Hackney Downs Park, Upper Clapton

Wednesday, 6 June, 2018

I’ve been making two dolls in sarees for Shahanaz. It was a real challenge but I now know how to wrap a saree, not that I’d like that headache too often! And to be really honest, after making so many cute dolls, I didn’t like them very much at all by the time I’d finished. So I asked Shahanaz to meet me so that we could rip out a few stitches and re-sew until they were right.

The saree sisters!
The saree sisters!

We were meeting on Hackney Downs since it’s halfway between us. I don’t go there so often these days.

Tennis courts at the Bodney Street entrance
Tennis courts at the Bodney Street entrance
Mosaic, a mental health social enterprise inside the park
Mosaic, a mental health social enterprise inside the park
Seating at the centre
Seating at the centre
It's a big park!
It’s a big park!

Luckily, Shahanaz didn’t want too much to change. We changed the position of the shoulder areas and pleated the back a little and then we took a photo of them on the bench with their optional head scarves. Usually, we go for coffee – She’s discovering coffee! – but it’s Ramadan so I hope our next visit together is a bit more delicious.

The finished dolls ready for delivery, and my feet!
The finished dolls ready for delivery, and my feet!

Krish has had a bad back ache for about a week. This is from an old injury that every now and again flares up. The usual announcement is a loud yell from the bed when he can’t move or get up from lying down. He’s reluctant to talk to doctors about anything and it might take a while to book an appointment, attend it, and get attention. So I suggested he try the Osteopaths at Core Clapton, where I went last year for a nagging shoulder pain. You can book online and there are often same-day appointments. I booked one for him for Wednesday, when I could go with him.

It’s a ten-minute bus ride away in Upper Clapton on Northwold Road so we headed up there and went inside.

Reception area at Core Clapton
Reception area at Core Clapton
Somewhat minimal but flexible space at Core Clapton
Somewhat minimal but flexible space at Core Clapton

Several squinty minutes with the registration form later, he was in there while I waited and wandered around a little. Core Clapton is designed for accessibility. They have a range of pay what you can services and the atmosphere is casual but definitely not amateur. The fact that a smiling Krish emerged 45 minutes later and booked another visit was a huge relief! And it was a lovely day so we walked home.

Ghost sign on Northworld Road
Ghost sign on Northworld Road
Northwold Road outside Core Clapton
Northwold Road outside Core Clapton
The Crooked Billet Pub, Upper Clapton Road
The Crooked Billet Pub, Upper Clapton Road
Clapton Station, one stop away from my nearest station
Clapton Station, one stop away from my nearest station
Slice of a building - looks flat from the front!
Slice of a building – looks flat from the front!
Heavy Jewish population in Clapton
Heavy Jewish population in Clapton
Tram Store, cafe and shop
Tram Store, cafe and shop
At the Lea Bridge roundabout
At the Lea Bridge roundabout
Clapton Pond - not sure why it's called a pond!
Clapton Pond – not sure why it’s called a pond!
Heading along to Lower Clapton Road
Heading along to Lower Clapton Road

Along Upper Clapton Road is The Round Chapel. The impressive building as we know it today opened in 1871 but it began in 1804 when it was a nonconformist, congregationalist church in 1804 at the nearby Old Gravel Pit Chapel. The Gravel Pit Chapel was in turn a breakaway group from the Ram’s Chapel in Homerton.

Hackney has had a lot of groupings and regroupings since the 17th century, since it was always a nonconformist area. These churches didn’t conform to the rules of the Church of England. Abney Park and Bunhill cemeteries, for example, were nonconformist burial grounds – both within Hackney. There were also three nonconformist academies – Homerton, Newington Green and Hoxton – which produced nonconformist figures like Daniel Defoe, and  hymn writer Isaac Watts.

By 1868 the population had more than tripled and the much bigger Clapton Park (“Round”) Chapel was built. The population of the area grew massively and more houses sprang up.Then at the turn of the century, the congregation dwindled as people moved away to the outer suburbs.

The Chapel is a Grade II building, in the top 4% of protected buildings in the UK. This is in part due to its architecture – the unique round shape and its cast iron columns, controversial since they were typically used only in music halls and railway stations. Today the Hackney Building Trust has taken over the main auditorium and some rooms, while the adjoining Old School Rooms are kept by the church. The building was refurbished and is used as an event and workshop venue.

The Round Chapel
The Round Chapel