Kennington Park/ Chartist Demonstration 1848
[Note: The following fragments were a result of online searches on the topic of Chartism (with a starting point re John Frost and the Newport Chartist Insurrection). The online record of the photo of the Chartist rally on Kennington Common in April 1848, opened a thread that charts a history of enclosure of the Kennington Common and the creation of the public park (cf also the creation of the Oval Cricket Ground). Public space, demonstration. Online records/research. Writing/publishing history. Archive. bak.spc. flickr. -JW]
[1]
The Chartist rally on Kennington Common in April 1848
The Chartist rally on Kennington Common in April 1848 that marked the last high tide of Chartism as a mass movement.
Source:
CHARTIST ANCESTORS
http://chartists.net/
What did your family do in the revolution?
Millions signed the three great Chartist petitions of 1839 to 1848. Thousands were active in those years in the campaign to win the vote, secret ballots, and other democratic rights that we now take for granted.
Chartist Ancestors lists many of those who risked their freedom, and sometimes their lives, because of their participation in the Chartist cause. The names included on the site are drawn from newspapers, court records and books of the time, from later histories and other sources.
I would like to thank the many historians, researchers and the descendents of those associated with Chartism who have helped with this site since it was launched in 2003.
Mark Crail
Source here
[2]
See also vauxhallsociety.org.uk here for photo's and information on Kennington Park:
Kennington Park was formerly Kennington Common and consists of approximately 20 acres which is still part of the Duchy of Cornwall but is managed by Lambeth Borough Council. From the earliest recorded times the Common was widely used for fairs and gatherings of allsorts. Preachers including both Wesley and Whitefield held services on the Common to very large audiences sometimes as many as 50,000 gathered to hear their sermons. In 1848 the Chartists held a meeting there and though the Duke of Wellington called in hundreds of police the meeting ended quietly. The park lodge, known as the Prince Consort's Model Lodge was designed by Henry Roberts.
Camberwell New Road was built in 1818 splitting the Common in two. The southern part, where the Surrey Gallows used to be erected became the site of St Mark's Church built in 1822. Interestingly Parliament only passed the Act to use the common land in this way was not passed until 1824, six days before consecration. The rest of the park was enclosed in 1825 but seems to have been badly managed as in 1852 Thomas Miller said 'Kennington Common is but a name for a small grassless square, surrounded with houses and poisoned by the stench of vitriol works and by black open sluggish ditches.'
Following the formation of the park locals could no longer play games of cricket and formed the Oval Cricket Club which was leased to the Surrey Cricket Club for a nominal fee. In 1869 Doulton and Co donated a statue by George Tintworth - Pilgrimage of Life to the park.
(...)
The following is an extract from the six volume, history of Old and New London by Walter Thornbury published between 1872-1878
"Kennington Common," wrote Thomas Miller, in his "Picturesque Sketches in London," published in 1852, "is but a name for a small grassless square, surrounded with houses, and poisoned by the stench of vitriol works, and by black, open, sluggish ditches; what it will be when the promised alterations are completed, we have yet to see." That the place, however, has since become conpletely changed in appearance we need scarcely state, for it was converted into a public pleasureground, under the Act 15 and 16 Vict., in June of the above-mentioned year. It now affords a very pretty promenade. What was once but a dismal waste, some twenty acres in extent, is now laid out in grass-plats, intersected by broad and well-kept gravelled walks bordered with flower-beds. A pair of the model farm-cottages of the late Prince Consort were erected in the middle of the western side, near the entrance, about the year 1850. More recently, in addition to the improvements effected by the change of the Common to an ornamental promenade, a church, dedicated to St. Agnes, was built on the site of the vitriol works.
On the first formation of the "park," the sum of � 1,800 annually was voted by the Government; but this sum was subsequently reduced, until, in the year 1877, it was only � 1,370; and these reductions had been made although there had been an increase in the total sum devoted to public parks".
