The 16th Stoke Newington History Talks event was online with talks that about the fascinating history of the Woodberry Down Estate by John Boughton, the story behind the publication of the Stoke Newington Lifestyle Guide in 1987 by Martin Bailey and finally, my talk was about some of the architects that designed Stoke Newington’s public buildings. The event raised £500 for the Literacy Pirates; an educational charity developing literacy, confidence and perseverance in young people.

The talks are available online:

The architects who built Stoke Newington by Amir Dotan

Recording

Summary

In this talk, Amir Dotan explores the architectural history of Stoke Newington by highlighting five key architects who shaped the area’s iconic buildings. He emphasizes how understanding the backstories of these individuals provides a deeper appreciation for the local streetscape.

The Featured Architects and Their Contributions:

• Sir George Gilbert Scott (1:51 – 4:54): A prolific Gothic Revival architect responsible for St Mary’s New Church (1858). The church famously lacked a steeple for decades due to funding challenges, until it was completed by his son, John Oldrid Scott, in 1890.
• Frank Matcham (4:56 – 7:22): Renowned for his work on over 90 theaters, including the Hackney Empire. In Stoke Newington, he designed the Alexandra Palace (1897), a West End-style theater that was demolished in 1960.
• Hobden and Porri (7:24 – 11:55): An architectural partnership active during the interwar period. They were responsible for several notable Stoke Newington landmarks, including:
  • The World War I Memorial Hall (1923) at Church Street.
  • The Clissold Road Swimming Bath (1930).
  • The Simpsons of Piccadilly clothing factory (1929), reflecting the area’s shift toward industrial trade.
• Arthur Edward Sewell (11:56 – 16:01): As the lead architect for Truman’s Brewery, he specialized in the “improved pub” design of the interwar period. He designed the Red Lion (1924) and the Rose and Crown (1931) in Church Street, both of which were built to accommodate road widening projects.
• J. Reginald Trulove (16:02 – 19:23): A veteran of the First World War who became an assistant architect for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. He won the competition to design Stoke Newington’s municipal buildings (1934), which included the town hall and library.

Slides

The gentrification of Stoke Newington: The 1987 Stoke Newington Lifestyle Guide by Martin Bailey

Recording

Summary

In this presentation, Martin Bailey shares his personal journey of living in Stoke Newington between 1975 and 1989 and his experience creating the 1987 Stoke Newington Lifestyle Guide. The talk explores the changing landscape of the area during a period of transition, decay, and eventual gentrification.

Key themes and insights from the talk include:

• A Faded and Changing Neighborhood (1:09-3:51): Bailey describes the area in the late 1970s and early 1980s as having a sense of decline, with derelict buildings, active clothing factories, and a distinct “mood” defined by its history, religion, and institutional buildings.
• Exotica and Sleaze (5:28-8:05): He recounts memorable local landmarks like the Egg Store, the controversial Madame Lily’s (often rumored to be a front for a brothel), and the lingering presence of local figures, which added to the neighborhood’s unique character.
• The Creation of the Lifestyle Guide (11:31-16:44): Motivated by his background as a history teacher and his fascination with local architecture, Bailey set out to create a directory for the area. He details the manual, pre-digital process of researching at the Hackney Archives, selling advertising, and working with collaborators like designer Richard Gray and illustrator Adrian Morgan.
• The Reality of 1987 (10:18-11:30): The period was marked by high political tension, including class conflict, the rise of “anti-yuppie” movements, and significant social changes in Hackney.
• Legacy and Reflection (19:33-19:59): After the guide was distributed, Bailey moved away, but he reflects on the joy of reconnecting with Stoke Newington history years later through his daughter and local historians.

Slides

Woodberry Down: the Stoke Newington Estate envisaged as a model for Britain’s post-war welfare state by John Boughton

Recording

Summary

This talk by John Boughton explores the history and significance of the Woodberry Down estate in Stoke Newington, which was originally envisioned as a pioneering model for Britain’s post-war welfare state (0:10-0:30).

Historical Development:

• Pre-war origins: The area, once rustic and home to wealthy merchants, was identified by the London County Council (LCC) in 1936 for large-scale housing development to replace poorer living conditions (1:30-1:50).
• Design evolution: Early grandiose plans by E.P. Wheeler were replaced in 1943 by J.H. Forshaw’s ‘zeilenbau’ model, which utilized parallel tall blocks to maximize sunlight, including the notable eight-story buildings overlooking the reservoirs (3:12-4:55).

A Model Community:

• The estate was designed as a “neighborhood unit” meant to be self-contained (7:25-7:45).
• John Scott Health Center: Opened in 1952, it was the first of its kind in London, featuring specialised departments including dentistry and a crèche, though the model was later abandoned by the government (8:18-9:50).
• Woodberry Down Comprehensive School: Established in 1955, this pioneering co-educational school achieved high academic success with 80% of students continuing to sixth form by the 1960s (10:04-10:55).

Decline and Regeneration:

• Neglect: By the 1980s and 90s, the estate suffered from maintenance issues and a changing, poorer population as Right to Buy policies reduced the number of social housing units (12:28-12:55).
• Modern Regeneration: A highly controversial, state-led gentrification process began in the 2000s, utilising a public-private partnership with Berkeley Homes. While this regeneration includes new community facilities, critics highlight the disparity where social housing is often situated on less favorable sites compared to private units overlooking the reservoirs (13:05-16:45).

Conclusion:

• John Boughton reflects that while the original estate was an ambitious attempt at creating collective, high-quality community housing, the modern regeneration process prioritizes private profit, leaving a legacy of significant gain and loss (18:35-18:53).

Slides