigration in the 1880s. life who were drawn into the paper, through to more This volume traces a cross movement (including those militant activities of the endured police brutality, section of characters, their whose experience has often Women’s Social and Political assault, imprisonment and religious life, their occupations been overlooked), it provides Union, whose slogan “Deeds force-feeding, all in the and their contact with the rest a expansive view of a cause Not Words!” was shouted over relentless pursuit of one goal of the community. that inspired and shaped a bombed pillar-boxes, acts of – the right to vote. Former residents include country. arson and the slashing of great The suffragettes and their many of the great and the Actresses to mill workers, works of art. actions would come to define good of Jewish society, teachers to doctors, The women who were protest movements for numerous ordinary people seamstresses to scientists, involved in the struggle generations to come. whose lives are more obscure, and a few rogues. Two appendices set out Value in the View: some of the factual Conserving Historic Urban Buy from the IAHS background and statistics Views underlying the narrative. The Tom Brigden The society sells books book is fully sourced and and maps at IAHS events £32, RIBA Publishing, 2018, pp160 indexed, with 37 prints and and local fairs as well as All over the world, cities are by post photographs, l under pressure to develop tall See Islington’s Early Jewish buildings that directly affect We also have some back Architects, page 10 their visual character. In issues of this journal in reaction, systems of view stock protection have been developed. Bulk orders and This book examines the collecting in person ideas and philosophies at If you would to make a work in policies of view trade or bulk order, collect protection. books in person or have The power of UNESCO’s This book considers how any queries, contact policy of view protection is dominant international ideas Catherine Brighty on 020 investigated through six of heritage are constructed, 7833 1541, catherine. studies of contemporary cities maintained and reinforced, [email protected] – London, Dresden, St and how they exert power or 8 Wynyatt Street, Petersburg, Istanbul and over the urban and EC1V 7HU Vancouver. architectural form of cities.

20 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 The Original Suffrage Cook As well as suffragettes such Book as Reverend Anna Howard Compiled by Mrs LO Kleber Shaw, Jane Addams, and Julia £9.99 , Aurora Metro Books, 2018 Lathrop, contributors This book was originally included writers Jack London published in 1915 to help raise and Charlotte Perkins Gilman. funds for the campaign for the Recipes include Pie for a vote for women. Mrs LO Suffragist’s Doubting Kleber, who tested the recipes, Husband, Dumplings That belonged to the Pittsburgh Never Fail, Suffrage Angel Equal Franchise Federation. Cake, Parliament Gingerbread Dozens of vintage recipes and Iron Jawed Angels. were contributed by supporters The book is illustrated and of the cause, including writers, there are biographies of 28 of governors and a judge. the contributors. Magic in Medieval Manuscripts Cloudesley: 500 ¥ears in gave a plot to oversee the bequest. Sophie Page Islington – 1517-2017 of land to This should have been a £12.99, British Library, 2017, Dr Cathy Ross the parish of story of calm continuity over hardback,128pp £3. Available from the IAHS St Mary the centuries. However, the With Hallowe’en around the This 500-year history of the Islington original intentions generated a corner, what better way to Cloudesley charity also with the dynamic story of change spend an evening than provides a thought-provoking wish that the fuelled by disputes and debate. making some magic? reflection on the changing land should The legacy has been From simple charms to role of charity in society be used to intertwined with questions complex and subversive in general. generate income for various over how communal assets of rituals to summon demons, Five centuries ago, a Tudor purposes. Six “honest land and money should be put diverse forms of magic were yeoman, Richard Cloudesley, and discreet men” were to good use. practised in the Middle Ages. With numerous illustrations from the British Library’s What the Victorians Threw people stocked their kitchen, Tom medieval collection, this Away medicine and bathroom Licence, who volume explores the place of Tom Licence cupboards. An old tin can tell has spent a magic in the medieval world. £4.50, 108pp, Oxbow Books, 2015. us about advertising, chores lot of time It examines: representations Available from the IAHS or foreign imports, and a digging up of the magician, wise woman This entertaining illustrated bottle what people were rubbish and witch; magical objects; book shows just how much drinking. We can find out dumps, and ritual procedures, detail on people’s lives can be about soaps, face creams and shows how revealing the medieval uncovered by going through perfumes. Containers show discarded household items fascination with the points their rubbish. when a famous brand emerged contribute to the story of how of contact between this Rubbish tips act as archives or whether a new product was our not too distant ancestors world and the celestial and of everyday life, showing how successful. built a throwaway society. infernal realms.

Daisy Belle New City. Contemporary Caitlin Davies Architecture in the City of Unbound, 2018 London This is novel is inspired by the Alec Forshaw, with photography career of Agnes Beckwith, a by Alan Ainsworth champion Victorian swimmer £19.95, Merrell, 2013, 224pp; who was once world famous. available from the IAHS Agnes performs in a troupe This book examines City in a London swimming pool architecture from offices and, aged 14, becomes the first blocks to shops, cultural and female to swim the Thames. public spaces and includes A pivotal scene is based at over 200 photographs. Islington’s Hornsey Road baths, Historic development, the authority and developer are where many famous Victorian effects of financial regulation examined, as are the work of swimmers performed. change and the City of London architectural firms. It includes l See Bathed in Glory, page 8 Corporation as planning 12 guided routes.