Source here
[3]
See also interesting wikipedia discussion re Kenington Park, esp re enclosure following 1848 Chartist Demonstration here:
NOTES ON THE SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON KENNINGTON PARK
* Introduction: I was living right next to Kennington Park for eight years fbefore I started to realise it had an interesting history. Much of my information was gathered in an informal way rather through scholarly research (although I have now done a PhD) so exact or authoritative references are difficult to give on all points. However some notes may help those interested in the quality of information offered here, especially as this is an issue for Wikipedia.
Another point is that I aimed to give a sense of the history by inferring things from context. e.g. William Blake lived nearby and being the person he was must surely have visited the spouting hole that the common was. Tom Paine visited Blake and we can imagine that with their interest in democracy Blake would have taken Paine to the speakers corner. This is conjecture but it immediately gives a clearer sense of what was going on at the common (at least for those who know anything about Blake or Paine!)
Having said this much research needs to be done and I see this timeline a pointer for researchers rather than the last word summary of decades of scholarly work.
* The Chartists: The Chartist 'monster rally' of 10th April 1848 is what I'd call an incontravertible fact. The idea that the common was enclosed in response to that event was something that occured to me like a light going on in my head whilst immersed in this part of the research. It is my interpretation and seems very likely to be true rather than an incontravertible fact.
What is more certain is that historians have tended to represent the Chartists as a failure with 10th April 1848. Again I think that this is due to their vested interests rather than anything of a factual nature. See Dorothy Thompson's work for a more sympathetic approach.
According to her there is still no authoritative overview of Chartism. This is partly due to the fact that Chartism was a federation of small groups widely spread and partly the above mentioned bias against working class self activity.
The tired old case for Chartism as a failure can be found in "Failed Chartist Demonstration in London' History Today Vol 48 issue 4 pp 34/35 1998
* Cricket history. Details were taken from the web and have not been verified in archives. Note how the formation of the SCCC happened in time for cricket to be cleared from the common by the enclosure#
(...)
[ Photograph of Chartist Demonstration ]
"Just how the negative of the first photograph of a crowd taken by William Kilburn got to be kept in the Royal archives at Windsor Castle is another story I'd like to hear more about. That the right to such an iconic image of the dawn of modernity should be owned by the Queen of England an almost laughable reflection on the owning classes fear of the masses".
[4]
vauxhallandkennington.org.uk
KENNINGTON PARK
The Birthplace of People's Democracy
Based mainly on a pamphlet by Stefan Szczelkun (1997)
A short one hundred and fifty years ago Kennington Common, later to
be renamed Kennington Park, was host to a historic gathering which
can now be seen as the birth of modern British democracy. In reaction
to this gathering, the great Chartist rally of 10th April 1848, the common
was forcibly enclosed and the Victorian Park was built to occupy the
site.
The significance of Kennington Park goes back to its origins as a
common. What is important about this site is not the physical aspects of
its layout but the traditions of its usage, a usage which arises from its
unique position in South London. It is here that the road from
Buckingham Palace to Dover crosses the older road from the City of
London to Portsmouth. It was the last common before the centres of
power to the north of the river, particularly Parliament. It was first
recorded as a common on Rocque's 1746 map of London, but it may
well have been crucial as a public meeting place long before that.
(...)
Source here (pdf doc)
[5]
wikipedia: Kennington Park
here
Kennington Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Kennington Park is in Kennington, London, England, in London SE11, and lies between Kennington Park Road and St Agnes Place. It was opened in 1854. Previously the site had been Kennington Common. This is where the Chartists gathered for their biggest 'monster rally' on 10 April 1848. Soon after this demonstration the common was enclosed and, sponsored by the royals, made into a public park.
Kennington Common was a site of public executions until 1800 as well as being the South London speakers corner. One of the most illustrious orators to speak here was John Wesley who is reputed to have attracted a crowd of 30,000.
Cricket may have first been played in London on the common. Today Kennington Park east is hosting the first inner London community cricket ground, sponsored by Surrey County Cricket Club whose home is nearby at The Oval.
In the 1970s the old tradition of mass gatherings returned to the park which was host to the start of many significant marches to Parliament. Today this tendency is opposed by a few locals who prefer the model of the Victorian Park. The Friends of Kennington Park, FoKP, provides a local forum for this struggle.
(...)
