Bohemian Hackney - London Fields, Beck Road, Regents Canal & Victoria Park (4K)
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- Опубликовано: 20 мар 2021
- Bohemian Hackney - London Fields, Beck Road, Regents Canal, Hertford Union Canal & Victoria Park - shot in 4K
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More info about the life and work of Ron Hitchins can be found here ronhitchins.com/
Hari Kunzru articles about the gentrification of Broadway Market
www.theguardian.com/lifeandst...
www.theguardian.com/society/2...
www.theguardian.com/commentis...
www.harikunzru.com/the-battle...
This walk starts with a look around the incredible home of Hackney artist and flamenco dancer Ron Hitchins. Ron was also known as the Prince of Petticote Lane when he had a stall selling the shirts he made. We then walk across London Fields to the notorious artists studios in Martello Street when Genesis P-Orridge and Cosi Fan Tutti had studios as well as Bruce Lacey and many others. We look at the Pub on the Park, pass Netil Market and London Fields Brewery on our way to Beck Road which was once home to many artists including Genesis P-Orridge and the band Throbbing Gristle, and Helen Chadwick. We pick up the Regent's Canal by the grand gasometers and then pick up the Hertford Union Canal which is currently drained while repairs to the walls are carried out. Our walk ends with a stroll through Victoria Park in the company of Travis Elborough.
Music by
Allégro - Emmit Fenn
Glacier - Patrick Patrikios
Little Drunk, Quiet Floats - Puddle of Infinity
Nevada_City by Huma-Huma
No.7 Alone With My Thoughts - Esther Abrami
Pink Flamenco - Doug Maxwell
Stark Goes Dark - The Whole Other
State Drive - VYEN
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Hi John, I live at number 50 in Beck Road - the iconic house of Genesis and Throbbing Gristle. I’ve put that tribute on the door last year when he died, I am happy that you included it in your video. Thanks for sharing the story of this unique community, I feel honoured to live here and I can still breathe the aura of magic that this area still radiates. There are indeed many stories connected to Beck Road and if you talk to some residents, you’ll be fascinated. It’s great you’ve shared some. Genesis was an immense character that represented in a way the controversial community of squatters and artists of those years - will live in here forever. Come over for a coffee sometime!
Just read Cosey's autobiog to see just what a wanker s/he was. One of the most overrated grifters of 'em all.
Your front door is unique ! Is it original ?
@@clair233 yes. Been here since Throbbing Gristle
@@alessandrotafuro7889 Are you English?
@@adolflenin4973 I am not
Hakney is bewtiful
Oh, John, the fact that your 1990 reminisces are seemingly so very long ago, make me feel like the dinosaur I must be... because my heaviest memories of London were all from the decade of 1968-78! Love your walks - I can still remember my sacred walks through my old London. Back then, I didn’t realize how cherished a memory that they would become.
Ron's art should be kept in situe and his house made into a museum, it's amazing. What a wonderful place, I really could live there quite happily.
Agree with Pat. So obvious that it should have been made the Flamenco Museum / Centre of Grand Britania! Riles me!!!
This channel just gets better and better with every week that passes. Never has a recurring theme managed to paradoxically feel fresh and new every time. See you all next week for another walk with John Rogers - “Wherever that may be!”
Lovely video again John, the derelict building you mentioned along the Hertford Union Canal has an interesting history, it was previously a factory that made wood veneers and in fact all through WW2 it was engaged in making veneers that were used to construct the iconic Spitfire aircraft that became so pivotal to the Battle of Britain success, my mother worked in the factory making the veneers all throughout the duration of the war, it is actually not completely derelict, a small section at one end of the building is still in use as the Chisenhale dance space.
Hackney will always be a special part of London.
Quite agree
Yh about 30 40 years ago now it’s shit
Yes, Beck Road was substantially squatted in the 1970s. Lots of wealthy hipsters these days. One place where you didn;t refer to squatting was the London Fields Lido. SAVED by squatters. The council was planning to demolish it and turn it into a car park for council workers at the town hall. It was squatted, became a social centre as well as a living space and the combination council incompetence and squatters' deft legal defences kept it going for ages. When the council did eventually evict it, the "black hol" in their finances had opened up and they didn't even have the money to secure it, so it just got squatted again! Eventually, they decided to scrap the car park plan and restore it as a lido. The council is very proud of it now but won't admit its history and how their destructive plans were defeated by squatters.
