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

Seb Lewis

Seb Lewis

Charlton superfan. Charlton Athletic was first supported by his father and brother. Seb went to The Valley for the first time in 1992 and went on to attend every single game, home and away from Feb...

Person, Community / Clubs, Sport / Games

1 memorial
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Centenary Festival

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Centenary Festival

A year-long series of events organised by the Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Foundation, to mark the anniversary of the composer's death.

Event, Community / Clubs, Music / songs

1 memorial
Anglo-Chilean Society

Anglo-Chilean Society

Fromed at the Chilean Embassy at 3 Hamilton Place. In 2008 The British Chilean Chamber of Commerce based in London merged with The Anglo Chilean Society.

Group, Commerce, Community / Clubs, Chile

1 memorial
Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor

Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor

An exclusive club which only knights can join.  Founded in 1908 to enable a joint opposition to the Walker Trustees who were enforcing their entitlement to collect monies from newly created Knights...

Group, Community / Clubs, Law, Tourism / Traditions

1 memorial
Staple Inn Hall

Staple Inn Hall

Staple Inn Hall, built in 1580, was destroyed by a flying bomb on the 24th August 1944. The Hall was rebuilt in its original form in 1955, incorporating timber & other materials saved from the...

Building, Community / Clubs, Law

1 memorial

Previously viewed

William Bradley

William Bradley

Elected to Brentford Council in 1901 and vice chairman in 1903 but that does not explain why he was honoured with being placed on Andrew Carnegie's immediate right in this group shot. He certainly ...

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Battle of Brentford, 1642

Battle of Brentford, 1642

One of the many battles of the English Civil War. King Charles's forces were advancing on London. Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex attempted to stop them at the Brentford bridge. A small pitched...

Event, Armed Forces

1 memorial
Sir Thomas More

Sir Thomas More

Born Milk Street. In conflict with Henry VIII over religion he was imprisoned in the tower, found guilty of treason and beheaded on Tower Hill. Final words: "The King's good servant, but God's Firs...

Person, Execution, Literature, Politics & Administration, Seriously Famous

16 memorials
S. Spong

S. Spong

Member of the staff of A. W. Gamage Ltd and/or Benetfink & Co. Ltd. Killed in WW1.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
O. Isard

O. Isard

Co-partner or employee of the South Suburban Gas Company. Served but did not die in WW1.

Person, Armed Forces

War served, WW1
1 memorial