* 1815 Feb 28th A mob breaks windows 'round the Horns'. LifeGuards called out to quell the mob. The Riot Act read.
* 1819 Peterloo Massacre signaled end of repression by violence. The sword replaced by cultural repression...
* 1824 St Marks Church by D.R.Roper, built on an enclosed corner of the common, over the river Effra. Promoted by The Church of England as the 'salvation of the common', twenty four years later it was the vicar of this church who led the move to enclose the whole common.
* 1832 1st Reform act, after which husting were set up on Kennington Common (outside The Horns)
* 1845 Surrey County Cricket Club formed (22 August formally constituted on 18th October) at the Horns
* 1845 -50 Irish famine kills a million and caused another 1.5 M to flee
* 1848, 10 April Chartist Monster Rally organised by Black Briton and leader of London Chartists William Cuffey. Chartism was a federation of different groups who had agreed on a set of political demands for an inclusive people's democracy. Chartism was the first national working class organisation and the rally on the 10th April 1848 the high point of the Chartist movement.
* 1848, 10 April First photograph of a crowd taken by William Kilburn probably from the Horns. The Daguerrotype negative is now kept by and copyright Queen Elizabeth and is kept in the Royal archives at Windsor Castle.
* This was a year known for its revolutions see Revolution of 1848
* 1851 More people in cities than country. London's population is 2.5 million.
* 1852 Kennington Common was enclosed. The petition for enclosure was led by vicar of St Marks, aided by the young Prince of Wales. No more gathering or vulgar recreations allowed (without permission!) The sacred mound levelled, the common fenced and landscaped into an urban park. Planted with mostly sapling London Plane trees (which are still living). North and South game pitches are fenced with iron railings (removed in WW2).
"Inclosure, thou'rt a curse upon the land, And tasteless was the wretch who thy existence plann'd" John Clare the peasant poet from Peterborough (1793-1864)
'Alberts Cottages' - 1852
Enlarge
'Alberts Cottages' - 1852
* 1853 Prince Consort Model Lodge (aka 'Prince Albert's Cottages') re-erected from the Great Exhibition (where they were provided by the Society for the Improvement of the Condition of the Labouring Classes) and back porch added.. Architect: Herny Roberts.
* 1853 September 13th The new toll house opens at the fork in Kennington Park Road was built
* 1854 Kennington Park opened maintained by the Crowns Office of Works
* 1859 Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens opened for the last time on the night of Monday, 25 July, 1859.
* 1861 Two panelled gardens laid our by John Gibson on the west side either side the lodge.
* 1861 A gymnasium erected (now the old Tennis courts)
* 1861 Meeting of the Juvenile Temperance Society allowed in the summer.(PRO work 1/71)
* 1862 Felix Slade drinking water fountain designed by Charles Driver. Slade donated this after feeling sorry for the local children who had been taking their refreshment from the cab horse trough.
* 1869 Sir Henry Doulton donates local artist George Tinworth's 'Fountain of Life'
* 1867 2nd Reform Act Lower middle class and artisans get the vote
* 1874 Parish of St Agnes, Kennington Park founded.
* 1877 Church of St Agnes, Kennington Park consecrated by the Lord Bishop of London.
* 1884 3rd Reform Act All adult men get the vote.
* 1887 KP maintenance passed over to London's Metropolitan Board of Works
* 1889 KP passed to London County Council that later became the Greater London Council, GLC, in 1965
* 1897 An Arts & Crafts style refreshment house erected which is now a rare survival.
* 1898 Princess of Wales Theatre, designed by WGR Sprague, opens at the height of the musichall era. (closed c1934 and site CP'd for flats 1949) Had one of earliest air conditioning systems.
* 1899 The first all-night illuminated footpath through a public park.
(...)
* 1977 Bob Marley visits the Rastafarian Temple frequently while recording Exodus. There is film footage of him playing football in the park (film by Howard Johnson then a student at the National Film School)
* 1978 The skateboard bowl was erected on the site of derelict tennis courts (source: eyewitness Andrew Sawdon)
* 1978 November 5th Public gatherings return to the park with a municipal firework display and bonfire.
* 1984 Oval Fountain designed by landscape architect Georgina Livingston.
