On 4th July members of the association were treated to a fascinating guided walk by Rob Smith around the squares of Barnsbury.
Rob explained that, in the 18th century, people moved from the City up to the village of Islington for fresher air and space. Initially ribbon housing was built along Upper Street and our other main thoroughfares.
People generally walked, rather than rode, to work into the City, so Highbury Fields was as far as people were prepared to live. Slowly, therefore, the large local dairy farms such as Laycocks, with 8,000 head of cattle, were sold to developers to build the squares, whose central green spaces were prized for providing healthy fresh air.
Built for the wealthy, once those families eventually moved further out, the squares fell into decline.
Barnsbury Square then housed paint and formica factories. Part of the square was rumoured to replace a Roman hill fort, hence the name Mount Fort House, which remains today. One young and artistic resident was known to parade among the ruins dressed in a toga.
We learned about other fascinating people who lived in Arundel, Barnsbury and Lonsdale Squares, including one colourful, if politically mobile couple, who after fighting for the republicans in Spain, helped found our home guard prior to World War II.
Eventually, the torrential rain drove us prematurely into the Drapers Arms for refreshment. An interesting and enjoyable evening was had by all.
Neil Vickers