That beck road used to have a pedo ring in the 70s this is what I learnt from a guy I knew in the area, some satanic stuff went on apparently, all went to the old bailey in 2000 I think but it's all been wiped from the records. Strange,. Trust me
A similar phenomenon has taken place here in Crouch End - large houses built for the wealthy middle class fell on hard times after WW1, becoming multi-occupied, before returning to sinle owner-occupation in the 1990s and beyond. 'Reverting to type', you might say.
I love the aesthetics and ambience of these videos. Such an incredibly engaging presenter. Beautiful stuff 🤩👍⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As usual, making my Sunday complete. My parents met in Viccy Park during the war so I have a fondness for it.
Your total lack of cynicism about the changing face of east london is very refreshing. Excellent channel!
That Ron was a commensurate artist, I hope his art is well taken care of. Hackney is another area being gentrified. Great video John😊😊
Thanks Wombat
Loved this one,. Love Hackney.
Hackney Resident here. Nice vid. Cheers! :-) xx
Enjoyed this. Lived in Hackney from 1976 until 2007 and miss the place a lot. Cheers!
A great walk John,...love hearing about and looking at old bohemian London....I live in Dublin but as a young art student in late 90's/2000's I lived in a huge old Victorian house in North Clapham with a gaggle of other students...we never knew who our landlord was either!...great days...thanks for the video...cheers
Hi John, I just discovered your films this week and this one resonated particularly with me, as I squatted on Brougham Road just by Broadway Market from 1991 to 1992 whence I finally escaped to Berlin at the suggestion of house-mates DNTT, a punky circus who’d been performing at Tacheles in East Berlin at the time. We used to drink in the (now demolished) Market Bar on Broadway Market - not a particularly appealing boozer but cheaper than The Dove next door - I think we were responsible for lending it the Hackney squatter’s scent you mention! I was aware of the Beck Road community and the TG connection but had not heard of Ron Hitchins, so thanks for that. There was always a chance of a lock-in at a great little pub where the Regent’s Canal crosses Mare Street - now closed & I can’t remember the name. I cycled along the canal a lot, either west to my job as a stage-hand at Sadler’s Wells or east to Roman Road where my then toddler daughter lived. Now an artist in her 30s, she lives just north of London Fields so I often visit and note the utterly transformed demographic. I also find your non-judgmental attitude to gentrification really refreshing - I’d struggle with that but, of course, cities change… Thanks for the memories once again!
The area I grew up in. It was a very different when I was a young man in the 70s and 80s. Very run down with street after street of boarded up dilapidated buildings. Lots of crime and violence at the time too. Happy to see how much the area has improved and it's image has changed.
I missed buying a house in Hackney, needed lots of work and I dont think i had the strength, mental or physical, to do it. I think it was Beck Road being sold at auction on instructions of LB Hackeny that presumably had CP'd it at some time.
@@highpath4776 would have been worth a fair bit now!
Yes you definitely missed out..the houses round here going for 1 million upwards
yea.. the London Fields of the 70's and 80's is what I remember. Very different place back then. My sis lived in Alden house estates right off Sheep lane.
@@j_thom I'm opposite Alden at Broadway House 😊
Live in London Fields and didn’t know a lot of this. Especially Throbbing Gristle's old studio being there.
As a 'Hackney Mothers hospital' baby - I thank you!
(wasn't very 'Bohemian in 1961)
I was born there too, the last year of its being open
@Russ Cooke what, being born? 😆
Nice to see more of Hackney and learn about the canal. Thanks for the walk, so much to see.
Brilliant. I sent this to a friend who lived in Hackney from the late 80's through early 2k's. This takes me back to the walks we used to do when I visited him a few times a year. Chapeau!
I lived and worked in hackney from 1972 to 2010 and still like home when i go back, thank for the video.
I'd never heard on Ron and blown away by his beautiful ornate works in what looks like a very liveable home. I'm looking forward to seeing those pieces on exhibit.
10:19 Martello Hall was a boozer called 'The London Fields'. One of the nearby buildings was the local polytechnic which reportedly John Lyndon and Simon Ritchie attended.
Excellent video, much enjoyed.
