20.06.2024 – Stoke Newington History Talks 22

The 22nd Stoke Newington History Talks event featured three talks about the Town Hall, Allen’s Estate and the 1960s. St Matthias Halls was packed as always, and it was great seeing many familiar faces as well as meeting people who have attended the event for the first time. Ticket sales raised £683 for The Old Fire Station, bringing the total raised for charitable causes from the last 15 events to £9,472.

Swinging Stoke Newington – A Journey Through Changes in the 1960s by Amir Dotan

Recording

Summary

This presentation, Swinging Stoke Newington – A Journey Through Changes in the 1960s, provides a detailed look at how the area was fundamentally transformed during that decade. The talk covers the transition from an independent metropolitan borough to its integration into the London Borough of Hackney.

Key themes and transformations:

Administrative Changes: In 1965, Stoke Newington lost its municipal independence due to the Local Government Act of 1963, a move that still evokes strong feelings of local identity among long-time residents (1:04-8:20).
Loss of Heritage Buildings: The decade saw the demolition of several grand Victorian structures, including the Alexandra Palace theater (8:45-9:55), the old Town Hall (11:14-12:57), and various Victorian churches such as the Methodist Church in Green Lanes and All Saints Church (13:36-16:45).
Housing and Development: Significant council housing projects were built to address the need for modern accommodation, including the massive Woodberry Down Estate (23:00-24:28) and Lincoln Court (26:55-27:13), often replacing older, affluent Victorian-era housing.
Infrastructure and Transport: The 1960s marked the end of the trolley bus system in 1962 (19:59-22:52) and the introduction of a one-way system on the High Street, reflecting the rising influence of personal car ownership (16:46-17:36).
Culture and Education: The area maintained a vibrant scene, with legendary acts like Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin performing at local pubs like the Manor House (17:40-18:42). Additionally, school architecture shifted from traditional Victorian factory-style buildings to more open, modern designs, such as the Clissold Park Secondary School (32:31-34:25).
Community Life: Archival footage highlights daily life in Clissold Park, showing the community, the old bandstand, and a bygone miniature train (28:54-32:28).

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The History of Stoke Newington Civic Centre by Tim Walder

Recording

Summary

This presentation by Tim Walder, a former conservation officer for Hackney Council, explores the rich architectural, political, and social history of the Stoke Newington Town Hall (Civic Centre).

Key takeaways from the history of the Civic Centre include:

Design and Construction (1934–1937): Architect Reginald True Love, a veteran of the First World War and designer for the Imperial War Graves Commission, was selected to lead the project (9:03-10:00). The building features a distinctive Art Deco aesthetic and reflects the era’s ‘arms race’ of municipal building projects among London boroughs (7:15-8:00, 14:47-15:08).
Purpose and Layout: Originally designed as a “Civic Centre,” the facility was intended to house the council, medical officer of health, and a versatile Assembly Hall featuring a sprung Canadian maple floor for ballroom dancing (2:30-2:40, 27:05-27:32). It includes clever design details like specifically shaped alcoves for prams in the public vestibule (22:51-23:06).
Wartime Preparations: The building was camouflaged in 1938 as part of civil defense efforts, and a Cold War-era bunker was added in the 1950s (32:01-33:10, 35:28-36:00). This subterranean space still contains original communication equipment and a manual-cranked diesel engine for air filtration (36:57-38:12).
Modern Challenges: Following a 2010 renovation by Hawkins–Brown architects, the building is largely underutilized today (38:34-39:56). Walder highlights significant conservation issues, including failing roofs and asbestos-related complications, noting that the Council now faces a difficult future in finding a sustainable new use for the site (40:06-41:24).

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Rot, Revolution, and Reform: The Lost Story of Matthew Allen’s Innovative Estate in Stoke Newington in the 1870s by Darren Silk

Recording

Summary

This presentation explores the history, architectural innovation, and social context of the Matthew Allen Estate in Stoke Newington, built during the 1870s. Darren Silk, the builder’s three-times great-grand-nephew, provides an in-depth look at how Matthew Allen revolutionized Victorian housing.

Historical Context and Design Philosophy

Background (1:11-2:34): Matthew Allen, an innovator from Brampton, arrived in a London defined by uniform, poor-quality, and overcrowded Georgian housing.
French Influences (11:51-12:02, 28:56-30:06): The estate draws heavily from French Second Empire architecture, inspired by landmarks like the Palace of Fontainebleau. Allen utilized the architectural press to adopt European design elements that were uncommon in London at the time.
Material Innovation (8:41-9:27, 21:58-22:27): Allen was a pioneer in using reinforced concrete for floors and ceilings, making the buildings fireproof and soundproof—a massive leap forward for working and middle-class housing.

The Estate’s Unique Features

Comprehensive Living: The estate was designed as a holistic living environment, incorporating vineries, private gardens, bowling greens, and playgrounds (38:36-39:07).
Logistical Ingenuity (36:24-37:07, 39:24-40:26): Allen strategically connected the estate to the railway for efficient delivery of coal and furniture directly to the site, creating a self-sufficient community.
Adaptive Construction (20:29-21:16, 25:07-25:24): The estate was built in phases between 1873 and 1875. Allen actively sought feedback and adapted his designs as he went, ensuring each block met the specific needs of its residents.

Legacy

Social Impact (42:51-43:00): Allen’s vision allowed families to access a level of housing quality and communal amenity that was previously unattainable for most.
Patents and Influence (43:35-44:05): Though he originally patented his concrete components, he later rescinded the patent to encourage better, safer building practices across the industry.