Sections include stories from the past, the Clapham Sect where writer Hannah More played by Florence Bayes and Nyanda, played by Temi Adigun, documents how the Common has long been a space for social reform.
The new, more prosperous, local residents begin to modify the Common by planting trees, draining and levelling areas and improving some of the ponds.
Clapham Common through the ages: A timeline of events
In the past 300 years, the face of the Common has changed and shaped the space from rapid expansion to emergent realities of conflict.
Using ‘LIVE’ journalism historical references are brought to life in a promenade performance and AR immersive experience.
Sections include stories from the past, the Clapham Sect where writer Hannah More played by Florence Bayes and Nyanda, played by Temi Adigun, document how the Common has long been a space for social reform.
Timeline of events:
Beginning at Holy Trinity Church
- Original parish in Clapham stood on Rectory Grove, where St Paul’s Church now stands.
- Built in 1776. The old building reflected the earlier residents who lived a relatively humble lifestyle compared to those who moved into the area around 1815.
- By 1815 the new parish was built to accommodate the growing community.
- In the early 19th century the church had a congregation of more than 1,400 people.
- Information about the Clapham Sect:
Henry Thornton – Pole, Thornton, Free, Down & Scott (1773-1825), established in London, was a bank connected with the Bank of Scotland. The bank was founded by his late father.
Zachary Macaulay – worked as a book-keeper on a sugar plantation in Jamaica. In the 1790s he was based in Sierra Leone, a colony established for emancipated slaves, and became its governor.
Hannah More – A British playwright, abolitionist, and philanthropist, More was born near Bristol. In the 1790s More became involved with a group of evangelical Christians known as the Clapham Sect, which opposed slavery. She began writing and editing religious tracts— collections of ballads, moral stories, and readings. She composed “Slavery, a Poem” (1788) to support the campaign for abolition in Parliament.
William Wilberforce – William Wilberforce was born on 24 August 1759 in Hull, the son of a wealthy merchant. In 1780, Wilberforce became a member of parliament for Hull, later representing Yorkshire. His dissolute lifestyle changed completely when he became an evangelical Christian, and in 1790 joined a leading group known as the Clapham Sect.
Environment
Exploring the changing landscapes and new lifestyles emerging, as the centre of the village begins to shift. Greater interest is placed on the area around the Common, where wealthy newcomers begin to build villas and mansions. Highlighting the first sightings of the area's rapid expansion as it becomes one of the fastest growing villages around London.
Timeline of events:
- In the 18th century the Common is noted as being overgrown and boggy with scattered trees.
- During this period there are over ten ponds at the Common.
- The new, more prosperous, local residents begin to modify the Common by planting trees, draining and levelling areas and improving some of the ponds. Notable residents such as Mr Henton Brown are reviled by the existing local community as they believe he is taking much of the Commons resources for his own personal use.
- In 1722 a local magistrate Charles Baldwin decided to use his own funds and partly by public subscription to begin maintenance on the Common. This work takes over 40 years.
- By 1760 the Common was said to be “well planted with trees of various species”.
- By 1870 the ten ponds located in the Common were reduced to seven, and continue to be further reduced throughout history.
- By 19th century the wild nature in the Common is still regarded as being considerably high in value
- Mass transport began to emerge in the area by the 19th century, with the introduction of the tram and tube line.
- During this period the Common is recognised as a popular leisure and entertainment site with sporting activities such as boxing and horse racing becoming a firm favourite
- The locals petitions to the London County Council for a bandstand had been answered in 1889 when the structure was built replicating the bandstand at the Royal Horticultural Society’s gardens in South Kensington
- The grade II bandstand is one one the largest in England, and the largest in London
- Since being restored in 2006 by Lambeth Council and the Heritage Lottery the bandstand has won a number of awards, including the London Borough of Wandsworth Design Award
The common is outdoors. It’s fresh air. It’s headspace. It’s nature. It’s green. It’s the dogs. It’s the sky. It’s alone time. It’s peace.