Thanks Em
I love this video a great walk thanks John
I'm so glad they didn't tear down those beautiful houses can you imagine what would be in their place .. I remember the 90s well great memories people seemed happier and had more fun great videos please keep doing them ...I start my day on one of your videos
i enjoy your company of Travis Elborough - he's a bright chap, he is - most informative!
Lovely walk - now a staple of my Sunday evening...
The Great Eastern Railway, among others, was responsible for a lot of these areas thriving. Parliament ruled that, in return for the railways, particularly Liverpool St station, receiving authorization, the GER was obliged torun cheap, so-called "workmans' trains" to and from London. This encouraged/enabled many working class families to move out to places like Hackney, Shenfield, Ilford, London Fields etc and commute to work daily. I'm sure there are many more interesting reasons for the existence of these suburbs but the GER has to take some of the credit/blame.👍👌😁
Thanks for taking us along on another interesting amble John - much appreciated.
My beloved home ... born here ... and still live her #40years ❤️
I enjoyed that walk, thank you. Earlier today I watched a video from Si-finds, a Thames mudlarker, on youtube, and interestingly and perhaps coincidentally, he was helping to clean the drained part of the canal you showed. It's a coincidence to me, since I live near Boston, MA, to see the same part of London through the cameras of two different people posted on the same day.
London is relatively small, but Hackney is a very popular area.
thanks Anne - I'm glad the draining of the canal has been covered by someone, I was thinking that David from Cruising the Cut would make a good video about the restoration
I was born across from Regents canal. 1965, block of flats on Dunston road, corner of Stean street. Moved to Australia in 1974. Went back to London for the first time in 2019.
11:50 Broadway Market! My first visit there was in the 90s when it looked at bit desperate. There was a lovely pub there called the Dove (I think). The last time I was was 2019 doing a walk from Broadway market to Walthamstow market via Victoria Park and the Lea Valley and Broadway Market was all a bit yak's milk lattes. Walthamstow market felt more like a London market with shops selling African fabrics near to old school butchers and fishmongers
Another fantastic walk - I can’t wait to be able to visit this wonderful spaces myself.
Nice one John, one of my old muckers recalls ‘orses pulling the narrow barges along that stretch of the canal. Greatly changed.
Thank you we enjoyed your walk and look forward to the next one
Loved this walk. Ron’s house was amazing. Doing Mudchute to Limehouse, via Victoria Park, next week. 😀
So interesting and informative as your walks are always .Always look forward to the next one!!!
Love this guy's videos, can't get enough of them. He is so good and informative!
Another wonderful informative walk, thoroughly enjoyed this, cheers John
As always what a wonderful walk. I can't wait until England is open again to us visitors from across the pond. Thank you John!
Thank you John, a lovely walk. So enjoyed the reference to the Eau d' Hackney. Bottle that and you could make a fortune... 😀
London fields, Victoria park and surrounding areas used to be very dangerous and rather run down till about 2005, when it became gentrified when they announced the 2012 olympics. It has totally lost all its character and most real locals can no longer been found.. its £17 coffee prams and chasmere scarfs now
Yeah, it's funny, isn't it? I look at many of the people 'hanging' in the likes of Beck Road, and think "I bet you wouldn't have been seen dead round here in the 90s". Same with Hackney Wick. That's change though eh? Lots of positives, lots of negatives. I bet most of the hipsters fuck off to Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire once they have kids though (can't see e'm subscribing to multiculturalism once they see the local state schools)?
@@trevorbarre5616 They don’t integrate and look down at the real loccals. I heard two women talking about a young lady with a pram down broadway market, rather vicious stuff. Have a east end accent and when I drink in Martello hall, people look down there noses at me some times..
Personally can’t stand the lot of them, horrible snide self absorbed tossers.
Thank you for brightening up my evening John. It took me back to my college days in Hackney and also the pembury tavern pub where I went for a pint at lunchtime. Bob.
Always a wonderful viewing experience. Love your walks around London. Thank you. 🙏
The pub on Martello Street used to be the London Fields. And the brewery was formerly Hackney College with the Hackney triangle to the front on Mare Street.
Queen Eleanor
No, The London Fields pub was on Mare Street, itis now called Martello Hall
Early nineties Hackney was something special.
Depends where you were. I'm a lifelong Hackney resident but early 90s had a lot of violent crime in the Clapton area stretching up to Dalston. The 80s I have fonder memories of. Don't get me wrong, it's always maintained its magic but certain decades stand out for me for various reasons.
