Category: Archive

  • First Train to Farringdon

    Opened to the public 160 years ago the Metropolitan Line was the world’s first passenger-carrying underground railway and Farringdon Street Station in Clerkenwell was its first terminus station. Celebrating what was the start of the London Underground “First Train to Farringdon” is a free temporary display in the Islington Local…

  • Islington’s Christmas Past: Part II

    Once again we find ourselves in a festive season in strange times. Last year, as a bit of a diversion, we took a brief look at some of the Christmas ‘goings-on’ of Islington past in Pantos, Pageants and Puddings and we thought we’d take another dive into the Islington Local…

  • Streets with a Story: The Book of Islington

    First published in 1986, Streets with a Story: The Book of Islington, is an A-Z of Islington and Finsbury’s roads, streets, buildings and open spaces – both old and new. (Above: Angel and Islington High Street, 1920s). An invaluable resource for all those discovering and researching the fascinating history of…

  • Pantos, Pageants and Puddings: Islington’s Christmas Past

    We’re all witnessing a different kind of Christmas in 2020. One without the usual carol services, Christmas fairs, pantomime outings and no spending ‘real time’ with family and friends. As a diversion, we thought we’d take a brief look at some of the Christmas ‘goings-on’ of Islington past. Read on…

  • Meet Me At The Aggie

    Meet Me At The Aggie showcases Islington Local History Centre’s collection of Royal Agricultural Hall posters, promoting the amusement fairs held in the 1870s and 1880s. The once World-famous hall is now the Business Design Centre on Upper Street, Islington. These fairs were aimed at a growing middle class who…

  • Finsbury Park man’s experience: newspaper stories

    Finsbury Park man’s experience: newspaper stories

    Islington Daily Gazette and North London Tribune 7th October 2015 Warfare in Gallipoli ~~~~ Finsbury Park man’s experience  ~~~~ We recently published extracts from a letter written by Trooper E.V. Balsom, of the machine Gun Section of the City of London Yeomanry Rough Riders, whose father – the proprietor of a…

  • Canonbury rate collector’s adventures: newspaper story

    Canonbury rate collector’s adventures: newspaper story

    Islington Daily Gazette and North London Tribune 16th September 1915 Canonbury rate collector’s adventures ~~~~ Somewhere in Gallipoli ~~~~ Cake badly wanted. ~~~~ We have received a copy of a letter from Mr. R. A. Jordan, the Canonbury rate collector, who is serving “somewhere in Gallipoli.” He writes:- I have…

  • Holloway man who was killed in action: Newspaper Story

    Holloway man who was killed in action: Newspaper Story

    Islington Daily Gazette and North London Tribune 14th September 1915 Holloway man who was killed in action ~~~~ Chaplain’s letter to bereaved mother ~~~~ Mr. W. B. Parker who has already written in regard to the death of Mr. Alfred Jones – a Holloway man who was killed in Gallipoli…