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 21 Reviews

See painted ceiling restoration up close

t’s rare indeed that one can see within a couple of feet of the ceiling. something hardly anyone has set This reveals it in astonishing Ieyes on in nearly 200 years. detail that is simply not visible Until 30 September, this from the ground. experience is on offer at the The ceiling was painted by Sir Painted Hall at the Old Royal James Thornhill over 1707-26. Its Naval College, Greenwich. Lower Hall ceiling celebrates the The ceiling is impressive even Triumph of Peace and Liberty over when viewed from the ground – as Tyranny with William and Mary at one must normally do. its centre, while the Upper Hall Clockwise from But, when scaffolding was erected depicts Queen Anne and the West above: the ceiling to allow conservators access to the Wall the arrival of George I. is painted to look paintings, the college allowed the There are also scenes of Britain’s curved: John public take guided tours and come maritime power, then approaching Flamsteed (in hat) with his paper its zenith, and around 200 figures (correctly) spread across 40,00 square feet predicting the illustrate political, scientific and date of the next The hall was built as a refectory cultural events of the day. solar eclipse – this for naval pensioners but, once the Unusual conservation techniques was painted a painting was complete, the have been developed to restore the year before it authorities decided it was too grand paintings, which the guides explain. happened; for this purpose. The pensioners Thornhill received a knighthood William and Mary were banished and the room used – too small to see and the then enormous sum of for special occasions – as it still is. n from the ground l £6,685 for his work, much of which are the dove on Painted Hall ceiling tours are he was obliged to execute lying her sceptre and a being run until 30 September. down using a device to allow him previous restorer’s Book at www.ornc.org to hold his arm in the air for long signature on her periods without succumbing to pain. chest Mark Smulian

Preview: Open House London

ore than 800 buildings Graduate Centre on Holloway building in St John Street, built are being opened to the Road, designed by Daniel in 1896, has a classical Mpublic for Open House Libeskind and built in 2004. frieze,turrets, Diocletian weekend on 22-23 September. Islington’s grade I Union windows and Dutch gables. Islington has 37 places in this Chapel, also open, was designed Admire the ornate Finsbury year’s celebration of architecture. by James Cubitt in the 1870s. Town Hall, influenced by art See https://open houselondon.org. Built for music, its organ is listed. nouveau. Christy Lawrance uk for opening hours, talks and Nearby is 168 Upper Street, a 1:1 As the journal was going to tours. cast monument to the Victorian press, there a few tickets were left One of these is the building that destroyed by wartime for visiting the ornately carved intersecting, bombs. There is an exhibition. 1697 Oak Room at New River steel-covered On the side of the canal is Head. You’ll also see the grand hall Cullinan Studio, an old warehouse where people paid water bills. at 5 Baldwin Terrace that started What better way to end a tour out as a foundry. than going to a A lovely place to pause is the Regency pub? canalside area at Diespeker Wharf, Clockwise from The Sekforde, a Victorian former warehouse and above: angels on the corner play musical timber yard, now home to Pollard of 19th century instruments in Thomas Edwards architects. the Union Sekforde and Pride in heritage is evident at Chapel’s rose Woodbridge grade II listed Ironmonger Row window: a carved Streets, has Baths in Norman Street, which has lobster in the Oak been restored a history room. Room; Diespeker and linked to a The City, University of London Wharf new building. n

22 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 Subversive messages from the common people

ore than 100 objects James Gilray James Gilray could be more upfront. created, adapted and used shows the prince His portrait of the prince regent by ordinary people to regent as an shows an obese, loutish-looking M obese lout; mock and attack the establishment Chinese artists bloke with an array of treatments in societies as varied as Egypt in often hid for sexually transmitted infections, the 11th century BC, 16th century subversive piles and bad breath behind him. England and 20th century message in It’s doubtful Hislop would have got Afghanistan are on display at this paintings away with that for Spitting Image. exhibition. It is easy to imagine Gilray is Picked from the British Museum Hislop’s kind of guy, but many collections by journalist, historian items are more unexpected: a and broadcaster Ian Hislop, they Roman oil lamp depicting a tell stories of dissent, subversion woman having sex with a and satire. crocodile, for instance, was likely Empire Exhibition of 1924 in Dissent seems constant – only propaganda aimed at Cleopatra. which the panels were displayed. the level of disguise and risk varies. State propaganda was the target More recently, in 2005, another A Chinese scroll from 700 years in two beautifully crafted wooden trickster satirised the museum ago shows a long tradition of door panels made in Nigeria itself. Banksy secretly “installed” a Chinese artists concealing at the time of British rule. In a hoax piece called Peckham Rock. It subversive messages. A masterful example of Yoruba lay undiscovered alongside its mock beautiful painting of insects carving, chunky colonial information label for three days. and plant life depicts a officers ride bicycles with a Back on display – with permission struggle for survival between figure, only recently identified – it’s an exhibition highlight. n predators and prey and turns as messenger god and trickster l I Object: Ian Hislop’s Search for out to be a damning allegory Areogun, standing on their Dissent is on at the British of life under the rapacious mudguards. This depiction of Museum until 20 January, £12/concs Mongol invaders. disrespect was lost on the

In 18th century England, organisers of the British Ben Porter British Museum

An Aladdin’s cave showing links between ancient and modern

Napoleon’s n exhibition at Buckingham furniture and pictures arranged “liberated” more than 5,000 builders Palace to celebrate Prince with careful informality in front cloak; gold and artisans in traditional th ACharles’s 70 of it. and rock skills and restored 150 birthday features The best way to crystal tiger’s buildings in historic more than 100 enjoy it is to allow head from Kabul. In 2012, it won objects from the the artistic links Tipu a UNESCO Heritage Royal Collection between the works Sultan’s Award for its and works by of art, both ancient throne restoration and young artists and modern, to reuse of historic supported by reveal themselves buildings. Its work three of his slowly. has now spread to charities that train Napoleon’s scarlet Myanmar, Saudi young people in felt and silk cloak, Arabia and traditional arts across “liberated” from his Jordan. n the world. carriage after Waterloo, is l Prince & Patron This is not your standard juxtaposed with Jethro Buck’s is on at exhibition, with objects displayed modern tree paintings, and the Buckingham separately; instead, the prince has gold and rock crystal tiger’s head Palace until 30 transformed the octagonal Ball from Tipu Sultan’s throne, September, £24/ Supper Room into an eclectic for example. concs Aladdin’s cave of treasures. The arrangements look informal, Each of the eight sides has a with the addition of family photos, Elizabeth Hawksley different ambience; a 17th century bowls of flowers and knick-knacks. www.elizabeth tapestry, for example, might have a One of the prince’s charities, hawksley. cornucopia of objets d’art, Turquoise Mountain, has trained com Majesty II Queen Elizabeth Trust/Her Royal Collection

