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The Growth of Stoke Newington

by Rab MacWilliam

p18

Continued from previous page

Stoke Newington's local government also underwent dramatic changes at this time. Originally run by its own vestry, which was instrumental in acquiring Clissold Park for public use in 1889, the area achieved Metropolitan Borough status in 1900, absorbing South Hornsey and its Town Hall in Milton Grove (Town Hall Approach is still evident on Albion Road). After the Great War, during which Stoke Newington lost 852 serving men, many from its own battalion, and suffered London's first Zeppelin bomb attack, Stoke Newington became a separate Parliamentary Borough in 1918, a status it was to retain until the creation of the Hackney and Stoke Newington North constituency in 1948.

Transport, too, was becoming easier and contributing to the area's development. The horse-drawn trams on Green Lanes and the London Road had been replaced by electric trams in the first decade of the century, and by 1936 these were in turn being replaced by trolleybuses. However, it was not until 1952 that the last electric tram (the 33) was taken over by the 171 bus. Although not exactly on Stoke Newington's doorstep, the opening of Manor House tube station in 1932 nonetheless provided another main route in and out of the Borough.

During the 1930s, development proceeded with vigour. In 1930 Clissold Swimming Pool was opened, in 1937 the new Town Hall was inaugurated and in 1936 the LCC proposed to take over 64 acres of Stoke Newington land at Woodberry Down for housing. The population had now mushroomed to over 50,000, and more housing was urgently required.The LCC's proposal had to remain on ice, however, until after World War Two.

The bombing during the conflict took its toll on the area. As well as the deaths of around 220 civilians, Stoke Newington suffered devastation to over 30 acres of land and the destruction of nearly 500 buildings, with many more badly damaged. A huge programme of reconstruction on the bomb sites took place after the War, mainly providing blocks of flats, such as Hawksley Court Estate (1948), Milton Gardens Estate (1949) and Amwell Court Estate (1950). Work also began on Woodberry Down in 1946 and the 57 blocks of flats, two schools and health centre, were finally completed in 1962.

In 1965, to the dismay of many residents, Stoke Newington's independence shrivelled away when it became part of the London Borough of Hackney. Administrative expediency and the ever-increasing centralisation of powers had triumphed over local autonomy, but development and conservation works continued. Clissold Park and part of Church Street was made a conservation area in 1969, and a somewhat dilapidated Abney Park Cemetery was sold to Hackney Council for £1 in 1978.

From being a run-down, inner-city street in the early 1980s, Church Street has undergone a cultural and commercial renaissance and is now the vibrant heart of Stoke Newington life, its influence spreading to other parts of the area. A spirit of renewal seems to be in the air. Housing association and council projects abound, as do an increasing number of privately-owned houses and flats. The number of Church Street estate agents is a testament to the growing middle-class nature of the area although, as throughout its long history, Stoke Newington continues to offer space to all cultures and classes and to dissidents and non-conformists of all descriptions.

Thanks to Derek Baker for his help in the compilation of this article.

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