Neighbourhood news, features, and comment
By Guy O'Connell A wild animal again roams Fitzrovia. It is perhaps the largest untamed mammal seen 'round these parts since building started on the ancient hunting grounds we at FN call home. It has so far eluded capture on camera, despite the best efforts of your correspondent, whose account follows. At around 10.30pm on …
In the last quarter of the 19th century Charlotte Street and the surrounding area became home to many of those who had fled Paris after the defeat of the Commune. Today writer Lydia Syson will do a book signing and lead a guided walk as part of the Fitzrovia Festival visiting the sites of the …
Continue reading "In the footsteps of the Paris Commune in exile"
A hundred years ago this month The Voyage Out, the first novel by Virginia Woolf, was published. Woolf began writing the book when she was known as Virginia Stephen and while she was living in Fitzroy Square with her brother Adrian. Virginia and Adrian Stephen moved into 29 Fitzroy Square in March 1907. They had hesitated before taking …
Continue reading "The literary journey out from Fitzroy Square"
There's nothing to even suggest that behind the stucco facades of Georgian Fitzrovia that it was a hot spot of Anarchy in the UK. There are no blue plaques (unless they've been nicked) to guide you to the buildings where Louise Michel had lived or set up her school. But this Sunday you can discover what English …
The Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery at Conway Street is hosting the first solo exhibition of London-based artist Joan Dannatt. The retrospective in January is in celebration of Dannatt's 90th birthday. Born into a literary family in Highgate she went on to study design and typography. While at Reading University she helped organise a hidden printing press for resistance should the …
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Local resident and television presenter Griff Rhys Jones has drawn criticism after he said he would leave the UK if Labour win next year's general election and bring in a mansion tax. Rhys Jones made the comment in an interview in the Telegraph newspaper ahead of a series of programmes he is presenting about the …
Visitors to Fitzroy Square today were given the chance to taste Welsh cakes, bara brith, teisen lap and other treats baked especially for the Dylan Thomas centenary celebrations. Heather Shaill cooked up some of the cakes and also vegetarian savory dish, Camarthen sausages. Also in Fitzroy Square today were sheep (from Hackney City Farm) and poetry …
Normally under lock and key Bedford Square and Fitzroy Square will this weekend be open to the public -- as long as they pay to get in -- as part of Open Garden Squares Weekend. The gates to the private gardens in Fitzrovia's largest and greenest of spaces are normally shut to the public. Fitzroy Square is …
Continue reading "Bedford Square and Fitzroy Square open for paying visitors"
Organisers of a meeting due to go ahead on Monday in Fitzrovia are being threatened with legal action by the UK Independence Party (Ukip). The event entitled Stop Scapegoating Immigrants will feature the leader of the Green Party Natalie Bennett, prominent anti-racism campaigners, and a former Ukip press officer who Ukip are trying to prevent from speaking. The meeting is …
Continue reading "Rally to oppose scapegoating of immigrants is threatened with legal action"
By News Reporters Naomi Blake the artist who created the sculpture which sits in Fitzroy Square gardens recently celebrated her 90th birthday. This month The Curwen & New Academy Gallery are holding a special exhibition to celebrate her work which will include highlights from throughout her career. Alongside the exhibition a book -- Naomi Blake: Dedication in Sculpture -- which catalogues …
Continue reading "The fascinating life and work of Naomi Blake"
By Edward Turner This year Fitzroy Square Opera is staging a production of Carmen, one of the most popular works in the opera repertoire, on Thursday 27 June. It’s a story of high passion, jealousy and ultimate tragedy, and was very controversial when first performed in Paris in 1875. Its centre stage portrayal of a …
Continue reading "Carmen in Fitzroy Square Gardens will be a magical experience"
By Peter Whyatt Residents of Fitzroy Square now employ a security guard and dog to patrol the square in the evenings. Edward Turner, chair of Fitzroy Square Frontagers, told Fitzrovia News that the incidence of anti-social behaviour in the square had increased dramatically over the past few years and the disturbance has meant that residents …
Continue reading "Dog and handler let sleeping residents lie"
By Jennifer Kavanagh Last year, British summer being what it is, I didn’t book for the one-night event, walked in, and found it quite wonderful. This year’s summer being what it is, I tried to book, and found it sold out. In fact, sitting in the little queue for returns, I discovered that even after …
Continue reading "The O of Fitzrovia – 2. The night the opera came to Fitzroy Square"