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 23 What’s on

Events, exhibitions, courses, walks and more. Contact details of organisers are in the directory on page 28 – events may change or need advance booking. Islington Archaeology & History Society events are listed on the inside back page

Saturday 22 September, 1.15pm Wednesday 3 October, 4.30pm Friday 28 September, 2pm Tuesday 9 October, 6.30pm The Golden Age of Athens Art Deco Arsenal Charles Dickens London Stone: From British Museum, free Walk led by Jane Parker, £12/£9, Walk led by Zena Sullivan, History to Myth www.janeslondonwalks.com £10/concs, www. London and Middlesex Wednesday 26 September, cityoflondonguides.com Archaeological Society, £2 1.15pm Thursday 4 October, 6-8pm A Cabinet of Curiosities in Workshop: Reclaiming Tuesday 2 October, 6pm Wednesday 10 October, 2pm Context: the Waddesdon Holloway African & Jamaican & Public Servants: Excise Bequest Islington Museum, free, British Roots: Who Do You Officers, Customs Officers British Museum, free booking required Think You Are? & Postmen Finsbury Library, free, book at Society of Genealogists, Wednesday 26 September, 6pm Saturday 6 October, 11am ancestrytalks.eventbrite.co.uk £8/£6.40 We Account The Whale Ghost Signs of Upper Immortal Street/Angel Wednesday 3 October,1.15pm Wednesday 10 October, 8pm Animal History Group, free, Walk led by Jane Parker, £12/£9, 5000 Years of Chinese Jade Beneath the Clocktower https://animalhistorygroup. www.janeslondonwalks.com British Museum, free Film on Crouch End’s shops wordpress.com – see picture opposite. Friday 11 October, 11am Wednesday 3 October, 6pm Hornsey Historical Society, £2 Thursday 27 September, 6pm The Estate We’re In – Dived in but was Drowned: From the Temple of Queen Philanthropy and Social Tales of Waterways Heroism Thursday 11 October, 3pm Tiye to the Meroitic Chapels Housing from the Watts Memorial The Making of United British Museum, £15 Walk led by Jane Parker, £12/£9, Docklands History Group, £2 Romania: a 100 Year www.janeslondonwalks.com Journey Friday 28 September, 6.30pm Thursday 4 October, 1.30pm British Museum, free, booking Showmen, Strength and Sunday 21 October, 2pm Curator’s Introduction to essential Speed – the Angel’s Mr Pooter’s Holloway I Object: Ian Hislop’s Search Ancient Inns Walk led by Jane Parker, £12/£9, for Dissent Friday 12 October, 1.15pm Walk led by Jane Parker, £12/£9, www.janeslondonwalks.com British Museum, free, booking Collecting Histories: www.janeslondonwalks.com essential Colonial Collecting in Monday 22 October, 7.15pm Solomon Islands Saturday 29 September, 1.15pm Bootleg: the Strange Story Wednesday 3 October, 2pm British Museum, free Protest and Dissent in of the Forbidden Record Creating a One-Street Africa British Library, £8/concs Study to Build a Picture of Saturday 13 October, 1.15pm British Museum, free Your Ancestors’ Lives Rome: City and Empire Tuesday 23 October, 7.30pm Society of Genealogists, £8/£6.40 British Museum, free Sunday 30 September, 11am Selector Responder II: Ghost Signs of Holloway Sounding Out the Archives Friday 5 October, 1.15pm Tuesday 16 October, 1.15pm Walk led by Jane Parker, £12/£9, British Library, £8/concs Japan in the World, Then Recent Acquisitions in www.janeslondonwalks.com and Now Prints and Drawings: Monday 24 September, 6pm British Museum, free Curators’ Choice Sunday 30 September, 2.30pm Gothic London: Recreating British Museum, free Looking for Oum Kulthum the Ancient City on Screen Friday 5 October, 6pm by Shirin Neshat and Shoja Museum of London, free, Renaissance and Later Music Tuesday 16 October. 6.30pm Azeri Gresham College event Reflecting Waddesdon Talk: Minnie Lansbury British Museum, £10 British Museum, free concert Finsbury Library, free, Thursday 27 September, 6pm booking required Wednesday 2 October, 4.30pm How to be an Atheist in Tuesday 9 October, 1.15pm Art Deco Holloway Medieval Europe Metal Detecting and Wednesday 17 October, 1.15pm Walk led by Jane Parker, £12/£9, Museum of London, free, Museum Collections Queer Desire in Greek Poetry www.janeslondonwalks.com Gresham College event British Museum, free British Museum, free

