I stumbled across this superb living history piece (click here) from a former resident of the awful Beaconsfield Buildings that used to be on the site of Bingfield Park and 8 Rufford Street. Absolutely fascinating lesson of how state of the art social housing can go bad, in this case very bad. A lesson we should remember as our representatives 
approve increasingly dense housing in the planning system. It may work nicely when it is new, but we could be storing up problems for future generations
Smile You’re on TV
Islington Weather (BBC)- Thursday: white cloud, Max Temp: 15°C (59°F), Min Temp: 10°C (50°F)Max Temp: 15°C (59°F), Min Temp: 10°C (50°F), Wind Direction: SSE, Wind Speed: 6mph, Visibility: very good, Pressure: 1017mb, Humidity: 38%, UV risk: low, Pollution: low, Sunrise: 05:03BST, Sunset: 20:49BST
- Friday: white cloud, Max Temp: 16°C (61°F), Min Temp: 11°C (52°F)Max Temp: 16°C (61°F), Min Temp: 11°C (52°F), Wind Direction: E, Wind Speed: 7mph, Visibility: good, Pressure: 1004mb, Humidity: 59%, UV risk: low, Pollution: low, Sunrise: 05:02BST, Sunset: 20:51BST
- Saturday: white cloud, Max Temp: 17°C (63°F), Min Temp: 10°C (50°F)Max Temp: 17°C (63°F), Min Temp: 10°C (50°F), Wind Direction: WSW, Wind Speed: 5mph, Visibility: good, Pressure: 1011mb, Humidity: 69%, UV risk: moderate, Pollution: low, Sunrise: 05:01BST, Sunset: 20:52BST
- Thursday: white cloud, Max Temp: 15°C (59°F), Min Temp: 10°C (50°F)
Hi, I have been reading with interest about the Beaconsfield Buildings as I have just received a copy of my great grandfathers birth certificate which states he was born there in 1882. His flat number was 11B Beaconsfield Buildings. I was wondering if anybody had any other information from back then? I’ve just shown my 8 year old son the photos of the buildings and he was totally shocked and couldnt believe people lived like that! thanks shirley
I found froma military record that my grandfathers children were looked after by a Mrs L Biggs at No 22 Beaconsfield Buildings, York Road, Islington, whilst he was away at in WW1. Can anyone point me towards a plan of the buildings so that I can see which flat they lived in please.
I was born and brought up in Beaconsfield Building (1947-61).Yes it was a tough environment but it was full of hard working decent families who cared for each other.
Can we say that the lifeless estates of today.
I agree with Phil M my memories as a young child the happyness and togetherness that my family experenced in them days of old when people stood by each other and what was yours was shared by all. Can anyone remember Mrs Arribin the bakers where we would go for bread and as children in hard times, she would give us a cake (NO CHARGE). where have these times gone. Thanks Mum and Dad (Jack Dec and Rose Bruniges) and in loving memory of Bert and Lil Long. Who were there from the start. A Bruniges.
My Grandmother Clara Keetch was born in 1900 and lived at 32 Beaconsfield Buildings – her father was George Keetch and mother was Alice
My mother was born at No.12 I-Block Beaconsfield Blds in 1924 and her sister, 4 years later. She went to Gifford St Primary School? and later Barnsbury Road School for Girls before moving out of London to Middlesex. Mum recalls having to go to the end of the ‘balcony’ where there were 3 toilets shared by all the families on that level, and her mum taking the washing downstairs on a Monday to the ‘wash-house’ where a huge copper boiler heated water for their weekly wash. Apparently their flat had 1 bedroom and scullery.
Hi
I grew up in Beaconsfield Buildings. Number 12 and my aunt and uncle lived in number 43 (I think). I was only 4 when we moved but the memories of that place. I clearly remember having to share a loo with other residents, the two rooms we lived in etc. I think that is where my love of old 60s films come from.
hi,my grandfather Harry Brett lived at 32 b beaconsfield building when first married and had his first 3 children there,also 2 of his sister’s who married 2 brother’s by the surname of faulkner lived there also,the faulkner brother’s came from the islington area, this was late 1890′s early 1900′s, i wondered if any faulkner family members still lived on the area.
My dad Arthur Head lived in no.7 K-block from his birth in 1929 until 1939. His family remained there during the war years. He remembers the Bakery very well. His mothers name was Violet Dack, the Dack family also lived in the buildings.
In the 1881 census my Great grandfather George Deamer and his family wife Ruth son George daughter Jane were living in number 17L Beaconsfield Buildings Georges age was 23 as was his wife Ruth can anyone remember the family
Awful Beaconsfield Buildings! Awful Beaconsfield Buildings? How can bricks and mortar be awful?
The residents were wonderful, warm hearted, hard working people. The Estate was a fine example of how families can live in close proximity to their nieghbours in social harmony.
Bad Landlords make ‘Awful’ Envirements.
When first built by and administered by the Victoria Dwellings Association, residents were issued with a Rent Book. Printed on the back were the ‘Tenancy Rules’ – On pain of eviction each household will, in turn, wash and scrub all communal stairways and walkways – all doorsteps and window sills will be Blanco’ed (Whitened) weekly – No children allowed in the communal area designated for the ‘hanging out of washing to dry’. The entrance gates to the estate were closed and locked at 10.00pm (Before the pubs closed) and NOBODY was admitted after this time.
Draconian? All I know is that my mother moved onto the estate aged 7 in 1914 and lived there till their demolition in the early 1970s.
By this time of course the estate was in the hands of private Landlords whos only interest was profit and not the upkeep of standards.
For more information on Beaconsfield Buildings why not ask the people who lived there? – http://www.beaconsfieldbuildings.com – an open forum.
I was born on the 2nd July 1946 in 12c Beaconsfield Building, Drab yes certainly, embarrassed sometimes when frieds came from new estates or houses,Jealous never why because i had one of the greatest families anyone could ever have no not blood relatives although i had lots of those. But a whole bunch of people that loved and cared for me and any other that lived in the Draconian Building but i had such a great education learnt that colour, religion, disability, and homosexuality are all part of this world we now live in and because of the great start and wonderful friend i had then and still have high regard for I thank my Mum and Dad for allowing and trusting my brother Jim to to choose the life we wanted the friends we wanted and the friends and neighbours that were also there for us a great big thank to you all for making me the person that i am today……. Embarased now no i look back with love and fondness for the buildings and all you that were there with me I shall alyays love you as the song goes Patx
My great grandmother Mary Ann Kerry & great grandad Samuel Kerry lived in Beaconsfield building, I do not know what number but Mary Ann’s death certifacate was made there in 1898. They had 8 children does anybody by any chance know what happened to them. Viv
My husband’s father, Albert Neal, was born in 28H Beaconsfield Buildings in 1920. He had 5 brothers so it must have been crowded.
my mum&dad lived at 1m beaconsfields building they were ann&bert fitkin i was born september 1941 where i also lived with my brother brian my name is june fitkin imoved from ther in 1950.i also think they were my best years i was happy there my friends were audrey white &helen hargreaves dose any one remember seeing johnny ray at nash court. i also remember sitting on the wall outside arrabins bakers my cousins tony &jean long went to gifford shcool dose any one remember the caretaker tony bec also i loved playing on the roof got told off many time
In the 1881 census my maternal Great Great Grandfathers lived in the Beaconsfield Buildings.
George Fulcher, wife and 7 children lived at 7K
William Snook, wife and 5 children lived at 1L
How many rooms did they have?
Does anyone know more about these 2 families?
Thanks
I would like to make contact with Mark who posted a comment on the 6th August 2009. My great grandparents lived at 7K in 1881. I would like to understand what the accomodation was like. Thanks
i lived at 21 and 22 c beaconsfield buildings next door to th hill family my name is susan robinson, my brothers are brian john and billy mum rose and dad albert,relatives walton and goodwin family also lived in the buildings.times were hard but people were genuin and kind and would help in any situation, food clothes and all sorts it was a pleasure to grow up with all the residents of the crumbles ill never forget them an their kindness they showed to us when we were kids
I was raised in the buildings alyhough i did not actually lived there,if that makes any sense,my grandmother,Lillian Drewette along with my grandfather George, raised their large family on the second floor dwelling, which consisted of 4sons, Ronnie,George,Freddie,and Alby, 5 daughters, Lillian,Mary,Jessie,Doreen,and Joice, they were all born at the Buildings and when they in turn married ended up also living in the Buildings,myself on a personal note would agree that the buildings were an awful place, but on a personal note i would transport myself back to those days if that was possible,I could spend hours in conversation on the subject of the Building and when they eventually demolished them it most definately left a small hole in my heart,
hey brian i thik we should have a crumbles re union and get billy jones to organise it, what do you think? regards sue
Answer to Rosemary Neal posted on 12/11/09
Rosemary I remember Helen Hargreaves very well as my family lived along the balcony from her. I remember her sister Letty better as we grew up together and had many a play on the roof and also were chased off by the neighbours underneath.I also knew their Mum and Dad, Nell and Jock. My mum and dad were Farnkie and Paddy Fitzpatrick and we lived in 32 N block. There were loads of Fitzpatricks in the building at the same time; Michael and Nancy (later with Teresa), Billy and Nancy (and their seven kids), Sean, Nancy, Sally, Mary. Mary would have been the same age as Helen and yourself. She married a maltese guy called Angie. Any memories? I had a great upbringing there. Tough but fair, and you could always rely on a helping hand from your neighbour. Remember the off-licence where you could get a packet of smashed crisps for a penny, and a bottle of Tizer, the bakery yes, was it Mrs Robinson (Robertson?)who had the corner shop? Happy days. I went to Copenhagen Junior and then onto St William of York Secondary Modern in Brewery Road.
Sorry. The answer above is to June Fitken’s message on 19/1/10. Cannot see too well without my specs.
My Grandfather lived at 11a Beaconsfield Buildings. His name was Henry Thynne and he died in 1942 aged 67. I never knew him because he left my Grandmother in 1911, with three children to support. I would love to hear from anyone who new him and what his life was like, and what it was like living in those buildings.Pam Stone
Hi we lived at 7B my dad was Roanld and Mum Doris ( Dolly) Surname Hughes
we had famly in different bloks my nan and grandad
Patrick and Kathleen Best my mum’s parents she also had a sister Edna brothers David and Pat
they lived in K i think
My great gran also lived in L block Appleby was the name
does any one remember my family little memory i have of living there is a small scullery living room 2 small bedrooms i cant remember a toilet but tin bath that was filled from the kettle and saucepans hell how did we survive
but people were much happier and everyone looked out for each other.
My name was Jeannie King. I lived at 10k until my parents broke up and I then moved into my Nan’s at 1k. From there I was married and later emigrated to Canada in 1959.
The salt of the earth lived in the buildings. Charlie King is my younger brother – we are close knit still. That is how we learned to be in those early days. I knew the Long family; Mrs Long had 21 children, and my Nan had 17 children but they were still able to laugh and have parties in spite of having nothing. I am proud to say I lived in the “Crumbles.”
Hi, I,m also from the buildings I remember it well, most not very happy memories for me. But I remember my life there very clearly. I was born at 26 b block and livged there with my mum and sister Bet, shes l4 years older than me. I then went to live at my nan,s who lived at l3d block, me, my nan and my grandad in 2 rooms and a small scullery. I left there when I was l6. Now and again I.m in touch with a few people from there, Helen Hargreaves was my best friend, stillis but don,t see too much of her. Does anyone remember Valerie Carey, her dad was a tailor and he worked at Defiance, shop in the Cally. I well remember Arabins bread shop and also the offy ( where we could buy l penny bags of crisps! Then there was Robbo,s sweet shop a a few doors along, memories ay!Last year it was my sisters golden wedding anniversary, we went on a tour of the Cally, we went to the sight where the buildings used to stnnd, not only have the buildings gone, a lot of the names of roads have gone too. The only place standing is the old paget and church, nice to know they left something original for the people, who it all meanT something to. Janet Withers, (former;y France).
june fitkin from ada goff
I remember your aunt Lil Long and her children Jean and Tony. Lil worked at Robert Porter in York Way for many years before moving to Essex to be with Jean. Audrey White Pat White Bill White and their Dad Bill also worked at Porters. As did Dick Carey and Tony Devoti. I also worked at Porters for twenty years. I also remember seeing Johnny Ray at Nash Court before seeing him at the Palladium.
My name is ken kaleher, i used to live at 19h block with mum gladys, dad george, brother brian, sisters maureen, gloria, and patsy. I used to go to arabins bakers and buy a twist loaf and pick a hole in it on the way home. I used to play on the dedbury and a car tyre was my toy, i used to roll it everywhere. They were hard times but we all helped each other. I can remember listening to the trains shunting at york way when i was in bed and chopping up fire wood and selling it for thrupence a bundle. My nan used to buy us penny milk lollies. I would love to hear from anybody who can remember our family.
My mother in law Florence Wilson lived in the buildings from her birth in 1924 until she was sent to Hutton residential home when she was about 4 or 5, she had several brothers and sisters, Tommy, Alec, Winnie, Nora were a few,she has dementia now but often talks about the buildings, I am looking for anyone who may remember her family. Apparently her younger sister Nora fell down the steps when living there and she died, she would have been about 18 mths to 2 yrs. There were 9 children altogether living with her mother and possibly father.
My name is Linda Davidson, my grandfather was Edward( Ted) Cane. He and his family lived at 1c.Beaconsfield bldgs. They were George Cane, Hannah his wife , children, Hannah , George, Frederick Katherine and Ivy. They are on the 1901 Census , living there. George was a carman, and son George worked on the railway. If anyone knew of them Id love to hear from them…we have no birth record even of my grandfather either..he would have been born a few months after the 1901 census….thanks for all the info to everyone!
My grandfather Edward Cane and his brothers and sisters lived here in Beaconsfield Bldgs, blocks ‘A’ and ’1C’ from about 1895-1911 or so, when there father died and they had to move to Story Street? His mother and father were Hannah and George Cane.
I’d like to find out which school he( Edward born 1903) may have attended…I have read about ‘Board schools’… were they actual boarding schools or would every day poor children have gone there. Or does anyone know where the poorer families in the buildings would have sent their children?
Im grateful for any information..
i lived at 9m from 1947 to 1960 i thougt the buildings was great we all got on with each other yes we had bad times but the good times were great every one new who you was i have posted letters but no luck all the best to you all jimmy palmer
I wonder why visitors to this site and to the crumbles site constantly refer to how poor the residents of the buildings were. I lived there from birth in 1946 until November 1967 poor not at all I am along with the rest of the children born there during this time are the richest people in the world. You need to read our memories and feel envy because you could never experience what we had then or now in our hearts. We did suffer hard times everybody does at some point. But with people like Ted and Maisie Robinson Rose and Albert Robinson, Jackie Walton My mum (Lily Whatmore ) RIta Hill the Barker, Pettit families my list of names are endless we were only ever going to grow up to be decent and honest people. Not some THIEVING/LOOTING yob of the present day if we put a foot finger hand or word out of place one of the above would have dealt with you and if you told your mother or father the god help you because you knew the out come. So visitors do not pity us because we still yearn and mourn those days something you will never know”……..
my name is jimmy palmer i lived at 9m from 1944 to 1960 i was happy in the buildings every one knew each other i had four brothers and one sister . billy , john . kenn .and dereck there is only my sister jackie and . john and me left any one that wants to contact me via email pleasedo so mrjimp@gmail.com
i lived at 9m i had four brothers billy johnny kenny and dereck and a sister jackie there is only jackie and johnny and me left now i am jimmy palmer i went to copenhagen school and gifford street school when i was a kid i worked up chapple st market on the barrows yes we had a rough time but people looked out for each other it was like one big family we all knew each other we lived at 9 m it would be nice to hear from any one that new me all the best to you all . jimmy palmer mrjimp@gmail.com
my mother,Queenie head lived in d block with my father Alfred george head in 1947,my mother who is now 90 would love to see some photos of the old place,we moved out as i remember when i was about five to Essex,the new council house came as a great shock to us all,three bedrooms,kitchen,bathroom (with inside toilet)plus garden,if anyone could email me any photos of the blocks it would be a fantastic memory for my mother,very many thanks for your time,Graham Head,Bucks
Further to my last posting regards photos of beaconsfield buildings that i placed on the 19thJan i should of course put my email address down,so here it is..pamandgra@hotmail.co.uk,if anyone could help with photos of the old place,i would be very much obliged, many thanks, Graham Head,Bucks
My Grandparents, Alfred & Elizabeth (Bess) Fitch lived in the buildings for many years, at 11i or j circa 1900, then 20/21P in the early 1930′s & finally 25M from the late 1930′s to late 1950′s. My Grandmother lived at 25M on her own after my Grandfathers death in 1949. My Grandfather was a coalman who used a horse & cart to make his deliveries.
I’ve just found from the 1891 Census that my Great Great Grandfather, David Munday, a carpenter, lived in Beaconsfiled Buildings with his 2nd wife, their 5 school age/ toddler sons and his wife’s grown up nephew. Their address on the Census form seems to be shown as 3 units – 12e, 13e & 14e.
Please. can anyone tell me anything about the layout of the flats in the Buildings?
Does “e” refer to a building or to a floor or to a particular end of the complex? By the standards of the 1890s, 8 people wasn’t a very big family, so I wonder how they could be renting 3 units?
Any suggestions or explanations welcome. Thank you.
Beaconsfield Buildings had block letters so the ‘E’ would be the block.
There is a lot of information, including a line drawn map (block E is shown as ’5′) on the following site: http://www.beaconsfieldbuildings.com
There is also a forum & various photo’s.
Three units does sound a lot for 8 people but I’m not sure how large the units were although I remember being told that some were very small & only suitable for 1 or 2 people with shared toilets on the balconies.
Hope this is of some help.
Thank you very much for replying.
What you say about the different sizes of unit does tally with what I suspected might be the case. Maybe there just wasn’t one large family flat available when they were looking to rent and they just had to take what was available till something better turned up.
I’ll explore the link. It sounds useful.
Thanks again
My Grandparents lived in 2 units (20 & 21P) at one time because they had a large family. I’m not sure how many rooms this consisted of though.
A few families at Beaconsfield Bldgs were fortunate to rent more than”one unit. ”
Our family name was McLellan and we lived at 3A. from 1953 until demolition. . Ada. Fred. Maggie and Rona.
Our flat was on the ground floor and consisted of two bedrooms, sitting room, kitchen AND indoor bathroom and toilet.
Very lucky I hear you say. Yes we were. Not until the toilets upstairs became blocked and and excretia bubbled up through our lavatory pan and had to be swept from the bathroom through the kitchen and out the “passage door”. Not to mention the “parcels” that were thrown from windows on a Sunday afternoon.
Our parents along with many others led a protest walk to Downing Street and met with Sir Keith Joseph.
But as with previous comments from other residents. Beaconsfield Bldgs was a school of learning and I’d say the majority of us would agree that money could not buy the “educatiion ” we had.
And yes we were very lucky to have such love and warmth from the extended family..
Hi Ada,
I’ve been trying to find some photo’s of the inside of the buildings but to no avail. Do you have any or do you know where I could see some please?
I’ve replied to your message on Friends Re-united too.
Best wishes,
Janet
Hello Janet
You have obviously found the same website as myself. Isn’t it fascinating.
I only have one or two photographs taken inside our flat on the day of my wedding 1958. I will search for them but I’m certain there is not much to see apart from one photo of Barbara and Rosina.
Hi Ada,
Yes this is a great site!
I would love to see any photo’s that you have if you don’t mind. Thank you.
I think you have my email address.
Best wishes.
Good morning Janet
I don’t appear to have your email address. Perhaps you could send it to me.
Best regards Ada
hi everyone, a fascinating discussion, i have only just found it. I was born in Keystone Crescent in 1946. I remember the name of the biuldings but cannot remember the exact locatlon. Memory does play funny tricks. Yes there was thieving, gangs and all the other things that went with poverty. But not amongst ourselves. We knew who the villains were, some amongst our own families so we knew who to look for when things went missing. However who wants to go back to huddling round the one open fire in the living room, Mum and Dad having to put down the put-u-up to sleep in the same room, the freezing cold times until we could get the fire going, carrying the bagwash up to Killick Street and carrying the wet sack back home. Not me even though those memories are very precious to me.