@@t1000v20 I remember the violence too. Especially one week when 3 people were killed in separate incidents in Lower Clapton Road and I remember a night in the Lord Cecil when a man brought a samurai sword to a pub fight. There was also discontent, a poll tax riot and poverty but somehow it, as you say, the place maintained it's magic.
@@runswithcows Yes i remember all that. Lower Clapton road was nuts for a while. There was a big gangland culture for a bit that really disrupted the peace. Do remember that Samurai sword incident. Things did start to calm down though as we got into the 2000s, more sort of the back end of the first decade. Loads has changed but a lot of stuff remains and as soon as i begin to walk around Millfields, or Springfield park, along the River Lea, or shopping around Dalston even though it's quite trendy now, still has that Hackney vibe. Still love Ridley Rd market and go there often.
@@t1000v20 The guy calmly walked to the boot of his car and returned to the pub with the sword, crazy stuff. Although that incident wasn't gang related there certainly was a lot a gangland crap fighting over the, quite considerable, drugs trade. I moved up the road to Stokey in the late nineties and slowly watched the area disappear up it's own arse. I recall a second generation Fulhamite bartender in the White Hart pub telling me that my language and general demeanour is unsuitable for a family orientated bar!
Gentrification is a funny thing, it is full of hope, unreal expectations and an unrealistic sense of belonging. My answer to the bartender? "Get me another large whisky and while you are at it think about how you are going to get home". That was the end of an era for me and time to leave my home town. I now enjoy my fond memories from a beautiful village in Yorkshire.
Be lucky.
Thank you for this walk!
Thankyou John,you’re keeping us all sane during this crazy time👍
I was shouting at the screen "don't go down the towpath, you'll get stuck".
Brilliant John! Glad to rediscover Ron Hitchins, I'd seen something about him before but didn't realise the full story. I love the old houses with original sash windows, to think that area could have disappeared! Canal views interesting, especially the drained section. Spent fair bit of time in the area late 80's-2000. Great viewing, thanks!
Wonderful episode! I recognize some familiar stomping grounds when I was briefly living there between 2006-2007. I remember enjoying pints and food at the Pub in the Park and frequented Victoria Park and Regent's Canal quite often. Had never heard of Ron Hitchens until now, what a character. I love those ceramic tile installations, reminiscent of Louise Nevelson and Kurt Schwitters... so interesting ;-) Anyway, it is so nice to see these familiar places; seeing them brings back fond memories of my own meandering wanders...so thanks :-)
Thanks John, love your walks. Its changed for sure. Spent 70's 80s up around there at my uncles pub on wick road. Had many a night at the 'parks' pubs. Tough but lovely memories.
Wow John, thanks for the view of the house of Ron, the flamenco dancer! I had only heard of him fairly recently as I saw an old film clip in black and white about him (possibly BBC?) what an amazing dancer and interesting guy! I didn't know anything about his house in Hackney - so glad the contents are to be kept for posterity!
I know the area well...until 1976, I had an aunt and uncle who used to live on the top floor of the Broadway House flats in Jackman Street, on the edge of Broadway Market. We used to walk the full length of Beck Road to get to and from the bus stop in Mare Street. Near the railway line, on the site of what is now the Ash Grove Bus Garage, there used to be a factory manufacturing perfumes, some of the odors that generated from there were quite exotic!!
I've just discovered your videos and they are amazing. So many places I want to visit/revisit.
Lived on Graham Rd from 1999 till late 2003, loved it round there, your video made me homesick
Thanks John, another great London walk...cheers mate.
Hackney ...My home town❤️
Top notch as always John. Informative and inspiring to my own work. Thank you.
So cool love your channel love a good walk
Another great Sunday evening walk - thanks John
Thank you so much for creating these beautiful videos- I find them educational and incredibly soothing simultaneously.
That’s great to hear Alex, thanks
Lovely walk - thank you
Thanks for this video. I moved from Berlin to Hackney 5 years ago so it's always interesting to hear a bit more about the history.