24 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 Wednesday 17 October, 6pm Wednesday 14 November, 2pm How Natural is Natural? Railway Workers Historical Perspectives on Society of Genealogists, £8/£6.40 Wildlife and the Environment in England Wednesday 14 November, 8pm Museum of London, free, The Folklore and Traditions Gresham College event of the Tidal Thames Hornsey Historical Society, £2 Thursday 18 October, 1.30pm Packing a Punch: Hogarth Thursday 15 November, 1.30pm and the Art of Satire in The Fascination of Nature: Early 18th Century London Beneath the Clocktower, a film about Crouch End’s independent shops, the Hidden Meanings of a British Museum, free, booking is being shown by Hornsey Historical Society on 10 October. Highbury Chinese Handscroll essential builder James Edmondson designed shopping parades in the area British Museum, free, booking essential Thursday 18 October, 6.30pm Wednesday 24 October, 2pm Tuesday 30 October, 1.15pm Sounds Like London Booze and Clues: Tracing Japan from Prehistory to Thursday 15 November, 7.30pm Talk by author Lloyd Bradley. my Publican Ancestry the Present Hardship and Faith: the Islington Central Library, free, Society of Genealogists, £8/£6.40 British Museum, free Experience of the First book at http://socsi.in/N5INb Women Members of Wednesday 24 October, 2.30pm Thursday 1 November, 1.30pm Parliament Thursday 18 October 7.30pm Oxford Street of the North Defacing Power: Mockery Camden History Society, £1 Cook’s Camden: the Walk led by Jane Parker, £12/£9, and Subversion in the Making of Modern Housing www.janeslondonwalks.com Middle East and North Friday 16 November, 1.15pm Camden History Society, £1 Africa Pots with Attitude: Wednesday 24 October, 4pm British Museum, free, booking British Satire on Ceramics Friday 19 October, 11am Mathematics in War and essential 1760–1830 The Dark Side of Smithfield Peace British Museum, free Walk led by Zena Sullivan, Museum of London, free, Thursday 1 November, 6pm £10/concs, www. Gresham College event How the Reformation Saturday 17 November cityoflondonguides.com Trained Us to be Sceptics The Billingsgate Roman Wednesday 24 October, 6pm Museum of London, free, House and Baths Friday 19 October, 1.15pm Men and Beasts Gresham College event Tours led by Zena Sullivan, Amazing Finds Discovered Animal History Group, free, £10/concs, www. by Everyday People https://animalhistorygroup. Saturday 3 November, 10.30am cityoflondonguides.com British Museum, free wordpress.com Dressed to Protest: Expressing Dissent Through Monday 19 November, 6pm Friday 19 October, 6pm Thursday 25 October, 1.30pm Dress, Fashion and Textiles Classical Music, Noisy Celebrating the Islamic The Nile and the Niger: a British Museum, study day, Listening World Comparison of Africa’s £25 Museum of London, free, British Museum, free late event Greatest Rivers and their Gresham College event Surrounding Cultures Tuesday 6 November, 6pm Saturday 20 October, 1.15pm British Museum, free, booking Shakespeare’s Stages Friday 23 November, 6.30pm The Cult of Isis in the essential Museum of London, free, Absolutely Classic: Satire Roman World Gresham College event and Subversion in the British Museum, free Monday 29 October, 10am Classical World The Matter in Hand: New Wednesday 7 November, 6pm British Museum, £5, booking Sunday 21 October, 3pm Research on Later Historic Gravesend essential The Poetess Prehistoric Finds Docklands History Group, £2 British Museum, film, £3 British Museum, £16 Saturday 24 November, 2 pm Monday 12 November, 6.30pm Roman London Tuesday 23 October, 1.15pm Monday 29 October, 3.30pm What were Black people Walk led by Zena Sullivan, Parthenon: First Access Event: I Object: Ian doing in World War 1? £10/concs, www. Monument to Civilisation? Hislop’s Search for Dissent Islington Town Hall, free cityoflondonguides.com British Museum, free Audio tour and handling event British Museum, £8 Tuesday 13 November, 6.30pm Thursday 29 November, 1.30pm Tuesday 23 October, 6pm The Archaeology of the Curator’s Introduction to How Black People Won Monday 29 October, 7pm Greenwich World Heritage I Object: Ian Hislop’s Search World War 2 Mr Pooter’s Holloway Site for Dissent Ringcross Community Centre Walk led by Jane Parker, £12/£9, London and Middlesex British Museum, free, booking

60 Lough Road, N7 8RH www.janeslondonwalks.com Archaeological Society, £2 essential Christy Archives; Lawrance Metropolitan London