* 1981 Lambeth Fightback Campaign used the park as an assembly point. The first recorded use for a political gathering since the enclosure.
Oval Fountain - site of public hangings until 1800
Enlarge
Oval Fountain - site of public hangings until 1800
* 1986 5th July Gay Pride march started in Kennington Park followed in the next ten years by many political rallies. The return of the commons spirit?
* 1988 The much loved swimming pool is closed, filled in and covered with tennis courts.
* 1990 31st March A branch of the historic Poll Tax march starts in the Park
* 1990 Nelson Mandela freed
* 1996 KP Management Advisory Committee (the MAC) started by Lambeth Council prepares lottery bid with the architect Carl Callaghan.
* 1997 16pp pamphlet on the parks history from a working class viewpoint written and produced by Stefan Szczelkun. In the following year it sells over 1000 copies in the local newsagents, closest bookshops and so on.
* 1998 10th April The 150th anniversary of the Chartist rally was commemorated by a motley bunch of laterday Chartists led by Marianne from KP estate and helped by Louisa and Stefan.
* 1998 12th April Reclaim the Streets and Liverpool Dockers March rally sets off from the park
(...)
[6]
http://bak.spc.org/kenningtonpark/
[JW- smiles to James ;)]
google/
The History of Kennington Park
Kennington Park birthplace of People's Democracy, LISTEN HERE to the Story. Fascinating information and stunning revelations including : ...
bak.spc.org/kenningtonpark/ - 3k - Cached - Similar pages
Kennington Park
birthplace of People's Democracy LISTEN HERE to the Story
Fascinating information and stunning revelations including :
Public Executions * A Radical Black Methodist * The World's First National Labour Movement * The Chartists * the Significance of 10th April 1848 * The World's First Photograph of a Crowd * The Occupation of Our Common by the Royal Park * The Horns Tavern and Charlie Chaplin * The Princess of Wales Theatre * The Scandal the Unmarked War Grave * The Squatters * 'Red Ted' * The Return of the Commons Spirit
DOWNLOAD the 13page Pamphlet (30k)
Stefan Szczelkun
Source here
[7]
flickr- Kennington Park here
Kennington Park
Created by szczel.
[a photographic community of interest, on the popular photo-sharing website flickr (recently acquired by yahoo)]
[1]
The Chartist rally on Kennington Common in April 1848
The Chartist rally on Kennington Common in April 1848 that marked the last high tide of Chartism as a mass movement.
Source:
CHARTIST ANCESTORS
http://chartists.net/
What did your family do in the revolution?
Millions signed the three great Chartist petitions of 1839 to 1848. Thousands were active in those years in the campaign to win the vote, secret ballots, and other democratic rights that we now take for granted.
Chartist Ancestors lists many of those who risked their freedom, and sometimes their lives, because of their participation in the Chartist cause. The names included on the site are drawn from newspapers, court records and books of the time, from later histories and other sources.
I would like to thank the many historians, researchers and the descendents of those associated with Chartism who have helped with this site since it was launched in 2003.
Mark Crail
Source here
[2]
See also vauxhallsociety.org.uk here for photo's and information on Kennington Park:
Kennington Park was formerly Kennington Common and consists of approximately 20 acres which is still part of the Duchy of Cornwall but is managed by Lambeth Borough Council. From the earliest recorded times the Common was widely used for fairs and gatherings of allsorts. Preachers including both Wesley and Whitefield held services on the Common to very large audiences sometimes as many as 50,000 gathered to hear their sermons. In 1848 the Chartists held a meeting there and though the Duke of Wellington called in hundreds of police the meeting ended quietly. The park lodge, known as the Prince Consort's Model Lodge was designed by Henry Roberts.
Camberwell New Road was built in 1818 splitting the Common in two. The southern part, where the Surrey Gallows used to be erected became the site of St Mark's Church built in 1822. Interestingly Parliament only passed the Act to use the common land in this way was not passed until 1824, six days before consecration. The rest of the park was enclosed in 1825 but seems to have been badly managed as in 1852 Thomas Miller said 'Kennington Common is but a name for a small grassless square, surrounded with houses and poisoned by the stench of vitriol works and by black open sluggish ditches.'
