This week's newsletter of top stories and local listings is now out! Make sure to sign up so you stay in the know: bit.ly/EC1EchoNews

Here's a taste of what you're missing. Lots of local stories and loads of listings this week - bit.ly/EC1Echo21stNov

Delighted to share this recent publication, I was privileged to co-author with Felix Driver and Toby Butler, where we explore the issues and challenges involved in creating an activist archive to represent one of the most significant social movements of our times
academic.oup.com/hwj/article-...

Impressive investigation into why the City decided to close its markets, pay off the traders, and then pull out of the deal to relocate them to Dagenham. Hope Dave stays on the case for what happens next to the market sites.

Today's family-friendly Bartholomew Fayre offers lots of fun - though rather different from the original. Started in 1133 to fund Barts Hospital, it was closed in 1855 after years of concern about debauchery and public disorder. connections.commons.london/bartholomew-... @londonmuseum.bsky.social

Clerkenwell Community Photography Competition 2025 - Move Over Pigeons, Clerkenwell’s Cats Have Arrived

In her second year covering the competition, Surya Anthony celebrates a record-breaking exhibition, a joyful awards night, and the rise of the cat as
www.ec1echo.co.uk/clerkenwell-...

It used to be a pile of scrap covered in a dirty tarpaulin… 👀 at it now! beautiful City garden, on SW corner @stgilescg.bsky.social done by lovely volunteers in our wonderful community. #city #citygarden @gardenliveryco #thelittlecountrychurchinthecity … #church for #barbican #oldstreet #moorgate

Excellent workshop today on Clerkenwell maps by Tom Furber @thelondonarchives.bsky.social with Clare Paul of Islington Heritage. One showed the village in Queen Elizabeth's reign: St James's Church, the Clerks' Well, and Knights Templar house. Next workshop is on September 19 tinyurl.com/2xr4ablu

Culture Mile Business Improvement District made the most of the City's Postman's Park for a Midsummer Fayre - Morris dancers, Minstels, Birds of Prey, Flower Crown Workshop plus tokens for free food and drink. The park is worth a visit any time tinyurl.com/ywch9ztr 1/2 @thecityofldn.bsky.social

Where are they now? A photo wall beneath Westway shows local children playing in the streets of North Kensington nearly 60 years ago. Photographer Adam Ritchie is offering a print to anyone pictured, and a photo taken now. More about the exhibition, and Maxilla Gardens location tinyurl.com/2dcgxpdx

Early visitors today to the very special hidden garden at Great St Barts, Smithfield (1123) - part of London Open Gardens tinyurl.com/28nn4ofr
Here's the backstory of how local resident Bernadette Skehan and other volunteers reclaimed the derelict garden tinyurl.com/23gh6huv #LondonOpenGardens

In 1725 young Benjamin Franklin worked as a printer in the Lady Chapel of Great St Barts, then commercial premises. 300th celebrations start today with lectures and demonstrations on a replica press. Preview here tinyurl.com/2atr3arz @StBartholomews

Really excellent new map of Clerkenwell published today encouraging residents, workers and visitors to explore the area’s fascinating streets on foot. Details in EC1 Echo article from Footways London co-founder David Harrison tinyurl.com/224tg5qq

The City Corporation tried a new format for resident engagement yesterday, with a forum for group discussions, instead of a formal Question Time, followed by festive drinks. I think it was a useful experiment, if we could have a record of the key responses to questions. tinyurl.com/23pjbkka

Media coverage of the City Corporation's decision to close Smithfield Market hasn't offered much detail on possible reuse of the historic buildings - so here's links to concept designs published in 2020. Or will we have another Covent Garden? tinyurl.com/23q6acf4 #smithfieldmarket