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 25 Ongoing Gilbert Galleries Clerkenwell and Islington Exhibitions V&A gallery with over 500 Guides Association: Walks Contact the organisations for items, including a 17th century Guided walks led by the Until Sunday 30 September dates, times and prices. Please Peruvian gold cup from a mayor of Islington’s guides. Money and Medals: note that these may change. shipwreck, a Tudor pomander www.ciga.org.uk Mapping the UK’s worn to ward off disease and a Numismatic Collections Close to the Bone life-size silver swan, as well as Marx Memorial Library Roman coins, 19th century Hands-on workshops involving items that belonged to Tours replica Greek money, a coin some of the museum’s 20,000 Charles I, Louis XV, Catherine Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1pm cabinet holding Henry VIII human skeletal remains from the Great and Napoleon. See a collection illustrating silver shillings, military medals archaeological excavations. Free, V&A radical and working class and a magic money machine These sessions will look at the history. See where Lenin that seemingly transforms a funerary rites, beliefs and Religion, Myth and worked in 1902-03, Spanish roll of blank paper into myriad burial practices in Superstition Civil War items, Soviet Union banknotes are on show in this London 2,000 years ago. Tour of objects including posters and artefacts from display. There are also badges, Museum of London prehistoric stones, the London industrial disputes. The 15th toy money and money boxes. Docklands, £28, various dates Stone, a Buddha statue and century vaults can be visited. British Museum, free plague remedies. Various dates. £5/£3 concs, book on admin@ Charterhouse Museum Museum of London, £12 mml.xyz or 020 7253 1485 Until Saturday 6 October The Charterhouse has opened Echoes of Holloway Prison to the public for the first time Waddesdon Bequest Treasures of the British This tells the story of since its foundation in 1348. Gallery displaying nearly 300 Library Holloway Prison, London’s The museum, created with the medieval and Renaissance View more than 200 beautiful last women’s prison, through Museum of London, traces items, plus 19th century fakes, and influential books and the voices of its inmates, staff 600 years of history. illustrating the late 19th century documents, including painted and the community. It www.thecharterhouse.org, free art market’s development. and early printed books, maps includes people’s stories, British Museum, free and literary, scientific and newspapers, radical Tours of Union Chapel musical works. Exhibits publications, photos and 12.15pm, first Sunday of the Markfield Beam Engine include Gutenberg’s Bible of memorabilia. Accompanied month and Museum Open Days 1455, Leonardo da Vinci’s by a programme of events, it A chance to appreciate the 11am-5pm, second Sunday of the notebook, Shakespeare’s First is part of a project to capture beauty, complex architecture month, plus bank holidays Folio, Handel’s Messiah and a stories of the prison. and extent of Union Chapel’s Markfield Park, N15, free, www. 110cm diameter celestial globe. Islington Museum, free buildings, including areas rarely mbeam.org, 01707 873628 British Library, free open to the public, a secret Until Friday 12 October passage and a hidden garden. Billingsgate Roman House Victoria and Albert A Seedbed of Ideas: the Group bookings available. and Baths Museum free tours Building Centre, Notes £5 donation, book in advance Various dates and times These include: From the Archive on 020 7359 4019 Talk plus tour of the remains of l Daily introductory tour The first 30 years of the the Billingsgate Roman House l Medieval and Renaissance Building Centre, from 1931 George Orwell’s Islington and Baths, discovered in 1848 galleries until 1961, are explored Various dates and times under Lower Thames Street. l Theatre and performance through its archives. Born out George Orwell was at his most Museum of London, £5 l Britain 1500-1900 of a building materials bureau prolific during his time in See: www.vam.ac.uk/whatson at the Architectural Islington. While he was living London Metropolitan Association, the Building at 27b Canonbury Square, Archives: regular events British Museum: Around Centre established itself as a Animal Farm was published Research advice sessions, the World in 90 Minutes seedbed of ideas for the and he worked on drafts of interest groups and meeting Normally on Fridays, Saturdays building industry and those Nineteen Eighty-Four, LMA professionals, including: and Sundays, 11.30am and 2pm interested in it. published essays and articles, l Family history starter: using Tour including the Rosetta Building Centre, free. www. and broadcast extensively. LMA’s digital resources Stone, the Lewis chessmen, buildingcentre.co.uk/ Contact Andrew Gardner on l Use LMA: getting started the Parthenon sculptures and exhibitions [email protected] l Behind the scenes tour* other items. or 020 7359 4019 l Document handling at £12, booking required Friday 19 October 2018 –Tuesday the LMA 15 January 2019 Roman Fort Gate Tours l Deciphering old First Thursday in the month, 2pm Raids, Rations and Rifles: Tour the remains of the handwriting British Library Islington During the First western gate of London’s l LGBTQ history club, film Conservation Studio Tour World War Roman military fort, under the club, book club See techniques used in caring This exhibition to coincide streets next to the museum. l A visit to conservation. for collections. with the centenary of the First Museum of London, £5 Various dates and times British Library, £10/concs World War remembers those

26 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 who served on the front line from the museum’s vast and explores everyday life in suffragette collection are on the borough, which could be a show in this display. frightening experience. Museum of London, free Soldiers from local battalions fought on the Until 20 January 2019 Western Front, at Gallipoli I object. Ian Hislop’s Search and in Palestine. Five for Dissent Islington soldiers were For this exhibition, Ian Hislop, awarded the Victoria Cross. of Private Eye and Have I Got Local women also served News For You, picked items to abroad and some never explore dissent, subversion returned. Islington featured in and satire. Objects run from the first and last enemy air graffiti on a Babylonian brick raids on London. to a banknote with hidden Events accompanying the Great Northern Hospital annexe at North Library, Manor Gardens: from rude words and satirical exhibition can be booked at Raids, Rations and Rifles: Islington During the First World War. Libraries Turkish shadow puppets to a www.eventbrite.co.uk were used as hospitals, food offices and recruiting centres “pussy” hat worn on a women’s Islington Museum, free march. This history in 100(ish) Bohm’s vast collection of itself was often highly skilled objects shows people have Until Sunday 28 October photographs of children, and labour intensive. always challenged and Roman Dead taken over 75 years from People worked as coach undermined orthodox views. Last year, a Roman around the world, are on builders in City Road Basin, at British Museum, £12/concs sarcophagus was found in show. She escaped Nazi bandages and surgical l See review, page 21 Southwark – only the third Germany for Britain in 1939 equipment manufacturers in found in London since 1999. and went on to help establish Essex Road, in a sweet and Until January 2019 This exhibition features over the Photographers’ Gallery. chocolate factory on Stroud Voices from the Deep 200 objects from burials in V&A Museum of Childhood, Green Road, in Beale’s A selection of over 700 letters, Roman London. Many are free Restaurant on Holloway Road trapped at the bottom of the from across the Roman and as a barometer restorer in Atlantic Ocean in the empire, showing the extent of Thursday 8 November–Sunday Clerkenwell. torpedoed SS Gairsoppa for London’s global connections. 24 February 2019 Podcasts of the interviews nearly three-quarters of a Grave goods and scientific I am Ashurbanipal: King of will be available online, and century, give an insight into analysis are used to explore the World, King of Assyria transcripts will be deposited at the lives of people during the Roman London life. Discover the world of ancient the local history centre. Second World War. The letters Museum of London, free Assyria through the life and Islington Local History are from soldiers, legacy of its last great ruler, Centre, free businessmen, missionaries Until Wednesday 31 October King Ashurbanipal. In Iraq in 1 See back page picture and more. Cargo items and Picturing Forgotten London the 7th century BC, he ruled a information on the shipwreck London’s lost buildings, from vast and diverse empire from Throughout 2018 recovery are also on show. inns and horse markets to the eastern Mediterranean to Shaping the World, Postal Museum, £11/£17.05 music halls and mansions, are western Iran. The final section Building the Future with Mail Rail ride/concs, the focus of this exhibition. of the exhibition highlights Models, maps and more are on includes main museum Drawings, engravings, work to protect Iraqi cultural show to mark 150 years of the photographs, maps and films heritage, including when sites Royal Institute of Chartered Until January 2019 cover 500 years, showing are under threat. Surveyors at its 1899 building. Poster Girls landmarks, open-outcry British Museum, £17/concs On display are models of the Over 150 posters and original trading floors, gardens, homes, City of London and the artworks shine a spotlight on dockyards, farms and a Friday 23 November -Friday Olympic Village, a Lego model women who changed how supermarket. The 1867 18 January 2019 of the RICS headquarters with Londoners viewed their city, Stranger’s Guide, an illustrated Lost Trades of Islington 13,000 bricks, a 1662 Dutch including work by well-known map, is reproduced on the floor. This exhibition draws on the world atlas with 594 maps and designers such as Mabel Lucie A highlight is work by Islington memories of those who a model of the theodolite used Attwell, Laura Knight, Enid artist Geoffrey Fletcher. worked in trades and to measure Mount Everest. Marx and Zandra Rhodes. A London Metropolitan industries that are no longer RICS, 12 Great George Street, spectrum of styles and Archives, free common or exist in Islington. SW1, free mediums include modernist, During much of the 20th figurative, flat colour, patterns, Saturday 3 November–Sunday century, there were numerous, Until Sunday 6 January 2019 abstract, collage and oil. 17 March 2019 varied factories throughout Votes for Women London Transport Museum, Dorothy Bohm the borough. They employed Emmeline Pankhurst’s hunger £17.50/concs, includes a year’s