Following the formation of the park locals could no longer play games of cricket and formed the Oval Cricket Club which was leased to the Surrey Cricket Club for a nominal fee. In 1869 Doulton and Co donated a statue by George Tintworth - Pilgrimage of Life to the park.
(...)
The following is an extract from the six volume, history of Old and New London by Walter Thornbury published between 1872-1878
"Kennington Common," wrote Thomas Miller, in his "Picturesque Sketches in London," published in 1852, "is but a name for a small grassless square, surrounded with houses, and poisoned by the stench of vitriol works, and by black, open, sluggish ditches; what it will be when the promised alterations are completed, we have yet to see." That the place, however, has since become conpletely changed in appearance we need scarcely state, for it was converted into a public pleasureground, under the Act 15 and 16 Vict., in June of the above-mentioned year. It now affords a very pretty promenade. What was once but a dismal waste, some twenty acres in extent, is now laid out in grass-plats, intersected by broad and well-kept gravelled walks bordered with flower-beds. A pair of the model farm-cottages of the late Prince Consort were erected in the middle of the western side, near the entrance, about the year 1850. More recently, in addition to the improvements effected by the change of the Common to an ornamental promenade, a church, dedicated to St. Agnes, was built on the site of the vitriol works.
On the first formation of the "park," the sum of � 1,800 annually was voted by the Government; but this sum was subsequently reduced, until, in the year 1877, it was only � 1,370; and these reductions had been made although there had been an increase in the total sum devoted to public parks".
Source here
[3]
See also interesting wikipedia discussion re Kenington Park, esp re enclosure following 1848 Chartist Demonstration here:
NOTES ON THE SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON KENNINGTON PARK
* Introduction: I was living right next to Kennington Park for eight years fbefore I started to realise it had an interesting history. Much of my information was gathered in an informal way rather through scholarly research (although I have now done a PhD) so exact or authoritative references are difficult to give on all points. However some notes may help those interested in the quality of information offered here, especially as this is an issue for Wikipedia.
Another point is that I aimed to give a sense of the history by inferring things from context. e.g. William Blake lived nearby and being the person he was must surely have visited the spouting hole that the common was. Tom Paine visited Blake and we can imagine that with their interest in democracy Blake would have taken Paine to the speakers corner. This is conjecture but it immediately gives a clearer sense of what was going on at the common (at least for those who know anything about Blake or Paine!)
Having said this much research needs to be done and I see this timeline a pointer for researchers rather than the last word summary of decades of scholarly work.
* The Chartists: The Chartist 'monster rally' of 10th April 1848 is what I'd call an incontravertible fact. The idea that the common was enclosed in response to that event was something that occured to me like a light going on in my head whilst immersed in this part of the research. It is my interpretation and seems very likely to be true rather than an incontravertible fact.
What is more certain is that historians have tended to represent the Chartists as a failure with 10th April 1848. Again I think that this is due to their vested interests rather than anything of a factual nature. See Dorothy Thompson's work for a more sympathetic approach.
According to her there is still no authoritative overview of Chartism. This is partly due to the fact that Chartism was a federation of small groups widely spread and partly the above mentioned bias against working class self activity.
The tired old case for Chartism as a failure can be found in "Failed Chartist Demonstration in London' History Today Vol 48 issue 4 pp 34/35 1998
* Cricket history. Details were taken from the web and have not been verified in archives. Note how the formation of the SCCC happened in time for cricket to be cleared from the common by the enclosure#
(...)
[ Photograph of Chartist Demonstration ]
"Just how the negative of the first photograph of a crowd taken by William Kilburn got to be kept in the Royal archives at Windsor Castle is another story I'd like to hear more about. That the right to such an iconic image of the dawn of modernity should be owned by the Queen of England an almost laughable reflection on the owning classes fear of the masses".
[4]
vauxhallandkennington.org.uk
KENNINGTON PARK
The Birthplace of People's Democracy
Based mainly on a pamphlet by Stefan Szczelkun (1997)
A short one hundred and fifty years ago Kennington Common, later to
be renamed Kennington Park, was host to a historic gathering which
can now be seen as the birth of modern British democracy. In reaction
to this gathering, the great Chartist rally of 10th April 1848, the common
was forcibly enclosed and the Victorian Park was built to occupy the
site.
