Before the written word, oral histories were passed down from generation to generation. Here we have recorded the oral histories of people living in EC1 - people who have lived and worked in the area for a long time and seen the changes.
David Hyams
Life-long EC1 resident David Hyams discusses his history, covering topics such as childhood, work, housing, politics and the Finsbury area.
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Jean Taylor
Resident Jean Taylor talks about her life in area covering topics such as childhood, work, housing, family and the Finsbury area.
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John Mason
Resident John Mason discusses his life and history covering topics such as childhood, family, work, housing and the Finsbury area.
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Don Keen
Engraver Don Keen discusses his personal history and also aspects of owning, running and working for a business in the Finsbury area.
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Josie Beck
Resident Josie Beck talks about her time in Finsbury including childhood, work and the Whitecross Street market.
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Frances Fuller
Resident Frances Fuller discusses her life and also issues surrounding Finsbury, such as housing, work and change in the area.
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Simon Davis
Designer Simon Davis discusses his background and why he decided to base his business in the Finsbury area.
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Father David Allen
Father David Allen, priest of St Clements' church on King Square, talks about the church, the area, housing and economics.
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Mark Brill
Entrepreneur Mark Brill discusses the significance of the EC1 area for creative industries.
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Follow the trail
walks in EC1
St John Street snakes northwards from Smithfield to the Angel. Along its route a fascinating story of change unfolds that spans more than a thousand years of London’s history.
More about this walk
The Black Cat trail crosses EC1 from Old Street in the east to the Angel in the west. It reveals some of the major changes in the area, passing by characterful churches, former cigarette factories, 19th century housing estates and Finsbury Council’s pioneering efforts to improve social housing in the 20th century.
More about this walk
