Time for a Scene in Time
Ah, Autumn! (to be uttered with a wistful sigh). Season of
mists and mellow wotsitness and all that. Also season of cracking
London-centric events such as the glorious Thames Festival and, nosy
parkers’ favourite, London Open House. As the latter is now behind us
and the former draws to a close at the end of September, we’re looking
forward to keeping everyone in the mood with a river-themed open house
event of our own: Wilton’s & the River.
As well as making it possible for us to rescue and repair the Wilton’s building, Heritage Lottery Fund, along with Backstage Trust and Aldgate & Allhallows, are also funding a programme of activities up to the end of July 2016. This includes three annual free weekend Scene in Time events for all the family, each based on an aspect of the history of Wilton’s and the local area. Our first Scene in Time will take place on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th October and our theme is Wilton’s & the River.
Our Researcher and Historian, Carole Zeidman, chose this theme for more than one reason. Most obviously, 2014 marks the 125th anniversary of the London Dock Strike, during which the Methodists running the Mahogany Bar Mission saved dockers’ families from starvation by opening a soup kitchen. But Wilton’s connection with the Thames and London’s docks is far deeper and broader than this one episode in its history.
The houses to the front of the music hall itself, currently a hive of industry as the William Anelay team labour to preserve them with the utmost care, date from the late 17th century. They have stood through hell and high water in a neighbourhood that has inevitably been massively shaped and influenced by its most significant local natural feature - the Thames. The last 300 hundred years has seen this area shift from growth and prosperity, through poverty and overcrowding, disuse and dereliction to redevelopment and optimistically looking to the future. A mirror of Wilton’s own life, in fact.
Excerpt from Charles Booth’s Labour and Life of the People
What better, then, than a weekend of free arts, crafts, films, talks, walks, bike rides, mudlarking, music and more to explore the rich and fascinating world, past and present, of the Thames, London’s docks and the people who have lived and worked here - as well as our own role in the capital’s maritime history?
We are fortunate to be working with a wonderful band of collaborators for Wiltons & the River, such as Museum of London in Docklands, Wapping Children’s Centre, Wapping History Trust and the Thames River Police; and some of London’s leading authorities on a range of subjects close to our theme will be taking to the stage to deliver fascinating talks each afternoon. If you would like to help us to make history, upload your photos of the area to our site, record a memory about your or your family’s connection with the river, the docks or Wilton’s on the day or just drop by and say hello. You can find full details of the programme for each day here.
Looking forward to seeing you.