The significance of Kennington Park goes back to its origins as a
common. What is important about this site is not the physical aspects of
its layout but the traditions of its usage, a usage which arises from its
unique position in South London. It is here that the road from
Buckingham Palace to Dover crosses the older road from the City of
London to Portsmouth. It was the last common before the centres of
power to the north of the river, particularly Parliament. It was first
recorded as a common on Rocque's 1746 map of London, but it may
well have been crucial as a public meeting place long before that.
(...)
Source here (pdf doc)
[5]
wikipedia: Kennington Park
here
Kennington Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Kennington Park is in Kennington, London, England, in London SE11, and lies between Kennington Park Road and St Agnes Place. It was opened in 1854. Previously the site had been Kennington Common. This is where the Chartists gathered for their biggest 'monster rally' on 10 April 1848. Soon after this demonstration the common was enclosed and, sponsored by the royals, made into a public park.
Kennington Common was a site of public executions until 1800 as well as being the South London speakers corner. One of the most illustrious orators to speak here was John Wesley who is reputed to have attracted a crowd of 30,000.
Cricket may have first been played in London on the common. Today Kennington Park east is hosting the first inner London community cricket ground, sponsored by Surrey County Cricket Club whose home is nearby at The Oval.
In the 1970s the old tradition of mass gatherings returned to the park which was host to the start of many significant marches to Parliament. Today this tendency is opposed by a few locals who prefer the model of the Victorian Park. The Friends of Kennington Park, FoKP, provides a local forum for this struggle.
(...)
* 1815 Feb 28th A mob breaks windows 'round the Horns'. LifeGuards called out to quell the mob. The Riot Act read.
* 1819 Peterloo Massacre signaled end of repression by violence. The sword replaced by cultural repression...
* 1824 St Marks Church by D.R.Roper, built on an enclosed corner of the common, over the river Effra. Promoted by The Church of England as the 'salvation of the common', twenty four years later it was the vicar of this church who led the move to enclose the whole common.
* 1832 1st Reform act, after which husting were set up on Kennington Common (outside The Horns)
* 1845 Surrey County Cricket Club formed (22 August formally constituted on 18th October) at the Horns
* 1845 -50 Irish famine kills a million and caused another 1.5 M to flee
* 1848, 10 April Chartist Monster Rally organised by Black Briton and leader of London Chartists William Cuffey. Chartism was a federation of different groups who had agreed on a set of political demands for an inclusive people's democracy. Chartism was the first national working class organisation and the rally on the 10th April 1848 the high point of the Chartist movement.
* 1848, 10 April First photograph of a crowd taken by William Kilburn probably from the Horns. The Daguerrotype negative is now kept by and copyright Queen Elizabeth and is kept in the Royal archives at Windsor Castle.
* This was a year known for its revolutions see Revolution of 1848
* 1851 More people in cities than country. London's population is 2.5 million.
* 1852 Kennington Common was enclosed. The petition for enclosure was led by vicar of St Marks, aided by the young Prince of Wales. No more gathering or vulgar recreations allowed (without permission!) The sacred mound levelled, the common fenced and landscaped into an urban park. Planted with mostly sapling London Plane trees (which are still living). North and South game pitches are fenced with iron railings (removed in WW2).
"Inclosure, thou'rt a curse upon the land, And tasteless was the wretch who thy existence plann'd" John Clare the peasant poet from Peterborough (1793-1864)
'Alberts Cottages' - 1852
Enlarge
'Alberts Cottages' - 1852
* 1853 Prince Consort Model Lodge (aka 'Prince Albert's Cottages') re-erected from the Great Exhibition (where they were provided by the Society for the Improvement of the Condition of the Labouring Classes) and back porch added.. Architect: Herny Roberts.
* 1853 September 13th The new toll house opens at the fork in Kennington Park Road was built
* 1854 Kennington Park opened maintained by the Crowns Office of Works
* 1859 Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens opened for the last time on the night of Monday, 25 July, 1859.