Thank you so much for this John
my pleasure Richard
Love artists colonies so vibrant and Hackney has a character all of its own
Hello John, I've recently discovered your videos; thanks loads, my current favorite viewing! I live nr Euston, also I've a Narrowboat (currently next to Granary Sq). I'll be heading off up north Mid April (heading west through Camden, around regents park, little Venice and beyond. if you wanna jump on the boat for an hour or so, do a bit from a canals eye view, you'd be welcome (no worries if not, just an offer). Thanks again for the Videos, very watchable. Cheers, P
That's a very kind offer - where can I contact you? My email is fugueur99 at gmail dot com
@@JohnRogersWalks Morning John, I've just emailed you. Message me back on here if you don't get it. Cheers, P
Great walk John keep it up interesting look at hackney
Spot on with the 90s smell ha ha, it was the same at gigs and Kensington Market in the 90s. Great video John!
Great film John. Thank you ...
Hi John,The Martello Hall use to be called :The London Fields pub" had many a lock in there 😉..Used :Pub on the Park too, and remember it when it didn't have a terrace, remember it being built !!!!
Lordy that was a trip down memory lane. Thank you. Enjoy
You missed out Broadway Market😱Just kidding...Again, what a wonderful way to spend an early Sunday evening watching another fab video. Arguments have started now as to whether we watch you first or have Sunday dinner.
Thanks, another great walk 👍
Another fantastic and informative video ,thanks !
Cheers Kathleen
John, I thank you so much for your videos. It is cosy walking with you and hearing your comments about the London you chose for today. I am also thankful that I get a stronger view on East London and streets like Beck Street today. Not the skyscraper- London. I wish I could be with you one time somewhere in a pub and have a beer with you. Thank you for being there.
I knew nothing about Ron Hitchins until watching your vid. A fascinating character and a fantastic artist.
John I really enjoy your videos always interesting and entertaining. Thank you for posting them, I have sen many and look forward to many more cheers Joe 👍👍
Just discovered your channel John and I’m loving your tours of London,they are so informative and interesting so I’m not getting any work done cos I can’t stop watching,thanks
Really enjoy these walks John. My kind of therapy.
Thanks John; superbly informative as ever
Thanks John
Love it so evocative and the Throbbing Gristle context magnificent
Brill video. I am a west Londoner and have been to Hackney once, this was a great insight. 👍
You've vlogs are a delight John. Days around Victoria Park and the canals. Absolute joy.
Thanks Robbie
nice to be with you again. thank you
great video
Loved this walk around my manor John, regularly walk around and down to the Thames along the canals. Martello Hall I think was just called The London Fields and the other street you mentioned which was a long standing squatted area was Ashwin Street as I lived there back in the day.
We went to some incredible warehouse parties during the late 80s in Hackney or crackney as it was called before gentrification . 😀 Im sure that bus dept is listed building now . great video John thanks for uploading.
London Fields Lido is a heated outdoor pool. Have swum there many a time, even in cold December!
I remember in the late eighties when they opened a wine bar in Hackney.
It made national news.
Hahaha brilliant! What was it called and is it still there?
Great again! My manor.
My mum was born in London Fields. This vlog set me on a search. My Nan was in a Guinness tenement. and I found a photo of Columbia Rd. where one of the buildings (done up) still remains. I think she lived in the one that is now gone. I could tell you some stories John about these horrible places but I'll just say that every Empire Day. My Nan used to take the piano from the two rooms she and Granddad lived in and using webbing straps lower it down the five floors so my Granddad could play for the street party and then she'd hoist it back up all those stairs. Different world. Thanks for sharing :)
So great information walk tour.💖 Thank sharing.💖
many thanks for watching Sabuzac
Fantastic!!!
ah yes, the completion of the evening! great stuff :D
Thank you for a great video John, as always. I lived in Blackstone Road, London Fields from birth 1946 to 1969 when they were pulled down to make way for Fields Estate. Went to Gayhurst School then Grocers at Hackney Downs. I was pleased to see most of the Lansdowne Drive Houses are still there. I can remember the funeral procession for the gangster Tommy Smithson in 1956 which went from his mum's house in Wilman Grove, the British Pathe news website has a great video of it. Sadly I live 300 miles away now so don't get to see the old place any more, I really must make the effort.
Before the guys from Martello Hall took over the venue it used to the Warburyon Arms, it was large and usually empty in recent years with a large-ish center bar instead of the wall-flush hat they have now.
Hello John. Always a pleasure to join you. Thank you for reminding me of Patchouli oil; takes me right back to art school in the 60's. Might try to get some again. Bless you and yours. G