Highlights from Dorothy many people and the work strike medal and other items entry to the museum Collection; British Museum Wellcome

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 27 Camden New Town History Enfield Archaeological Directory Group Society www.camdennewtown.info www.enfarchsoc.org

History, civic, amenity and archaeology Camden Railway Heritage England’s Places societies, museums and online resources Trust Historic England photographs. [email protected] www.historicengland.org.uk/ images-books/archive/ Canonbury Society archive-collections/englands- To add or update Bexley Archaeological www.canonburysociety.org.uk places information, email journal@ Group islingtonhistory.org.uk www.bag.org.uk, Martin Chartered Institution of Federation of Family Baker: 020 8300 1752 Building Services Engineers History Societies All Hallows by the Tower Heritage Group www.ffhs.org.uk/ Crypt Museum Bishopsgate Institute www.hevac-heritage.org/ 020 7481 2928, www.ahbtt. Library and Archive Foundling Museum org.uk/visit/crypt/ 230 Bishopsgate, 020 7392 Charterhouse Museum 40 Brunswick Square, WC1, 9270, www.bishopsgate.org.uk www.thecharterhouse.org, 020 7841 3600, www. Amateur Geological Society 203 818 8873 foundlingmuseum.org.uk 25 Village Road, N3 1TL Bomb Sight London map of WW2 bombs, Cinema Museum Freud Museum Amwell Society www.bombsight.org www.cinemamuseum.org.uk/ 20 Maresfield Gdns, NW3, 7 Lloyd Square, WC1X 9BA, 020 7435 2002, www.freud. [email protected] British Airways Heritage City of London org.uk www.britishairways.com/ Archaeological Society Ancestor Search travel/museum-collection/ [email protected] Friends of Hackney Archives Guidance on where to look. public/en_gb 020 8356 8925, archives@ www.searchforancestors.com Clerkenwell and Islington hackney.gov.uk British Heritage TV Guides Association Ancient Yew Group www.405-line.tv/ 07971 296731, info@ciga. Friern Barnet & District www.ancient-yew.org/ org.uk Local History Society British Library www.friern-barnethistory.org. Archives Hub 96 Euston Rd, NW1, 0330 333 Clockmakers’ Museum uk, 020 8368 8314. Photo http://archiveshub.ac.uk/ 1144, [email protected] www.clockmakers.org/the- archive: www.friern-barnet. clockmakers-museum-library com Arsenal FC Museum British Museum 020 7619 5000, www.arsenal. Great Russell Street, WC1, Cross Bones Graveyard Friends of the New River com 020 7323 8299, information@ www.crossbones.org.uk Head britishmuseum.org c/o Amwell Society Association for the Study Crossness Pumping Station and Preservation of Roman British Vintage Wireless 020 8311 3711, www. Friends of Friendless Mosaics Society crossness.org.uk Churches www.asprom.org [email protected] www.friendsoffriendless Design Museum churches.org.uk Bank of England Museum Brixton Windmill http://designmuseum.org 020 7601 5545, www.bankof 020 7926 6056, www. Geffrye Museum england.co.uk/museum brixtonwindmill.org Docklands History Group 136 Kingsland Road, E2 8EA, info@docklandshistory group. 020 7739 9893, www.geffrye- Barnet Museum and Local Bruce Castle Museum org.uk museum.org.uk. Main site History Society Lordship Lane, N17 8NU, 020 closed; events/tours still on www.barnetmuseum.co.uk 8808 8772, museum.services@ Dictionary of Victorian haringey.gov.uk London/Cat’s Meat Shop Georgian Group BBC archive Encyclopaedia and blog, 6 Fitzroy Square, W1T 5DX, www.bbc.co.uk/archive Burgh House and www.victorianlondon.org [email protected] Hampstead Museum Benjamin Franklin House New End Sq, NW3, 020 7431 DoCoMoMo UK Grant Museum of Zoology 020 7925 1405, info@ 0144, www.burghhouse. Modern movement heritage. www.ucl.ac.uk/culture/ BenjaminFranklinHouse.org org.uk www.docomomo-uk.co.uk grant-museum-zoology

Bethlem Museum of the Mind Camden History Society East London History Society Gresham College 020 3228 4227, www. 020 7586 4436, www. 42 Campbell Rd, E3 4DT, mail Free lectures on different bethlemheritage.org.uk camdenhistorysociety.org @eastlondonhistory.org.uk topics, www.gresham.ac.uk

28 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 Greater London Industrial London Fire Brigade Archaeology Society (GLIAS) Museum 36 Gallows Hill Lane, Abbots www.london-fire.gov.uk/ Langley, Herts, WD5 0DA, london -fire-brigade-museum. www.glias.org.uk asp

