Dr Richard Dennis: London's Enthusiastic Analyst
Posted in London on Tuesday 2nd March 2004 at 10:00pm
Took the long way round to London, which is just about the only economically viable way if you haven't planned a few weeks in advance and want to travel on a weekday morning! In fact, the route via Salisbury to Waterloo is not really much longer in terms of time, and is a pleasant enough journey in many ways. Arrival at Waterloo is often going to be far more convenient than Paddington too.
Arrived, feeling better than for several days but still a bit feeble. Set out, leaving Waterloo by the grand main entrance (not something I do often!) and then over the Thames in bright sunshine. Wandered a bit, arriving in Gower Street and finding UCL's Darwin Theatre in good time.
The purpose of my trip was to attend
Richard Dennis' lunchtime lecture - "George Gissing - London's Restless Analyst". The talk was well attended, and notable guests included Robin Woolven and Pierre and Helene Coustillas. Richard expanded on his 'Prejudice against Flats' talk from the Gissing Centenary Conference, giving a more general view of GRGs movement around the city in relation to the social status of the areas he inhabited, finding many parallels in the movement of characters from the novels. The talk was also well illustrated, particularly with excerpts from the Booth maps. Again, a pleasure to hear Richard speak, and wonderful to see his unbounded enthusiasm for Gissing still growing!
A little more wandering after the lecture, but didn't feel up to much heroic exploration. Tried to get a trip on the North London Line (and thence to Waterloo via Richmond) but was thwarted by a gas leak at Kensal Rise. This scuppered my plan of getting a quick look at Kensal Green - another vast Victorian cemetary, my second this week morbidly enough! Instead, found myself wandering through comfortingly familiar grounds at Clerkenwell. Stopped for a pint at the City Pride, then headed for Waterloo via The Drain. Had a quiet and pleasant journey home. Feeling pretty exhausted now. Resolved not to do anything tomorrow.
I could barely afford to travel to London this week, given the time of the month, the fact its January and the ridiculous fares during the week. However, having checked all possible discounts I settled on a trip the 'long way round' via Salisbury to Waterloo.
Hopped off at Clapham Junction in fact, and headed directly south to Wimbledon and then Haydon's Road for Lambeth Cemetary. Quickly found the entries I wanted in the Burial Registers, but had less success with Cremation records. Richard and Janet Kent's grave now appears to be unmarked, which closes off another potential lead - and considering Richard's standing in the local community during his lifetime, is rather sad.
Back onto the train to Farringdon and then to the London Metropolitan Archives to peruse the records of London & Middlesex Archaeological Society. Spent most of the rest of the day scouring minute books and membership lists for mentions of William Kent, with some success.
Wandered by the tiny church of St. Anne and St. Agnes, and only found out later in John Fleck's blog that today was in fact St. Agnes' day.
I'm often accused of imagining a London without people (and therefore without a purpose) so I took the opportunity today to plunge myself into the evening rush hour. I'm not much for crowds usually, but it was strangely exciting to be part of the exodus from the City towards the stations. Walbrook once again sent a tide down to Dowgate. In honour of T S Eliot I crossed London Bridge in a vast crowd (all be it in the opposite direction to that in the verse). Squished into a Networker for the short skip to Waterloo East (subject of a recent thread on uk.railway which is sort of my fault too!).
A long, tiring and enjoyable day. Like always, I've come away with more things to investigate than I arrived with this morning.
Out on the usual train, after a surprisingly poor night of sleep. Dozed quite a bit on the way. Circle to Kings Cross then a wander down the Fleet Valley to Exmouth Market and finally to the Family Records Centre. Soon got the hang of the records - partly by watching the clearly experienced and rather efficient family history buffs working quickly and steadily through lists of names and dates. Spent a fruitful couple of hours manhandling registers before ordering some certificates.
Coffee, and a wander through Clerkenwell before travelling to Clapham High Street via an overcomplicated but interesting series of short train journeys and a walk through Ruskin Park.
Long wander to some William Kent related sites in Lambeth, collecting photographs as I went. From Union Road and Larkhall Lane, via Wandsworth Road, Wheatsheaf Hall and Tradescant Road. Finally to Meadow Lane and The Oval and back to Waterloo.
Waterloo & City to Bank, then some happy but random City of London wanderings - taking pictures in steadily darkening conditions which have not produced great results. I might just attach one or two here.
A pleasant day - accomplished quite a bit, and revisited some railways I'd not seen for a long time.
 30 St. Mary Axe towers over St. Helen's Church |  ...and tiny St. Ethelburga's |
A later start than recently, having accepted a spare seat on a cheap coach to London arranged by some ex-colleagues.
On arriving, quick dash to Victoria and a train to Denmark Hill. Then a confusing but finally pretty accurate walk to the Lambeth Archives.
Browsed the documents they hold of the Clapham Antiquarian Society. Frankly, not of much interest in the search for William Kent related items. Lots of interesting old papers, but resolved not to get drawn into further complexities, so looked exclusively for what I came for, to little avail.
Since I was here, decided I'd check the Electoral Registers, to see if William remained at 71 Union Road after the 1948 date I have. Discovered to my further dismay that whilst Nos. 2-22 even Union Road were indeed in the Vauxhall Consituency of Lambeth Borough, the remainder was to be found in Wandsworth Borough. Clearly not my day.
Wandered to Loughborough Junction, then a Thameslink to Blackfriars and the Circle to Tower Hill. Explored the eastern end of the city, including visits to St Helens Bishopsgate, St Andrew Undershaft, and a brief interlude to feed the birds at St Botolph Aldgate.
At one point I turned against the wind into Lombard Street and was met with an icy blast of December air. Felt utterly desolate, alone and dejected. Longish ramble back via Moorfields and Whitecross Road. Circle from Farringdon to Baker Street. Finally met up with coach party in Park Lane.
Lost::MikeGTN
I've had a home on the web for more years than I care to remember, and a few kind souls persuade me it's worth persisting with keeping it updated. This current incarnation of the site is centred around the blog posts which began back in 1999 as 'the daylog' and continued through my travels and tribulations during the following years.
I don't get out and about nearly as much these days, but I do try to record significant events and trips for posterity. You may also have arrived here by following the trail to my former music blog Songs Heard On Fast Trains. That content is preserved here too.
