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Islington history

The 7 wonders of Islington

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Everyone has a story. This post picks out the very best of Islington’s unique heritage. Photos and words by Nicola Baird The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World isn’t just a list for pub quizzers, it’s a list of truly ancient wonders built with hand tools and ingenuity for posterity…

Tales from the Finsbury Parker newsletter 1975-2001

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Everyone has a story. Demolition, campaigns to bring in pedestrian crossings and a street party offering anaconda kebabs – this is just a fraction of the community building around the streets of Finsbury Park that you can discover by looking through old copies of the ‘Finsbury Parker’ newsletter. Report by…

Celebrating 365 published posts

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Everyone has a story – many interviewees, friends of the blog and readers met for a party to celebrate our 365 published interviews. It was so lovely to have the Islington Faces “family” all together again. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, especially on a summer night…

Anna Mason: Head of Heritage at St John’s Gate

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St John has dominated the southern tip of Clerkenwell for more than 900 years but may still be Islington’s best-kept secret. Here Head of Collections and Public Engagement, Anna Mason, shares the many wonderful offerings from its historic buildings and 100-year-old museum, to its community programmes. Interview by Nicola Baird.…

Renske Mann: my life with artist Cyril Mann

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Everyone has a story. What’s it like to be an artist’s muse? Renske Mann reflects on life with the artist Cyril Mann – including their time at Bevin Court – in her new book. Review by Nicola Baird In 2014 Renske Mann contacted Islington Faces about a new people’s plaque…

Tom Foakes: Director of Operations Charterhouse

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Everyone has a story. How good is it when you find the exact right job? Meet Tom Foakes who reckons the creativity and variety of overseeing the Charterhouse’s historic estate and museum, venue hire, the kitchens and fundraising makes it just about perfect. Interview by Nicola Baird This is the…

Brian Reeve: Charterhouse brother

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Everyone has a story. How do you get to live in the almshouse at Charterhouse (and yes, they do have spaces)? Brian Reeve explains how it was a passion for books that helped him apply… Interview by Nicola Baird This is the second of three interviews on Islington Faces about…

Mike Lawlor: Charterhouse Brother

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Everyone has a story. What’s it like living in the almshouse at the Charterhouse in EC1? Brother Mike Lawlor reveals all from selection to surviving lockdown in the walled garden, plus shopping trips up to the Angel. Interview by Nicola Baird This is the first of three interviews on Islington…

Cally Clock Tower: 46 metres of history

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Everyone has a story. Here’s how you can take a free tour of Islington’s N7 landmark – the Caledonian Clock Tower, a Grade II* listed building recently restored with Heritage Lottery funding. It’s a chance to explore the history of this dominating tower and Cally Park, one-time home to London’s…

Andrew Wilson: songs of place

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Everybody has a story. A professional writer, editor and translator, Andrew Wilson – originally from Canada – has settled in N19. In between work gigs he is sharing his love of history and theatre with Islingtonians of all ages. Interview by Nicola Baird. Photos by Kimi Gill.  “I love to…