New Book and Book Launch 27th June - Abyssinia: Hornsey's Lost Village

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Alison M on June 14, 2024 at 15:56

This sounds really fascinating Hugh.  Looking forward to the launch event.  I do hope you'll be giving it wider publicity within HoL by including it as an Event and also an entry in the Forum so that people who aren't members of this group can also find out about it.  

Permalink Reply by Hugh on June 15, 2024 at 9:08

Thanks Alison. I'm uneasy about using the site too heavily to promote my own interests and hoping that the fact that this post was in the Ketchup and comes up in latest activity will have allowed those most likely to be interested to get a wind of the book and event.

Permalink Reply by Geraldine on June 21, 2024 at 9:35

Thanks, Hugh.  It's great to post here.  More will learn of the launch.   Sorry I am too far away to be there but I've written to the Society for details of how to order.  Looking forward to a great read!

Permalink Reply by Richard Woods on June 17, 2024 at 15:13

Well stap me vittals as was once said - I never even heard of this, not even from old Bertie White himself. I shall buy and devour!

More thank yous to Hugh and co

Richard

Permalink Reply by Liz on June 27, 2024 at 22:28

What a great evening! How brilliant to have former residents of The Vale/Abyssinia sharing their memories and photos and then walking with them around Hornsey School for Girls to where their houses and gardens once stood. I could have listened to them all night sharing their stories. Great work Hugh and everyone at the HHS that put the evening together. 

Permalink Reply by Hugh on June 29, 2024 at 14:43

Liz, I've just spoken with Mrs Andrews on the phone and passed on your words and other similar comments I've had by email. Needless to say, she was thrilled. She also seems to have had a great time on the night.

I've always connected with Alan Blunden by pre-arranged Zoom call. So I don't have his number, but I've passed on the same information to him by mail. I'll let you know if any marriage proposal results. 

Permalink Reply by e on June 28, 2024 at 6:22

Is that the site for Hornsey school for girls in inderwick Rd or an earlier site? Could there be a presentation somewhere as I missed the launch, and I can’t be the only one eileen 

Permalink Reply by Hugh on June 28, 2024 at 7:06

Hi Eileen. Yes, the site is, exactly as you say, the one on Inderwick Road. The school and its grounds map on to the old site of the 'village' exactly - and as our 'village' explorers saw last night, the line of every single street is still readily identifiable around the school grounds. You can even see the exact site of The Abyssinian pub. Locals on Montague Road say that on a bright moonlit night you can still hear the call of the famous West Indian racing tipster, Prince Monolulu on who the pub sign was modelled. Yesterday's event finished too early for the moon to be shining, but the sound of his cry of "I've gotta 'orse. I've gotta 'orse!" was still heard at the school last night.*

There's no publicly available presentation at this stage, I'm afraid, but there is a book!  It will be available online within a few days at www.hornseyhistorical.org.uk/abyssinia-hornseys-lost-village or at the Old Schoolhouse on Tottenham Lane from today (open Thursday and Fridays between 10 and 2 and on the first and third Saturday of each month between 10:30 and 2:30).

The HHS prints books in limited print runs and with pre-orders and sales last night to a much larger than anticipated turnout, about half of the run is already sold. It would be an unusual occurrence for an HHS book to sell out, but if you're interested. Eileen, and wouldn't want to wait for any reprint, I'd suggest getting hold of a copy sooner rather than later.

To anyone who came yesterday evening and to those who bought copies of the book, thank you for supporting the interest in or area's local history and the work of HHS.

The former residents who Liz mentioned were Mrs Pauline Andrews and Alan Blunden. I met Mrs a couiple of years ago Andrews whilst I was still researching the book. She provided some wonderful photos from her family album from 1916 onwards and some great first-hand recollections of the settlement. Sadly I didn't meet Alan until after it was to late to add new material to the by then completed book. He too had some evocative family photos and rich memories of Abyssinia / Hornsey Vale. I'm personally enormously grateful to them both for the rich texture they added to my knowledge of the 'village, and I feel confident in saying that the 90 odd people who came last night would also want me to pass on their warm appreciation and thanks for their contributions at the event.

A few people approached me last night towards the end of the event and asked whether it would be possible for a session about Abyssinia: Hornsey's Lost Village to be run for their group/organisation. All but one were local. The HHS also runs talks. So there's a chance that some version of last night might be re-run locally at some point. I'm also exploring the possibility of getting Mrs Andrews, Alan Blunden and some other 'Vale' residents together as the core of an oral history project.

*admittedly, only courtesy of a recording from an excellent BBC radio documentary on Prince Monolulu!

Permalink Reply by Jennifer B on June 28, 2024 at 8:48

Such an enjoyable evening and I'm full of admiration for the research and hard graft that went into producing the book - I've only skimmed it so far but it seems a really good read! Congratulations, Hugh

Permalink Reply by Hugh on June 28, 2024 at 9:22

Thank you, Jennifer. I'm glad you enjoyed it.