* 1861 Two panelled gardens laid our by John Gibson on the west side either side the lodge.
* 1861 A gymnasium erected (now the old Tennis courts)
* 1861 Meeting of the Juvenile Temperance Society allowed in the summer.(PRO work 1/71)
* 1862 Felix Slade drinking water fountain designed by Charles Driver. Slade donated this after feeling sorry for the local children who had been taking their refreshment from the cab horse trough.
* 1869 Sir Henry Doulton donates local artist George Tinworth's 'Fountain of Life'
* 1867 2nd Reform Act Lower middle class and artisans get the vote
* 1874 Parish of St Agnes, Kennington Park founded.
* 1877 Church of St Agnes, Kennington Park consecrated by the Lord Bishop of London.
* 1884 3rd Reform Act All adult men get the vote.
* 1887 KP maintenance passed over to London's Metropolitan Board of Works
* 1889 KP passed to London County Council that later became the Greater London Council, GLC, in 1965
* 1897 An Arts & Crafts style refreshment house erected which is now a rare survival.
* 1898 Princess of Wales Theatre, designed by WGR Sprague, opens at the height of the musichall era. (closed c1934 and site CP'd for flats 1949) Had one of earliest air conditioning systems.
* 1899 The first all-night illuminated footpath through a public park.
(...)
* 1977 Bob Marley visits the Rastafarian Temple frequently while recording Exodus. There is film footage of him playing football in the park (film by Howard Johnson then a student at the National Film School)
* 1978 The skateboard bowl was erected on the site of derelict tennis courts (source: eyewitness Andrew Sawdon)
* 1978 November 5th Public gatherings return to the park with a municipal firework display and bonfire.
* 1984 Oval Fountain designed by landscape architect Georgina Livingston.
* 1981 Lambeth Fightback Campaign used the park as an assembly point. The first recorded use for a political gathering since the enclosure.
Oval Fountain - site of public hangings until 1800
Enlarge
Oval Fountain - site of public hangings until 1800
* 1986 5th July Gay Pride march started in Kennington Park followed in the next ten years by many political rallies. The return of the commons spirit?
* 1988 The much loved swimming pool is closed, filled in and covered with tennis courts.
* 1990 31st March A branch of the historic Poll Tax march starts in the Park
* 1990 Nelson Mandela freed
* 1996 KP Management Advisory Committee (the MAC) started by Lambeth Council prepares lottery bid with the architect Carl Callaghan.
* 1997 16pp pamphlet on the parks history from a working class viewpoint written and produced by Stefan Szczelkun. In the following year it sells over 1000 copies in the local newsagents, closest bookshops and so on.
* 1998 10th April The 150th anniversary of the Chartist rally was commemorated by a motley bunch of laterday Chartists led by Marianne from KP estate and helped by Louisa and Stefan.
* 1998 12th April Reclaim the Streets and Liverpool Dockers March rally sets off from the park
(...)
[6]
http://bak.spc.org/kenningtonpark/
[JW- smiles to James ;)]
google/
The History of Kennington Park
Kennington Park birthplace of People's Democracy, LISTEN HERE to the Story. Fascinating information and stunning revelations including : ...
bak.spc.org/kenningtonpark/ - 3k - Cached - Similar pages
Kennington Park
birthplace of People's Democracy LISTEN HERE to the Story
Fascinating information and stunning revelations including :
Public Executions * A Radical Black Methodist * The World's First National Labour Movement * The Chartists * the Significance of 10th April 1848 * The World's First Photograph of a Crowd * The Occupation of Our Common by the Royal Park * The Horns Tavern and Charlie Chaplin * The Princess of Wales Theatre * The Scandal the Unmarked War Grave * The Squatters * 'Red Ted' * The Return of the Commons Spirit
DOWNLOAD the 13page Pamphlet (30k)
Stefan Szczelkun
Source here
[7]
flickr- Kennington Park here
Kennington Park
Created by szczel.
[a photographic community of interest, on the popular photo-sharing website flickr (recently acquired by yahoo)]
posted by J. at 2:31 PM
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