Guildhall Library London Lives 1690-1800 Aldermanbury, EC2V 7HH, www.londonlives.org 020 7332 1868, textphone 020 7332 3803, guildhall.library@ London Metropolitan cityoflondon.gov.uk Archives 40 Northampton Rd, EC1 Hackney Museum 0HB, 020 7332 3820, ask. 1 Reading Lane, E8 1GQ, [email protected], www. hackney.gov.uk/ www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma cm-museum.htm London & Middlesex The Hackney Society The Wallpaper History celebrates the history, design, social relevance Archaeological Society 020 7175 1967, info@ and conservation of historic and contemporary wallcoverings 020 7814 5734, www.lamas. hackneysociety.org org.uk IanVisits Islington’s Lost Cinemas Heath Robinson Museum Blog with history and other www.islingtonslostcinemas. London Museums of Health 020 8866 8420, welcome@ events. www.ianvisits.co.uk com and Medicine heathrobinsonmuseum.org www.medicalmuseums.org International Council on Islington Society Hendon and District Monuments and Sites Resource Centre, 356 London Museum of Water & Archaeology Society www.icomos-uk.org Holloway Road, N7 6PA, Steam 020 8449 7076, hadas.org.uk [email protected] 020 8568 4757, www. Imperial War Museum waterandsteam.org.uk Heritage of London Trust Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ, Jewish Museum 020 7730 9472, www. www.iwm.org.uk www.jewishmuseum.org.uk London Socialist Historians heritageoflondon.com http://londonsocialist Islington and Camden Joe Meek Society historians.blogspot.com Historic Hospital Admission Cemetery www.joemeeksociety.org Records Project High Road, East Finchley, N2, London Society www.hharp.org/ 020 7527 8804, www. Dr Johnson’s House http://londonsociety.org.uk/ islington.gov.uk/ 17 Gough Square, EC4, www. Highgate Literary and Environment/cemeteries drjohnsonshouse.org London Topographical Scientific Institution Archives Society [email protected] Islingtonfacesblog.com Keats House www.londontopsoc.org Living history interviews. 020 7332 3868, keatshouse@ Historical Association, http://islingtonfacesblog.com cityoflondon.gov.uk London Vintage Taxi Central London Branch Association www.history.org.uk, 020 7323 Islington Local History Lewisham Local History www.lvta.co.uk 1192, [email protected], Centre Society Finsbury Library, 245 St John www.lewishamhistory.org.uk London Transport Museum Historic Towns Forum St, EC1V 4NB. Visit by 020 7379 6344, www. www.historictowns forum.org appointment. To make an Locating London’s Past ltmuseum.co.uk appointment or enquire about www.locatinglondon.org History of Harringay Islington’s archives, email London Underground www.harringayonline.com/ [email protected] London Archaeological Railway Society group/historyofharringay or call 020 7527 7988. www. Archive [email protected] islington.gov.uk/heritage www.museumoflondon.org. Horniman Museum uk/collections/other- London Westminster & 020 8699 1872, www. Islington Museum collection-databases-and- Middlesex Family History horniman.ac.uk 245 St John Street, EC1V libraries/museum-london- Society 4NB, 10am-5pm, closed archaeological-archive www.lwmfhs.org.uk Hornsey Historical Society Wednesdays, Sundays and Old Schoolhouse, 136 public holidays, 020 7527 London Canal Museum Markfield Beam Engine Tottenham Lane, N8 7EL, 2837, islington.museum@ 12-13 New Wharf Road, N1 and Museum secretary@hornseyhistorical. islington.gov.uk, www. 9RT, 020 7713 0836, www. Markfield Park, N15, 01707 org.uk, 020 8348 8429 islington.gov.uk/heritage canalmuseum.org.uk 873628, [email protected]

