Place   

The Island

Categories: Community / Clubs

This 1870 map shows that the land between Stoke Newington Common and Hackney Downs, to the east of where the railway was to be built, was entirely undeveloped and occupied by three large areas, each labelled "brick field".  This was all built up with houses in the next few decades, as shown in the 1895 map, a section of which we include here. This shows 5 streets, which can only be accessed from Rendlesham Road - an urban island.

The Hackney Gazette suggests that there was an arrangement whereby residents approaching from the north, not wishing to go the long way round, could pass through one of the properties on the border in return for a penny. The maps shows that those living at either end of Ottaway Street may have been able to benefit from this additional income.

We don't know when, but by the time of the 1936-9 map both Heatherley Street and Stellman Street had been cut through to join Everling Road, and, though most of the houses remained, The Island was no more. Then in 1970 the houses were demolished to make way for new housing, Stellman Close. Interesting that this is laid out so as to recreate some of the Island-like characteristics.

The Hackney Gazette describes how odd the area was and refers to some books and audio walks about it. There are photos of the streets and the people. 

An explanation for how The Island came to be may be found in the 1870 map. The border of the most southerly of the brick fields coincide with the borders of The Island.  It's as if that brick field was developed first without any expectation that the area to the north would also be developed.

We hunted around but could find no remains of the area, nor any references, apart from the mural, and 'Island Metals' - a scrap metal merchants in Rendlesham Road.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
The Island

Commemorated ati

The Island mural

This mural repays some examination. Firstly, looking at the buildings in the ...

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Other Subjects

William Samuel Abbs

William Samuel Abbs

Chairman and Secretary of Webheath Tenants Association for over 30 years, and married for 56 years. From the Camden New Journal "Bill Abbs was primarily known in Camden as an “old school” fighter ...

Person, Community / Clubs

1 memorial
L.U.D.R.A.

L.U.D.R.A.

This almost certainly is the Leyton Urban District Ratepayers Association, who erected other plaques in the area. It had two candidates elected to the Urban District Council in 1904, and It underto...

Group, Community / Clubs

1 memorial
Woodford Green Men's Club

Woodford Green Men's Club

Either the club or its Harrier section was established in 1904.  Its origins are back in the 1880s when it was part of the sports section of the Woodford Green Working Mens' Institute.  More inform...

Group, Community / Clubs, Gender Issues

1 memorial
United Wards Club of the City of London

United Wards Club of the City of London

Both the picture source website and the City of London explain what this is. It was founded at The Bell, Carter Lane by Joseph Newbon.

Group, Community / Clubs

1 memorial
International Students House

International Students House

ISH began life in 1917 as Student Movement House, a social centre opened at 32 Russell Square in memory of students who died in WW1. 1932 - 46 the warden of Student Movement House was Mary Trevelya...

Group, Community / Clubs, Education

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Central British Fund for World Jewish Relief

Central British Fund for World Jewish Relief

Now known as the World Jewish Fund.  Established in 1933 as the Central British Fund, the charity rescued over 100,000 Jewish people from Germany before WWII and was also largely responsible for or...

Group, Religion, Social Welfare

1 memorial
Clare Coghill

Clare Coghill

Councillor. In January 2017 she was elected as leader of the Labour Group at Waltham Forest Council, and subsequently elected as Leader of the Council.

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial