Mary Wollstonecraft in Greater Kennington

Several parts of UK lay claim to the legacy of Mary Wollstonecraft. The  philosopher, writer, visionary, feminist and mother left tracks in Spitalfields, Yorkshire and there is a blue plaque in her honour just outside Greater Kennington. What is less reported is that she spent a number of her formative years living in Walworth, just off the Walworth Road.

By the mid to late 18th century what is now Elephant & Castle and Walworth became fashionable with the middle classes as it was surrounded by market gardens and provided easy access to the City. The result of moving around (and being female) meant that Mary was denied a systematic education, and this was the groundwork for her ultimate life defining work, ‘A Vindication of the Rights of Woman’. But living in our area made her more curious about the world around her, to the consternation of her father. 

In 1775 Mary was introduced to the Blood family who lived in Newington Butts. Her friend Fanny Blood evolved into an inspiration for Mary and over the next decade inspired her unconventional life. Mary managed to remain close to Fanny for a period until life with her father became too unbearable, and her mother found her lodgings at the home of translator Thomas Taylor in Manor Place, Walworth. 

After an abbreviated life of writing and advocacy Mary died at 38 and left a number of unfinished manuscripts and pieces of work. She also left a 11 year old daughter Mary Shelly, who would go on to write ‘Frankenstein’ when she was just 21. For over a century Mary’s personal life overshadowed her achievements in a manner that would not have happened if she was a man.

A few artefacts of Mary’s era exist in the Cuming Museum (which we wrote about in 2020) at the Walworth Heritage Centre a stone’s throw from her previous abode. Among them is a calling card that Mary left for the Cuming family. If you do happen to find yourself on Walworth Rd imbuing your life with the legacy of Wollstonecraft, we recommend that you take a break by visiting the yummy Shawarma Hut. The history books are unclear as to whether Mary herself actually dined at Shawarma Hut, but we like to think that she would have.

City & Guilds Degree Show

Earlier this week we made the unholy decision to leave Greater Kennington in order to attend the City and Guilds Fine Art Graduates Show at the Oxo Tower. It had to move from the school in Kennington Park Rd. due to the sheer size of the show, but by the time you are reading this it will all be over. But fear not, we’re here to tell you about the upcoming Degree show at City and Guilds from 18 – 22 August. As with everything you need to book, and it is totally free. 

These graduate shows are the high point of the Kennington art world calendar, and a great way to poke around some lovely Georgian buildings that are usually closed to us non arty folk. The shows are slightly bonkers, often beautiful, and never boring. In 2019 we deduced the main themes to be – 1. Saving the planet   2. Nudity   3. Saving the planet through nudity  4. Rocks.  Top tip- if you’re ever questioned about the meaning of that swing set covered in fur, just  look the person square in the face and say ‘its about IDENTITY’. Or be bang on trend with ‘It’s about COVID, obviously’. In addition to swings with fur, they also have exhibits of wood carving, masonry, and conservation. On most days the students studying these crafts are on hand and happy to show you what they are working on and how they do it. And it’s pretty wonderful. 

City and Guilds London Art School has a very long and fascinating connection to Greater Kennington. Before being in its present location it was in Vauxhall, with one its early patrons being the Doulton Pottery factory who used their students to embellish their works. With a strong contingent of female students, it also has links to the Suffragette movement in the early 20th century. You can even but some of these works on Ebay!


Walking, Testing, and Tubes

We don’t usually provide public service announcements as that would make us no better than, say, Time Out. And we’re better than that. However, we’ve recently stumbled on some interesting information which you might find useful. We’ve also stumbled upon a very nifty app called ‘Go Jauntly’ which recommends walks based on your postcode. Put in your own and you might find a historical garden tour in Vauxhall, mutinies and executions in Greater Kennington, and another relating to Banksy and William Blake (don’t see much of a parallel between the two but that could be half the fun). Or you could just stand outside your favourite pub and bang on the door while you burst into tears. The choice is yours. 

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS!

Northern Line Extension trials running smoothly


Successful trial journeys have run along new Tube tunnels between Kennington and Battersea Power Station ahead of the Northern Line Extension opening in 2021.

READ THE STORY

Input on future plans for Nine Elms 

Wandsworth Council has drawn up a draft plan to guide development in Nine Elms and across the borough and is now seeking local people’s views.

READ THE STORY
Live in or work in Lambeth? Get an asymptomatic COVID-19 test
You can now get a COVID-19 test even if you are not displaying symptoms. 

BOOK YOUR TEST


Kennington blogs

Many of our fellow Kennington blogs have responded enthusiastically to the arrival of this blog so it’s time to give them a name check:

Better North Kennington

Mobile Gardeners, a dynamic new meanwhile community park space in North Kennington

Roundabout News, all about the north roundabout in North Kennington

Kennington SE11

SE11 Lurker

Kennington People on Bikes

Now and Then East Kennington

The East Kennington Society

This Is East Kennington

East Kennington London SE17

The West Kennington Society

West Kennington Trust

SW8 West Kennington

West Kennington Grove

Tradescant Road and South Lambeth

I Love West Kennington

West Kennington Village