Stoke Newington History Talks 22

You are invited to the 22nd Stoke Newington History Talks event; an evening of three talks about Stoke Newington's history from different perspectives organised by local historian Amir Dotan (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads). To date, there have been 40 guest speakers and 63 talks, which is remarkable given the event's focus on such a relatively small area, but with a very rich history! The event’s mailing list has 1,500 subscribers, and tickets sell out within a day, so don’t wait too long to book a ticket.

The event will be held in St Matthias Halls, Wordsworth Road N16 8DD. Each talk is 25min followed by 5min Q&A. There'll be a 10min break between each talk and a bar with a selection of beer and wine.

Doors open no sooner than 7:00 PM to ensure the venue is prepared for your optimal experience.

Tickets are £7 with the proceeds going to charity. This time, proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to The Old Fire Station; a vibrant community building in the heart of Stoke Newington, which is home to a number of charities and not-for-profit groups and organisations that provide services for the benefit the local people of Hackney. The last 14 events raised £8,789 for charitable causes (List of the charities available here).

Join the mailing list to know about upcoming Stoke Newington History Talks events.

Recordings, slides and photos from previous events since 2016 are available here: https://stokenewingtonhistory.com/stoke-newington-history-talks/

The 1960s saw Stoke Newington going through significant changes that have had a lasting impact still felt today. This talk explores the transformative changes during this decade, the last of Stoke Newington as an independent local authority. It covers the demolition of landmarks like the old Town Hall and Alexandra Theatre, council housing developments, and new schools replacing Victorian houses, significantly altering the built environment. Additionally, it examines transportation changes, such as the one-way system on Stoke Newington High Street and the end of the electric trolleybuses. Discover which local music venues featured bands like The Who, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and more!

Amir Dotan () has been researching the history of Stoke Newington since 2011. He shares his findings on , , , . He started '' in 2016.

If you've strolled along Bethune Road and Manor Road, you've likely noticed a row of houses with an impressive and unusual design in the area. This talk, led by Matthew Allen's 3x great grandnephew, unveils the forgotten narrative of Allen's Estate of Bethune and Manor Roads. Delve into how Matthew Allen's life and the tumultuous 19th century shaped its French-inspired design, exploring Victorian London, the revolutions he witnessed, and his innovative ideas. Discover the groundbreaking Allen's Estate of 1874-1875, despite Matthew lacking formal architectural training he lectured at the RIBA and was elected to the RSA in 1865. Uncover the legacy of the estate, now Allens Gardens, as a cherished public space, and explore Matthew's patented artificial stone building components.

Darren J. Silk BA (Hons.) Arch. ACIAT is an Architectural Assistant from Cambridgeshire that has worked for Devlin Architects since 2019. He specialises in historic buildings, their detailing, heritage repairs, and their histories as well as working on more contemporary architecture. Darren has been researching his family tree since 2012 and has been working in architectural practices since 2013, which has led him to understand his family's built history not only in Cambridgeshire but also in Stoke Newington.

In 2016, while serving as a Conservation Officer for Hackney Council, Tim Walder conducted a comprehensive exploration of the municipal buildings complex on Stoke Newington Church Street as part of preparing an Assessment of Significance. In his talk, Tim will delve into his analysis of these historic buildings, which were the administrative and social hub of the former Metropolitan Borough of Stoke Newington before its incorporation into the London Borough of Hackney in 1965. His analysis will highlight the architectural and historical significance of the complex, shedding light on its role in local governance and community life. Expect valuable insights into the heritage and lasting importance of these buildings within Stoke Newington's rich history.

Tim Walder (MA MSc PGCE IHBC) has worked as the Principal Conservation Officer for the Greater London Authority since September 2022. He provides development management advice and advice on procedure and policy development, including the London Heritage Strategy and the London View Management Framework. Previously a primary school teacher, he has worked as a local authority Conservation Officer for ten years (in Lewisham and Hackney). His research interests include the history of conservation policy, late Victorian and Edwardian social welfare buildings (schools, swimming baths and disinfecting stations), Art Deco town halls and historic places of worship.

• "Loved your street signs talk last night. In fact all the presenters were great. Thank you so much for your dedication and energy in setting these evenings up." (Graeme)
• "That was a wonderful evening last night. You said it would be special and it was. That chap James talking about electricity he is a star! How can anyone make substations sound interesting. Brilliant. And Mark was just great too. So relaxed and cool and calm. To think that Stokey looked like that at the time I was spending time there. I do not remember anything … we just used to go to the pubs and hear music. No cameras with us of course." (Rachel)
• "Thank you Amir for the wonderful talk tonight. It was all so interesting! Mark and James were great too so please pass on thanks to them for sharing. Look forward to the next one." (Amanda)
• "We thoroughly enjoyed your last gig, we were treated to so much information – too much for my aged brain to retain, so I’m looking forward to seeing the video of the event to refresh my memory." (Alan)
• "Many thanks again for an excellent event. You and your guests help us enjoy and appreciate our common local history and urban landscape in massively entertaining ways." (Julio)

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More videos are available here: https://www.youtube.com/@historyofstokey3342/videos

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

St Matthias Halls, Wordsworth Road, London, United Kingdom