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 29 Marx Memorial Library Newcomen Society for the Royal Institute of British Theatres Trust 37a Clerkenwell Green, EC1 History of Engineering and Architects (RIBA) 020 7836 8591, www. 0DU, 020 7253 1485, info@ Technology 66 Portland Place, W1B 1AD, theatrestrust.org.uk marx-memorial-library.org [email protected] www.architecture.com Tiles and Architectural Mausolea & Monuments Newington Green Action St Marylebone Society Ceramics Society Trust Group www.stmarylebonesociety.org http://tilesoc.org.uk www.mmtrust.org.uk 020 7359 6027, www. newingtongreen.org.uk Science Museum Tottenham Civic Society Migration Museum Exhibition Road, SW7 2DD. www.tottenhamcivicsociety. www.migrationmuseum.org/ New River Action Group www.sciencemuseum.org.uk org.uk 020 8292 5987, mail@ The Model Railway Club newriver.org.uk Sign Design Society Transport Trust 4 Calshot St, N1 9DA www.signdesignsociety.co.uk Lambeth Rd, SE1, 020 7928 020 7837 2542, www. North London Railway 6464, www.transporttrust. themodelrailwayclub.org Historical Society Sir John Soane’s Museum com 020 7837 2542, www.nlrhs.org.uk 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Museum of Brands WC2A 3BP, www.soane.org Twentieth Century Society 111-117 Lancaster Road, W11 Northview – 1930s estate 70 Cowcross St, EC1, 020 1QT, 020 7908 0880, info@ www.northview.org.uk Smithfield Trust 7250 3857, www.c20society. museumofbrands.com 70 Cowcross St, EC1, 020 org.uk Ocean Liner Society 7566 0041, info@ Museum of Domestic Design wwwocean-liner-society.com smithfieldtrust.org.uk Union Chapel and Friends & Architecture (MoDA) of the Union Chapel 020 8411 4394, www.moda. Pauper Lives in Georgian Society of Genealogists Compton Avenue, N1 2XD, mdx.ac.uk/home London and Manchester www.sog.org.uk, 020 7251 www.unionchapel.org.uk http://research.ncl.ac.uk/ 8799, booking: 020 7553 3290 Museum of London pauperlives Victoria & Albert Museum 150 London Wall, EC2Y Society for the Protection of Cromwell Rd, SW7, 020 7907 5HN, 020 7814 5511, info@ Peckham Society Ancient Buildings 7073, www.vam.ac.uk museumoflondon.org.uk www.peckhamsociety.org.uk 37 Spital Sq, E1 6DY, 020 7377 1644, www.spab.org.uk V&A Museum of Childhood Museum of London Petrie Museum of Egyptian 020 8983 5200, www. Archaeology Archaeology Southwark and Lambeth museumofchildhood.org.uk 020 7410 2200, www.museum www. ucl.ac.uk/museums/petrie Archaeology Society oflondonarchaeology.org.uk 79 Ashridge Cres, SE18 3EA Victorian Society The Postal Museum 020 8994 1019, www. Museum of London 020 7239 2570, info@ The Streatham Society victoriansociety.org.uk Docklands postalheritage.org.uk www.streathamsociety.org.uk 020 7001 9844, www.museum Wallpaper History Society oflondon.org.uk/docklands Prehistoric Society Streets with a Story: the wallpaperhistorysociety.org.uk www.prehistoricsociety.org Book of Islington Museum of the Order of A-Z of streets, buildings and Walthamstow Historical St John Proceedings of the Old Bailey open spaces. tinyurl.com/ Society St John’s Gate, EC1M 4DA, www.oldbaileyonline.org islington-streets-story www.walthamstow 020 7324 4005, www. historicalsociety.org.uk/ museumstjohn.org.uk Railway Correspondence Stuart Low Trust and Travel Society www.slt.org.uk Wellcome Collection Musical Museum www.rcts.org.uk www.wellcomecollection.org 399 High Street, TW8 0DU, Royal Archaeological Institute www.musicalmuseum.co.uk Rescue/British [email protected] John Wesley’s House and Archaeological Trust Museum of Methodism National Archives www.rescue-archaeology.org.uk Royal College of Nursing 49 City Rd, EC1, www.wesleys 020 8876 3444, www. Library and Heritage Centre chapel.org.uk/museum.htm nationalarchives.gov.uk Ragged School Museum 0345 337 3368, rcn.library@ 020 8980 6405, www.ragged rcn.org.uk Women’s Library Collection National Churches Trust schoolmuseum.org.uk tinyurl.com/womens-library www.nationalchurchestrust.org Thames Discovery Royal Air Force Museum Programme William Morris Gallery National Piers Society 020 8205 2266, www. 020 7410 2207, Forest Road, E17, 020 8496 www.piers.org.uk rafmuseum.org.uk/london thamesdiscovery.org 4390, www.wmgallery.org.uk

30 Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 Islington Archaeology & History Society Events

Wednesday 19 September, 7.30pm, Islington Wednesday 21 November, 7.30pm, Islington Town Hall Town Hall Women and the 1918 general election Festival of Britain 1951 Janet Wootton, former IAHS secretary and minister at ­– the Leftovers Union Chapel Rob Kayne, London historian On 14 December 1918, The Festival of Britain, a postwar “tonic to many women voted for the nation”, opened in May 1951. Its major the first time in a attractions were on the newly built South general election. Bank between Waterloo Bridge and County Hall. This marked a stage Displays of industrial, scientific and agricultural innovation, in an era of change in cultural pride and artistic excellence attracted more than eight women’s lives and million visitors during its attitudes to women. five-month life. Enlightenment A change of government in thinking, scientific October 1951 meant most of it discovery and global was demolished. exploration were Rob Kayne goes in search of the expanding horizons, festival’s lost and leftover and many societal artefacts, buildings and ephemera. norms were changing. In 1917, Constance Left: the Skylon structure on the Coltman was ordained South Bank, 1952; above: Festival of to the ministry of a Britain badge congregational church in London’s East End. Women’s colleges were At last! Punch cartoon of 1918 Wednesday 17 October, 7.30pm, Islington Town Hall opening up university education, though not able to offer degrees yet. Women were Islington’s aviation heritage employed for the first time in the police and the First World War was a major turning point is showing that women were as Lester Hillman, academic adviser to the IAHS capable as men in “men’s” occupations.

One hundred years ago, Islington hosted its first air show. It opened four days after the Armistice in 1918 and ran until Christmas party – date for your diary January 1919. It was held in the Royal Agricultural Hall and The IAHS Christmas party will start at 7.30pm on Wednesday included a Gotha bomber reconstructed from eight wrecks and 12 December at Union Chapel. Baron Von Richthoven’s shot down aircraft. This year is also the centenary of the Royal Air Force. Keep up to date with our Facebook page Lester Hillman celebrates local aviation heritage including the King’s Cross aerodrome that never was, air ships and Find out about our events, suffragettes. Tragedy and drama will feature, including the ask a question, post a photo Harrier jet race to New York from King’s Cross in 1969. George or talk local history at the Orwell and other references in literature will be explored IAHS Facebook group, which including The Thirty-Nine Steps and Harry Potter in the has around 700 members. Weasley Ford Anglia take off for Hogwarts. l www.facebook.com/ Come along for some blue sky thinking. groups/islingtonhistory

The Islington Archaeology & History Society meets 10 times a year, usually at 7.30pm on the third Wednesday of the month at

Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, N1. £1 donation/free to members. Everyone welcome. www.islingtonhistory.org.uk Library Badge: Rob cartoon: Kayne;Wikimedia Punch Commons; LSE Library/Women’s Skylon:

Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Autumn 2018 Vol 8 No 3 31 The Journal of the Islington Archaeology & History Society Back page picture

Beale’s at the corner of Holloway Road and Tollington Road during its final days of the late 1960s. See Lost Trades of Islington, events, page 27 Islington Museum Islington